Last time, we discussed Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), pointing out that it’s the most common mental health disorder diagnosed in children. While we mentioned that this disorder can carry over into adulthood, we did not go into many details about what that looks like for an adult. That’s what we’ll be talking about today. It’s estimated that greater than 50 percent of children affected by ADHD will continue to express symptoms as adults.

Symptoms of ADHD in adults may include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Trouble managing anxiety
• Problems with employment (may change jobs frequently and show few achievements)
• Difficulty controlling anger
• Depression
• Impulsivity (risky behavior, such as unprotected sex, unsafe driving, experimenting with drugs, etc.)
• Problems concentrating
• Chronically late
• Substance abuse or addiction problems
• Easily frustrated
• Lack of organizational skills
• Easily bored
• Difficulty remaining focused
• Relationship problems (marital problems and a higher incidence of divorce)

The diagnosis of ADHD in adults is a bit trickier than it is for children. It has been determined that ADHD is not onset in adulthood; therefore, it must also have been present in childhood, even if it went undiagnosed. For those diagnosed with ADHD as a child, a doctor can help provide you with a treatment plan better suited for your stage of life and your particular situation. For those who were not diagnosed during childhood, your doctor will want to question you about your behavior as a child to determine whether some symptoms may already have been present. Your doctor may also want to run some physical tests.

Treatment for adult ADHD is similar to that for children and may include medication, counseling, behavioral therapy or combinations of these three.

Medications can include (but certainly are not limited to) the following:

• Adderall
• Concerta
• Dexedrin
• Ritalin
• Vyvanse

For more information about treating ADHD, contact Solace Counseling. We can create a custom treatment plan for you and get you started on managing and controlling your symptoms.