If your desk is a mess, your day always feels like chaos incarnate and you're unable to organize your life, you may be one of the 2.5 percent of adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD.
What is ADHD?
The most tell-tale sign of ADHD is a lack of focus. A person who is easily distracted, overlooks details or finds it difficult to listen to conversations may display this sign.
The flipside of the ADHD coin is a hyper focus. This occurs when the activity is so enjoyable that the person focuses only on it and nothing else going on. It could seem as if you are ignoring those around you and could cause relationship problems.
Forgetfulness is a part of everyday life for those with ADHD. Forgetfulness sometimes may be confused with carelessness or lack of intelligence, which could damage careers and relationships.
Impulsivity is when one cannot stop interrupting others in conversation, acting without consideration of the consequences or having trouble behaving in socially appropriate ways, such as sitting without fidgeting through a long meeting.
Emotional problems that stem from a life seemingly out of control results in an emotional roller coaster. Small frustrations can seem huge and bring about a depression-like response. A person can become easily bored and go looking for high excitement on a whim, which may cause relationship problems.
Often, ADHD adults are often hypercritical of themselves, and this emotional self-flagellation can lead to poor self-image. People with ADHD have an inability to concentrate, and sufferers often have problems in school, work and personal relationships.
Health problems stemming from disorganization, lack of motivation and emotional problems may affect the general health ADHD sufferers. Anxiety and stress can adversely affect health so the negative side of the disorder will exacerbate other symptoms of the disorder. A vicious cycle may ensue.
A person with ADHD may not have organizational skills, such as prioritizing in a logical fashion, time management, keeping track of tasks and ensuring timeliness – all life skills.
If you feel like your motor doesn't have an “off” switch, then you may experience restlessness and anxiety brought on by ADHD. Anxiety is a common symptom of this disorder; the mind gets stuck in a loop of worrisome events.
And someone with ADHD may find themselves with lots of relationship problems, whether they are romantic or platonic, personal or professional. Traits such as talking and constantly interrupting conversations may emotionally drain the other people in the group, causing alienation of the person with ADHD.
Theories of Possible Causes of ADHD
Genetic disposition is one explanation. A child with ADHD is four times more likely to have a close relative diagnosed with ADHD or another mental illness. Most scientists agree that there isn’t really “adult-onset ADHD.” This condition really is a case of undiagnosed childhood ADHD. Investigators have been looking at genes involved with the brain chemical dopamine. People with ADHD have been found to have lower levels of dopamine than those without this disease.
Lack of omega-3 fatty acids may be linked to ADHD. There is plenty of evidence that a deficiency of these acids contributes to poor brain developmental and functioning disorders.
ADHD also may be linked to environmental factors like a mom who smoked cigarettes. It has been discovered that women who have ADHD have a higher propensity to smoke, and nicotine can cause hypoxia in utero.
There is another theory that posits there aren't enough intercommunication fibers between the two hemispheres of the brain. The brain is divided into two halves, and the two frontal lobes communicate through a bundle of nerve fibers called the corpus callosum. Frontal lobes restrain impulses, problem solve, plan and comprehend other people’s behaviors.
A 2002 study found a 3 to 4 percent reduction in all brain regions measured in those with untreated ADHD. But those on medication had region sizes similar to unaffected children. Researchers also found a significant difference in the amount of long-distance connections between brain regions. These connections are known as “white matter.” Children with ADHD had an abnormally small volume of white matter.
Treatments
First, self-help treatments, if chosen, need to be practiced consistently to get the fullest benefits for ADHD sufferers. Exercising regularly helps work out excess energy and stress. Eating right will help to mediate sugar spikes and mood swings that may accompany it. Practice time management, set deadlines and avoid procrastination by handling papers twice -- once to deal with it and then again to stow it away in its proper place. Cultivate relationships with people who understand or are familiar with ADHD issues.
Medication
One has to understand that prescription medications do not cure ADHD. The efficacy of those drugs depend on a person’s response – some show dramatic improvement, others, only modest gains.
Stimulants are the most common, most researched drug class to treat ADHD. Prescription drugs in this category are Ritalin, Adderall and Dexedrine. Stimulants are believed to increase dopamine levels in the brain, a potent neurotransmitter for motivation, attention, movement and pleasure centers. For many sufferers, these stimulants can boost focus and concentration while reducing hyperactivity and impulsive behavior.
Some researchers are concerned about the use of stimulant drugs on the developing brains of children and teenagers. There’s also the detrimental effect of stimulants on vulnerable hearts. The American Heart Association recommends a cardiac evaluation for everyone before starting a treatment of stimulants for ADHD.
The drugs can exacerbate symptoms of aggression, paranoia, anxiety, hostility and depression. Those with a family history of suicide, depression or bipolar disorder should be monitored closely. These drugs aren’t recommended for those with high blood pressure, hyperthyroidism, glaucoma, a history of drug abuse, or any heart problem or defect.
If you think you are living with undiagnosed ADHD, see your physician to get evaluated. You don’t need to go through life feeling as if you can never catch up to others because you lack organizational skills or focus. By seeking treatments for ADHD, your life can be as productive and fulfilling as you dreamed.