How ADHD can affect an adult’s life and daily routine
Occupational therapist Lisa Kubannek said there is no cure for ADHD, however effective treatment options including medication can keep it under control.
POLOKWANE – Local occupational therapist, Lize Kubannek said she has treated adult patients with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
The disorder is defined as a medical condition that includes attention difficulty, hyperactivity and impulsiveness and is one of the most common mental disorders affecting children. Kubannek said if left undiagnosed, it can last for years into adulthood.
Read more: Understanding ADHD and hyperfocus
Research has shown that the way the brain works in people with ADHD differs from that of people who do not have it. Chemicals in the brain that carry messages, known as neurotransmitters, do not work properly in people with ADHD and adults with the disorder may not be aware of their symptoms.
“Attention Deficit Disorder is the predominant inattentive disorder type and these are forgetful, disorganised people. ADHD people on the other hand, are hyper-active and impulsive in their decision making,” she said.
Kubannek spoke to the Polokwane Observer on what ADHD looks like in adults.
“Adults living with these disorders can be negatively impacted as they have an increased risk of other psychiatric co-existing conditions, increased work difficulties, less stability in relationships, difficulty in remembering social commitments and may easily lose their temper,” she said.
Kubannek added that ADHD is more of a mental problem and stressed the importance of seeking professional assistance and to not self-diagnose
“Positively diagnosing a person with ADHD includes identifying a cluster of at least six out of nine symptoms present in more than one setting (e.g home and work). While there is no definite medical test to diagnose adults with the disorder, we have to be careful not to just assume that one has this type of disorder from seeing a one or two symptoms such as excessive talking, or frequent fidgeting, however, combined core symptoms can help to positively diagnose a patient,” she said.
Kubannek said there is no cure for ADHD, however effective treatment options including medication can keep it under control. “Promoting a healthy lifestyle by developing regular habits can also help and I cannot emphasise enough the importance of establishing routines,” she concluded.
