ADHD Throughout the Lifespan

ADHD Throughout The Lifespan: Looking At Symptoms And Treatment At Different Ages of Life

Miguel Ramirez Psychology 2314, M-W 9:30-11am Professor Whitney November 29, 2011

ADHD Throughout the Lifespan 2 Abstract ADHD is a condition that is thought to only affect school aged children most of the time but there are those in fact whose condition follows them through their lifespan into adolescence and adulthood. At each stage of the lifespan, different challenges are faced by individuals as their thought processes and environments and needs change. Accordingly they must seek treatment appropriate for their symptoms and individual condition at each stage in order to control and possibly eliminate them. There several treatments available for people at each part of their lifespan to help them fit in socially and live a normal life.

ADHD Throughout the Lifespan 3 ADHD Throughout The Lifespan: Looking At Symptoms And Treatment At Different Ages of Life ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a condition among 3-5% of school-aged children in the United States and is usually diagnosed in more boys than girls (Wilens, 2002, 53, 117). The symptoms most commonly associated with the condition are inattentiveness, over-activity, impulsivity and a combination of any of the three or all three. Those who suffer from it are often seen as day dreamers, hyperactive people, not able to pay attention for long periods of time, and having difficulty concentrating on one task at a time. ADHD shows some connection with abnormalities in the prefrontal cortex, which can happen in childhood and prenatal development and is also thought to be influenced by environmental factors as a person grows up. Although ADHD is thought to be mainly a condition thought to affect school-aged children and subside, as a child grows older, there are those with ADHD that persists through or are diagnosed with the condition at adolescence and adulthood (Wilens, 2002 53, 124). Diagnosis, symptoms and treatment can be different at the different stages of life, so they will be observed separately at 3 crucial points in the lifespan as follows: 1. 2. 3. ADHD in Childhood ADHD in Adolescence ADHD in Adulthood

Highlighting the differences at the different points in someones life are essential in order to give proper treatment to their individual condition with ADHD. ADHD in Childhood In children, many times caution must be taken in diagnosing them with ADHD, as it

ADHD Throughout the Lifespan 4 can be difficult to distinguish between symptoms of the condition and normal kid behavior (Brown, 2000). Many times adults are quick to diagnose kids with the condition if they cannot handle a childs energy level and have a short temperament (Smith, 2011, 42, 50). It is important to think of all possibilities such as learning disabilities, major life events, psychological disorders, and medical conditions. Symptoms of ADHD can become more obvious around age four to five in school. If your child does genuinely have and show symptoms, it is crucial to identify your child as impulsive, inattentive, hyperactive, or a combination (Brown, 2000). Pay close attention to daydreamers as they could be quiet and inattentive type that are not hyper but do have ADHD. Parents should be watchful of their children for these signs and seek out treatment to help their child, as well as adjust their parenting style to accommodate for their childs disability to help them grow and develop as smoothly as possible despite having the condition (Smith, 2011, 42, 50). Medication is available for children with ADHD in the form of psycho stimulants that induce production of neurotransmitters dopamine and nor epinephrine. The release of these chemicals by the hypothalamus into the brain causes children to pay attention and calm down. They are extremely effective in helping control ADHD but is not recommended as the sole treatment, although it is the most common. There are nonstimulants available as well as anti-depressants but are less effective and some are thought to cause thoughts of suicide. Another option is to go with behavior therapy, which will teach children to cope with the out bursts that ADHD causes in them and adapt to social situations so that they can easily participate in social norms. This option is more appealing to those who do not want to put their children on medication and can

ADHD Throughout the Lifespan 5 sometimes prove to be beneficial alone. However, the best treatment for ADHD in children is a combination of behavioral therapy along with medication. This combination will help a child be calm enough to learn socially acceptable behaviors so that will overcome their symptoms (Wilens, 2002, 53, 118). Throughout treatment, parents should be supportive and encouraging of their children, highlighting strengths to help pick up weaknesses. The should also limit their choices as to not over exhaust their attention and keep a routine for their child to follow, be consistent, and give directions that are easy for their child to follow (Munsey, 2008, 39, 11). Concerning school, the parent should have good communication with the teacher to make sure their child is getting the social and academic support they need and that assignments are easy for them to understand. All of this will ease a childs development with the condition, along with plenty of parental support. Parents should watch for when selecting treatment is the lie of a cure for ADHD because it does not exist, as ADHD is a chronic condition. ADHD in Adolescence At this stage in life, many teens have been previously diagnosed with ADHD as children and it has followed them into their adolescence. Research shows that over fifty percent of teens who were pre-diagnosed, as children no longer have symptom as teens (Wilens, 2002, 53, 120). Some are diagnosed for the first time in adolescence as the symptoms of it become more apparent in class and schoolwork as more academic demands are put on them. As teens, symptoms that can arise are easily being bored, easily distracted, and being unable to curb their automatic response and just blurting out whatever they think of. Teens with ADHD tend to have low self-esteem, low sense of mastery, and social isolation as a result of their symptoms that makes their peers not want

ADHD Throughout the Lifespan 6 to be around them (Brown, 2000). But before coming to the conclusion of having ADHD, parents and doctors must rule out all other possible conditions such as depression, learning problems, or anxiety. Adolescents face new challenges as they cope with ADHD at this stage, especially social acceptance, which often is not gained if something is not done to control their symptoms. Another very dangerous challenge they have is driving and the abuse of alcohol. An impaired ability to pay attention can be hazardous on the road and result in death if a teen with untreated symptoms attempts it (Brown, 2000). Most of the time teens end up in accidents or drive at very high speeds that are illegal and can result in being arrested. Alcohol could be abused by teens to cope with the stresses of not being accepted socially and having a hard time mastering schoolwork and other skills. There are several treatment options for adolescents that involve not using medication. Teens prefer not to take medication, as they are ashamed to be controlled by medical treatment, despite its positive effects. It does however have side effects of loss of appetite and trouble sleeping. Also, there is much debate to whether adults are giving this medication to teens strictly for the adults convenience. One of the alternative methods is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (Wilens 2002, 53, 130). This type of therapy teaches teens self-control and guides them to control their aggression to promote social behaviors. It rewards proper behaviors in order to enhance and encourage them in teens. Another type of treatment is Social Skills training, which many times is paired up with medication and cognitive behavioral therapy and helps teens adapt to social norms and rules and be able to act accordingly in any given situation, helping them be more socially acceptable. In the case of teens, parents should

ADHD Throughout the Lifespan 7 still be supportive of their teens and talk to other family members of how to deal with their teens social needs and be a good support system and helps the teen identify with the family if they are willing to. With proper treatment teens can either cope with or sometimes overcome their symptoms. ADHD in Adulthood Even though ADHD is thought of as a disease effecting only school aged children and teens, there are those whose symptoms carry on into adulthood. However by this stage, hyperactivity and impulsivity subside, and the main problem that adults are effected by are the ability to actively pay attention. It is hard for adults to keep a regular job because of this since they do not do well with consistency as their symptoms have followed them. They may abuse their medication, and drink heavily if they do not stay in control and may also commit substance abuse. However with adjusting to their lives and continued cognitive behavioral therapy, adults can keep their symptoms in check. Cognitive Behavioral therapy can help adults control their negative thought patterns and pay closer attention as well as come up with healthy coping strategies (Ramsey, 2009 121). Getting a job that has flexible hours can help a person with ADHD maintain it better. Also, adults can find an outlet for the excess energy from their ADHD through sports and active friends in order to keep out bursts at bay (Ramsey, 2009 123). With proper job counseling, therapy and adjustments to everyday life, adults can live a smooth life despite their symptoms having followed them all the way to this part of the lifespan. The condition of ADHD is challenging to live with but there are many treatments out there to help patients who suffer from it. However there is no one way to treat this condition and it is better to use a variety of methods that focus on every aspect of a

ADHD Throughout the Lifespan 8 persons life and above all that they have a good support system to get them through it all. Keeping an eye on symptoms and adjusting accordingly as someone goes through their lifespan will be able to help them control and possibly eliminate some of their symptoms.

ADHD Throughout the Lifespan 9 References Ramsay, J.R (2009, September) Nonmedication Treatments for Adult ADHD: Evaluating Impact on Daily Functioning and Well-Being, 50-126 Smith, B.L (2011, July) ADHD Among Preschoolers. American Psychology Association. 42, 50 Munsey, C. (2008, October) New Insights on ADHD treatment. American Psychology Association. 39, 11. Brown, T.E. (2000). Attention-deficit Disorders and Comorbidities in Children, Adolescents, and Adults. Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Press, Inc. Wilens, T.E., Biederman, J. & Spencer, T.J. (2002). Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder across the lifespan. Annual Review of Medicine, 53, 113-131.