When symptoms begin to become more prevalent internally, and the hyperactivity begins to decrease, the adult
may continue to live with the ADD symptoms. This could mean continuing to experience significant impairment
in certain aspects of life, such as job performance, family life, ability to be organized. The adult may also
experience other symptoms such as depression or anxiety over their inability to perform at the level of
functioning they desire.
Unfortunately, as with many illness, little was known about ADD up until the last twenty to thirty years, So many
adults were never diagnosed as children. This misdiagnoses led to many being labeled as a trouble maker, or
one who just did not care. For some, the only symptoms that were noticed were inattention and impulsivity.
Some learned to use his or her high level of intelligence or just will power and grit mask the AD/HD symptoms.
Attempting to compensate for this disability can bring on feelings of depression and poor self esteem. These
feelings may affect social situations as well as those in the workplace. People that are gifted may see
themselves as failures because they do not fit into what society claims to be the norm. Being unorganized and
unable to finish projects leaves the adult with feelings of letting others down. Over the years, the individual
adapts to the situation. These adaptations, positive or negative, become part of one’s personality, layered over
the AD/HD symptoms.
There is no magic cure for ADHD, still adults become very self critical. They know a problem exist, yet they still
cannot accept the reality that they have trouble with planning and organization. They are not interested in boring,
tedious and repetitive tasks. Without help family members may become frustrated with the inability for their
loved ones to complete certain tasks. Adults with ADHD have no desire to be involved with boring, tedious, or
repetitive tasks.
Anyone with a friend or family member that has ADHD knows procrastination is common. Impulsivity may lead
to frequent job changes, troubled romantic relationships, financial problems and a tendency to interrupt others.
College students with ADHD may have trouble staying focused on paperwork or lectures. They may be poor test
takers, but many have an uncanny ability to be creative and write very well. Having little patience, the AD/HD
adult often becomes frustrated or angry rapidly, but may cool off equally quickly. He or she is then left wondering
why everyone else is still upset at the blow up. Because of difficulties following through on commitments, the
individual is often called selfish and immature.
Even though the person with ADHD may be afflicted by this misfortune it diagnosis, many adults learn to
manage it successfully. The rapid increase in knowledge and understanding of this disorder has enabled the
clinician to develop treatment that helps many. This treatment is referred to as being multi-modal, short for
multiple modalities. Modalities can be looked at as tools. The first tool to use would be obtaining an accurate
diagnosis of ADHD and any associated medical and psychiatric conditions.
Once properly diagnosed, the individual should educate himself about the condition. Self-knowledge and new
skills are necessary in order to learn coping and develop mastery. Medications are another tool that has
become popular and used very liberally by our medical system. These medications have brought with them a
great deal of controversy. The controversy stems from the over use on children and the many side effects they
bring. Because of the vast array of medications it may require some trial and error to find a combination which
works for each individual.
In past years, counseling has undergone many changes. Today's counseling of ADHD often involves teaching
the adult to structure his or her life. Learning the importance of time management and planning are important
skills. The ADHD patient is trained to use day planners and task lists. Many times, the individual can request the
help of family members, friends or coworkers to help him stay organized. It is important that the adult with
AD/HD chose a vocation that suits his or her interests and personality style. A counselor or social worker can
help the ADHD adult undergo vocational testing, or personality testing.
As stated in the past paragraph, due to the ADHD adult's lack of interest in repetitive tasks, It would be
beneficial to avoid jobs that emphasize duties, such as repetitive tasks, and find jobs that focus on one’s
physical, mental and spiritual energy, Individuals who experience physical restlessness should try to schedule
regular exercise or work breaks. College students who need accommodations need to inform their school early,
before problems arise. Examples of accommodations include unlimited tests, the use of tape recorders in
lectures or the right to take attests in a less distracting setting. Schools often require psychological testing to
support special accommodations.
There has been increasing awareness that adults and children with AD/HD are at increased risk for other
psychiatric disorders. Adults have lived longer than children, and thus have had more time to develop other
associated psychiatric disorders. Often one must treat the other conditions before treating the AD/HD.
Because our society seems to categorize people and expect everyone to behave in the same manor, it can be
difficult to see AD/HD as a positive trete. As a matter of fact, if we lived in a society that encouraged people to
develop the characteristics we are born with, we would notice that, individuals with AD/HD are often energetic,
creative and willing to take risks. Once they learn to channel and control this energy they may find they have
some very useful tools.
Treating AD/HD
I could write another five pages on the different types of treatments that are available for AD/HD. You can also
run up thousands of dollars in medical bills and weird types of therapies. The vast majority of them do not work,
especially the neuro feedback video games. It is difficult to formulate a treatment when you do not know what
causes the problem. Most of the experts agree, the best thing is to approach the problem from a holistic
viewpoint. Medication, exercise, good nutrition, counseling, structure, consistency, working with teachers, a
solid household and love from family and friends appears to be the best way to approach the problem.
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