ADHD in Adults [Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Adult] 

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Adult [ Adult ADHD] ADHD in Adults
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) historically was considered to be a disease of childhood, affecting 5 to 6 percent of school age children.
It is now well established that ADHD symptoms persist into adult life in 50 to 60 percent of cases.
The prevalence of Adult ADHD is 2 to 2.5 percent of adults
ADHD is not an acquired disorder of adult life. To qualify for ADHD as an adult, one must have had it as a child, although some of the symptoms of ADHD can occur in adults due to brain injuries or other organic causes. Symptoms are present consistently since childhood, and do not occur episodically.
Adults commonly complain of impairment in work and at home and in relationships with other people due to impulsiveness, hyperactivity, and difficulty paying attention. They often have an associated psychiatric disorder, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, substance abuse, or a learning disability
Untreated or under-treated adult ADHD may result in impaired occupational functioning and interpersonal and legal difficulties. ADHD in adults is associated with higher separation and divorce rates and more frequent job changes
Signs and Symptoms of Adult ADHD
Difficulty getting started on tasks
Variable attention to details
Difficulties with self-organization and with prioritization
Poor persistence in tasks that require sustained mental effort
Impulsivity and low frustration tolerance (to varying degrees)
Hyperactivity (less salient symptom in adults)
Chaotic life-styles
Associated psychiatric comorbidities (in some patients)
Disorganization
Substance abuse (in some patients)
There are no laboratory studies currently available to diagnose adult ADHD. However, the psychiatrist should monitor liver function studies and a CBC (complete blood count) both prior to initiation of treatment with medication and serially thereafter. Hyperthyroidism should be ruled out.
Treatment Methods of Adult ADHD
Stimulants alone
Stimulants with other psychotropic medication
Nonstimulant psychotherapeutic medications alone
Supportive psychotherapy
Behavioral interventions/psychotherapy
The purpose of medications used in the treatment of adult ADHD is to obtain enhanced attention, better academic performance, and facilitated working memory. Medications also can reduce psychomotor activity, decrease aggression, and decrease disruptive behavior.
ADHD is now understood to be a disorder that persists into adulthood in some persons and has global effects on their daily lives, affecting social, occupational, and relational functioning. Evidence-based pharmacologic, psychosocial, and psychotherapeutic interventions are available for effective treatment