Don ’t ignore ADHD in adults

Eight-year-old Tommy has trouble paying attention in school, is always restless in class, unable to complete his tasks, hyperactive both in school and home and his teacher discusses the possibility of him having ADHD with his parents. They decide to take him to see a pediatric psychiatrist. After some analysis, he’s diagnosed with ADHD, prescribed with Ritalin and is on his way home with his medicine. Classic childhood ADHD story, right? What happens to young Tommy 20 years down the road? Now, he is 28 years old, and it’s been some time since he stopped his medication because he no longer “needed it” or “grown out of it.” He has trouble focusing on tasks at work, is fired from multiple jobs and has a hard time keeping his life on track. He’s sad, unmotivated, hopeless, can’t seem to find interest in anything and turns to alcohol for comfort. He goes in to see a psychiatrist, he’s diagnosed with depression and is prescribed with antidepressants and on his way home. What’s wrong with this picture? Why is it that we take child ADHD so seriously, but when the child turns into a young adult its as if the condition has disappeared? Why do we turn a blind eye to adults that believe they suffer from ADHD? What happens to him now in his day-to-day life, inability to stay focused, finish his tasks and be the best he can be? Continue reading ... Your patients are rating you online: How to respond. Manage your online reputation...
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - Category: General Medicine Authors: Tags: Conditions Psychiatry Source Type: blogs