Adult Adhd

7/24/2019 Adult Adhd

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ADULT ADHD- ADHD is achroniccondition, beginning in early childhood and persisting throughout a

person's lifetime. It is estimated that 33-66% of children ith ADHD ill continue to

ha!e significant ADHD-related symptoms persisting into adulthood, resulting in a

significant impact on education, employment, and interpersonal relationships.

- "any people ha!e heard of ADHD. It may ma#e you thin# of #ids ho ha!e troublepaying attention or ho are hyperacti!e or impulsi!e. Adults can ha!eADHD,too. About

$% to % of &.. adults ha!e it. (ut fe adults get diagnosed or treated for it.

Who gets adult ADHD?

)!ery adult ho has ADHD had it as a child. ome may ha!e been diagnosed and #non it. (utsome may ha!e not been diagnosed hen they ere young and only find out later in life.

*hile many #ids ith ADHDoutgro it, about 6+% still ha!e it as adults.Adult ADHDseems

to affect men and omen eually.

Adult ADHD Symptoms

If you ha!e adult ADHD, you may find it hard to ollo directions

/emember information

0oncentrate

1rgani2e tas#s

inish or# on time

his can cause trouble in many parts of life -- at home, at or#, or at school. 4etting treatmentand learning ays to manage ADHDcan help. "ost people learn to adapt. And adults ith

ADHD can de!elop their personal strengths and find success.

Challenges People With Adult ADHD Face

If you ha!e ADHD, you may ha!e trouble ith

An5iety

0hronic boredom

0hronic lateness and forgetfulness

Depression

rouble concentrating hen reading

rouble controlling anger

roblems at or#

Impulsi!eness

7o tolerance for frustration

7o self-esteem

"ood sings

oor organi2ation s#ills

rocrastination

/elationship problems
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronic_(medicine)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronic_(medicine)http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/default.htmhttp://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/adhd-health-check/default.htmhttp://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/adhd-health-check/default.htmhttp://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/adhd-health-check/default.htmhttp://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/adhd-adultshttp://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/childhood-adhd/default.htmhttp://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/ss/slideshow-adhd-in-adultshttp://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/ss/slideshow-adhd-in-adultshttp://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/managementassessment/default.htmhttp://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/guide/positiveshttp://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/default.htmhttp://www.webmd.com/depression/default.htmhttp://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/why-do-i-waste-timehttp://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/default.htmhttp://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/adhd-health-check/default.htmhttp://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/adhd-adultshttp://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/childhood-adhd/default.htmhttp://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/ss/slideshow-adhd-in-adultshttp://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/managementassessment/default.htmhttp://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/guide/positiveshttp://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/default.htmhttp://www.webmd.com/depression/default.htmhttp://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/why-do-i-waste-timehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronic_(medicine)


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ubstance abuseor addiction

hese may affect you a lot, or they may not bother you much. hey can be problems all of the

time or 8ust depend on the situation.9o to people ith ADHD are e5actly ali#e. If you ha!e ADHD, you may be able to concentrate

if you:re interested in or e5cited about hat you:re doing. (ut some people ith ADHD ha!e

trouble focusing under any circumstances. ome people loo# for stimulation, but others a!oid it.lus, some people ith ADHD can be ithdran and antisocial. 1thers can be !ery social and

go from one relationship to the ne5t.

roblems at chool

Adults With ADHD may have:

A history of not doing ell in school and underachie!ing

4otten in a lot of trouble

Had to repeat a grade

Dropped out of school

Po!lems at Wo"Adults *ith ADHD are more li#ely to

0hange 8obs a lot and perform poorly

(e less happy ith their 8obs and ha!e feer successes at or#

Po!lems in Li#e

Adults ith ADHD are more li#ely to

4et more speeding tic#ets, ha!e their license suspended, or be in!ol!ed in more crashes

mo#e cigarettes

&se alcohol or drugs more often

Ha!e less money ay they ha!e psychological trouble li#e being depressed or ha!ean5iety

$elationship Po!lems

Adults ith ADHD are more li#ely to

Ha!e more marital problems

4et separated and di!orced more often

Ha!e multiple marriages

Ho% &s Adult ADHD Diagnosed?

- A physical e5am to rule out other medical problems

- Health history*hile e5perts don:t agree on an age that you can first diagnose ADHD, they do agree that people

don:t suddenly de!elop it as an adult. hat:s hy hen a doctor sees you they ill as# about

your beha!ior and any symptoms that you may ha!e had as a child. hey may also

7oo# at school report cards. hey:ll loo# for comments about beha!ior problems, poor

focus, lac# of effort, or underachie!ement compared to your potential.

al# ith your parents to see if you had any symptoms during childhood.
http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/default.htmhttp://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/rm-quiz-stress-anxietyhttp://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/default.htmhttp://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/rm-quiz-stress-anxiety


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eople ho ha!e ADHD may ha!e had trouble getting along ith others hen they ere #ids or

had a hard time in school. eachers may ha!e had to or# ith you. or e5ample, maybe you

had to sit at the front of the class.hey:ll also as# if anyone else in your family has ADHD. his can be helpful information

because it does seem li#e ADHD runs in families.

Ho% &s Adult ADHD Teated?- reatment plans can include medicine, therapy, education or learning more about ADHD,

and getting family support.

- "a#ing sure you get fully chec#ed by a doctor is important. hat:s because people ith

ADHD often face other conditions, too. ;ou may also ha!e a leaning disa!ility' an(iety

o anothemood disode' o!sessive compulsive disode' o a dependence on dugs

o alcohol)

De5troamphetamine=Adderall, De5edrine>

7isde5amfetamine=?y!anse>

"ethylphenidate=0oncerta,Daytrana, "etadate, "ethylin, /italin, @uilli!ant>

+ut stimulants ae not al%ays ideal) Why? They can !e:

Addictive) timulants are controlled substances. hat means you may get hoo#ed on

them. ome adults ith ADHD ha!e substance abuse problems or had them in the past.

Had to emem!e to ta"e)hort-acting types of stimulants =!ersus long-acting> may

ear off uic#ly. ince people ith ADHD can ha!e trouble ith forgetfulness, remembering to

ta#e them se!eral times a day can be a challenge.

Had to time)If people choose to stop ta#ing them in the e!ening, they can ha!e a hard

time focusing to do houseor#, pay bills, help children ith homeor#, or dri!e. (ut if they do

ta#e them later in the day, they may be tempted to use alcohol or other things to rela5.

,on-Stimulant *edications)Doctors may also recommend a non-stimulant medication for youto ta#e, either on its on or ith a stimulant. hey are

Atomo5etine=trattera>

4uanfacine=Intuni!>

0lonidine=

herapy and 1ther (eha!ioral reatments
http://www.webmd.com/children/guide/detecting-learning-disabilitieshttp://www.webmd.com/mental-health/mood-disordershttp://www.webmd.com/mental-health/mood-disordershttp://www.webmd.com/mental-health/obsessive-compulsive-disorderhttp://www.webmd.com/drugs/index-drugs.aspxhttp://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-22256/focalin+oral/detailshttp://www.webmd.com/drugs/mono-9080-DEXTROAMPHETAMINE+-+ORAL.aspx?drugid=1636&drugname=dextroamphetamine+oralhttp://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-63163/adderall+oral/detailshttp://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-11574/dexedrine+oral/detailshttp://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-147664/lisdexamfetamine+oral/detailshttp://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-147664/lisdexamfetamine+oral/detailshttp://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-148324/vyvanse+oral/detailshttp://www.webmd.com/drugs/mono-94-METHYLPHENIDATE+-+ORAL.aspx?drugid=12114&drugname=Methylphenidate+Oralhttp://www.webmd.com/drugs/mono-94-METHYLPHENIDATE+-+ORAL.aspx?drugid=12114&drugname=Methylphenidate+Oralhttp://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-19857/concerta+oral/detailshttp://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-144192/daytrana+transdermal/detailshttp://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-144192/daytrana+transdermal/detailshttp://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-9475/ritalin+oral/detailshttp://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-64481/atomoxetine+oral/detailshttp://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-64629/strattera+oral/detailshttp://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-5481/guanfacine+oral/detailshttp://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-5481/guanfacine+oral/detailshttp://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-152956/intuniv+er+oral/detailshttp://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-11754-clonidine+oral.aspxhttp://www.webmd.com/children/guide/detecting-learning-disabilitieshttp://www.webmd.com/mental-health/mood-disordershttp://www.webmd.com/mental-health/obsessive-compulsive-disorderhttp://www.webmd.com/drugs/index-drugs.aspxhttp://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-22256/focalin+oral/detailshttp://www.webmd.com/drugs/mono-9080-DEXTROAMPHETAMINE+-+ORAL.aspx?drugid=1636&drugname=dextroamphetamine+oralhttp://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-63163/adderall+oral/detailshttp://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-11574/dexedrine+oral/detailshttp://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-147664/lisdexamfetamine+oral/detailshttp://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-148324/vyvanse+oral/detailshttp://www.webmd.com/drugs/mono-94-METHYLPHENIDATE+-+ORAL.aspx?drugid=12114&drugname=Methylphenidate+Oralhttp://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-19857/concerta+oral/detailshttp://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-144192/daytrana+transdermal/detailshttp://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-9475/ritalin+oral/detailshttp://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-64481/atomoxetine+oral/detailshttp://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-64629/strattera+oral/detailshttp://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-5481/guanfacine+oral/detailshttp://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-152956/intuniv+er+oral/detailshttp://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-11754-clonidine+oral.aspx


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;ou may ant to as# about ma#ing these part of your treatment plan, too

Cognitive and !ehavioal theapy)It can help ith self-esteem.

$ela(ation taining and stess management)hese can loer an5iety and stress.

Li#e coaching)It may help you set goals.lus, it can help you learn ne ays to stay

organi2ed at home and or#. .o! coaching o mentoing)his can help support you at or#. It can help you ha!e

better or#ing relationshipsand impro!e on-the-8ob performance.

Family education and theapy)his can help you and lo!ed ones understand ADHD

better. It can also help you all find ays to lessen ho much it affects e!eryone:s life.

/the Things 0ou Can Do to *anage ADHD

Here are some things you can do on your on to ma#e life ith ADHD more manageable

Ta"e medications as diected)If you are ta#ing any medications for ADHDor any other

condition, ta#e them e5actly as prescribed. a#ing to doses at once to catch up on missed dosescan be bad for you and others. If you notice side effects or other problems, tal# to your doctor as

soon as possible.

/gani1e)"a#e lists of daily tas#s =be reasonableB> and or# to complete them. &se a

daily planner, lea!e notes for yourself, and set your alarm cloc# hen you need to remember anappointment or other acti!ity.

+eathe slo%ly)If you ha!e a tendency to do things you later regret, such as interrupt

others or get angry at others, manage the impulse by pausing. 0ount to C+ hile you breathe

sloly instead of acting out. &sually the impulse ill pass as uic#ly as it appeared.

Cut do%n on distactions)If you find yourself being distracted by loud music or the

tele!ision, turn it off or use earplugs. "o!e yourself to a uieter location, or as# others to help

ma#e things less distracting.

+un o## e(ta enegy);ou may need a ay to get rid of some energy if you:re

hyperacti!e or feel restless. )5ercise, a hobby, or another pastime can be good choices.

As" #o help)*e all need help from time to time, and it's important to not be afraid to

as# for it. If you ha!e disrupti!e thoughts or beha!iors, as# a counselor if they ha!e any ideasyou can try that could help you control them.

23 P$/+L4*S THAT C/ULD *4A, ADULT ADHD

,o) 2: Tou!le 5etting /gani1ed

or people ith ADHD, the responsibilities of adulthood -- bills, 8obs, and children, to name a

fe -- can ma#e problems ith organi2ation more ob!ious and more problematic than in

childhood.
http://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/stress-management-relieving-stresshttp://www.webmd.com/women/features/set-reach-goalshttp://www.webmd.com/women/features/set-reach-goalshttp://www.webmd.com/sex-relationships/default.htmhttp://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/guide/adhd-treatment-carehttp://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/default.htmhttp://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/stress-management-relieving-stresshttp://www.webmd.com/women/features/set-reach-goalshttp://www.webmd.com/sex-relationships/default.htmhttp://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/guide/adhd-treatment-carehttp://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/default.htm


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,o) 6: $ec"less Diving and Ta##ic Accidents

ADHD ma#es it hard to #eep your attention on a tas#, so spending time behind the heel of a car

can be hard. ADHD symptomscan ma#e some people more li#ely to speed, ha!e trafficaccidents, and lose their dri!er:s licenses.

,o) 7: *aital Tou!le

"any people ithout ADHD ha!e marital problems, so a troubled marriage shouldn:t necessarily

be seen as a red flag for adult ADHD. (ut there are some marriage problems that are li#ely to

affect therelationshipsof those ith ADHD. 1ften, the partners of people ith undiagnosed

ADHD ta#e poor listening s#ills and an inability to honor commitments as a sign that theirpartner doesn:t care. If you:re the person ith ADHD, you may not understand hy your partner

is upset, and you may feel you:re being nagged or blamed for something that:s not your fault.

,o) 8: 4(temely Distacti!le

ADHD is a problem ith attention, so adult ADHD can ma#e it hard to succeed in today:s fast-paced, hustle-bustle orld. "any people find that distractibility can lead to a history of career

under-performance, especially in noisy or busy offices. If you ha!e adult ADHD, you might find

that phone calls or email derail your attention, ma#ing it hard for you to finish tas#s.

,o) 9: Poo Listening S"ills

Do you 2one out during long business meetings Did your husband forget to pic# up your child

at baseball practice, e!en though you called to remind him on his ay home roblems ithattention result in poor listening s#ills in many adults ith ADHD, leading to a lot of missed

appointments and misunderstandings.

,o) : $estlessness' Tou!le $ela(ing
http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/guide/adhd-symptomshttp://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/managementassessment/default.htmhttp://www.webmd.com/sex-relationships/default.htmhttp://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/guide/adhd-symptomshttp://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/managementassessment/default.htmhttp://www.webmd.com/sex-relationships/default.htm


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*hile many children ith ADHDare Ehyperacti!e,F this ADHD symptom often appears

differently in adults. /ather than bouncing off the alls, adults ith ADHD are more li#ely to be

restless or find they can:t rela5. If you ha!e adult ADHD, others might describe you as edgy or

tense.

,o) ;: Tou!le Stating a Tas"

Gust aschildren ith ADHDoften put off doing homeor#, adults ith ADHD often drag their

feet hen starting tas#s that reuire a lot of attention. his procrastinationoften adds to e5isting

problems, including marital disagreements, or#place issues, and problems ith friends.

,o)


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Signs and symptoms o# adult ADD > ADHD

In adults, attention deficit disorder often loo#s uite different than it does in childrenand its

symptoms are uniue for each indi!idual. he folloing categories highlight common symptoms

of adult ADDADHD. Do your best to identify the areas here you e5perience difficulty. 1nce

you pinpoint your most problematic symptoms, you can start to or# on strategies for dealingith them.

Trouble concentrating and staying focused

Adults ith ADDADHD often ha!e difficulty staying focused and attending to daily, mundane

tas#s. or e5ample, you may be easily distracted by irrele!ant sights and sounds, uic#ly bounce

from one acti!ity to another, or become bored uic#ly. ymptoms in this category are sometimes

o!erloo#ed because they are less outardly disrupti!e than the ADDADHD symptoms ofhyperacti!ity and impulsi!itybut they can be e!ery bit as troublesome. he symptoms of

inattention and concentration difficulties include

E2oning outF ithout reali2ing it, e!en in the middle of a con!ersation

e5treme distractibilityJ andering attention ma#es it hard to stay on trac#

difficulty paying attention or focusing, such as hen reading or listening to others

struggling to complete tas#s, e!en ones that seem simple

tendency to o!erloo# details, leading to errors or incomplete or#

poor listening s#illsJ hard time remembering con!ersations and folloing directions

Hyperfocus

*hile you:re probably aare that people ith ADDADHD ha!e trouble focusing on tas#s that

aren:t interesting to them, you may not #no that there:s another side a tendency to become


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absorbed in tas#s that are stimulating and rearding. his parado5ical symptom is called

hyperfocus.

Hyperfocus is actually a coping mechanism for distractiona ay of tuning out the chaos. It can

be so strong that you become obli!ious to e!erything going on around you. or e5ample, you

may be so engrossed in a boo#, a ? sho, or your computer that you completely lose trac# of

time and neglect the things you:re supposed to be doing. Hyperfocus can be an asset hen

channeled into producti!e acti!ities, but it can also lead to or# and relationship problems if left

unchec#ed.

Disorganization and forgetfulness

*hen you ha!e adult ADDADHD, life often seems chaotic and out of control. taying

organi2ed and on top of things can be e5tremely challengingas is sorting out hat information

is rele!ant for the tas# at hand, prioriti2ing the things you need to do, #eeping trac# of tas#s and

responsibilities, and managing your time. 0ommon symptoms of disorgani2ation and

forgetfulness include

poor organi2ational s#ills =home, office, des#, or car is e5tremely messy and cluttered>

tendency to procrastinate

trouble starting and finishing pro8ects

chronic lateness

freuently forgetting appointments, commitments, and deadlines

constantly losing or misplacing things =#eys, allet, phone, documents, bills>

underestimating the time it ill ta#e you to complete tas#s

Impulsivity

If you suffer from symptoms in this category, you may ha!e trouble inhibiting your beha!iors,

comments, and responses. ;ou might act before thin#ing, or react ithout considering

conseuences. ;ou may find yourself interrupting others, blurting out comments, and rushing

through tas#s ithout reading instructions. If you ha!e impulse problems, being patient is

e5tremely difficult. or better or for orse, you may go headlong into situations and find

yourself in potentially ris#y circumstances. ;ou may struggle ith controlling impulses if you

freuently interrupt others or tal# o!er them

ha!e poor self-control

blurt out thoughts that are rude or inappropriate ithout thin#ing

ha!e addicti!e tendencies


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act rec#lessly or spontaneously ithout regard for conseuences

ha!e trouble beha!ing in socially appropriate ays =such as sitting still during a long

meeting>

Emotional diculties

"any adults ith ADDADHD ha!e a hard time managing their feelings, especially hen it

comes to emotions li#e anger or frustration. 0ommon emotional symptoms of adult ADDADHD

include

sense of underachie!ement

doesn:t deal ell ith frustration

easily flustered and stressed out

irritability or mood sings

trouble staying moti!ated hypersensiti!ity to criticism

short, often e5plosi!e, temper

lo self-esteem and sense of insecurity

Hyperactivity or restlessness

Hyperacti!ity in adults ith ADDADHD can loo# the same as it does in #ids. ;ou may be

highly energetic and perpetually Eon the goF as if dri!en by a motor. or many people ithADDADHD, hoe!er, the symptoms of hyperacti!ity become more subtle and internal as they

gro older. 0ommon symptoms of hyperacti!ity in adults include

feelings of inner restlessness, agitation

tendency to ta#e ris#s

getting bored easily

racing thoughts

trouble sitting stillJ constant fidgeting

cra!ing for e5citement

tal#ing e5cessi!ely doing a million things at once

You dont ave to be yperactive to ave ADD ! ADHD


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Adults ith ADDADHD are much less li#ely to be hyperacti!e than their younger counterparts.

1nly a small slice of adults ith ADDADHD, in fact, suffer from prominent symptoms of

hyperacti!ity. /emember that names can be decei!ing and you may !ery ell ha!e ADDADHD

if you ha!e one or more of the symptoms abo!ee!en if you lac# hyperacti!ity.

"ntreated ADD!ADHD as #ide$reacing e%ects

ADDADHD that is undiagnosed and untreated can cause problems in !irtually e!ery area of

your life.

Physical and mental health po!lems)he symptoms of ADDADHD can contribute to

a !ariety of health problems, including compulsi!e eating, substance abuse, an5iety,

chronic stress and tension, and lo self-esteem. ;ou may also run into trouble due to

neglecting important chec#-ups, s#ipping doctor appointments, ignoring medicalinstructions, and forgetting to ta#e !ital medications.

Wo" and #inancial di##iculties)Adults ith ADDADHD often e5perience career

difficulties and feel a strong sense of underachie!ement. ;ou may ha!e trouble #eeping a

8ob, folloing corporate rules, meeting deadlines, and stic#ing to a K-to- routine."anaging finances may also be a problem you may struggle ith unpaid bills, lost

paperor#, late fees, or debt due to impulsi!e spending.

$elationship po!lems)he symptoms of ADDADHD can put a strain on your or#,

lo!e, and family relationships. ;ou may be fed up ith constant nagging from lo!ed onesto tidy up, listen more closely, or get organi2ed. hose close to you, on the other hand,

may feel hurt and resentful o!er your percei!ed EirresponsibilityF or Einsensiti!ity.F

he ide-reaching effects of ADDADHD can lead to embarrassment, frustration, hopelessness,

disappointment, and loss of confidence. ;ou may feel li#e you:ll ne!er be able to get your life

under control. hat:s hy a diagnosis of adult ADDADHD can be an enormous source of relief

and hope. It helps you understand hat you:re up against for the first time and reali2e that you:re

not to blame. he difficulties you:!e had are symptoms of attention deficit disordernot the

result of personal ea#ness or a character fla.

Adult ADD!ADHD doesnt ave to old you bac&

*hen you ha!e ADDADHD, it:s easy to end up thin#ing that there:s something rong ith

you. (ut it:s o#ay to be different. ADDADHD isn:t an indicator of intelligence or capability.


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0ertain things may be more difficult for you, but that doesn:t mean you can:t find your niche and

achie!e success. he #ey is to find out hat your strengths are and capitali2e on them.

It can be helpful to thin# about attention deficit disorder as a collection of traits that are both

positi!e and negati!e8ust li#e any other set of ualities you might possess. Along ith the

impulsi!ity and disorgani2ation of ADDADHD, for e5ample, often come incredible creati!ity,

passion, energy, out-of-the-bo5 thin#ing, and a constant flo of original ideas. igure out hat

you:re good at and set up your en!ironment to support those strengths.

Sel#-help #o adult ADD > ADHD

Armed ith an understanding of ADDADHD:s challenges and the help of structured strategies,

you can ma#e real changes in your life. "any adults ith attention deficit disorder ha!e foundmeaningful ays to manage their symptoms, ta#e ad!antage of their gifts, and lead producti!e

and satisfying li!es. ;ou don:t necessarily need outside inter!entionat least not right aay.

here is a lot you can do to help yourself and get your symptoms under control.

4(ecise and eat ight))5ercise !igorously and regularlyit helps or# off e5cess

energy and aggression in a positi!e ay and soothes and calms the body. )at a ide

!ariety of healthy foods and limit sugary foods in order to e!en out mood sings.

5et plenty o# sleep)*hen you:re tired, it:s e!en more difficult to focus, manage stress,

stay producti!e, and #eep on top of your responsibilities. upport yourself by getting

beteen L-M hours of sleep e!ery night. Pactice !ette time management)et deadlines for e!erything, e!en for seemingly

small tas#s. &se timers and alarms to stay on trac#. a#e brea#s at regular inter!als.A!oid piles of paperor# or procrastination by dealing ith each item as it comes in.

rioriti2e time-sensiti!e tas#s and rite don e!ery assignment, message, or important

thought.

Wo" on you elationships)chedule acti!ities ith friends and #eep your

engagements. (e !igilant in con!ersation listen hen others are spea#ing and try not to

spea# too uic#ly yourself. 0ulti!ate relationships ith people ho are sympathetic andunderstanding of your struggles ith ADDADHD.

Ceate a suppotive %o" envionment)"a#e freuent use of lists, color-coding,

reminders, notes-to-self, rituals, and files. If possible, choose or# that moti!ates andinterests you. 9otice ho and hen you or# best and apply these conditions to your

or#ing en!ironment as best you can. It can help to team up ith less creati!e, moreorgani2ed peoplea partnership that can be mutually beneficial.


12/13

When to see" outside help #o adult ADD > ADHD

If the symptoms of ADDADHD are still getting in the ay of your life, despite self-help efforts

to manage them, it may be time to see# outside support. Adults ith ADDADHD can benefit

from a number of treatments, including beha!ioral coaching, indi!idual therapy, self-helpgroups, !ocational counseling, educational assistance, and medication.

reatment for adults ith attention deficit disorder, li#e treatment for #ids, should in!ol!e a team

of professionals, along ith the person:s family members and spouse.

'rofessionals trained in ADD!ADHD can elp you(

control impulsi!e beha!iors manage your time and money

get and stay organi2ed

boost producti!ity at home and or#

manage stress and anger

communicate more clearly

&nattentive-type ADHD-P&@ Hypeactive>&mpulsive-type ADHD-PH@

In childen

orgetful during daily acti!ities

)asily distracted by e5traneous stimuli

7osing important items =e.g. pencils,

homeor#, toys, etc.>

Alays as#ing for attention, but

9ot listening and not responding to

name being called out

&nable to focus on tas#s at hand,

cannot sustain attention in acti!ities

A!oids or disli#es tas#s reuiring

sustained mental effort

"a#es careless mista#es by failing topay attention to details

Difficulty organi2ing tas#s and

acti!ities

ails to follo-through on comple5

instructions and tas#s =e.g. homeor#,

chores, etc.>

In childen

uirms and fidgets =ith hands

andor feet>

0annot sit still

0annot play uietly or engage in

leisurely acti!ities

al#s e5cessi!ely

/uns and climbs e5cessi!ely

Alays on the go, as if dri!en by a

motor 0annot ait for their turn

(lurts out ansers

Intrudes on others and interrupts

con!ersations


13/13

&n adults' these evolve into:

A!oiding tas#s or 8obs that reuire

concentration

rocrastination

Difficulty initiating tas#s

Difficulty organi2ing details reuired

for a tas#

Difficulty recalling details reuired for

a tas#

Difficulty multitas#ing

oor time management, losing trac# of

time

Indecision and doubt

Hesitation of e5ecution

Difficulty perse!ering or completingand folloing through on tas#s

Delayed stop and transition of

concentration from one tas# to another

&n adults:

0hooses highly acti!e, stimulating

8obs

A!oids situations ith lo physical

acti!ity or sedentary or# "ay choose to or# long hours or

to 8obs

ee#s constant acti!ity

)asily bored

Impatient

Intolerant and frustrated, easily

irritated

Impulsi!e, snap decisions and

irresponsible beha!iors

7oses temper easily, angers uic#ly he tendency to hyperfocus on

particularly stimulating or emotionallyengaging tas#s.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Procrastinationhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_multitaskinghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Procrastinationhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_multitasking

Documents

Adult Adhd