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Adult Attention Deficit
Disorder
By: Jeannine Virtue
Attention Deficit Disorder tends to focus predominately on children,
leaving the ADD adult largely under served. Most of the information
presented about Attention Deficit Disorder focuses on children,
parenting and school issues. All but one ADHD medication currently on
the market achieved FDA approval for adult Attention Deficit Disorder
treatment.
Attention Deficit Disorder simply was not in vogue when the adult of
today was a child decades ago. While today many express concerns of over
diagnosis of Attention Deficit Disorder in children, many also
acknowledge the under diagnosing of adults with Attention Deficit
Disorder.
Adults with ADD often realize that they have Attention Deficit Disorder
when their own child is diagnosed. Looking through the list of symptoms,
the parent often sees similarities in their own present or past
behavior.
Yet, the hurdles of Attention Deficit are often the same, whether in a
child or an adult. The ADD adult might have trouble with staying on
task, staying organized and procrastinating, just as the Attention
Deficit Disorder child does. The Attention Deficit Disorder adult might
have trouble maintaining relationships and controlling their mood, just
like an ADD or ADHD child. The main difference between the ADD adult and
the ADD child is that the adult with Attention Deficit typically has
more sophisticated coping mechanisms.
For the better part, the Attention Deficit Disorder ADD ADHD symptom
test outlined for children is about the same for the adult, with the
word “work” substituted for “school.” You can also look at the Attention
Deficit Disorder test for children and ask yourself if, as a child, you
had such symptoms or currently have such Attention Deficit Disorder
symptoms.
Below is an adult symptom test with symptoms unique to the Attention
Deficit Disorder adult. This self test is not a diagnostic test but a
source of information for the adult trying to determine if Attention
Deficit Disorder might be present in their life.
Adult ADD Symptom Test:
If you experience more than 10 points on this adult ADD self symptom
test, Attention Deficit Disorder is likely present.
_ An internal sense of anxiety
_ Impulsive spending habits
_ Frequent distractions during sex
_ Frequently misplace the car keys, your purse or wallet or other
day-to-day items
_ Lack of attention to detail
_ Family history of ADD, learning problems, mood disorders or substance
abuse problems
_ Trouble following the proper channels or chain of commands
_ An attitude of "read the directions when all else fails"
_ Frequent traffic violations
_ Impulsive job changes
_ Trouble maintaining an organized work and/or home environment
_ Chronically late or always in a hurry
_ Frequently overwhelmed by tasks of daily living
_ Poor financial management and frequent late bills
_ Procrastination
_ Spending excessive time at work due to inefficiencies
_ Inconsistent work performance
_ Sense of underachievement
_ Frequent mood swings
_ Trouble sustaining friendships or intimate relationships
_ A need to seek high stimulation activities
_ Tendency toward exaggerated outbursts
_ Transposing numbers, letters, words
_ Tendency toward being argumentative
_ Addictive personality toward food, alcohol, drugs, work and/or
gambling.
_ Tendency to worry needlessly and endlessly
_ “Thin-skinned” - having quick or exaggerated responses to real or
imagined slights.
So you hit a number of points on the adult ADD self symptom test, now
what?
First, it is important that a physician rule out conditions like
anxiety, depression, hypothyroidism, manic-depressions or obsessive
compulsive disorder that can mimic Attention Deficit Disorder symptoms.
Hormonal imbalances in perimenopause and menopause can produce foggy
thinking, anxiety and exaggerated outbursts. Women should rule out
perimenopause if the Attention Deficit symptoms appear in their late 30s
or 40s.
Physicians typically first prescribe antidepressants like Prozac for an
adult with ADD, since depression issues often go hand-in-hand with adult
ADD. Physicians usually move to stimulant medications like Adderall,
Concerta or Ritalin or Strattera if antidepressants do not work.
The stimulant medication treatment route is not recommended for people
with a history of drug or alcohol use or abuse since these are
controlled substances with a fairly high degree of addiction potential
in adults. Some adults find that the side effects of ADHD medications
are not worth the benefits of the medication.
The Attention Deficit Disorder adult can find help naturally without the
side effects of ADD medication treatment by incorporate diet, exercise
and lifestyle modifications.
Release the Steam, Quiet the Mind:
Regular and vigorous exercise can be very helpful for the Attention
Deficit Disorder adult. Attention Deficit Disorder adults tend to have
addictive personalities. Exercise is a good addiction. Aside from the
obvious health benefits, regular exercise is also a great way to release
steam and quiet the mind. Some studies also link regular exercise to
decreased depression - a condition common with Attention Deficit
Disorder adults.
Diet:
The brain is a hungry organ that cannot function at optimal levels
without the proper fuels. To keep the brain functioning at top
performance, ADHD diets packed with brain boosting essential fatty acids
and amino acids is a must. A diet high in lean protein provides amino
acids necessary for brain functioning.
The ADD adult can also meet these crucial dietary requirements for
Attention Deficit Disorder by taking a high-quality nutritional
supplement to ensure that they are giving the brain the fuel it needs to
function properly.
Restructuring the ADD adult environment:
The Attention Deficit Disorder adult should get into the habit of making
lists. The list should include any and all tasks required for the day,
from “Mop the kitchen floor” to “Finish the sales proposal.”
Write your list with the tasks of highest priority first. Once the
highest priority task is completed, mark it off and go to the next.
Warding off the urge to skip around on the list will take some
discipline but the sense of accomplishment at completed tasks is well
worth the effort.
The Attention Deficit Disorder adult should also keep a notepad in their
car, purse, coat and on their bed stand. Thoughts come and go quickly.
Jotting the good ideas down will ensure that they don’t go away quickly
- assuming the notepad does not get lost in the process...
The alarm clock or a wristwatch with an alarm can be a great tool for
the Attention Deficit Disorder adult. If you need to pick your child up
from soccer practice at a certain time, set the alarm. If you have food
cooking on the stove and you leave the kitchen, set the alarm. If you
have an important appointment, set the alarm.
Large tasks tend to overwhelm the Attention Deficit Disorder adult and
they often put off large task as long as possible. It is not uncommon
for the Attention Deficit Disorder adult to procrastinate until the
“11th Hour” and then pull an all-night jam session trying to meet a
deadline.
For large tasks, the Attention Deficit Disorder adult will do well to
break the task into smaller, more manageable tasks and attach deadlines
to the smaller tasks. If you need to finish a large project in one week,
for instance, schedule specific time each day to work on a specific
aspect of the project.
An adult with Attention Deficit Disorder might also find it beneficial
to enlist the help of a coach. A coach is a close and trusted friend,
co-worker or therapist whose specific function is to help the Attention
Deficit Disorder adult stay organized, on track and focused while
providing encouragement.
Bio:
Jeannine Virtue is a freelance journalist and mother of an
Attention Deficit Disorder son. To learn more about natural and effective
alternatives to Ritalin and other ADHD medications, visit
http://www.add-adhd-help-center.com.
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