Good Lifestyle

Many of us think about Tdahd (Hyperactivity disorder with attention deficit) as a childhood condition - which is typically when diagnosed. But a growing number of people share their experiences of beingDiagnosed with ADMD adulthood. Social media even played a role in this effect, with relationships from people going to see their doctor after the firstLearn symptoms on tiktok. In fact, around2.5% of adults We thought to live with ADHD-including us.

Despite this growing consciousness, many adults continue to fight to have a diagnosis.

ADHD is a genetic European disorder, in which the brain develops differently, lack of action ofSpecific chemicals involved in pleasure and reward. This means that ADHD brains often look for ways toStimulate these chemicalsThis is why people can experience inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity.

Common traits of ADHD understand:

• Does not follow on longer tasks (or do not start them)
• To be distracted by other tasks or thoughts
• Look for risks or activities that provide immediate reward
• Agitation (outward or internally)
• Interrupt other people (without wanting)

The symptoms are similar for adults and children, although elements of them differ or change as we get older. For example, inattention is the most persistent symptom in adults.

ADHD can be debilitating and is associated withhigher probability of the lower quality of life of life, problems of substance, unemployment, accidental injury, suicide and premature death. In addition, ADHD can cost adults around$ 24,000 a year because of things like medical care or pay for social support.

It is also generally associated with a wide range ofCO-EXISTING CONDITIONS In adults.

For example, depression is almostthree times more widespread In adults with ADHD. And almost half of the adults with ADHD also haveBipolar spectrum disorder.

About 70% of ADDP adults also have experienceEmotional dysregulation, which can make it more difficult to control emotional responses. We also think thatAlmost all adults with ADHD haveDysphoria sensitive to rejection, a condition where rejection or perceived criticism can cause extreme emotional sensitivity or pain.

In addition to this, adults with ADHD may havebad working memory-Such as unable to remember a simple list of shopping - and"Time blindness" (Inability to perceive time). Some may also haveOpposing disorder, which means they often react badly to orders or rules perceived.

Although none of these co-existing conditions are used to diagnose ADHD, they can make ADHD all the more difficult to live with.

Be diagnosed

Get an ADHD diagnosis as an adult in the United Kingdom, where we live, is notoriously difficult - with reports from some peoplewait up to five years.

Indeed, you can only be diagnosed by a specialized psychiatrist. But even with a reference to a specialist, a person must show clear evidence of almost all traits of ADHD, having had these traits since their childhood and have a serious effect on their lives - like causing problems with work , education or maintenance of relationships.

For us, our experiences to be diagnosed with ADHD are not all different from what other adults have crossed.

Like many people I (Alex) was diagnosed only from ADHD "by accident" after being sent back to a psychiatrist of national health services (NHS) for help (what I know now be) self-alcohol drugs. Because of my ADHD, my brain requires rather extreme inputs most of the time.

Ironically, I haveScientist adhd papers And - probably because of a lack of self-consciousness of classical ADHD, it did not cross the mind that I could have it. The "label" has since helped since I moved away from feeling broken towards an understanding of my behavior.

My main challenges remain the priority of the tasks according to the importance (instead of excitement) and anti-authority behavior quite extreme (sometimes called opposition challenge). I am also a terrible spectator, in trouble to attend the conference discussions or if you are motionless at the theater, it can feel physical pain.

On the other hand, I (James) was diagnosed quickly enough because I used a private clinic, although there was still a long wait for medications. I had again known for five years before that I probably had ADHD, but I clogged it until the pandemic. The additional pressure of isolation and an increased workload has affected my mental health, so I asked for a diagnosis.

Now diagnosed and medicated, life becomes easier to cope with: even if there are still many challenges every day. I am often worried about the coolest things, like talking to a friend, but appear on TV is fine.

On a daily basis, I forget on a daily basis many simple things, such as the one where I left my keys, or that I handle a bath. I struggle to control my emotions and with a particular rejection. For example, when nobody responded to a joke, I did on my ADHD on a management courier group, I tried to leave my job. I am totally unable to pay special attention to meetings or seminars and I can not control my pulse purchase.

Although there is growing recognition of ADHD in adults, many people still live non-diagnosed for a number of reasons -some, even because they do not know that what they feel are really different from others.

Understanding the condition in adults, taking it more seriously as a disorder, sensitize it and invest in services to improve diagnostic times are essential. The diagnosis opens the door to treatment, which can have a marked impact on life with the disorder, such as the improvement of self-esteem, productivity andquality of life.

James BrownAssociate Professor in Biology and Biomedical Sciences,Aston University andAlex Conner, Associate Professor in Biomedical Sciences,University of Birmingham

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