Health Articles & Information

Adult Attention Deficit

Adult Attention Deficit Disorder, or Adult ADD affects many people in the world today. In this article we take a look at how doctors are currently treating adult attention deficit disorder ... 

Adult attention deficit disorder, or adult ADD, can be a very frustrating condition to have.  Almost all of the initial research and focus for the attention deficit disorders was focused on children and adolescents, but adults are just as likely to have the condition as youths. The disorder normally makes itself apparent during childhood, with difficulties at school being one of the most common hallmarks of the condition, which helps to explain why so much focus has been on children with the disease.  But children with attention deficit disorder grow up to be adults with attention deficit disorder.

Adult attention deficit disorder is essentially the same condition as the one children have.  If you are an adult and you are having trouble focusing at work, difficulty listening to people in everyday conversations, find yourself interrupting people a lot, losing things frequently, are easily distracted from tasks, are easily frustrated or find yourself feeling over stimulated often, you may have adult attention deficit disorder.

Treatment for adult attention deficit disorder mirrors the treatments used for children with the condition.  The first step you need to take if you suspect you may have an adult attention deficit condition is to of course see a doctor.  There are a bunch of other disorders that can mimic an adult attention deficit condition, such as anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, depression, or bipolar disorder, and its important that these be ruled out before trying treatments. 

Typically, most doctors today will begin your adult attention deficit disorder treatment by prescribing a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, or SSRI, such as Prozac, Zoloft, or Lexapro.  SSRIs have been helpful for many in treating their adult attention deficit disorders.  If you aren’t getting any relief in your symptoms with an SSRI, you may be prescribed a stimulant, such as Ritalin, Adderall or Concerta.  These should be taken with caution as they are addictive drugs, and should be avoided entirely if you have a history of substance abuse. 

Most health professionals will agree that there are also a number of non-medication based steps you can take to alleviate some of your adult attention deficit disorder symptoms.  Getting regular vigorous exercise has been shown to help a lot of people with adult attention deficit disorder.  Also a diet high in lean protein is recommended.  Keeping lists, writing notes, breaking large tasks down into smaller parts and taking other similar steps to counter your disorder will certainly help as well.

For more information about health disorders, see the "resources" section of this website, or go to articles about health disorders.

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