ADHD stands for “Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder”. ADHD has a strong hereditary component and tends to run in families across generations.
Sometimes ADHD is diagnosed in children and their parents then notice that they themselves have similar symptoms to their children and that they also suffer from ADHD. It is a widespread (officially) “mental disorder” that is also common among adults. There is a very effective pharmacological treatment. Perhaps this is one of the reasons why there are only few psychotherapeutic and psychological offers for adults with ADHD.
The disorder of ADHD in adulthood is special and was not considered for a long time because ADHD was treated purely by child and adolescent psychiatric methods for many decades.
ADHD is not a fad diagnosis, it is diagnosed more frequently because there is more sensitivity to it today. Of course, there are also misdiagnoses, although contrary to public opinion, these rarely occur. In this respect, the accusation of “fashion diagnosis” is also a prejudice and cliché and downplays the immense suffering of those affected.
Two-thirds of all children who suffer from ADHD continue to do so as adults. Those affected often also have comorbidities, especially anxiety and depression, because over-adapting to a neurotypical environment costs so much strength and life energy. It is dangerous for the psyche if people with ADHD do not learn to manage their strength and resources well, to take care of themselves and not to over-adapt. Drug support is an important component of state-of-the-art treatment and alleviates a lot of suffering, but it cannot replace strategies for good, careful handling of oneself and one’s own strengths or interpersonal skills.
Everyday things, such as keeping appointments, can take a lot of energy for people with ADHD, sometimes represent a major hurdle and can be exhausting and depressive.
Typical everyday problems are:
– higher divorce rates in marriages and partnerships, fewer friends, a lot of social isolation
– in working life, an increased risk of dropping out of school and training, frequently losing or changing jobs, a lower professional status, more sick days and absenteeism
– in road traffic higher amounts of damage, more frequent accidents and an increased risk of accidents, more penalties and administrative offenses
– Conflicts with the law
The picture of ADHD in adulthood differs from that in childhood. The hyperactivity decreases with age, instead a lot of small movements, motor restlessness, the increased urge to move and inner restlessness are characteristic. There are often serious difficulties at work, in partnerships, in traffic and also in conflicts with the law.
The diagnosis of ADHD may only be given:
– if the disorder started before the age of twelve
– if the symptoms occur in very different situations (e.g. at home, at work, with friends …)
– if life is affected as a result
– if other physical and mental illnesses can be ruled out as causes of the symptoms
People with ADHD face the following prejudices:
– They just have to make more effort and pull themselves together (is not possible or those affected already do this enough and exhaust themselves to the point of a depressive collapse or burnout)
– Drugs are harmful (this increases suffering, since ADHD without drug treatment is more harmful to the body and psyche than the side effects of the drugs)
– ADHD is a fashionable diagnosis (those affected are not taken seriously or seen; their suffering is not recognized and trivialized)
Author: Florian Friedrich
Psychotherapist in training under supervision
(Logotherapy and Existential Analysis)
