Tell me, do these adult ADHD symptoms describe someone close to you? They are impulsive and have difficulty staying on task. Maybe they are frequently late to work, forget where they placed things, or have a hard time organizing tasks. They may even be prone to depression and have relationship problems. While many have some of these problems occasionally, if they are a frequent occurrence, they are a strong indicator of ADHD in adults.
Has ADHD affected your family? It has mine, both in my own life and in that of my son's. ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and usually becomes apparent in young children. ADHD in adults is also common because this disorder can last into adulthood too. Many adults do not outgrow ADHD but they can learn to adapt to it. There are several adult ADHD symptoms which can denote the disorder.
Adult ADHD Symptoms
The main symptoms of ADHD in adults are hyperactivity, impulsivity and inattention. These symptoms will appear over the course of several months, with the impulsiveness and hyperactivity usually occurring before the inattention is obvious. Adults with ADHD might have difficulty remembering information, following directions, organizing tasks, concentrating or completing work within a set time limit.
Other adult ADHD symptoms can include chronic lateness, employment problems, relationship trouble, depression, boredom, substance abuse, difficulty controlling anger and low self esteem. If these symptoms are not managed properly, they can result in associated emotional, social, behavioral, academic and vocational problems.
With ADHD in adults, the symptoms can be mild or severe. Some symptoms come and go and others might be present all the time. Some adults with ADHD might be unable to focus if they are excited about something while others avoid stimulation. This is why some adults with ADHD are antisocial and withdrawn and others are overly social and hate being alone.
Treatment for ADHD in Adults
Stimulant drugs are usually prescribed for adult ADHD symptoms. However, the side effects of these drugs can sometimes make the symptoms even worse due to lack of sleep. They can also affect one's appetite, leading to not receiving the balance nutrition that is so important to balanced brain chemistry. One other concern is that ADHD can cause addiction or substance abuse so offering substances is not always a good idea.
There are also non-stimulant drugs available for adult ADHD symptoms, but these too are not without side effects. I have tried both stimulant and non-stimulant medication and was not able to tolerate either due to the side effects.
Behavioral training can also work to relieve adult ADHD symptoms. Examples of behavioral training include family education, job and personal coaching, relaxation techniques, stress management techniques and cognitive therapy to help with self esteem issues.
Natural treatment is always preferable to pharmaceutical preparations because natural ingredients do not have side effects. The diet, lifestyle, environment and surroundings of the adult with attention issues should be taken into consideration and changes made in order to help with the symptoms.
Natural treatments containing herbs have been used for literally thousands of years with good results to treat a variety of disorders. ADHD might not have had a name that long ago but the natural ingredients beneficial in the treatment of the disorder were used to calm hyperactive behavior.
Some natural treatments work immediately and some take several weeks before any improvement is noticeable.
One effective natural remedy that is not well known are tissue salts. These minerals have an entire science behind them that has shown a strong correlation to general health including brain health. Tissue salts are obtained through the food we eat, but often not in the amounts our bodies need. As a supplement, they can be formulated to support different areas of health such as to help with concentration, mood, or sleep issues.
Gingko biloba, skullcap and chamomile are some natural herbs and preparations which can help with ADHD. Homeopathic formulas such as hyoscyamus, tuberculinum and arsen iod can also help with ADHD. Depending on the formulation, these ingredients might be taken in tablet form or in liquid form added to water.
There you have it. ADHD in adults can have a profound negative impact on your family. However, a natural approach to adult ADHD symptoms makes it possible to live a healthier, more satisfying and productive life with a positive impact on those close to you.
Terry Tobin has been a student of the link between nutrition and behavior for over 8 years. His research led him to finding natural ways of dealing with attention and mood issues in his own life and family. Terry is the editor of help for ADHD where he shares what he has found to be effective. If you or someone you know is dealing with ADD/ADHD and the behaviors associated with it, then visit help for ADHD to learn more about effective ways to improve concentration and behavior.
