WHAT YOU SHOULD
KNOW
Although we tend to think of attention deficit disorder
as a childhood affliction, it actually continues for life. In
teenagers and adults, it shows up as a tendency to
impulsiveness, restlessness, awkwardness in social situations,
and low self-esteem. It lies behind many academic failures.
Some experts estimate that more than 10 million adult Americans
have the disorder.
Causes
The cause remains unknown, although an imbalance in brain
chemistry is probably at fault.
Signs/Symptoms
Symptoms in adults are similar to---but not as blatant
as---those exhibited by children.
-
Difficulty paying attention
and following directions
-
Trouble getting organized and
sticking with a task or project
-
Spur-of-the-moment actions
and remarks
-
Rapid mood
changes
-
Constant talking or
motion---pacing, finger-tapping, squirming,
fidgeting
-
Frequent feelings of stress
and worry
-
Potential addiction to
alcohol, street drugs, or gambling
-
Excesses in shopping, eating,
or working
Care
Your doctor can prescribe drugs, such as Ritalin, that
help people focus and make them less "hyper." Professional
counselors can suggest other strategies that help adults cope
with the disorder.
Risks
Attention deficit medications may have side effects,
including insomnia, loss of appetite, and possible
addiction.
WHAT YOU SHOULD
DO
-
Take any medicine the doctor
prescribes exactly as directed. Do not increase the dosage
without the doctor's OK. Report any new symptoms
immediately. They may be side effects of the
drug.
-
Some attention deficit
medications may interact with alcohol. Check with your
doctor before indulging in alcoholic
beverages.
-
Take advantage of family
counseling services. They can give you valuable advice for
dealing with the situation.
-
Sessions with the doctor can
also help. They give you a chance to discuss the problem
away from your usual routine.
-
Keep yourself organized. Make
lists and use a calendar to hold to a
schedule.
-
Have family meetings at home
each month to talk about how things are
going.
Call Your Doctor
If...
-
You have trouble sleeping or
sleep too much.
-
You feel things are getting
out of control,
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