In the past, professionals believed that AD/HD, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder was a disorder for children. You might have heard it called ADD, or Attention Deficit Disorder. The official diagnosis is AD/HD. What we have found is that children often don't "out grow" this disorder. Adults might have found ways to compensate for it as they grow older; but, the essential features remain and often intrude in their lives.
I became interested in Adult AD/HD when I met Jason*, a 34 year old attorney who had left the legal field and worked for the Federal Government. He was bored. He reported that he could do any job for six months; however, after six months, he became bored. Since this did not make for a good work record, we decided to explore if his boredom was due to being underemployed, in the wrong career, or ADHD. Since he operated in the genius level of intelligence, I suspected that he might have difficulty with finding a challenging career. He had no particular interests. He became an attorney by default. After testing and a careful review of his history, I suggested he see a psychiatrist for medication for ADHD. He fit the criteria; but, he did not have the history documented in his early school years because he was in a private school which was structured. He daydreamed much of the time. He didn't have to listen or study. He just absorbed the material and got A's. He also had a co-morbid diagnosis of Dysthymia. This had complicated identifying the ADHD diagnosis. He has been able to find a position which involves variety as well as challenges. With medication, he is able to focus and produce.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disordes
Have you ever been called spacey, disorganized, absent-minded or distractible? Do you attempt to organize but quickly get overwhelmed? If so, read on.
Adults with AD/HD are more likely to discover that they, too, are AD/HD, if an offspring is diagnosed with ADHD. I see clients who hesitantly confess, "I took my son's medication. I didn't feel differently physically; but, I was able to make a list of what I wanted to do. I actually got to cross of some of the items." In the past, clients tell me that they start projects but don't finish them. In the midst of trying to finish them, they might get distracted by something else. One client could not sort silverware - it was too overwhelming for her. These clients attract much teasing and criticism from family, friends and bosses.
So do any of the following fit you?
o often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in work or other activities
o often has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities
o often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly
o often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish chores or tasks in the workplace
o often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities
o often avoids, dislikes or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort
o often loses things that are necessary for activities
o is easily distracted by extraneous stimuli
o is often forgetful in daily activities
Six or more of the above might suggest an AD/HD diagnosis. It is important that a professional interview you about these symptoms as they could be related to other disorders. For example, if you have ever had a head injury, you might display similar behaviors.
What about the Hyperactivity part of AD/HD. So often, the media forgets that adults can be hyperactive as well as Attention Deficit. Do any of these behaviors sound like yours?
o often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in chair
o often leaves seat when remaining seated is expected
o often feels restless
o has difficulty engaging in leisure activities quietly
o is often "on the go" or often acts as if "driven by a motor"
o often talks excessively
o Impulsive, such as
o often blurts out answers before questions have been completed
o often has difficulty awaiting turn
o often interrupts or intrudes on others, such as in conversations
Do six or more describe your behavior over the past six months? Do your behaviors impair you in two or more areas of your life?
A note about symptoms - some of the most famous and intelligent people in history displayed symptoms of ADHD, such as Albert Einstein. He was also able to hyper-focus on one area at a time. This can confuse people who have this symptom because there is a stereotype that AD/HD people can't focus on anything! You can have AD/HD with primarily attentional problems or hyperactivity problems. You don't have to have both to be diagnosed. Again, what might seem like AD/HD might be some other disorder that for which you can get help!
A psychologist can give you tests and interviews in order to determine if you have this disorder, other disorders, such as anxiety or depression, or a combination of disorders. Sometimes learning disabilities coexists with ADHD. Adults who always assumed that they were "stupid" discover that they are average to above average intelligence. So seeking professional diagnosis can help you learn ways to thrive in spite of having AD/HD.
What is Adult Attention Deficit Disorder and Do I Have It? Or Am I Just a Space-Cadet?
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