By Dr. Leonard A. Lado, MD, ABPN
When you hear Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder, you most likely think of young boys squirming at a school desk begging for recess. However, the young are not the only ones who experience the chaos of ADHD. In adults, ADHD may look like unemployment, financial problems, alcohol or substance abuse, unstable relationships, frequent physical accidents or car accidents, poor self-confidence, and self-image, or poor physical or mental health.
In adults, attention deficit disorder often looks quite different than it does in children—and its symptoms are unique for everyone. Attention deficit can be a misleading label. Adults with ADHD can focus on tasks they find stimulating or engaging but have difficulty staying focused on and attending to mundane tasks. You may become easily distracted by irrelevant sights and sounds, bounce from one activity to another or become bored quickly. Symptoms in this category are sometimes overlooked because they are less outwardly disruptive than the ADHD symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity—but they can be every bit as troublesome:
• Becoming easily distracted by low-priority activities or external events that others tend to ignore.
• Having so many simultaneous thoughts that it’s difficult to follow just one.
• Difficulty paying attention or focusing, such as when reading or listening to others.
• Frequently daydreaming or “zoning out” without realizing it, even in the middle of a conversation.
• Struggling to complete tasks, even ones that seem simple.
• A tendency to overlook details, leading to errors or incomplete work, missing deadlines for bills, or appointment times.
• Poor listening skills; for example, having a hard time remembering conversations and following directions.
• Getting quickly bored and seeking out new stimulating experiences.
Treatment
Standard treatments for ADHD in adults typically involve medication, education, skills training, and psychological counseling. A combination of these is often the most effective treatment. These treatments can help manage many symptoms of ADHD, but they don’t cure it. It may take some time to determine what works best for you.
Medications
Talk with your doctor about the benefits and risks of any medications.
• Stimulants, such as products that include methylphenidate or amphetamine, are typically the most commonly prescribed medications for ADHD, but other medications may be prescribed. Stimulants appear to boost and balance levels of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters.
• Other medications used to treat ADHD include the non-stimulant atomoxetine and certain antidepressants such as bupropion. Atomoxetine and antidepressants work slower than stimulants do, but these may be good options if you can’t take stimulants because of health problems or if stimulants cause severe side effects.
The right medication and the right dose vary among individuals, so it may take time to find out what’s right for you. Tell your doctor about any side effects.
Psychological counseling
Counseling for adult ADHD generally includes psychological counseling (psychotherapy), education about the disorder, and learning skills to help you be successful.
Psychotherapy may help you:
• Improve your time management and organizational skills
• Learn how to reduce your impulsive behavior
• Develop better problem-solving skills
• Cope with past academic, work, or social failures
• Improve your self-esteem
• Learn ways to improve relationships with your family, co-workers, and friends
• Develop strategies for controlling your temper
Common types of psychotherapy for ADHD include:
• Cognitive behavioral therapy. This structured type of counseling teaches specific skills to manage your behavior and change negative thinking patterns into positive ones. It can help you deal with life challenges, such as school, work, or relationship problems, and help address other mental health conditions, such as depression or substance misuse.
• Marital counseling and family therapy. This type of therapy can help loved ones cope with the stress of living with someone who has ADHD and learn what they can do to help. Such counseling can improve communication and problem-solving skills.
Working on relationships
If you’re like many adults with ADHD, you may be unpredictable and forget appointments, miss deadlines, and make impulsive or irrational decisions. These behaviors can strain the patience of the most forgiving co-worker, friend, or partner. Therapy that focuses on these issues and ways to better monitor your behavior can be very helpful. So can classes improve communication and develop conflict resolution and problem-solving skills? Couples therapy and classes in which family members learn more about ADHD may significantly improve your relationships.
Dr. Leonard A. Lado, MD, is the Founder and Medical Director of Lado Healing Institute. Dr. Lado is a board-certified Psychiatrist in Bonita Springs, Florida, and South Florida. He serves the population of Marco Island, Fort Myers, Naples, and Southwest Florida. Dr. Lado’s specialty is the treatment of non-Methadone Detox, Oxycontin and Pain Killer Addiction, Cocaine Addiction, Alcohol Dependence, and Crystal Meth Addiction using state-of-the-art outpatient Suboxone and medication treatments.
Leonard A. Lado, MD, ABPN
9410 Fountain Medical Ct.
Suite 200
Bonita Springs, FL, 34135
239-948-4325
www.Ladomd.com