What is ADD / ADHD In Adults?
Develop an understanding of Adult Attention Deficit Disorder
Life can be a balancing act for any adult, but if you find yourself constantly late, disorganized, forgetful, and overwhelmed by your responsibilities, you may have ADD or ADHD.
What is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults?
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects many adults, and its wide variety of frustrating symptoms can hinder everything from your relationships to your career.
Symptoms can vary in severity and may impact different aspects of an individual’s life, including professional responsibilities, personal relationships, and self-esteem.
Attention Deficit Disorder is not just a problem in children. If you were diagnosed with childhood ADD / ADHD, chances are, you’ve carried at least some of the symptoms into adulthood. But even if you were never diagnosed with ADD / ADHD as a child, that doesn’t mean you can’t be affected by it as an adult.
Many adults with ADHD aren’t aware they have it — they just know that everyday tasks can be a challenge. Adults with ADHD may find it difficult to focus and prioritize, leading to missed deadlines and forgotten meetings or social plans.
*Approximately 10 million adults have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In early adulthood, ADHD may be associated with depression, and mood or conduct disorders. Adults with ADHD often cope with difficulties at work and in their personal and family lives related to ADHD symptoms. Many may have chronic feelings of frustration, guilt or blame.
Adult ADHD is a mental health disorder that includes a combination of persistent problems, such as difficulty paying attention, hyperactivity, and impulsive behavior. As an adult, ADHD can lead to unstable relationships, poor work performance, low self-esteem, and other problems as often adults may have trouble staying focused on tasks at work, home, or play. Symptoms can also change over time as a person ages. To find out more information about ADD / ADHD, Click Here.
ADHD is not a result of poor diet, inadequate exercise, excessive screen time, or socioeconomic factors – though some of these factors and other stressors may worsen ADHD symptoms in some individuals. Environmental factors like sleep, exercise, and diet can play a big role in the severity of ADHD symptoms in adults.
You may have been able to compensate for the symptoms of ADD / ADHD when you were young, only to run into problems as your responsibilities increased. The more balls you’re trying to keep in the air, pursuing a career, raising a family, and running a household, the greater the demand on your abilities to organize, focus, and remain calm. This can be challenging for anyone, but if you have adult ADHD, it can feel downright impossible.
Dr. Shershow is experienced in recognizing the symptoms of ADD / ADHD and utilizing modern medications, which are safe and often amazingly effective in ADD / ADHD. Many patients have described life-changing improvements in their ability to be focused, productive individuals both at home and at work.
*Information obtained from CHADD.org & ADDitudemag.org
To schedule a telemedicine appointment with Dr. John Shershow or for questions,
contact us at (212) 265-4310.
What Is Adult ADHD?
Adult ADHD is an illness, which involves attention, concentration, organization, time management and self-control. It is a misconception that adults cannot live with ADHD as many believe that children are the only ones affected by ADHD. There are some adults who have suffered with the symptoms over the years and never knew why.
Adult ADHD may complicate everyday life more than necessary. You might have an idea of what you should do but you are unable to begin. You can also start something, and forget to complete it. You can be late, forget things or have your mind in a condition of restlessness even when you are idle.
Dr. John C. Shershow, M.D. offers treatments, diagnostic services and evaluation of adult ADHD in patients in New Jersey and New York. In case of focus, procrastination, disorganization, or unfinished tasks, in your life, professional assessment might be able to help you get a picture of what is going on.
ADHD in Adults
ADHD is an abbreviation of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. ADHD in adults does not necessarily appear as observable hyperactivity. Several adults are able to sit, work, keep house or run a business, yet they are distracted, overwhelmed, or mentally all over, on the inside.
Work, relationships, home, emotional control, and confidence may be impacted by adult ADHD. An individual can be highly dedicated to his or her obligations and yet have problems with planning, time, organization and follow through.
Common Signs of Adult ADHD
Symptoms of adult ADHD may appear different in each individual. Focus and organization are the primary problems of some adults. Others can be restless, impatient, impulsive or emotionally reactive.
Signs are difficulty focusing, consistent procrastination, lack of time management, forgetfulness, disorganization, deadline misses, unfinished tasks, mental restlessness and follow-through problems.
When these patterns occur frequently and cause issues at work, home or relationships, then it is time to find a psychiatrist to discuss ADHD in adults.
How Adult ADHD Can Affect Daily Life
Adult ADHD may present itself in numerous daily scenarios. It can have an impact on your way of work, communication, routine management, and duty execution. Such issues can be insignificant initially, yet in the long run, it may give rise to stress, frustration, and self-doubt.
Work Performance
Adult ADHD can impact deadlines, planning, meetings, emails, paperwork, long-term projects, and task completion.
Relationships
ADHD can result in forgetfulness, distractedness in the conversation, inability to follow through, or emotional aggravation.
Daily Responsibilities
Bills, appointments, chores, routines, personal organization can become more difficult to contend with.
Why Adult ADHD Is Often Missed
Adult ADHD cannot be easily detected because most adults learn to control their symptoms. They are able to work past the hours, on the pressure or to build complicated systems to keep up. On the outside they may seem the opposite but internally they may be fatigued.
Anxiety, depression, insomnia, burnout or chronic stress can also be mistakenly considered to be ADHD. That is why, there is no one symptom diagnosis or a quick checklist diagnosis. A close look is a view of the whole picture.
Why Adult ADHD Is Often Missed
Adult ADHD cannot be easily detected because most adults learn to control their symptoms. They are able to work past the hours, on the pressure or to build complicated systems to keep up. On the outside they may seem the opposite but internally they may be fatigued.
Anxiety, depression, insomnia, burnout or chronic stress can also be mistakenly considered to be ADHD. That is why, there is no one symptom diagnosis or a quick checklist diagnosis. A close look is a view of the whole picture.
Adult ADHD Diagnosis
Diagnosis of adult ADHD starts by closely analyzing your symptoms and how they affect your life. To name it is not all. The concept is to find out the reasons behind your troubles and what kind of therapy is helpful.
During an adult ADHD assessment, the doctor, Dr. Shershow, will be able to look into your current symptoms, medical history, mental health history, work or school problems, sleeping patterns, stress levels, medications history, and your family history.
What an ADHD Evaluation May Review
Current Symptoms
On the daily life basis, concentration, organization, procrastination, time management, and follow-through are discussed.
Medical History
You can check on your health history, medication history and safety factors before making a treatment plan.
Mental Health History
Anxiety, depression, sleep problems, stress, and related concerns may be considered because they can overlap with ADHD.
Daily Function
Symptoms impact real life and work, relationships, routines, responsibilities, and long-term patterns can be used to demonstrate it.
Adult ADHD Treatment
The treatment of adult ADHD ought to be founded on the clinical needs, goals, health history, and the symptoms of the patients. No standard treatment plan can be considered to fit all adults.
In certain patients, the management of the ADHD medication may be included in the treatment in case of clinical necessity. Education, follow-up visits, monitoring symptoms, and practical advice on structuring their lives daily may also be a part of treatment.
Adult ADHD treatment is not meant to alter your personality. The idea is to assist you in operating more efficiently, decrease recurrent issues, and feel more in command of your everyday existence.
ADHD Medication Management
Medication can be used to treat some adults with ADHD, although should always be used under the supervision of a qualified medical practitioner. Dr. Shershow examines the symptoms and the medical history, determines safety factors, and goals of treatment and then talks about the medications.
Treatment response may be different and hence follow-up care is essential. Medication can be tracked or changed as time goes on depending on improvement, side effects and patient requirements.
How Treatment May Help
With the appropriate diagnosis and treatment of adult ADHD, a significant number of patients start to comprehend their patterns better. They can understand that procrastination, late submission of deadlines, lack of organization, or incomplete work did not necessarily mean it was an individual failure.
Treatment can assist in making things better in terms of concentration, ability to handle tasks, time management, organization, emotional regulation and consistency in everyday life. It can also alleviate the stress due to trying hard but still being in a state of being stuck.
A Note About the Term ADD
Only some individuals already refer to the older term ADD when they discuss attention issues without the clear hyperactivity. The most familiar medical term that is used today is ADHD.
ADHD may develop in a person with either predominantly inattentive symptoms, mainly hyperactive-impulsive symptoms, or both. The reason behind using ADHD on this page is that it is the term of diagnosis and treatment, and it is used nowadays.
Adult ADHD Care in New York and New Jersey
Dr. John C. Shershow, M.D. is an adult ADHD assessor, diagnostician and prescribing physician in New York and New Jersey. He is a person attentive to providing adults with a clear understanding and professional care in the field of psychiatry.
When you are looking at an adult ADHD psychiatrist, psychiatrist in ADHD adults, ADHD diagnosis New York City, ADHD diagnosis New Jersey, or adult ADHD treatment, you can get started at the office of Dr. Shershow.
Office Address:
Dr. John C. Shershow, M.D.
1350 Avenue of The Americas
2nd Floor
New York, NY 10019-4702
Phone: (212) 265-4310
Secondary Phone: 800-388-9299
Frequently Asked Questions About Adult ADHD
Can adults have ADHD?
Yes. ADHD can be found in adults. Others have been diagnosed earlier in life while some are diagnosed later in life when symptoms become more difficult to manage.
How is adult ADHD diagnosed?
Adult ADHD is diagnosed by a clinical examination. A psychiatrist examines symptoms, history and daily functioning and other potential causes of attention issues.
What are common signs of adult ADHD?
Usual symptoms consist of difficulty concentrating, time wasting, forgetfulness, poor time management, rumbling, and inability to complete tasks.
Does adult ADHD always need medication?
Not always. Drugs can only benefit some patients, and it is a matter of symptoms, medical history, safety and clinical judgment.
Can ADHD affect work and relationships?
Yes. In the work and personal life, ADHD may impact deadlines, focus, planning, communication, emotional control, and follow-through.
How do I schedule an appointment?
You can call Dr. Shershow’s office at (212) 265-4310 or 800-388-9299 to ask about appointment availability.
Take the First Step Toward Clarity
Adult ADHD may also add to the problem if you are having problems with focus, procrastination, messiness, poorly met deadlines, or incompleteness. You need not continue to guess or self-accuse.
ADHD testing can assist a professional in conducting the evaluation and help you comprehend the symptoms and determine what treatment might be suitable.
Dr. John C. Shershow, M.D. is an adult physician who offers ADHD diagnoses and treatment to patients in New York and New Jersey.