Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
or better known as ADHD
or better yet, something not many asians are educated about

i’m gonna go out on a limb and be totally honest and transparent about myself here

all my bleeding life i’ve been told over and over to concentrate, be more focused, have more self esteem, that i’m hyperactive and a whole host of things that never really summed up to anything other than making me feel worse about myself because i felt as though i was difficult and different from other kids and “why am i not normal..?!” always cropped up
regardless, after getting my ass to collage and taking a bit of psychology, i started joking about how i am ADHD
still, i never really took it seriously or did any research at that time as i havent, at that point, examined myself honestly

recently, however, since i’ve gotten a lot of opportunities to understand myself further, well, needless to say i’ve realized a lot of things about myself which i’ve never previously noticed were characteristics which i possess

before elaborating further, here are the types and symptoms of ADHD taken from www.webmd.com
i’ve also (√) the symptoms which i have coupled with occasional commentary

ADHD is more commonly found in children and teens but there are also adults suffering from ADHD. However, symptoms in adults vary from that of children and teens.

Types of ADHD
there are 3 types of ADHD
1) combined ADHD (the most common type), which involves all of the symptoms
2) inattentive ADHD (previously known as ADD), which is marked by impaired attention and concentration
3) hyperactive-impulsive ADHD, which is marked by hyperactivity without inattentiveness

Symptoms of ADHD
http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/guide/adhd-symptoms

Inattention may not become apparent until a child enters the challenging environment of school. In adults, symptoms of inattention may manifest in work or in social situations.

A person with ADHD may have some or all of the following symptoms:

  • difficulty paying attention to details and tendency to make careless mistakes in school or other activities; producing work that is often messy and careless (thank god i’m a perfectionist when it comes to things i WANT done)
  • easily distracted by irrelevant stimuli and frequently interrupting ongoing tasks to attend to trivial noises or events that are usually ignored by others  (√ so true)
  • inability to sustain attention on tasks or activities  (√ yah! cant read for longer than 10 seconds before having to look up or wander my thoughts)
  • difficulty finishing schoolwork or paperwork or performing tasks that require concentration  (√ unless i FORCE myself to especially when it comes to things i WANT done)
  • frequent shifts from one uncompleted activity to another  (√)
  • procrastination  (√)
  • disorganized work habits  (√ i do things my way)
  • forgetfulness in daily activities (for example, missing appointments, forgetting to bring lunch)  (√ always forgetting something and here i thought i was having early onset of Alzheimer’s, jk)
  • failure to complete tasks such as homework or chores  (√ i think throughout school life i’ve only ever completed 2% of my homework. TRUTH!)
  • frequent shifts in conversation, not listening to others, not keeping one’s mind on conversations, and not following details or rules of activities in social situations  (√ yup.. i can start the sentence and lose train of thought and end completely off topic)

Hyperactivity symptoms may be apparent in very young preschoolers and are nearly always present before the age of seven. Symptoms include:

  • fidgeting, squirming when seated  (√ yes yes yes and yes)
  • getting up frequently to walk or run around  (√)
  • running or climbing excessively when it’s inappropriate (in teens this may appear as restlessness)  (√)
  • having difficulty playing quietly or engaging in quiet leisure activities  (√ massages and manicures are such pain!)
  • being always on the go  (√ hmmm maybe that’s why i travel.. backside itchy)
  • often talking excessively  (yah.. haha i think some people can attest to that lol! especially at inappropriate times!)

Hyperactivity may vary with age and developmental stage.

Toddlers and preschoolers with ADHD tend to be constantly in motion, jumping on furniture, and having difficulty participating in sedentary group activities. For instance, they may have trouble listening to a story.

School-age children display similar behavior but with less frequency. They are unable to remain seated, squirm a lot, fidget, or talk excessively.

In adolescents and adults, hyperactivity may manifest itself as feelings of restlessness and difficulty engaging in quiet sedentary activities.

Impulsivity symptoms include:

  • impatience  (√)
  • difficulty delaying responses  (√)
  • blurting out answers before questions have been completed  (√)
  • difficulty awaiting one’s turn  (√)
  • frequently interrupting or intruding on others to the point of causing problems in social or work settings  (√ i do realize that i sometimes cant stop myself from blurting mid-conversation usually because i just exited my own world and fail to realize that other people are having a discussion or conversation or just yapping.. but i do stop myself once i realize my mistake)
  • initiating conversations at inappropriate times  (√ like during movies or whenever something pops into my mind..)

Impulsivity may lead to accidents such as knocking over objects or banging into people. Children with ADHD may also engage in potentially dangerous activities without considering the consequences. For instance, they may climb to precarious positions.

Many of these symptoms occur from time to time in normal youngsters. However, in children with ADHD they occur frequently — at home and at school or when visiting with friends. They also interfere with the child’s ability to function normally.

ADHD is diagnosed after children consistently display some or all of the above behaviors in at least two settings, such as at home and in school, for at least six months.

Long-Term Prognosis With ADHD

Some children with ADHD — approximately 20% to 30% — develop learning problems that may not improve with ADHD treatment. Hyperactive behavior can be associated with the development of other disruptive disorders, particularly conduct and oppositional-defiant disorder. Why this association exists is not known.

A great many children with ADHD ultimately adjust. Some, though, especially those with an associated conduct or oppositional-defiant disorder (√ explains.. i think my mom will appreciate knowing why i was and am so rebellious), are more likely to drop out of school. These individuals fare more poorly in their later careers than individuals who did not have ADHD do.

Inattention tends to persist through childhood and adolescence and on into adulthood. The symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity tend to diminish with age (doesnt seem so..).

As they grow older, some teens that have had severe ADHD since middle childhood experience periods of anxiety or depression.

There are several warning signs for ADHD that seem to get worse when demands at school or home increase. They include:

  • difficulties following instructions  (√)
  • being unable to get organized, either at home or at school  (50/50 depends)
  • fidgeting, especially with the hands and feet  (√)
  • talking too much  (√ or not at all)
  • failing to finish projects, including chores and homework  (√)
  • not paying attention to and responding to details  (√ ha! its not because i do it on purpose!)
  • getting poor grades in school  (quite lol! i’d say mid level grades)
  • being isolated from peers due to poor grades and secondary depression (yes to secondary depression and isolation but not due to grades)

ADHD in adults

ADHD: It’s Not Just for Children
Most people think of children when they hear the term attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. But 30%-70% of kids with ADHD continue having symptoms when they grow up. People with ADHD have an imbalance of neurotransmitter activity in areas of the brain that control attention. In adults, the inability to stay focused can derail careers (√), ambitions (√), and relationships (√). Many adults don’t realize they have the disorder, leaving them mystified about why their goals always seem to slip out of reach.

Adult ADHD Symptoms
ADHD in adults follows a slightly different pattern than in children. Adults may be chronically late to work or important events (√ no shit.. i think my friends are having a laughing fit reading this). They may be disorganized (√ depending on which part of life we’re talking about.. not when it comes to event organizing though curiously), restless (√), and have difficulty relaxing (√). Some people with ADHD have trouble concentrating while reading (√ yup… cant read a couple of sentences without daydreaming a little till i’ve got to re-read the same few sentences haiyoh!). Mood swings (√), low self-esteem (√ AGREED!), and poor anger management (√) are also common problems.

Adult ADHD on the Job
Holding down a job can be tough for people with ADHD. They often have trouble breaking down tasks and following directions (√ more like instructions), staying organized, and making deadlines. They’re also prone to tardiness and careless mistakes. According to a national survey, only half of adults with ADHD were able to maintain a full-time position, compared to 72% of adults without the disorder. When they do work, they tend to earn less than their peers.

Adult ADHD and Marriage
Besides undermining job potential, ADHD can sabotage marriage and other relationships. The condition makes it difficult to remember social commitments, birthdays or anniversaries, finish household chores, and pay bills on time. Adults with ADHD may lose their tempers easily or engage in reckless behavior. This leads to a higher incidence of separation and divorce.

Complications of Adult ADHD
Coping with the symptoms of adult ADHD can be frustrating in itself. Additionally, many adults with ADHD have coexisting conditions such as depression (√ mild), anxiety (√ mild), or obsessive compulsive disorder (√ mild). They’re also more likely to smoke or abuse drugs. People with ADHD can limit these problems by seeking proper treatment.

Adult ADHD: Who’s at Risk?
ADHD does not develop spontaneously in adults. All people with ADHD had symptoms as a child. Many adult patients remember doing poorly in school, even if they were not diagnosed with ADHD at the time. During childhood, the condition is more common in boys than girls, but this ratio appears to even out by adulthood.

Diagnosing ADHD in Adults
Many adults don’t learn that they have ADHD until they get help for another problem, such as anxiety or depression. Discussing poor habits, troubles at work, or marital conflicts often reveals that ADHD is at fault. To confirm the diagnosis, a doctor must verify that the disorder was present during childhood. Old report cards or conversations with relatives can document childhood behavior problems, such as poor focus and hyperactivity.

Counseling for ADHD
Most adults with ADHD improve when they start medication, but they may continue to struggle with poor habits and low self-esteem. Counseling for ADHD focuses on getting organized, setting helpful routines, repairing relationships, and improving social skills. Research is limited, but this type of therapy appears promising. One study suggests medication combined with counseling can ease ADHD symptoms and improve management of daily tasks.

ADHD Diets
Some experts believe foods that provide quality brain fuel could reduce symptoms of ADHD. High-protein foods, including nuts, meat, beans, and eggs, may improve concentration. Replacing simple carbs with complex carbs, like whole-grain pasta or brown rice, can help ward off mood swings and stabilize energy levels.

Outlook for Adults With ADHD
Adults with ADHD don’t outgrow the condition, but many learn to manage it successfully. Long-term treatment can reduce problems at home and at work, bringing patients closer to their families and their professional goals.

before i continue, in my case, i’ve done NO substance or drug abuse or smoke. done neither.
i really thank whichever gods out there and my parents for giving me a sense of stronger moral and fundamental values because my risky behaviours were not drugs or alcohol related, they’re more adventure dangerous more than not (as some may say, i’ve got no regards to safety)

people who know me will know what i’ve (√) to be true
all those years of telling me i’m not focused and oh! the most popular “you arent interested in something long enough..!”
oh but the frustration of not being able to concentrate! its one of the most irritating things in this world!

can you imagine my relief when i read these symptoms?!
I’M NOT DIFFICULT! i just have ADHD!
(ok maybe i am difficult hahaha)
not that its any more comforting the thought that i actually have some disorder :S

at the very least, for now, i know that writing helps straighten out my thoughts in this ‘jumper’ brain of mine, documentary photography still has my interest, traveling keeps my restlessness at bay for now, adventures makes me feel alive, humanitarian philanthropy is my life’s goal, and event management especially last minute quality control is my forte (because it seems that extremely stressful situations plucks my concentration back down to earth albeit fleetingly)

if you recognize a few of these symptoms in you or your child, please get a diagnosis and help
it’ll save you and your child from a lot of self-doubt, heartache and arguments

big hugs to anyone with ADHD
it aint easy having ADHD

more reading material on girls with ADHD
http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/features/yes-girls-get-adhd-too