ADULT ADHD

Dennis B. Kottler, MD

Westlake Village, CA

Appointments:   818-991-8376 

Email:   doc@psychiatrix.com

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 See Also:  ADULT ADHD SELF-TEST

See Also:  ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER

Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder is a complex of behaviors that begin in childhood (prior to age 7) and often persist into adolescence or  adulthood.   For a detained description of ADHD please read:   ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER.

Some examples of a "missed diagnosis" of ADHD in childhood:

Adults with ADHD often have a life-long pattern of difficult or failed relationships, accidents (including auto accidents), failure to keep a job, and problems with substance abuse, including tobacco, marijuana, and stimulant abuse.  The substances may be self-medication to make it easier for the ADHD child (or adult) to live with himself.  Some of these medications seem to provide "clarity"to the individual.  Sometimes they allow the person to "escape" from the mental discomfort (sometimes torment) that is ADHD.

ADULT ADHD may show variations from the symptoms typically seen in children.   For example, adults may be better able to control the impulse to get up and move about, but they will feel intense restlessness.  Adults may also have learned that they can mitigate symptoms by use of substances, such as nicotine, amphetamines, or coccaine.   Finally, adults, having more choices than children, may have engineered a lifestyle and occupation which is more tolerant of their attention or hyperactivity problems.  Such an individual might avoid a desk job in favor of a job involving travel, for example.  The fast pace of sales jobs seems to work out for many ADHD adults.  

Many adults with this disorder experience marital and relationship problems or problems in the workplace.

 

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis and treatment of ADULT Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder is best left to a psychiatrist who has had considerable experience in treating this disorder.  Treatment approaches generally involve the use of cognitive and behavioral techniques as well as medication, particularly psychostimulants.  Other medications can also be used.


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Appointments:   818-991-8376 

Email:   doc@psychiatrix.com