“I prefer to distinguish ADD as attention abundance disorder. Everything is just so interesting . . . remarkably at the same time.” Frank Coppola, MA, ODC, ACG
ADHD in Adults
Approximately 10 million adults have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In early adulthood, ADHD may be associated with depression, mood or conduct disorders and substance abuse. Adults with ADHD often cope with difficulties at work and in their personal and family lives related to ADHD symptoms. Many have inconsistent performance at work or in their careers; have difficulties with day-to-day responsibilities; experience relationship problems; and may have chronic feelings of frustration, guilt or blame.
Individuals with ADHD may also have difficulties with maintaining attention, executive function and working memory. Recently, deficits in executive function have emerged as key factors affecting academic and career success. Executive function is the brain’s ability to prioritize and manage thoughts and actions. This ability permits individuals to consider the long-term consequences of their actions and guide their behavior across time more effectively. Individuals who have issues with executive functioning may have difficulties completing tasks or may forget important things. (CHADD.org)
Many individuals with symptoms of ADHD are not diagnosed until they are older, often as a result of having a child diagnosed with ADHD. Additionally, impairments may have not been recognized until the demands of one's life changed, exceeding their ability to manage well. Events such as going to college or grad school, having a child, or getting a new job can increase demands on function which bring to light ADHD difficulties.
Women and Hormones
New research has shown that changes in hormones can have an impact on women's executive functions, throughout one's monthly cycles as well as throughout life. www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPerPxb-RNs
Challenges Receiving a Diagnosis
ADHD is poorly understood. Unfortunately, this is the case not only in the general public, but among many medical and mental health providers as well, those to whom the responsibility of diagnoses falls. Training for these professions, at this point, is woefully inadequate in teaching about ADHD.
Many practitioners will recommend a neuropsych evaluation which, while it can provide some valuable information, can miss ADHD in approximately 30%. Rating scales, better for identifying ADHD, is problematic in that most of the scales were created based on behaviors of young, hyperactive boys. Today, we know that girls and women, while sharing some criteria with boys, often manifest their ADHD in ways that are not measured in current rating scales.
At this point, there are no standards of practice for an ADHD diagnosis. Currently, APSARD (American Professional Society of ADHD and Related Disorders), an organization of top medical and mental health researchers, are in the process of creating standard ADHD diagnostic criteria for ADHD, to be published in the near future. But, until this is adopted across health professions, patients may hear misguided comments like "You are so smart, you can't have ADHD" or "You just need to try harder".
Why is it Important to Know if You Have ADHD?
A diagnosis of ADHD can provide a reason for your challenges. It can help you to understand that your lateness or difficulty organizing work and family is due to how your brain works and is not a personal failure or defect.
If you question whether you have ADHD, please reach out to discuss this with me.
Individuals with ADHD may also have difficulties with maintaining attention, executive function and working memory. Recently, deficits in executive function have emerged as key factors affecting academic and career success. Executive function is the brain’s ability to prioritize and manage thoughts and actions. This ability permits individuals to consider the long-term consequences of their actions and guide their behavior across time more effectively. Individuals who have issues with executive functioning may have difficulties completing tasks or may forget important things. (CHADD.org)
Many individuals with symptoms of ADHD are not diagnosed until they are older, often as a result of having a child diagnosed with ADHD. Additionally, impairments may have not been recognized until the demands of one's life changed, exceeding their ability to manage well. Events such as going to college or grad school, having a child, or getting a new job can increase demands on function which bring to light ADHD difficulties.
Women and Hormones
New research has shown that changes in hormones can have an impact on women's executive functions, throughout one's monthly cycles as well as throughout life. www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPerPxb-RNs
Challenges Receiving a Diagnosis
ADHD is poorly understood. Unfortunately, this is the case not only in the general public, but among many medical and mental health providers as well, those to whom the responsibility of diagnoses falls. Training for these professions, at this point, is woefully inadequate in teaching about ADHD.
Many practitioners will recommend a neuropsych evaluation which, while it can provide some valuable information, can miss ADHD in approximately 30%. Rating scales, better for identifying ADHD, is problematic in that most of the scales were created based on behaviors of young, hyperactive boys. Today, we know that girls and women, while sharing some criteria with boys, often manifest their ADHD in ways that are not measured in current rating scales.
At this point, there are no standards of practice for an ADHD diagnosis. Currently, APSARD (American Professional Society of ADHD and Related Disorders), an organization of top medical and mental health researchers, are in the process of creating standard ADHD diagnostic criteria for ADHD, to be published in the near future. But, until this is adopted across health professions, patients may hear misguided comments like "You are so smart, you can't have ADHD" or "You just need to try harder".
Why is it Important to Know if You Have ADHD?
A diagnosis of ADHD can provide a reason for your challenges. It can help you to understand that your lateness or difficulty organizing work and family is due to how your brain works and is not a personal failure or defect.
If you question whether you have ADHD, please reach out to discuss this with me.