Diagnosing Adult Attention Deficit Disorder can be difficult,
as so many of it's symptoms can be attributed to exhaustion,
anxiety or stress. Fidgeting, interrupting conversations, losing
things, forgetting where you put your keys - everyone acts
this way once in a while. However a long and continuous history
of restless, impulsive, or inattentive behavior may be a sign
of Adult Attention Deficit Disorder. This is especially true
if these behaviors have existed since childhood and have result
in perpetual problems at work, home, and with friends.
As with most behavioral or psychological disorders, the symptoms
of ADD are engaged according to the degree of severity. Everybody
at one time or another displays at least one of the major traits
of an ADD sufferer. We all get distracted, impulsive and restless.
The difference between a so-called normal individual and an
ADD sufferer is the frequency, duration and length of these
symptoms,
If you are living every day expecting the unexpected then
you are possibly living with someone who suffers from ADD.
ADD sufferers baffle others because they are consistently inconsistent.
You have probably already learned that it is not easy to trust
an individual with ADD. The disorder causes them to behave
in an erratic, incompetent manner.
Sufferers of Adult Attention Deficit Disorder have problems
organizing their work, managing their time, and concentrating
on one task at a time. They may be forgetful and misplace or
lose things. They may often be criticized for their erratic
work habits, behavior or appearance. Many are very intelligent
and creative and quit their jobs out of boredom.
Adults with ADD also have difficulty sensing the behavior
and moods of others, as well as expressing their own feelings.
They often say just exactly the wrong thing at the worst time.
This is because they have damaged instincts as a result of
being so misunderstood in childhood. They become frustrated
very easily and may over react to common minor stresses by
displaying a terrible temper.
ADD adults also lack the ability accurately foresee the consequences
of their actions. As a result, they may engage in risky behaviors,
such as unprotected sex, alcohol and drug use, gambling and
investing in risky financial ventures.
People suffering from adult ADD often feel guilty, withdrawn
or depressed because they often feel like failures. They often
are aware that they are incapable of providing structure and
organization for the rest of the family members. They may have
difficulty handling their tempers if children misbehave and
then suffer great remorse afterwards.
ADD can also put a great strain a marriage. The non-afflicted
spouse may misinterpret the partner’s disorganization
and procrastination as deliberate. If the spouse with ADD decides
to go on impulsive spending spree, it may damage the family's
finances. The restlessness and urge for excitement often motivates
them to repeatedly change their career as well as to cheating
on their spouses.
The family unit often does become emotionally toxic as family
members adopt unhealthy behaviors to cover up, prevent or compensate
for the ADD victim's behavior. They may indulge that person
a little more, tiptoe around them so as not to cause some kind
an episode or become like emotional pressure cookers waiting
to explode with hostility and resentment towards the troublemaker.
Everyone in the family s should have a thorough understanding
of the psychiatric diagnoses of ADD or ADHD and how the behaviors
associated with the diagnoses affect the entire family unit.
This can help minimize the damage caused by "knee-jerk" reactions
to the unfortunate occurrences that seem to follow in the wake
of an ADD sufferer's daily activities.
|