ADHD in children is a little more obvious and easier to detect. As the name suggests, attention deficit hyperactive disorder is a condition characterized by the inability to sit still, pay attention for prolonged periods of time, or controlling one's impulses. Come adolescence and adulthood, the hyperactive ADHD symptoms tend to get replaced by a host of other problems related to behavior, mood, and productivity. Adult ADHD still comes with difficulties paying attention, remembering information, and completing tasks. However, the disorder is also more likely to cause the following related problems if the person does not seek help immediately.
Relationship problems
All couples experience problems at some point in their relationship, but having ADHD tends to complicate these issues. ADHD symptoms can be very erratic - an adult with ADHD may be extremely open and loving one day but hyperfocused in a couple of hours. This can be very confusing for a partner to deal with, especially when their loved one suddenly seems cold or distant for no reason. Adults with ADHD also tend to have short fuses that can be set off by almost anything. The partner of such an adult is often left confused and angry about the outbursts that seem to occur from out of nowhere. It's hardly surprising that adults with ADHD tend to have more marital problems, multiple marriages, and higher incidences of divorce or separation.
Career problems
An adult with ADHD faces a lot of challenges at work. Poor time management, disorganization, and distractibility are just some of the symptoms that can impair one's productivity and performance. Even symptoms like interrupting others or blurting blunt statements can make a negative impact on one's relationship with co-workers and colleagues. All of these traits increase one's risk of losing a promotion or getting fired.
Another problem adults with ADHD contend with at work is their need for stimulation and excitement. Almost every job requires doing mundane, repetitive tasks, which can trigger boredom that sidetracks the adult and causing his or her performance to suffer. For these reasons, adults with ADHD are likely to change employers frequently or have fewer occupational achievements.
It's important for adults with ADHD to be able to find work they consider interesting. Once they find a job they feel passionate about, their performance usually soars and their symptoms seem to have a smaller impact on their work.
Emotional problems
Adults with ADHD are more likely to experience anxiety, depression, low frustration tolerance, and mood swings. Experts believe that these emotional problems are either caused by ADHD themselves or their difficulties dealing with the symptoms. These problems also increase the risk of substance abuse or addiction, getting into motor vehicle accidents, impulsive shopping, or eating disorders.
Adult ADHD can be treated
Reading this list of problems might sound a bit discouraging, but adults with ADHD don't have to be slaves to their symptoms forever. There are many treatment options available to adults, from medication to behavior therapy. While ADHD cannot be outgrown, adults can learn to adapt and work around their symptoms so they can develop their strengths and live productive, meaningful lives.
Dr. Yannick Pauli is an expert on natural approaches to ADHD and the author of the popular self-help home-program The Unritalin Solution. He is Director of the Centre Neurofit in Lausanne, Switzerland and has a passion taking care of children with ADHD. Click on the link for more great information about what is adhd.
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