“I am a walking, breathing mirage. No one knows how difficult it is to keep everything up.” Through a tearful conversation, this is how Janie Johnson age 32 described living with ADHD. As an adult Janie is a part of the fastest growing population who is prescribed ADHD medications. According to Express Scripts, adults are among the fastest growing population who are prescribed stimulant medications. Moreover, the rate has been increasing at a much faster pace, up 53.4% vs. 18.9% from 2008 to 2012. Women outnumber men in use of ADHD treatment and women ages 19-25 surpass younger girls use of these medications. Why?

Historically ADHD, was a disorder first diagnosed in adulthood with the majority of diagnosed individuals being male. The likelihood of males to be diagnosed with ADHD resides in the idea that expression of disruptive behavior is often the catalyst to diagnosis. Females typically express inattentiveness, but may fly under the radar due to the lack of overt behavioral problems in school or at home. As such, these covert symptoms go overlooked until this behavioral presentation starts to cause problems as an adult particularly at work. Janie Johnson described first realizing she had challenges that needed intervention when she was post college: “Although, I remember receiving comments on my report card during middle and high school regarding inattentiveness, I was able to manage everything. I was a high achiever academically. In college, I was able to manage as my sole focus was on school. However, things became really difficult once I entered the work world, went to grad school, and started a family. I could not keep all the balls in the air. To excel in one area meant dropping everything else. I would forget things, really important things like meetings, appointments and projects. I would scramble at the last minute to get everything done and somehow my flaws went unnoticed. I noticed. My focused would wane. I’d try to concentrate and then the next minute I would just look up the most random things in the internet and then hours would go by with nothing done. Financially, I cannot tell you how many charges and items I have repeatedly bought as I have misplaced this thing. The struggle to get help was just that, a struggle, it took me two years to find any relief. “

Janice’s tale is not that uncommon. Approximately 4% or 8 million adults are living with ADHD. What is also common place is the difficulty that many adults face when attempting to seek help for ADHD. Understanding and treating adult ADHD is coming into emergence. However this provides little relief for those who are living in a sea of tardiness, poor relationships, and underperformance. When seeking help for symptoms related to ADHD primary care doctors are often sought out first. While some primary care doctors prescribe medications to treat ADHD others are less comfortable with the presentation of symptoms. As a result, patients are often referred to psychologists to affirm or refute a diagnosis of ADHD through psychological testing. Having psychological testing can seem like one more step, however; conditions like anxiety mimic inattentiveness that is often associated with ADHD. Having a correct diagnosis helps to ensure that the proper medications are prescribed. Once a diagnosis is confirmed medication is generally prescribed using best practice and prescribing guideless.

If you find yourself living with symptoms that seem like ADHD consult a psychologist or your physician. The World Health Organization has developed a screening tool for ADHD, however; this is not a tool used to affirm a diagnosis of ADHD as other factors should be considered. Should you use this tool be sure to present it to your provider. Lastly, do not be ashamed of seeking help. Living with ADHD untreated can lead to significant distress in work and interpersonal relationships.

By: Priscilla Wright

Disclaimer: The views, opinions and positions expressed by the authors and those providing comments, opinions on this website are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions or positions of M-Lifestyle and their affiliates. M-Lifestyle does not claim ownership of any images used, unless otherwise specified.