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ADHD or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can not only be suffered in childhood or adolescence, but also in adulthood. In fact, it has been found that when this type of disorder is not treated during childhood, the chances of it appearing in adulthood are 50%. But what is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder? It is a mental disorder that encompasses different problems that appear constantly, such as great difficulty concentrating and paying attention, maintaining highly impulsive behavior and hyperactivity. All this can have many consequences for the person who suffers from it, for example, having serious difficulties in maintaining stable relationships, school and work problems, low self-esteem, depression, etc.
In this Psychology-Online article: ADHD in adults: symptoms and treatment, we are going to provide you with all the necessary information so that you can learn more about this condition.
You may also be interested in: Dyslexia in adults: symptoms and treatment Index- Symptoms of ADHD in Adults
- Causes of ADHD
- Treatment of ADHD in adults
Symptoms of ADHD in Adults
The most common symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in adults that usually appear are the following:
- Hyperactivity They are usually people who cannot be calm and find it difficult to stay to rest. They prefer to be doing one or more activities at a time constantly, they spend many hours at work or studies and, in short, they like to keep busy all the time.
- Attention deficit. It is very difficult for them to fully concentrate on the activities they are doing, even when they are conversing with other people, it is very difficult for them to pay attention to what they are saying for long. It is quite a challenge for them to be able to organize themselves correctly to carry out their tasks and pending matters, since they also tend to olive things very easily.
- Impulsiveness. These are quite impulsive people who tend to act almost all the time without thinking, which makes them easily lose control of the situation. Other problems that they may have due to their high degree of impulsivity is that their interpersonal relationships are usually quite unstable, they can change jobs easily, they may have problems with alcohol and / or drug consumption, perform high-risk behaviors, etc..
- Communication problems. People with this type of disorder often have trouble communicating properly with others. In general, they tend to speak in a very fast and disorganized way, since they themselves feel an internal despair that does not allow them to stop and think a little more about what they are going to say and how to do it. This obviously has consequences in different areas, especially in work and interpersonal relationships.
Causes of ADHD
The exact cause of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is unknown, however, it has been found that there are some factors that can influence this type of mental disorder to begin to develop. Some of the main factors that have been found are the following:
- Genetic factors. This type of disorder can be hereditary, so if you have parents who suffer from it, the chances of it appearing significantly increase.
- Environmental factors. When the person was constantly exposed to environmental toxins since childhood, such as lead that can be found in the pipes of old buildings or in paint.
- Biological factors. Premature birth and central nervous system problems.
Treatment of ADHD in adults
The treatment of ADHD in adults is very similar to the treatment in children. This type of treatment includes a psychotherapeutic combination with the use of drugs:
- Pharmacotherapy. The most frequently used medications to treat this type of disorder in adults are the following: methylphenidate, modafinil, atomoxetine, brupropion, among others. The dose that is used varies from one person to another and, on many occasions, it has to be tested with each other to determine which is the one that gives the expected result. This treatment must always be carried out under the supervision of a specialist and be strict with the doses that are prescribed.
- Psychotherapeutic treatment. The patient is informed in detail about this condition, they are given tools and techniques are taught so that they can achieve greater control over their impulses. They are also provided with techniques that allow them to better organize their time, achieve greater concentration in everything they do and better face the challenges they have to go through in their day to day due to this condition.
This article is merely informative, in Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
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