ADHD: Adults are also affected

For a long time, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder was only classified as a disease in children and adolescents. Today it is clear that adults can also be affected by ADHD. But there is help. Our expert Dr. med. Lothar Imhof from Ahrensburg explains how you can tell if you are affected and what you can do.

via Sabrina

07/23/2019, 10:36

Eine unerkannte ADHS kann treibende Kraft sein u.a. auch für depressive Belastungen, Angststörungen — Unrecognized ADHD can be the driving force behind depressive stress, anxiety disorders and the feeling of wanting to start everything but not getting anything done.

ADHS trifft nicht nur Kinder und Jugendliche. Auch Erwachsene können unter dieser Störung leiden — ADHD does not only affect children and adolescents. Adults can also suffer from this disorder, which often affects their entire lives, but is also easily treatable in adults.

Dr. med. Lothar Imhof, specialist in psychosomatic medicine and psychotherapy in Ahrensburg

How can you recognize ADHD?

It is estimated that around two million adults in Germany are affected by ADHD. It affects their everyday life, takes away their courage to face life and often leads to other mental illnesses. However, many of them do not even suspect that they are affected by attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Constant lack of concentration, chaos at work, forgotten appointments - this is stressful everyday life for many people. Attention is impaired, as is the ability to concentrate on one thing for long periods of time and reactions are often uncontrolled.

What consequences can ADHD have?

"It's not just a bit of restlessness," explains Dr. Imhof, "In practice, ADHD in adults is often overlaid by other psychological conditions." It is estimated that around 40% of those affected also suffer from depression and around 20% from an anxiety disorder. In around 35% of cases, ADHD is difficult to distinguish from other serious personality disorders. These people are also far more at risk of addiction.

The fact that up to 80% of those affected in childhood still suffer from the disorder as adults is undisputed among experts today. The neurotransmitter dopamine is not sufficiently present in certain regions of the brain, which leads to disturbances in the transmission of nerve impulses.

What treatment options are there for ADHD?

A structured daily routine, targeted behavioral training and psychological support can help ADHD patients. The disorder can also be treated with medication. For several years now, methylphenidate (MPH) has been available as an approved and well-studied active ingredient for adult patients that can specifically normalize the dopamine regulation disorder.

"Ifdiagnosed consistently and treated accordingly, the suffering of many affected people could be alleviated in the long term," concludes Dr. Imhof. His advice: anyone who experiences the symptoms described should consult a doctor they trust to check for possible ADHD. This could be the start of a completely new attitude to life.

Are you affected by ADHD?

Do you suspect you might have ADHD? Then take the test here.

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