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Treatment for Adult ADHD

We've all heard of kids struggling in school because of ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Doctors used to say they'd outgrow it. But now, they find more and more adults struggling with it.

Helenia Marshall remembers being hyper and unfocused as a child, but it was in college that it became a problem.

"For some reason, I had such a hard time with languages, math and science. And I couldn't figure it out. And I, it would make me feel very depressed because here I was getting, ya know, A's in all my other classes and I'm getting D's," Helenia said.

Treatment for depression didn't help. Then, as part of a clinical trial, she was diagnosed with adult ADHD.

"The symptoms of adhd really center on inattention, distractibility, trouble keeping the focus on tasks, and specifically tasks that are difficult or boring," said Dr. Lenard Adler.

ADHD is more common in kids but only some outgrow it. While hyperactivity tends to improve with age, attention problems may not.

"They have to go to work, manage all the busy things in their lives that we all do, then come home, deal with their family issues and get themselves to bed. So it's very different than, let's say, an elementary school child who will have a very clear cognitive set of getting through the day," Dr. Adler said.

"We think in incomplete thoughts and our minds are racing. So, by the time I have a thought and it's gone already, I'm on another thought and it kind of comes out that way. And people are like, 'okay, what's wrong with her?'" Helenia said.

Medication can help. Stimulant drugs work, but for some, may not be the best choice. Helenia's study tested a non-stimulant drug called Strattera that's waiting for FDA approval.

"My cognitive skills improved like overnight," Helenia said.

Now her racing mind can be harnessed so her life runs more smoothly. t

Dr. Adler says there are lots of good treatments for controlling adult ADHD. If you think you have it, talk to your doctor about getting an evaluation to find out.

For general information on ADHD:

Attention Deficit Disorder Association
1788 Second Street
Highland Park, IL 60035
http://www.add.org

Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/default.htm

Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD®)
8181 Professional Place, Suite 201
Landover, MD 20785
http://www.chadd.org

National Institute of Mental Health, http://www.nimh.nih.gov

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