"Well, it was very hard for me to admit that I had a problem because my brother and mother were both diagnosed with ADD, and I didn't want to be like them. I had to work very hard in school, and I still had my failures. But I made it. Later in life, as I had children and a career, I noticed that I was unable to perform tasks, and I couldn't focus. Sometimes the multitasking lifestyle brings it out. I went for about two years looking for help, thinking I was depressed or something. I came to find out though, after reviewing deep family history patterns, I have ADD, and that's why I wasn't functioning as I should. I had an MRI confirm as much as could be confirmed. And now, my twin children also were diagnosed. So, we deal and cope together on a daily basis. With medication though, we are able to live practically normal lives. I hope this helps someone out there to challenge the depression diagnosis and see if there could be something underlying, especially if there is a family history."
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What Is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most
well-recognized childhood developmental problems. This condition is
characterized by inattention, hyperactivity and impulsiveness. It is now known
that these symptoms continue into adulthood for about 60% of children with
ADHD. That translates into 4% of the US adult population, or 8 million adults.
However, few adults are identified or treated for adult ADHD.
ADHD in Adults
Adults with ADHD may have difficulty following directions, remembering
information, concentrating, organizing tasks or completing work within time
limits. If these difficulties are not managed appropriately, they can cause
associated behavioral, emotional, social, vocational and academic problems.
Adult ADHD Stats
ADHD afflicts approximately 3% to 5% of school-age children and an
estimated 60% of those will maintain the disorder into adulthood.
Prevalence rates for ADHD in adults are not as well determined as rates for
children, but fall in the 1% to 5% range.
ADHD affects males at higher rate than females in childhood, but this ratio
seems to even out by adulthood.
Common Behaviors and Problems of Adult ADHD
The following behaviors and problems may stem directly from ADHD or may be
the result of related adjustment difficulties:
These behaviors may be mild to severe and can vary with the situation or be
present all of the time. Some adults with ADHD may be able to concentrate if
they are interested in or excited about what they are doing. Others may have
difficulty focusing under any circumstances. Some adults look for stimulation,
but others avoid it. In addition, adults with ADHD can be withdrawn and
antisocial, or they can be overly social and unable to be alone.
Anxiety is a feeling of apprehension and fear characterized by physical symptoms. Anxiety disorders are serious medical illnesses that affect approximately 19 million American adults.
Stress occurs when forces from the outside world impinge on the individual. Stress is a normal part of life. However, over-stress, can be harmful. There is now speculation, as well as some evidence, that points to the abnormal stress responses as being involved in causing various diseases or conditions.
Depression is an illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts and affects the way a person eats and sleeps, the way one feels about oneself, and the way one thinks about things. The principal types of depression are major depression, dysthymia, and bipolar disease (also called manic-depressive disease).
Bipolar disorder (or manic depression) is a mental illness characterized by depression, mania, and severe mood swings. Treatment may incorporate mood stabilizer medications, antidepressants, and psychotherapy.
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder that causes a person to suffer repeated obsessions and compulsions. Symptoms include irresistible impulses despite a person's realization that the thoughts are irrational, excessive hand washing, skin picking, lock checking, or repeatedly rearranging items. People with OCD are more likely to develop trichotillomania, muscle or vocal tics, or an eating disorder. Treatment for OCD includes psychotherapy, behavioral therapy, and medication.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a behavioral disorder characterized by the symptoms hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention. Treatment for ADHD may involve behavioral therapy and psychostimulant or antidepressant medication.
Learning disabilities can cause an individual to have trouble learning and using skills such as reading, listening, writing, reading, speaking, reasoning, and performing mathematics. There is no cure for learning disabilities. Parents and teachers working together to properly diagnose learning disabilities can properly plan a course of education. For some, medication may be appropriate as complimentary treatment.
Stress may be considered as any physical, chemical, or emotional factor that causes bodily or mental unrest and that may be a factor in disease causation. An important goal for those under stress is the management of stress in our lives. Elimination of stress is unrealistic, since stress is a part of normal life. We can however, learn to manage stress through techniques such as exercise, relaxation, meditation, time management, and support systems so that we have control over our stress and its effects on our physical and mental health.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can be challenging for a parent or caregiver with a child with this disorder. There are steps, routines, and help for parents and caregivers of children with ADHD to help guide the family toward a productive and healthy life.
Early warning signs of job stress include headache, sleep disturbance, difficulty in concentrating, short temper, upset stomach, job dissatisfaction, and low morale. Stress on the job can be damaging to your health in that job stress is the outcome when job demands cannot be met.
Generalized anxiety disorder (or GAD) is characterized
by excessive, exaggerated
anxiety and worry about everyday life events with no obvious reasons for
worry. People with
symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder tend to always expect disaster and
can't stop worrying about health, money, family, work, or school. In people
with GAD, the worry often is unrealistic or out of proportion for the
situation. Daily life becomes a constant state of worry, fear, and dread.
Eventually, the anxiety so dominates the person's thinking that it interferes
with daily functioning, including work, school, social activities, and
relationships.
What Are the Symptoms of GAD?
GAD affects the way a person thinks, but the anxiety can lead to physical
symptoms, as well. Symptoms of GAD can include:
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