Getting Adult ADD in Focus: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

One of the key ways to achieve your goals is to set them, create a plan to meet them, and then sticking to that plan to meet your goals. Doing this requires perseverance and focus, and it can be challenging under ordinary circumstances.

Even the best-laid plans don’t go off without a hitch. Obstacles of many kinds can stand in your way, and some may even derail your hopes. One such obstacle is having to deal with a condition that affects your ability to concentrate on tasks.

Adult ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) affects around 2.5% of adults according to the American Psychiatric Association. While approximately 30-70% of children who have ADD go on to have symptoms when they become adults, some who were never diagnosed as children may develop more obvious symptoms when they get older.

ADHD may include issues such as impulsive behavior, struggling to focus and prioritize, and hyperactivity. These can negatively affect all areas of life such as work performance and in relationships, as the person may miss work deadlines or forget social engagements.

The term ADD is itself a little dated, as it was used to describe a person who had trouble focusing but was not hyperactive. This has since been changed by the American Psychiatric Association in its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-V), and so this article will refer to Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) to encompass the several types of the condition.

There are three types of ADHD:

• Hyperactive/impulsive, where a person is hyperactive and impulsive but is not inattentive
• Inattentive, where a person has symptoms of inattention, but they are not hyperactive or impulsive. Inattentive ADHD is what is usually meant when people use the term ADD.
• Combined, which is when one has both the symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity as well as inattention.

Depending on the type of ADHD one has, as well as the severity of the symptoms, the types of treatment available will vary. Thus, it is important to get a proper diagnosis so that a trained professional can create and walk with you through a suitable treatment plan.

Causes of Adult ADD or ADHD

It is not known exactly what causes ADHD. The symptoms of adult ADHD start early in childhood, or it may not be recognized or diagnosed until a person is an adult and is struggling with other issues such as anxiety or depression. There are indications that biology and genetics, as well as environmental factors, may play a role in developing ADHD.

Because ADHD runs in families, researchers believe that genes may play a role in its development. In people who have ADHD, neurotransmitters, which are brain chemicals that allow various parts of the brain to communicate with one another, are less active in the areas of the brain that control attention. The reason for this chemical imbalance is unknown. Lastly, some studies have found a link between ADHD and prenatal exposure to alcohol and tobacco.

Signs of ADD/ADHD

Adult ADHD symptoms share some similarities with childhood ADHD. Some of these symptoms, however, will look a little different in adults. For instance, in adult’s hyperactivity may decrease, but the individual may continue to struggle with paying attention or is restless and impulsive. The symptoms of adult ADHD range from mild to severe; in some cases, symptoms may interfere with day-to-day life and functioning. Some of the symptoms of adult ADHD include:

Inattention

• chronic tardiness, failure to manage time well
• lack of focus – difficulty keeping their minds on the task at hand
• disorganized, restless, and easily distracted
• forgetfulness

Hyperactivity and impulsiveness

• lack of self-control can lead to outbursts, with resultant relational issues
• frequent mood swings
• restlessness and anxiety

Other symptoms of ADHD include hyperfocus, where a person becomes so engrossed in a task that they ignore everything else. They may lose track of time, which can cause them to miss deadlines at work or forget to help their partner by forgetting to go grocery shopping or start dinner.

Impact of ADHD

Adult ADHD can have many negative impacts on relationships and work. In relationships, it can undermine marriages and other close relationships, as well as work. In relationships, an adult with ADHD may be prone to losing their temper or their impulsiveness can lead them into reckless behavior.

Additionally, adult AHD can make it hard for a person to keep track of and remember anniversaries, birthdays, social engagements, plan and finish household chores or pay bills. This can place enormous strain on their partners and children. Concerning work, having adult ADHD can make it difficult to hold down a job.

One national survey showed that about 72% of adults without ADHD were employed full-time, while only around half of the adults with ADHD were in full-time employment. Struggling to plan, prioritize and focus on tasks and deadlines; being disorganized and making mistakes; having trouble following instructions – these can all lower work performance and make it difficult to hold onto a job.

Diagnosing Adult ADHD

Some people with adult ADHD learned that they had ADHD when they were children, and the symptoms continued into adulthood. For many others, they don’t learn that they have ADHD until they are adults and are looking for help with another condition such as depression or anxiety. It is only then that a doctor confirms for them that they have ADHD.

To confirm a diagnosis of ADHD, it must have been present in childhood, even in the event it wasn’t diagnosed then. A doctor may perform neuropsychological tests that measure attention, or they may speak with family members and consult old report cards that may have documented childhood problems that weren’t diagnosed as ADHD, such as a lack of focus, being hyperactive, or not finishing tasks such as homework.

Treatment for Adult ADHD

Unfortunately, an adult who has ADHD doesn’t outgrow it. However, the good news is that many learn to manage it so that they can handle relationships and their work commitments well. Several treatment options are available to help adults with ADHD find the support they need to overcome the difficulties of their condition.

The treatment options available may vary depending on the severity of their symptoms. With mild ADHD, for instance, you may consider Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). While most adults with ADHD begin to improve when they begin taking medication, they may continue to deal with struggles rooted in poor habits and low self-esteem.

Counseling for ADHD focuses on getting organized, setting helpful routines, repairing broken relationships, and improving social skills. One can also supplement counseling by meeting with a professional organizer or a coach who can help with things like learning how to:

• get organized – even simple tools such as organizer apps on a smartphone can be useful for people with ADHD. One can create a new to-do list every night, and always have it on hand on your phone. Other apps can help you keep your schedule and task list up to date, so you won’t miss important events or deadlines.
• be consistent and stick with plans that you’ve made
• complete activities and projects that you start

Additionally, it’s important to keep working on disciplines that equip one’s body and mind to better handle any challenges that come your way. These include:

• stress management, through activities like exercise, mindfulness, and progressive muscle relaxation.
• healthy eating, which includes eating a balanced diet. Some experts believe that foods that produce good brain fuel could reduce symptoms of ADHD. High-protein foods, which include nuts, meat, beans, and eggs, may improve concentration. By eating complex carbs such as whole-grain pasta or brown rice, one can help ward off mood swings and stabilize energy levels.
• getting good and sufficient sleep regularly, which can help with stress relief and help you deal with mood changes more effectively.

In some cases, medication may also help deal with ADHD. Some of the more common medications for ADHD are stimulants, which may seem a little counterintuitive. These stimulants, however, can work to sharpen the focus by fine-tuning the brain circuits that affect attention.

Other options for medication that may be prescribed by a doctor include a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor to help control impulsive behaviors or antidepressants to stabilize your mood.

The outlook for adult ADHD is good. When getting treatment, it is important to get a proper diagnosis to know what type of ADHD you or your loved one suffers from, so that their doctor can tailor a treatment plan to meet their specific needs.