Do I have Depression? Or is the Blues?
ADHD may seem like a term commonly associated with children, but unfortunately, it affects more adults that one can imagine. Children who have ADHD most often become adults with ADHD. Thus you can imagine how many adults are walking around with ADHD. Statistics now hover around a whopping 5% worldwide for children who have ADHD. Currently, 4.4 % of the adult population have ADHD and most don’t even know it. This is problematic because ADHD can cause a lot of dysfunction in one’s life including challenges with employment, relationships, and social functioning. Due to the fact that many adults don’t realize they have ADHD- they often feel bad about their deficits and beat upon themselves because they can’t understand some of their behavior and actions. These results in self –esteem issues and ultimately they need to turn to other sources to tame the bad feelings –such as alcohol or drug use. That said, ADHD is a real problem, a real diagnosis and most importantly there is help.
What is ADHD?
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that impairs executive functioning. In layman’s terms, ADHD affects and individual’s ability to plan, organize, manage time, meet deadlines, and so forth. Everyday tasks are difficult and many find it hard to focus and prioritize.
The symptoms often seen in Adult ADHD include:
1) Impulsiveness
2) Problems focusing on a task
3) Poor planning
4) Low frustration tolerance
5) Frequent mood swings
6) Problems following through and completing tasks
7) Hot temper
8) Trouble coping with stress
9) Disorganization and problems prioritizing
10) Poor time management skills
11) Trouble multitasking
12) Excessive activity or restlessness
These symptoms may seem like they are part and parcel of everyone’s daily struggles- but in ADHD- these deficits are magnified to such an extreme, it causes dysfunction. Individuals lose jobs because they can’t meet deadlines or arrive at work on time are a few examples. What causes ADHD is still unknown but researchers believe it’s a combination of various factors including genetics, family environment, and how the brain is wired. Most adults with ADHD were children with ADHD. If mom and dad didn’t recognize it or didn’t treat it, that child most likely became an adult with ADHD. Consequently, adults with ADHD have a higher chance of having a child who will also have ADHD.
Treatment is available:
Fortunately, we now live in a time that ADHD is being more recognized as a real disease and not just a label for what was traditionally thought of as simply “badly behavior”.. There’s a lot of evidence to support its existence and its ensuing treatment. There is no need for anyone to suffer in today’s age with ADHD. If any of the symptoms sound familiar to you. If you feel as if life has become overwhelming as you attempt to do life ( above and beyond the normal …)- finding a career, running family, and other responsibly, consider being assessed for ADHD.
The great news is no matter how ADHD has affected you up and until now; it is treatable with education, support, and tools. If you are identify as black, African or from Caribbean heritage, Black Mental Health Canada BMHC can help you manage ADHD take back control of your life. For more information on ADHD counseling and support, call us at 289…… or email us at info@blackmentealth.ca
