Adult ADHD Symptoms Are Different
ByDiagnosis: ADHD.
In some circles it’s still pretty controversial. And among some adults there’s a persistent resistance to the diagnosis. Many adults are totally appalled by the seemingly large number of children each year who have ADHD.
“We didn’t have this disorder when we were young,†almost arrogantly. “It’s a disease manufactured by the pharmaceutical companies and teachers who need to keep control of their classrooms.
Ah! Now, here’s some new research that stands ready – and quite capable – of rebutting this line of attack.
First, let me say, that just because ADHD wasn’t diagnosed some 30 years ago didn’t mean that it didn’t exist.
Listen to what the web site Psych Central reports about how ADHD just might surface in adults. No, adults don’t necessarily have to be hyperactive to be diagnosed with this disorder. In fact, some pretty diverse – and unexpected behaviors and social problems – may indicate an adult is suffering with this ADHD.
Chronic, persistent depression. Anxiety. Alcohol and drug addiction. Personality disorders. Certainly not your standard ADHD laundry list of problems, now is it?
The suggestion that these health and social problems may indicate an undiagnosed case of ADHD is important to me as a professional. But for family members dealing with this behavior, it may be a ray of hope.
This topic was recently brought up for discussion at the Annual meeting of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. You can find the entire article here.
The College suggestions that for these individuals a Ritalin-type stimulant be used to help alleviate symptoms. Before any type of treatment can be recommended – let alone approved – more questions need to be answered, says Professor Phillip Asheron, professor of molecular psychiatry at the Institute of Psychiatry. “We don’t know whether these co-existing disorders are separate problems or whether these people are actually suffering from a form of ADHD that is presenting in a different way from the normal symptoms.â€
He believes that at least of a portion of these individuals, may indeed, have ADHD but instead are being diagnosed with an entire separate disorder.
There’s only one problem. Many doctors hesitate to prescribe stimulant medications of any kind for adults. In fact, it’s only recently that stimulants have been indicated for use in adults.
Prof. Asherson is serious about uncovering the truth. He’s initiating a study to identify adults with ADHD in addiction centers.
I’ll keep my eye on this continuing situation and let you know what develops.
Please share your thoughts and comments below.
Dr. Kenny
Technorati Tags: ADHD, Adult ADHD, ADHD Diagnosis
Great to see this blog! I don’t often get a chance to browse for ADHD news but very glad I did!
I often get anything from uncomfortable silences (and stares) to comments very similar to what you mention here (“ADHD is just a cash grab from corporations and an excuse for bad behavior in kids and adults” comes to mind). People who know me can attest to this being SO untrue!
I have been an ADHDer since at least puberty (when the symptoms were clearly exhibited) until today. Diagnosed nearly 5 years ago (I’m 41) I have successfully for the most part been symptom controlled for the whole time (taking dexedrine spansules then and continuing to).
It’s very hard to find good online help with all the very slanderous and (to us anyway) obviously deceptive web “info” on ADHD and medication. Do a search with any web engine and you have to wade through page after page of lies to get to any real information. The anti-med groups have a very strong hold on the web. I shudder to think what I would have done when looking for help if I had not been skeptical and a 20-year computer tech and kept diving deep until I got past the lies and half-truths and hit paydirt.
Indeed as your quote of Professor Asheron mentions often ADHD adults are misdiagnosed. I too was nearly misdiagnosed (even during my self-diagnosis) with both depression and a form of schizophrenia. Both have some similarities with some ADHD symptoms but are very different.
Thankfully I took several online tests and saw that I matched nearly perfectly all symptoms of adult ADHD. Once I saw that I took the tests on paper and visited my GP who then referred me to a psychiatrist who then confirmed my suspicions and got me quickly on a med regimen and helped me find additional resources.
Glad to see you here Doctor!
I look forward to visiting often now that I know you are here.
Hi, I wanted to post a question but couldn’t find where to do it, so here it is. I have been diagnosed with adult adhd by a psychiatrist who has never diagnosed an adult before. I ended up having an argument with him because I started ritalin and it was working but I stopped due to extreme nausea and unwanted side effects. He asked me not to comeback. anyway, I want to find someone who can help me deal with it in a natural way as i see medication as a last resort. I have called many clinics however I really want to find someone who is competent in helping someone with adult adhd. What questions should i ask when enquiring to determine who would be a good treating doctor? all the receptionists are just yes people who seem to say anything to get my business, but nothing that assures me the doctors working for them have ever treated this condition before. how can i be sure?
Hi. I was first diagnosed with ADD just last year, and I’m 68 years old! It was a real “Ah Hah” for me, as I have always known “something” was wrong, but couldn’t figure it out. There is, still, recurring depression, problems with anger management, etc., but overall, my 36mg of Concerta allow me to function better than before. Usually. I still have problems with self-created clutter, which causes more aggravation than necessary. I was led to diagnosis by several friends asking me, throughout the years, whether I was ADD; in additon I had read books on ADD and found that the symptoms matched me fairly well. I so wish that I had been diagnosed much, much earlier. I regret what I have missed. Blessings on all of us who suffer from this strange condition.
Thanks, Evangeline for sharing your story. It’s important that you found this out at 68 years old, and I know your story will help other people.
Best,
Dr. Kenny
I am 43. I first suspected ADD when I was in college and one of my psych major friends was talking about it with some others. I jumped into (interrupted) the conversation by mentioning “Oh yeah, I read an article about that once, but I couldn’t really pay attention to it or finish reading it”. They all laughed, thinking I was making a joke when I was actually serious. I quickly realized this and feigned a chuckle along with them. Anyway, I always had anxiety related to ADD symptoms (waking up in the middle of the night in elementary school thinking I forgot to do my homework). The anxiety makes me more flustered, confused, and spacey, self critical, and it is a vicious circle. I married a person with ADHD signs, and we have 3 children who are “like us”. Two have confirmed diagnosis. I denied the ADHD label for myself until this year, when I became extremely foggy, confused, and depressed. My family doctor said I was ADHD, stressed, and depressed and sent me to a psychologist with a prescription for Adderall to help me with my job. Managing a household with four ADHD members and working as an environmental consultant, while being organizationally challenged myself pushed me over the edge.
as a chid could never sit still never finish anything couldn.t stay in one place for to long wasn.t really hyper accident prone always moving to fast not watching were going day dreamer in school hated school accept art got my attention as n adult hard to read a book kept going over same chapter saying my prayers would drift off repeatly now having fybromylgia slow me done awful mind would still run anxiety badly through life severe drpression nothing worked self medicated stopped that put on anxie ty meds not always working just told thinks add put on meds is it possible to have fybromylgia and add other problems
Frustrated and exhausted. Almost 20 years ago, I was diagnosed with social anxiety/social phobia, yet I’m an extrovert. I believe I have ADD as well, but I tried adderall didn’t react well at all (hallucinations), so I tried Straterra and felt like a zombie. This combination of anxiety and add is wreaking havoc on my work (job hopper now), relationships and self-esteem. The funny thing is that people keep saying that I’m underemployed because I’m smart (I’m having my doubts now). Honestly, I’m at the point where I just want to disappear somewhere and cut ties with everyone I know until I get “cured”.
KC,
I’m sorry to hear of your struggles… Work with your treatment professionals and keep at it. If you haven’t tried a methylphenidate product, then consider that (a medicine like concerta, ritalin LA, metadate etc.)
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I am a 46-year-old, full-time working, married 25 years, mother of two grown children. I have struggled with what was diagnosed as “depression” for years. I have been treated with various anti-depressants which seemed to work for very short periods of time. Recently, I have been doing a lot of research on the subject of depression, anxiety, endorphin deficiency, etc. Quite by accident, I discovered that when I had been prescribed an opiate for an injury I felt the most normal I had ever felt in my life. I think there is a huge piece of research missing when it comes to endorphin deficiency. Anyway, that was a side note. I recently saw a new Internal Medicine physician and explained to him what I was experiencing and that I was very quickly coming to the end of my rope. I was basically making it through my day at work and there was nothing left of me at night for my family because I had to try to hard to get through my day. He actually listened to me and believes that I have a very definite element of ADD. I was very surprised but at this point willing to try anything. He started me on Cymbalta for the depression and a low dose two times per day of Adderall. Guess what? I’m almost back to my old self. Energy, focus, feel positive, laughing and enjoying life (for the most part of course….lol). In all of these years, nobody had ever mentioned ADD to me and I believe now that it is a huge part of what my troubles have been. I’m still looking into the endorphin deficiency for now but am so much better. Thanks for listening to my story. I am very interested to hear from others with same or different situations.
Donna