ADHD in adults may lead to unstable relationships, poor work or school performance, low self-esteem, and other problems. The treatment is similar to treatment for childhood ADHD. Adult ADHD treatment includes medication such as Clonidine Hydrochloride, psychological counseling, and treatment for any mental health conditions with the disorder.
Understanding ADHD in Adults
Adults play a balancing act in their lives, but if you consistently fall behind, don’t organize yourself, are forgetful, and feel overwhelmed by your responsibilities, you may have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Adults with ADHD suffer from many frustrating symptoms that can negatively affect their careers and relationships. Various factors in the environment, genes, and how the brain works may contribute to this disorder.
It is common for ADHD to go unrecognized throughout childhood. You may have been labeled as a slacker, goof-off, or troublemaker instead of recognizing your symptoms and identifying the real issue. It is also possible that you were able to compensate for the symptoms of ADHD when you were young, but when your responsibilities increased as an adult, you suffered from the symptoms of ADHD.
The good news is that ADHD challenges can be overcome, no matter how overwhelming they may seem. With education, support, and creativity, you can learn to manage the symptoms, even turning some of your weaknesses into strengths. It’s never too late to turn the difficulties of ADHD around and start succeeding on your terms.
3 Types of ADHD in Adults
1. Inattentive ADHD
This is commonly known as ADD, which accounts for about 33% of all ADHD in adults. Inattentive ADHD is difficulty staying focused and attending to daily, mundane tasks. Individuals may be easily distracted by irrelevant sights and sounds, become bored quickly, or bounce from one activity to another.
2. Hyperactive and Impulsive ADHD
This accounts for 7% of all ADHD in adults. The main symptoms are impulsivity and hyperactivity, while inattention may be secondary and not as much of a problem.
3. Combined ADHD
This accounts for about 60% of all ADHD in adults. As the name suggests, this combination of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity.
Related Conditions in Adults with ADHD
As with ADHD in children and teenagers, ADHD in adults can occur alongside several related problems or conditions. One of the most common is depression.
Other conditions that adults may have alongside ADHD include:
- Personality Disorders – situations in which an individual differs significantly from the average person in terms of how they think, perceive, feel, or relate to others
- Bipolar Disorder – a condition that affects your mood, which can swing from one extreme to another
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) – is a condition that causes obsessive thoughts and compulsive behavior.