Adult ADHD: Understanding adult ADHD and how to manage, treat, and improve it

By Steven Wells

ADULT ADHD

This book covers the topic of adult ADHD, and will explain how the condition may affect you as an adult. 

Most people believe that ADHD only affects people in childhood, but for some it actually continues throughout adulthood. This can have a dramatic impact on a person’s ca

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ingram Publishing
• Release date: Dec 25, 2019
• ISBN: 9781761031670

Book preview

Introduction

Thank you for taking the time to read this book on adult ADHD.

This book covers the topic of adult ADHD, and will explain how the condition may affect you as an adult.

Most people believe that ADHD only affects people in childhood, but for some it actually continues throughout adulthood. This can have a dramatic impact on a person’s career, personal life, and relationships.

This book will explain to you the different symptoms that may be present in adult ADHD, as well as provide you with a wide array of strategies for managing these symptoms.

At the completion of this book you will have a good understanding of adult ADHD, and be fully prepared to manage the symptoms, as well as use them to your advantage when possible!

Once again, thanks for choosing this book, I hope you find it to be helpful!

Chapter 1: What is Adult ADHD

Overview

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or ADHD is a mental health condition. Adults with ADHD are repeatedly inattentive, hyperactive, and impulsive. This gets in the way of performing tasks and interacting with others.

Here are examples of how people with ADHD behave:

Others may assume that they act this way out of defiance or by lack of comprehension. As a result, people with ADHD often encounter other personal problems. Most have low self-esteem, poor performance at work/school, addictions, and unstable relationships.

Although it is commonly observed in children, ADHD can continue through adulthood. In some cases, it is not recognized until the person is already an adult.

Many children grow up with ADHD. Hyperactivity may decrease in adults, but they will still be restless and impulsive. Many will still have short attention-spans.

Causes and Risk Factors

Studies do not point to a single specific cause for ADHD. Instead, there are many genetic and environmental factors that contribute to its development.

Family History

ADHD can be hereditary. Between 50% to 75% of parents with ADHD will likely have children with ADHD. If an older child has it, the younger child has a 30% chance of having the same disorder. A person who has a twin with ADHD is likely to develop the condition, too.

Genes play a huge role in determining who develops ADHD. Studies show that small pieces of DNA are either duplicated or missing in the brains of people with ADHD. These defective DNA segments are also associated with autism and schizophrenia.

Unfortunately, inheriting the genes associated with ADHD can’t be controlled. Parents with ADHD should keep a watchful eye for symptoms developing in their child.  They should also alert the child’s pediatrician on the family’s history of ADHD.

Smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol, and using drugs during pregnancy

A pregnant woman’s vices will harm the baby she is carrying.

Nicotine and carbon monoxide from cigarette smoke affect the child’s brain development. Mothers who smoke during pregnancy increase their children's chances of developing ADHD.

Drinking too much alcohol also puts the baby at risk. Kids with ADHD are 2.5 times more likely to have been exposed to alcohol inside the womb.

Similarly, drug abuse during pregnancy also exposes the baby to harmful chemicals that potentially inhibit the child’s normal brain growth.

Exposure to toxic chemicals, like lead, at a young age

Lead has a harmful effect on child development. This chemical is commonly found in paint and gasoline. Despite its bad reputation, it continues to be used throughout the world.

Some toys have traces of lead paint in them. Leaded gasoline is banned in most countries, but it remains legal in Algeria, Iraq, Myanmar, North Korea, and Afghanistan. Even today, airplane gasoline