ADHD - what it is and can adults suffer from it and in which ways?

I'm sure most of you have heard of ADHD (attention deficit disorder with OR without hyperactivity). The majority of us associate this disorder with turbulent young children but that is a stereotype and the reality of the illnesss is much deeper and more complicated than that. Having difficulty concentrating and/or being "hyperactive" is not enough to receive the diagnosis alone, besides, other factors can cause lack or difficulty in concentration and some people are naturally more active or "bouncy" than others and that is not a reason for concern. Below I'll be sharing some of my knowledge - I've read a lot about the subject and I may well suffer from the disorder myself. I'm currently waiting for an official diagnosis - unfortunately in France there are very few specialists in the disorder and many of them are unwilling to diagnose adults with it, even though scientific evidence proves that adults can suffer from the disorder too and maybe you or someone you know suffers from it as well...

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First of all, here's a quick definition from Wikipedia of what ADHD is:

"Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a mental disorder of the neurodevelopmental type. It is characterized by difficulty paying attention, excessive activity, or difficulty controlling behavior which is not appropriate for a person's age. The symptoms appear before a person is twelve years old, are present for more than six months, and cause problems in at least two settings (such as school, home, or recreational activities). In children, problems paying attention may result in poor school performance. Additionally there is an association with other mental disorders and substance misuse. Although it causes impairment, particularly in modern society, many people with ADHD can have sustained attention for tasks they find interesting or rewarding (known as hyperfocus)"

"ADHD is a neurodevelepmental mental disorder which means that there is an impairment of brain function which affects emotion, learning ability, self-control and memory and which unfolds as the individual grows. Neurodevelopmental disorders tend to last for a persons entire lifetime" - hence why adults do/can suffer from it!

Typical characteristics/symptoms of the disorder are:

• Poor attention skills

• High distractibility

• Impulsivity

• Substance abuse

• Behavioural problems

• Difficulties at school and in accomplishing one's potential

• Dropping out of school, university...

• Bad grades despite normal or high intelligence

• Emotional instability

• Physical and/or mental hyperactivity and difficulty in staying still and/or focused

• Poor short-term memory

• Poor self-regulation skills

• Poor exectuive function - difficulty in planning, organizing and complete tasks

• Lack of motivation and/or rapid loss of motivation especially if the task is long, "boring" or if the "reward" is too far away (eg salary, grade, prize, diploma...)

Just in case you're not aware, "Executive function and self-regulation skills are the mental processes that enable us to plan, focus attention, remember instructions, and juggle multiple tasks successfully." Harvard Education

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So,

- Do any of these symptoms and characteristics seem familiar to you or a person who know? Did you have trouble listening, being present (mentally) and doing "boring" tasks at school as well as planning ahead or doing homework without it being related to an intellectual impairment? Have you ever/do you currently suffer from dyslexia? (there is a strong link) Were you often absent from school?

- Did your teachers and/or parents often say that you were "with the fairies" (ie elsewhere) or on the contrary "hyper" or too "eager" on the rare occasions when a subject or game interested you?

- Do you have trouble controlling yourself on a regular basis ? (all sorts of addictions as well as antisocial behaviour, possible violence and/or impulsivity).

- Have you seen a psychiatrist to see if the symptoms you present are not perhaps characteristic of another disorder?...

Either way, ADHD is real and it can be extremeley incapacitating especially when it comes to school and work but also relationsips and one's personal life. It deserves to be recognized, especially here in France where it's not taken seriously at all. I have personally missed school, dropped out of school and changed school I can't remember how many times and I also have about 90% of the above symptoms/characteristics. I'm not at all proud of it, I could definitely do without having this disorder but if my afflictions could be validated and if I could get some help then I'd be more than happy and relieved!

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There's a lot of controversy about the medication that is used to help lessen the symptoms of ADHD, ritalin, but in people who actually (confirmed diagnosis by an ADHD medical professionnal) suffer from it, it can be a life-saver. Plus, you don't need to take it every day, just when you need to (in the morning before going to school or work for example). It does not make you a vegetable, quite the opposite. It helps the sufferer focus and keep going, even if the task is boring and the reward far away and the mind is less scattered. One must know that these effects are only produced if the person actually suffers from ADHD, otherwise the results will not be the same, they may even be very detrimental so don't go asking your doctor for ritalin just so you can pass those exams, because it doesn't work like that! Ritalin is afterall a psychoactive drug so it must be taken very responsibly and there are obviously possible side-effects...

In the meantime of me receiving, one day I hope, official recognition of this disorder, I'm trying to apply mindfulness and mentalization techniques into my life whenever possible. I've always engaged in self-help as although I suffer from few different illnesses I consciously decide to not be a victim, and there is a difference! Eternal victims don't take any responsability for what they have or are going through whereas I do; getting better and finding help is my responsability alone and I will do whatever it takes... one day at a time, slowly but surely.

That's enough about ADHD for now, this article is getting quite long! It was supposed to be just a brief overview of the disorder... Oops! I hope you have learned a few things though and maybe you recognize yourself or someone you know in what I've written... in which case try and see a health professionnal and talk about it because help is available (maybe not in France though, for this disorder at least..!) I might have to fly to England to talk to a doctor about it at this rate seeing as not much seems to be happening here!

One last thing: medication is not enough (if you decide to go down that route, that is). As I said, taking responsability is key and there are many techniques and therapies that can help with this disorder, especially cogntive behavioural therapies and of course meditation and mindfulness. These techniques are currently helping me a lot. Having said that I am currently out of work and I sort of ditched my studies (not proud of that) and I'm sure ADHD has someting to do with it, so if I could at least try that medication then I'd be more than willing to. "If you don't try then you won't know" as they say... and I want to put all the chances on my side so that I can hopefully lead a better life.

Comments are welcome as usual, although I won't be able to reply directly underneath so if you want to personally get into contact with me then send me a private message, here, on Facebook or via Twitter ;)

Take care Xoxo

Phoebe