Adult Attention Deficit Disorder

My psychology background kicked in right after I started dating my husband. It didn't take me too long to realize that he has adult attention deficit disorder. After realizing that, I had to ask myself whether or not I wanted to move forward with a relationship knowing some of the tendencies. Plus, I know that an adult who has adult attention deficit disorder means that he had it as a child and that it could very easily be passed on to any future generations. However, he was so adorable and passionate about life that I found myself falling for him very quickly. Before too long, I realized that adult attention deficit disorder or not, I was stuck loving him. I was okay with that.

... children with attention deficit disorder grow up to be adults with attention deficit disorder ...

Adult attention deficit disorder, or adult ADD, can be a very frustrating condition to have.  Almost all of the initial research and focus for the attention deficit disorders was focused on children and adolescents, but adults are just as likely to have the condition as youths. The disorder normally makes itself apparent during childhood, with difficulties at school being one of the most common hallmarks of the condition, which helps to explain why so much focus has been on children with the disease.  But children with attention deficit disorder grow up to be adults with attention deficit disorder.

Adult attention deficit disorder is essentially the same condition as the one children have.  If you are an adult and you are having trouble focusing at work, difficulty listening to people in everyday conversations, find yourself interrupting people a lot, losing things frequently, are easily distracted from tasks, are easily frustrated or find yourself feeling over stimulated often, you may have adult attention deficit disorder.

... their symptoms could have been overcome or avoided had they been attended to at a young age ...

Many adults that suffer from adult attention deficit disorder were not properly diagnosed as a child. Some of their symptoms could have been overcome or avoided had they been attended to at a young age. When we became more comfortable in our relationship, I asked him if he was familiar with adult attention deficit disorder. He gave me a blank stare as a response. I gently told him that I thought he perhaps may have it and that it wasn't a big deal. He had grown up in and out of foster homes and no one had ever taken the time to have him checked. Of course, no one had taken the time to actually pay enough of attention to him to even notice any symptoms. They simply assumed that he was a hyper and impulsive child.

Adult attention deficit has become more studied in recent years. Often times, if the diagnosed adult was not diagnosed as a child, they seek help with similar symptoms. Often times, their self-worth is very low and they cannot understand why they feel like such failures despite the fact that they may be incredibly successful. They are quick to become angry and lash out at others and then just as quickly, the anger is gone. People with adult attention deficit disorder may find it difficult to organize tasks and projects and are skilled at procrastination. I often have seen patients wondering why their relationships are often strained. Adult attention deficit disorder can also get some people into financial trouble because of their lack of organizing financing and ability to plan. This then leads to frustration and feelings of low self-worth.

... should be taken with caution as they are addictive drugs, and should be avoided entirely if you have a history of substance abuse ...

Typically, most doctors today will begin your adult attention deficit disorder treatment by prescribing a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, or SSRI, such as Prozac, Zoloft, or Lexapro.  SSRIs have been helpful for many in treating their adult attention deficit disorders.  If you aren’t getting any relief in your symptoms with an SSRI, you may be prescribed a stimulant, such as Ritalin, Adderall or Concerta.  These should be taken with caution as they are addictive drugs, and should be avoided entirely if you have a history of substance abuse. 

Most health professionals will agree that there are also a number of non-medication based steps you can take to alleviate some of your adult attention deficit disorder symptoms.  Getting regular vigorous exercise has been shown to help a lot of people with adult attention deficit disorder.  Also a diet high in lean protein is recommended.  Keeping lists, writing notes, breaking large tasks down into smaller parts and taking other similar steps to counter your disorder will certainly help as well.

... If adult attention deficit disorder was something terrible, I wouldn't have ventured down that aisle ...

With knowledge and education, adults who think that they may have adult attention deficit disorder can learn to adapt and work with their issues. They learn to channel their creativity by putting it to good use and to focus on their other amazing qualities. Recognizing that you or a loved one may have adult attention deficit disorder can have many positive results. Medication can treat it wonderfully. Medical advice and knowledge can help in more ways than imaginable. It isn't something to be ashamed of or want to ignore. It is common and a part of life that can be treated. Don't be afraid of it, be knowledgeable. If adult attention deficit disorder was something terrible, I wouldn't have ventured down that aisle. And I am living happily ever after.