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Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)/ Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Adults - Symptoms, Causes

Concept of Adult ADD/ADHD

The concept that ADD happens in adults is a very new concept that is being learnt over the past decade or so.  There has been a lot work that is being done regarding ADD in children and there is much much more that still needs to be done to know the myth of ADD.  So ADD, a neurobiological disorder, displays itself in three major characteristics in adults, which are as follows:  Impulsivity, hyperactivity and inattention.

Factors Causing ADD/ADHD

The factors that play role in the causation of ADD are either genetic, biological or psychological that results in a person to have ADD, but the major factors that are being pointed out as the leading cause of this disorder are biological and hereditary.
When the above two major factors are ruled out then the factors that lead to ADD are as follows:  Alcohol, tobacco exposure during fetal development, very high levels of lead in body, low birth weight, difficulties with birth and/or premature delivery and postnatal injury to the prefrontal brain areas.

Mythical Factors

There are many other factors that are being said and widely accepted as causing ADD are watching too much television, taking excessive amounts of sugar, food additives, social mishaps like divorce or poverty and bad parenting are being considered as the factors leading to ADD, which in reality, don’t.

Incidence

Adult ADD is a disorder that seems to know no boundaries or regions and doesn’t relate to any specific geographical location, it is a disorder that inflicts people worldwide. Although ADD seems to affect both male and female, but the incidence of male suffering through ADD is higher than in females, which brings about a ratio of 2:1.

Adult Add/ADHD Symptoms

Now we will explore the symptoms or characteristics of adults who have ADD. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), adults suffering with ADD most generally:
-     Fail to give close attention to details.
-     Make careless faults at work.
-     Fidget with hands or feet, twist about in the seat.
-     Have difficulty with attention span during tasks and activities.
-     Are unable to remain seated in situations where seating is expected.
-     Don’t appear to listen when spoken to directly.
-     Feel unable to relax.
-     Have difficulty following instructions, often failing to finish work.
-     Express difficulty with quiet participation in leisure activities.
-     Suffer difficulties with organizational skills and activities.
-     Feel energized; i.e. “on the go” or “motor-driven.”
-     Don’t like engaging in lengthy mental effort; i.e. they do not prefer to engage in tasks for sustained mental effort.
-     Talk a lot (an excessive amount of time).
-     Lose necessary items for tasks and activities.
-     Rush to supply answers before questions are completed.
-     Become distracted easily.
-     Tend to be impatient.
-     Are forgetful with regards to everyday activities.
-     Disrupt frequently or intrude upon others.

Issues Faced By Adults Having ADD/ADHD

As a consequence of the above major characteristics in adults with ADD, the following issues are among the most popular being prevalent in lives of adult ADD sufferers. Of note is that both the above traits and the following problematic issues can vary in scope from mild to extreme, depending upon the person’s own unique health combined with their ADD and other social, personal and economic situations. For these, a professional health practitioner is suggested for evaluating each case.  Adult ADD consists of major problems areas that include:
-     Suffering from anxiety, depression and / or mood swings.
-     Experiencing problems in relationship, behavior and self-control.
-     Struggling with deteriorated memory skills and work effort.
-     Handling problems with emotional, arousal and motivational issues.
-     Undergoing low self-esteem, dullness and time mismanagement issues.
-     Ongoing employment or substance abuse issues.
-     Annoying chronic delay, risk-taking and (greater than average) multi-tasking behaviors.

In fact any of the diverse issues relating to either social, personal or economic problematic in people suffering from adult ADD is what causes them to seek professional help, as to when their disorder is undiagnosed. It is often referred to as a “concealed disorder,” in adults can lie beneath many outstanding mood disorders, substance abuse and other complicated cases. Often times it’s not until that a person is being diagnosed with some other problem like anxiety or depression or until after his or her own child is diagnosed with ADD, that healthcare providers are alerted to the adult’s ADD. As of today, there are many people who still go undiagnosed, untreated, which is a great challenge, because without the diagnosis, many believe ADD sufferers to be indolent, unintelligent and immature.

Assistance Along With Treatment

There is government help that is also being provided with treatment. Many adults suffering from ADD can apply for help under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (prohibits employment and public accommodations discrimination against people with a record of and / or who have current physical or mental impairments that substantially limit one or more major life activities, including learning and working.)

Diagnostic Process for adult ADHD/ADD

For diagnosis, the first line of action is to go to the primary care physician or consult an educational psychologist, a behavioral neurologist, a psychiatrist or a clinical psychologist. The people suffering from ADD then would undergo an evaluation that generally includes a complete developmental, medical, psychiatric, educational and work history, any medications used and noted ADD symptoms / traits and a complete look at personal health, well-being and life in general (relating to social and environmental factors).
During this diagnostic processing a couple of people are involved and that spans a couple hours in time. The main area of focus is to determine that whether or not there are symptoms of ADD or if the person has these symptoms, then to what extent that he or she has these three major ADD traits (hyperactivity, lack of attention and impulsivity). Adult ADD evaluations also include DSM-IV AD/HD symptom rating scales to go over previous records; for instance, past medical evaluations and test results, past work and school records in order to present a more accurate assessment and diagnosis. On the basis of that evaluation a program of treatment and coping skills is laid out, which is customized according to that person going through ADD and continuous evaluations proceed to rule out any other health related issues, which may be contributing as a cause of ADD.

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