Hello! I found this study to be very useful for the approach of ADHD in adults, particularly in terms of anxiety.

Good luck!

Article Methylphenidate Reduces State Anxiety During a Continuous Pe...

Thanks Maria. You and the author's of that paper emphasize that anxiety rises when Adult ADHD confronts cognitive functions, like examination, problem solving situations, difficulty meeting deadline of a project, accusations due to their failures, etc. Such rise of anxiety can be restrained if they are taking stimulants.

So ADHD adults are more prone to anxiety state than non ADHD individuals when confronts cognition based stress.

Please do enumerate other features too.

My research on employees with ADHD shows that these employees, when properly managed, are innovative, driven and focused on outcomes and results. Unfortunately, published advice is not consistent with the findings from successful employees. I invite you to read my dissertation (posted here) and check chapter 5 for recommendations.

Jill

Hello Jill,

Thanks for reply. Pardon me for delay.

But where is your post? It's missing. Please post it once again.

However, successful ADHD employee may not need the published advise, because of their self learned coping skills and strategy.

Many adults of ADHD don't need medication due to their coping skills, your observation is pertinent.

However, it's also observed that SSRI reduces impulsivity of ADHD adults.

Please comment .

I have watched the responses here to your comments. Let me begin my rejecting the premise of your opening. Yes, some people who have ADHD may create difficult situations for themselves and others but a diagnosis does not logically mean:

"Adult ADHD are a potentially significant threat to one and all. Because they are impulsive, unpredictable, unstoppable, mostly unaware of their mistakes or tendency of committing repeated errors and much more. They are very much accident prone due to fast driving tendency."

If "floating" this notion to increase awareness, please be aware that this is factually incorrect, discriminatory, and potentially damaging if people believe your ideas.

Facts do not support your comments. The diagnosis of ADHD now includes variations of how it presents - specifically whether attention deficit is the more prominent feature, whether hyperactivity is the more prominent feature, or if a combination presents.

Over time individuals with ADHD develop coping strategies to both mask and manage their indicators. This may include simple strategies, such as focusing with the use of stress ball squeezing, or more complex strategies including a combination of actions from the medication, behavioural strategies, counselling or other forms of therapy to deal with the social isolation or anxiety or depression that can accompany ADHD, activities to increase the capacity of the working memory - a key compromise in memory functioning.

As with any other variation within human populations, ADHD neither presents nor is responsive to a 'one size fits all' approach. The impact of ADHD similarly is not a consistent set of features as most people with ADHD may fit some of the diagnostic criteria but not all.

Your commentary is painting a picture of people with ADHD on what I hope is a misunderstanding of the facts and the complexity of this issue. Please consider the impact in stereotyping people with any issue they may face as that is, to me, where the "potentially significant threat to one and all" arises.

Dear Christine,

Let me thank you for starting a discussion anyway.

Your post came after 4 to 5 months of my initiation. Other posts too don't heat up the issue to discussion.

My take behind the lines is proving to be correct, i.e. neither people are aware nor they are enthusiastic to talk on adult ADHD.

Now, please don't say I am discriminating people ! This is on lighter side !

But, actually your opinion holds merit and so invite discussion. While taking this discussion ahead neither I intend to defend my above written 'notion' nor I truly intend to refute your takes on the subject.

I treat ADHD, both adult and child, and hence observe their plight closely. Pharmacotherapy and psychological interventions both need to be applied for most of them. I do it religiously and professionally.

Driving fast, acting impulsively, excessively talking, defective working memory, unawareness of one's crossing lines of modesty, inevitably associated with implicit or explicit emotional lability, etc. are sure factual behavioral aberrations. Though adult ADHD individuals are NOT at all fully responsible for their behavioral aberrations. ADHD is one of the proven though less known, malfunctioning of brain. So it is NOT correct to say that facts don't support my comments. It's rather very much factual observation. My comments don't damage image of ADHD adults, rather such comments would awaken people with a bit jerk, would stimulate them to take more care. Any discrimination cannot be 100% negative. Impact of any comments also depends on receiver's point of view, sublimal cognition.

Your stand is taken in right spirit, that type of ADHD too would decide if ADHD is going to be more or less threat. Inattentive type of ADHD is a real threat to the self's positive image, self confidence, self pride, self's potential to be successful. All such people of inattentive type ADHD suffer. My heart aches for their plight. They suffer internally without their own fault, without knowing how to fix it. And that's why I say ADHD is a threat in itself. May be whatever the type one suffers from. ADHD attributes failures, incapacitating full potential of the person.

If a person and concern others become aware of its impact on life then only inadvertent effect may be catastrophic or negligible can be negotiated.

Some ADHD adults develop coping methods on their own but not all. I Q of ADHD individual too will decide scope of coping strategy they can come up with. Many need counselling to help themselves.

Most of the times ADHD adults suffer from significantly more severe co morbid psychiatric disorder. That's why also I say ADHD is really a threat to persons mental equilibrium/balance.

Impact of ADHD is not consistent throughout life of same individual, you said, very true! And that's why ADHD is a real threat, one can never anticipates how much would be mental sufferings if he/she confronts psychosocial threat. For exam. young lady presented with severe Major Depression because of underlying ADHD. Stressor was broken engagement. She took more time to recover. Had more threats of committing suicide ! Had it been that she didn't have underlying ADHD, then her suicidal tendencies would not have bothered me and caretakers. Underlying ADHD can undoubtedly provoke her impulsively to commit suicide. Won't you call it a potential threat! She was inattentive type ADHD!

Your and readers response please.

😊

Perhaps it is useful for you to know I am a senior mental health practitioner, lecturer, clinical supervisor, and specialise in co-morbidity.

The generalisations in your response are still of concern to me.

As a mental health practitioner it is important to be accurate in information - this is our ethical and often legal responsibility.

I have researched the phenomenon of co-morbidity in relation to learning difficulties, in relation to dual exceptionalities with regard to people who may have a learning difficulty such as ADHD and be classified as gifted, and for the purpose of writing academic materials to work with the next generation of practitioners in mental health.

Your experience may have led you to what you regard to be 'factual observations'. They do not, however, reflect the literature.

Good, you are an expert, practising psychiatrist.

Let's start an educational exercise on adult ADHD.

Hope you were among the scietific committee in your country who has written educational guidelines on how to treat adult ADHD.

Please tell us some literature's guidelines which refutes my take or corroborates your take.

Expect you comment on my last sentence of earlier post about considering impulsivity as a threat.

Please consider me not arrogant, consider me not intelligent, but just consider me highly interested in ADHD and a motivated learner.

Please proceed to teach us.

☺️

I suggest you do your own research on reliable databases that show academically sound research on this issue. While it is useful to have discussions on research gate, I do not wish to participate in doing the research for you. If you post something here, you need to be able to back it up. Otherwise, it is just your opinion and potentially dangerous if others think you are correct.

Dear Christine madam,

Hope you and readers don't mind delay to answer your post and take following text in right spirit. I have malice towards none.

Your last sentence of just earlier post applies very much closely to yourself, readers may guess, but I don't because it is useful for me to remember that you are a great mental health professional. You have never ever backed up your opinions though.

Question floated goes very much with published literature.

Please read supporting literature in next post.

Corroborating Literature : Not exhaustive. Only a few are mentioned.

1) Individuals with ADHD are at higher risk due to deficiencies in executive functioning, of engaging in anti social or devient behaviour.(Barkley and Murphy 2011).

2) ADHD individuals show extreme degree of behavior pattern, and long term negative outcome, says Susan Krauss Whitbourne PhD, on 27.12.2011, Psychology today.

3) Untreated adult ADHD is associated with negative outcome including unemployment, arrest, divorce. --- V A Harpine, Archives of diseases in childhood, vol 90, supplementary issue.

4) Adults with ADHD lack critical skills to manage various roles of adult life. V A Harpine UK.

5) Response inhibition takes place due to smaller and less active rh. PFC among adhd adults which affects self regulation of affect , level of arousal. This poses them more emotionally labile, prone them to take inadaverant risk. Thus they drive risky. Are at risk of criminal behavior , substance abuse because of response inhibition and impulsivity to fuel on.

Social and emotional immaturity is associated with ADHD.

Mild ADHD are less prone to risky behavior and other effects of ADHD.

But that does not mean that mild forms of ADHD or better learned coping strategies make them like non-ADHD individuals.

So it is okey to say ADHD adults are prone to risky behavior. Risk affects relationship, marriage, friendship, employment, self management, self achievements, stressful time and events in one's life, etc.

Entire life of ADHD adult is at stake because of ADHD brain. Biological, genetic dispositions are real causes. So individuals suffering from ADHD need to exercise more care , more efforts, more rectification of errors they have made unknowingly to succeed in life.

That's why , ADHD is a real threat to successful life.

So awareness drive done with , may be in hasher words is okey.

It's like saying cigarette smoking is injurious to health or high speed driving is dangerous to one and all !

Awareness drives are run to alert people and not to discriminate smokers or speedsters.

I refer you to the American Psychiatric Association who develop the DSM-5 at https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/adhd/what-is-adhd

where they state:

ADHD is diagnosed as one of three types: inattentive type, hyperactive/impulsive type or combined type.

Your original posting talked of impulsivity and this may be a feature in the hyperactive/impulsive or combined type but is not a significant feature in the inattentive type. Even when seen in the hyperactive/impulsive or combined type, it may vary in intensity in presentation. In other words, impulsivity may be a low level or absent feature in ADHD depending on the individual presentation (Barkley, 2015). Barkley's work on concentration deficit disorder is also worth viewing as this shows a further sub-type that may be included in future DSMs.

Treatments involving several medication options, dexamfetamine, methylphenidate and lisdexamfetamine can be useful in managing symptoms. So too can exercises that stretch the working memory - an often under-rated aspect of ADHD that can mimic inattentiveness. Equally therapy involving strategy development for the unique manifestation in the individual with ADHD can be of assistance. For more depth on these options and the complexity of ADHD you can see:

Barkley, R. (2015). Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (4th ed.). New York, NY: The Guildford Press.

If you go back to my original response to your posting you will see my main objection was the stereotyping you engaged in by making such a generalised statement. ADHD is far more nuanced than your statement allowed for and it is often co-morbid. However, it is not a new thing as the article below shows:

Victor, M., da Silva, B., Kappel, D., Bau, C., & Grevet, E. (2018). Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in ancient Greece: The Obtuse Man of Theophrastus. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 52(6) 509–513. doi: 10.1177/0004867418769743

Additionally, rather than pathologising ADHD, research into its benefits are also shown in the literature. For example, the following article shows the connection between ADHD and cognitive flexibility and creativity:

Boot, N., Nevicka, B., & Baas, M. (2017). Subclinical symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are associated with specific creative processes. Personality and Individual Differences, 114, 73-81. Article Subclinical symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity diso...

I suspect ADHD research in the future will widen along the lines of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) where there is a recognition of heterogeneity at the biological, cognitive and behavioural levels. And as Charman et al (2011) point out, some cognitive abilities may be impaired, others may be intact, still others may be enhanced:

Charman, T., Jones, C., Pickles, A, Simonoff, E., Baird, G., & Happe, F. (2011). Defining the cognitive phenotype of autism. Brain Research, 1380, 10-21.

This commentary supports the notion that the simplistic separation of one feature of any diagnosis, in the case of your original posting impulsivity and ADHD, as if it is the main issue is dubious and misleading. It oversimplifies a complex and yet not fully understood human variation.

I have written about impulsivity associates with ADHD in 3rd para.

Nowhere I have tried to mention that it is the only or foremost or single feature of ADHD. Neither I have said any thing about which is the main issue.

How can a person who knows ADHD say like that? ADHD is diagnosed from multiple criteria and impulsivity is one of them, which means some criteria including impulsivity may or may not be detected in any single ADHD adult.

I am a medical doctor and it is implicitely and widely accepted that variations is a rule of nature, so do I.

Another point you raised about good qualities of ADHD, e.g. creativity, o c features, subtle readiness and absence of laziness to respond to a situation, can be good qualities for some. But good qualities cannot cover up potential bad qualities.

Awareness when needs to be spread , one has to point out bad qualities, so that people get alarmed.

Awareness drives are undertaken to provoke people, to awaken people. Mention of negative aspect is usual choice while undertaking such drives.

Many adult ADHD are highly educated, with high caliber individuals. Many among them are cardiologists, psychiatrist, lawyers, police officers, actors, etc.

Awareness among psychiatrists is required because not many psychiatrist know enough about ADHD. Many psychiatrist don't diagnose adult ADHD. Many don't even accept it as an entity.

It's good that you know much about adult ADHD. Spread your knowledge.

Thanks for posting links to refer to.

Continue doing so.

Last month I had an opportunity to conduct workshop on adult ADHD along with two psychiatrist at Indian national conference (ANCIPS 2019). Such talks or cme or workshops would sure help spread awareness.

Dear Christine,

Please read this abstract, which you have asked me to refer to. This abstract says about EI=Emotional Compulsivity., being core feature of ADHD.

Where as you say it is not so.

Well, I assume , it is your take. You can sure carry it on.

....…..................................................

Please read following sentences of Barkley. Special words: EI-DESR.

Emotional dysregulation is a core component of ADHD.

Chapter

Database: PsycINFO

Barkley, Russell A.

Citation

Barkley, R. A. (2015). Emotional dysregulation is a core component of ADHD. In R. A. Barkley (Ed.), Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: A handbook for diagnosis and treatment (pp. 81-115). New York, NY, US: Guilford Press.

Abstract

As the previous chapter has nicely documented, for over 40 years, clinical descriptions of the core nature of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have focused exclusively on the two-dimensional structure of the disorder cited in clinical diagnostic criteria (inattention, hyperactivity-impulsivity), such as those in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. As noted in DSM-5, the essential feature of ADHD is a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity impulsivity that is more frequent and severe than is typically observed in individuals at a comparable level of development. Such official descriptions concerning the core nature of the disorder and the related symptom lists focus exclusively on a two-dimensional structure as being the central features of the disorder. Here I argue that this overemphasis on the most observable and objectively measurable features of the disorder has led to the exclusion or a deemphasis of another feature of the disorder that is just as central to its understanding yet considerably more difficult to quantify. This largely neglected element is a deficiency in both the effortful (executive or cognitive) inhibition and the top-down self-control of emotions in general and particularly those pertaining to the self-regulation of frustration, impatience, and anger. The most noticeable and initial consequence of this deficiency in people with ADHD is a striking propensity for failure to inhibit emotions, of emotional impulsivity (El). understanding the nature of ADHD. It also seeks to explain why the explicit recognition of EI-DESR (deficient emotional self-regulation) as a central feature of the disorder may prove useful in broadening our understanding of the emotional and social maladjustment evident in cases of the disorder Apart from providing a more accurate clinical portrayal of the disorder for both greater professional and public understanding, this argument stresses that formally acknowledging the place of EI-DESR has a sound basis in (1) the history of ADHD; (2) the neuropsychological nature of the disorder; (3) the neuroanatomy of ADHD; (4) the empirical research on the symptoms of EI-DESR in ADHD; (5) the linkage of ADHD with oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), among other comorbidities; and (6) the concurrent and later impairments often seen in ADHD, especially in the domains of social functioning. Others have also argued that emotional dysregulation is an important component of ADHD based on lines of evidence other than those I summarize here (Mattel, 2009; Skirrow, McLoughlin, Kuntsi, & Asherson, 2009). (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved)

© 2019 American Psychological Association.

750 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242

Telephone: 202-336-5650; 800-374-2722

TDD/TTY: 202-336-6123. (1.3.2019)

*****************×*********************

☺️😊

EI=Emotional (Compulsivity, read impulsivity.).

Auto error.

_2_ continued for Christine.

Here is another reference you have asked me to refer to.

I am pasting abstract of that reference.

I wonder how is this abstract related to our topic of discussion.

................….............................

Doi:10.1177/0004867418769743.

...reference you had quoted. ..........

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Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry

Contents

Full Article

Content List

Abstract

Introduction

The ‘Characters’

The Obtuse Man—comments on the character

Discussion

References

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Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in ancient Greece: The Obtuse Man of Theophrastus

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Marcelo M Victor, Bruna S da Silva, Djenifer B Kappel, ...

First Published April 26, 2018 Research Article

https://doi.org/10.1177/0004867418769743

PDF download for Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in ancient Greece: The Obtuse Man of Theophrastus Article Information

Article has an altmetric score of 3 No Access

Abstract:

We present an ancient Greek description written by the philosopher Theophrastus in his classic book ‘Characters’ comparable with modern attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. The arguments are based in one chapter of this book—The Obtuse Man—presenting features of a character closely resembling the modern description of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. In a free comparative exercise, we compared Theophrastus descriptions with modern Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.; DSM-5) attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms. The sentences describing The Obtuse Man written by Theophrastus are similar to several symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and he would probably be currently diagnosed with this disorder as an adult. To our knowledge, this is the oldest description compatible with the current conception of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in adults in the Western literature. Differently than the moralistic view of ancient Greece regarding those symptoms, the medical attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder conception may be advantageous to patients since it might reduce prejudice and allow individuals to seek treatment.

Keywords Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, history of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, adult attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder

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Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry

ISSN: 0004-8674

Online ISSN: 1440-1614

Copyright © 2019 by The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists

My closing comments on this post are:

ADHD is not a singular condition. It has a mixture of attentional deficit issues that may present by themselves which would have formerly been known as Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). These attentional issues may be combined in a variety of forms with the hyperactive aspects to become Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD). ADHD may present as mixed with the dominance of AD aspects and lesser HD or HD with lesser AD. It presents differently and with different levels of interference in a person's life from mild, moderate, and severe. Additionally, the treatments people receive, including psychotropic drugs, may ameliorate the impact of the condition to varying degrees.

My key point is to talk about ADHD as a singular condition is incorrect and misleading. It is similar to saying that anxiety is the same condition in all instances where it clearly presents with different symptomology and requires different approaches to treatment.

I take the point that you wish to promote one aspect of ADHD - that of risk behaviour. Also that you have a belief that people in India, or perhaps you imagine this as a worldwide phenomenon, do not know enough about it. Doing something about that is a useful action to take.

Let me make one more clarification between compulsivity and impulsivity. Again, they are not the same when discussed in the mental health literature. See https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/impulse-control-disorders/understanding-differences-between-impulsivity-and-compulsivity for clarification of these terms. Mixing the terms is misleading and creates a lack of precision that can create falsehoods.

It is good to see you also acknowledge the value of people who have ADHD. Just as with autism, ADHD is often misunderstood and requires precision in discussions about it. This is especially the case if we are in the public realm as you would have been in the conference you mention.

I hope people reading this discussion take away the importance of that precision and also in taking time to understand the nuances of any mental health issue. They do not present the same in different people and, therefore, those with a diagnosis, need to be treated as individuals beyond their diagnosis.

And with those final thought I thank you for the chance to offer some clarity on this issue and sign off from any further discussion.

Okay Dear Christine Chinchen,

Nice interacting with you.

I respect your expertise.

I don't think that your remarks were or are personal to me or anybody like me.

You may prefer to read this post-column in days to come.

However before I finish my sentences for you, I cannot resist to refer you read or listen this video of Dr. Russell Barkley on the following link.

https://youtu.be/MkavCm3qhBE.

I would request other readers or followers of this post to listen the same video of Dr. Barkley. Its one hour long video throwing light on Sluggish Cognitive Tempo (SCT). Dr. Barkley illustrates varying features of ADHD along with features of SCT.

Its fascinating to listen, go ahead and help yourself to empower!

Same to you and good luck in future conference presentations on this interesting and complex topic.

What are the features of Adult ADHD ? Does diagnosis and treatment of Adult ADHD bring significant relief to the patient and family members ? Adult ADHD is an organic neuropsychiatric disorder. Nearly 50 to 60 % of ADHD children suffer from Adult ADHD symptoms. It is recently researched that prevalence of Adult ADHD is rising steeply. Adult ADHD are a potentially significant threat to one and all. Because they are impulsive, unpredictable, unstoppable, mostly unaware of their mistakes or tendency of committing repeated errors and much more. They are very much accident prone due to fast driving tendency. So I feel mist of the doctors other than psychiatrist ought to be aware of some details of Adult ADHD. So floated this question to generate awareness. Requesting all readers to give feedback or write their thoughts on the subject.

Dear Sir,

Dear Madhav,

Writing this, I am writing you my thoughts.

I am Dutch, so forgive me my "Dunglish".

I write to jou as a partner for 30 years of a man with diagnosed ADHD/ADD, and a mother of a son with the same diagnosis (22).

I agree with Christine, that your statement is to strict.

There is more to it, the medication, the coping, the acceptance by surrounding people, at home, or at work.

In the Netherlands, I think there is an overdiagnosis, the lable is given to easily.

I see my man and son as people with the same gifts as we all have, but without brakes.

And sometimes it is very good, to be able to concentrate so thourough as they can, and so spontaneous.

There IS a place and time for everything.

I think many artists have ADHD!

Greetings Madhav,

Germaine

Dear Germaine Leunissen,

Thanks for sharing your views based on personal experience about Adult ADHD.

You are quite correct in saying my remarks are too harsh about adult ADHD.

Harsh remarks were written to raise alarm to spread awareness.

It is an opening remark to stimulate readers to contribute. Sensational sentences do attract responses. Such was my idea behind those remarks.

But you see, not many have responded even if harsh remarks are made.

Okay, next, you are quite correct in saying many artist, players are ADHD.

In fact, I have many adult ADHD clients/patients who are bankers, engineers, students, housewives, teachers, doctors, famous cardiologist from US, even a few psychiatrists whom I know being colleague, etc. are successful in their lives.

ADHD is a genetically predisposed condition, which may cause dysfunction in many areas. Many times it is co-morbid with other conditions, like Opposition defiant disorder, affect disorders like depression, etc. Co-morbid conditions increase dysfunction. If it is causing dysfunction then it needs treatment. However, many adults with ADHD find their own ways to deal, negotiate with their impairment on their own, or along with their flexible family members. They may not seek medical aid.

But this is not the whole picture in society.

Secondly, every adult ADHD recognizes how badly their impairment affects them, how good it would have been if they were not severely affected ADHD brains.

So most of the significantly affected adult ADHD will be befitted in my remarks.

Thank God that your family members are not severely affected by ADHD.

Personal Note: Discussion on RG is never personal or subjectively oriented. I am a medical doctor, specialist in Psychiatry & psychotherapy, so rarely I express through subjective or personal perspective. What I do is only a scientific or medically oriented discussion.

I invite more researchers or medical doctors to express their experiences or beliefs about adult ADHD.

Regards.

Dear Madhav,

thank you for your reply.

I am not offended. I know also know it is not easy, not for them, not for me.

you are right saying it is in the genes, but here in teh Netherlands, it is an diagnosis, made by anamneses, so it is an "easy" to make diagnosis. I think lots of children are labeled "adhd" wrongly, so many think it is not a real disease, not a real diagnosis, so any treatment leads to nothing. Many see it as something that is in fashion. That can hurt too, than there is no comprehension or compassion. But my man had to quit working because of it, no small thing for somebody who thinks he should be supporting a family.

thank you again for your reply, and keep on doing your good work!!

Germaine

Dear Germaine,

ADHD is not usually diagnosed by every psychiatrist in India. They often miss it. But they don't diagnose incorrectly. So I started awareness drive or deliver symposium at national conference.

It gives me shock when you say wrong diagnosis is done. It is difficult to digest that doctors are incorrectly diagnosing ADHD. They can missing. Over diagnosing is really questionable.

When psychiatrist miss the ADHD diagnosis, they usually treat co morbid conditions like panic disorder or phobia or depression or insomnia, or ODD or substance abuse or mood changes, etc. And it is okay to some extent.

Firing from job or multiple job shifting is seen among many ADHD individual.

Many ADHD individuals don't mind or don't take failure or loss seriously, of course not all ADHD can do so.

Many suffer temporarily mood swings or suffer seriously, indicating expert's intervention.

May I advise you to read Dr. Russel Barkley's book, where he has published diagnostic scale. Anybody can use it for self analysis.

Dr. Grohol's adult ADHD scale is available freely on net and can be easily applied for self diagnosis.

If needed, psychiatrist who usually treats ADHD can be contacted for pharmacotherapy.

I am open to discuss some symptoms if you or anyone puts up for clarification.

Nice to interact with you.

All the very best.

Common presentations of adult ADHD: These examples are offered just to create awareness. Diagnosis of adult ADHD should be done by trained psychiatrist.

This list & description is NOT all inclusive. So not all patients may have similar symptoms. Variation could be normal.

1) Forgetfulness. Anybody around 30 years or more consulting a psychiatry or medical OPD complains of significant forgetfulness then rule out (i) depression, (ii) alcohol abuse, (iii) Adult ADHD essentially. (list is not all inclusive).

Such patients who are complaining of forgetfulness must be asked if they had any symptoms similar to ADHD during childhood, like if they were hyperactive or fidgety or inattentive or impulsive or used to commit errors often, etc. Evidence of pediatric ADHD usually confirms adult ADHD. And forgetfulness could be due to ADHD.

Case exam: A young lady headmistress once consulted me with prominent and only complaint of forgetfulness. While taking history/interviewing, I noticed that her 5 year old daughter was running all over my chamber, she was not sitting at one place. This view strongly indicates diagnosis of ADHD of mother. ADHD passes down in family. Her ADHD assessment scale proved & confirmed the diagnosis.

Common Presentations of adult ADHD: Contd.

Please find couple of ppt slides highlighting couple of symptoms on the file attached here with. This is a part of ppt presentation delivered by me at annual national conference of Indian Psychiatric society (ANCIPS) during Feb 2019.

Hi Germaine,

If you are interested in finding out about the latest research you can go to Future Learn (https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/understanding-adhd/1/register?return=6soeec7v) and complete their three week course on Understanding ADHD for free. It is excellent.

You can also find the American Psychiatric Association's diagnostic criteria for ADHD in its variant forms (https://images.pearsonclinical.com/images/assets/basc-3/basc3resources/DSM5_DiagnosticCriteria_ADHD.pdf). As you will see, there are three forms:

314.01 (F90.2) Combined presentation: If both Criterion A1 (inattention) and Criterion A2 (hyperactivity-impulsivity) are met for the past 6 months.

314.00 (F90.0) Predominantly inattentive presentation: If Criterion A1 (inattention) is met but Criterion A2 (hyperactivity-impulsivity) is not met for the past 6 months.

314.01 (F90.1) Predominantly hyperactive/impulsive presentation: If Criterion A2 (hyperactivity-impulsivity) is met but Criterion A1 (inattention) is not met over the past 6 months.

There is also a requirement to determine the current severity:

Mild: Few, if any, symptoms in excess of those required to make the diagnosis are present, and symptoms result in only minor functional impairments.

Moderate: Symptoms or functional impairment between “mild” and “severe” are present.

Severe: Many symptoms in excess of those required to make the diagnosis, or several symptoms that are particularly severe, are present, or the symptoms result in marked impairment in social or occupational functioning.

Ethically and professionally, and one of the reasons I have taken time to respond to you directly, is the notion that "harsh comments were written to raise alarm to spread awareness" is not an excuse for misrepresenting a commonly presenting issue for both children and adults. That is why my responses have pushed back against what I see as breaching an ethical principle of 'do no harm'. All of us, especially professionals in the area, need to be reflective in their postings here and elsewhere and not breach our basic ethical and professional responsibilities.

Hello every one,

It has been a long time that I had discontinued discussion. However, now I feel to restart discussion once again to be linked with this project.

In pursuance with the objective of this project on Adult ADHD, i.e. teaching how to diagnose adult ADHD, to spread awareness about adult ADHD; intend to upload measuring scale/s. Please find self reporting scales attached here with. These scales sensitive, reliable & valid. These scales are used universally to diagnose ADHD & measure ADHD symptoms.

Please expect some case reports in following posts.

Thanks.