ADHD throughtout life – what it is, how common it is, symptoms, treatments and tips
Contents:
- What is ADHD?
- Is ADHD a mental health disorder?
- Symptoms
- Are there treatments?
- I have ADHD. What strategies can I use in my daily life?
What is ADHD?
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (or ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by symptoms of inattention and impulsivity, which may also be accompanied by hyperactivity. In general, ADHD symptoms can be divided into two categories: (a) attention deficit and (b) impulsivity and hyperactivity. Most people with ADHD have symptoms that fall into both categories, but some people may only have attention deficit disorder. In this case, the diagnosis of ADHD is also called ADD, which stands for attention deficit disorder, and the symptoms are less obvious.
Is ADHD a mental health disorder?
Yes. Although I don’t think this classification should have any impact on how we interact or perceive a person, ADHD is a mental health disorder because it affects one’s behavior, mood and thinking in a way that makes it difficult to carry out normal activities/life. Although it can affect school performance or workplace outcomes, ADHD is not a learning disability (like dyslexia, for example) because it also involves differences in thinking and behavior.
ADHD is generally known as a disorder that begins in childhood, affecting about 6% of children worldwide [1]. However, fewer people are aware that ADHD can continue through adolescence and into adulthood. Furthermore, a person can develop ADHD as an adult without having had symptoms or a diagnosis since childhood [2]. This means that ADHD is not just a childhood disorder, but has profound implications for the quality of life, social integration and the stigma people face throughout life.
It is therefore important to know that ADHD is not just a childhood disorder that ‘disappears’ with age, but on the contrary, it changes with the new activities and contexts in which we find ourselves as young people and adults. We may have high school classmates, work colleagues, teachers or managers who have ADHD, and that doesn’t mean that they are less capable or less dependable – on the contrary, having ADHD means thinking differently, not thinking less well.
Symptom
Symptoms in children with ADHD are usually noticeable even before the age of 6 and can manifest as inattention and impulsivity and hyperactivity. As examples of inattention, the child may make mistakes due to lack of attention to homework, may move quickly from one activity to another or have difficulty organizing activities or tasks. The child may also be ‘out of sorts’ or have difficulty concentrating, often striking up conversations at inappropriate times or engaging in dangerous activities.
I think it is important to point out that while these symptoms may be easier to notice in children, the symptoms change throughout adolescence and adulthood, according to the new contexts in which young people find themselves, and become more subtle. Where before, the child with ADHD went from one activity to another and made repeated homework mistakes, the youngster with ADHD forgets appointments or reservations, is not attentive to details, has difficulty prioritizing activities and being organized. The symptoms of hyperactivity are also more subtle, but can manifest themselves in reckless driving, irritability and lack of patience (in conversations, for example).
It’s important to understand that these things can happen to anyone to some extent, but in the case of a person with ADHD, these symptoms persist long enough to cause significant problems in everyday life. Some examples are poor school performance in children and adolescents, suboptimal social interactions, or even problems at work.
For these features to be considered ‘symptoms’ and lead to a potential diagnosis, they must occur in more than one area of someone’s life (e.g. both at work/college and in their personal life) and cause discomfort and difficulty in carrying out everyday activities.
Are there treatments?
Yes. ADHD is the most widely researched mental health disorder in children and adolescents, and recently the number of quality studies among adults has started to increase. As a result, a lot of time and work has been invested in establishing the effectiveness of treatments available on the market. Stimulant treatment has been shown to be the most widely used treatment to manage this disorder and is very effective. We have probably all heard of Adderall or Ritalin, two examples of commonly prescribed drugs for ADHD. In general, 80% of those who use them achieve a significant improvement in symptoms, but it is, of course, important to remember that stimulants do not ‘cure’ ADHD, they may only improve symptoms [3]. What’s more, any drug also has side effects. It is therefore necessary to weigh the risks and benefits before making a decision.
Work is also underway to establish the effectiveness of alternative treatment methods, such as physical activity. Studies with children and adolescents so far show promise [4]. However, studies with adults are very few, have small groups and unsystematic methods to measure physical activity [5]. This is where I bring my contribution. I am a Research Fellow in Psychiatry and Neuroscience at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King’s College London. I work with multiple psychopathologies, including ADHD and its presentation in youth and adults. In essence, my research group wants to establish the effectiveness of physical activity as a potential treatment or adjuvant in alleviating ADHD symptoms. Results remain to be evaluated, but it is encouraging that non-drug treatments are also being explored for those who either did not achieve the desired outcome with drug treatment or for various reasons chose to opt for other options.
I have ADHD. What strategies can I use in my daily life?
Whether you have decided to go on medication, go to therapy or pursue other treatments, it is always helpful to create strategies or routines to increase your attention and decrease hyperactivity or impulsivity. Depending on your lifestyle and work, you can try it:
- Make a list of what will be discussed in a course or meeting beforehand, and keep track of these points while you’re there to make it easier to stay focused
- Use your calendar in your phone or email – as soon as you plan to do something or are told you need to be somewhere, make a note of it in your calendar and set reminders 1 hour in advance so you don’t forget
- If you find it hard to refrain from spending (too much) money, leave home with a certain amount of cash or use the calculator on your phone to keep track of what you buy (especially if you’re in a supermarket and tempted to keep adding things to your basket)
- Seize the moments of hyperfocus – if there’s something that piques your interest, feel free to make the most of those moments. Chances are you are being very productive at those times.
- Prioritize – you can use a timer or the Pomodoro method to try to do a task within a certain time frame
We hope this article has given you a general idea of what ADHD is and what this diagnosis means for young people. ADHD is a very complex neurodevelopmental disorder, which affects the quality of life and the work-life of these people, but is also still affected by sigma. By informing ourselves about what such a diagnosis actually means, we can better understand those who have ADHD or, why not, we can better understand ourselves.
Bibliography:
[1] Polanczyk GV, et al. (2014) Int J Epidemiol;
[2] Moffitt TE, et al. (2015) Am J Psychiatry;
[3] Dittman RE, et al. (2014) CNS Drugs;
[4] Christiansen L et al. (2019) J Clin Med;
[5] Den Heijer AE et al. (2017) J Neural Transm.
Other useful resources on ADHD in young people and adults:
Romania: https://clinica-hope.ro/adhd/
UK: https://www.ukaan.org/index.htm
TEDx Talks – Making ADHD your superpower: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9LRSgxbQqM
