It’s no surprise theat in families where children have ADHD that there are greater problems functioning smoothly as a system. Parents struggle more with these youngsters— and when one or both parents have the disorder the confusion and impact is even greater. Formal studies of such families document the greater problems that parents have being [...]
Friends are a great resource in life. They’re almost like family members who we make family members by choice and natural affinity, not simply blood ties. Adults with ADHD need and enjoy friends, as do any of us. However, their ADHD may make it harder to make and to keep friends.
Sustaining conversation with others may [...]
Many adults with ADHD find medication makes a big difference for the better in their life. Even if it helps them focus and concentrate, however,  as one patient told me, “I still have to tell my brain what to do!” That often means supplementing medication with other supports and systems.
Some of my patients are already [...]
The current estimate is that 4.4% of the adult population of the United States have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. There have not been that many studies of adults with ADHD; children with the disorder have been more carefully and fully investigated. However, more than one study of adults has now confirmed that percentage, called the prevalence of a disorder.
4.4% is [...]
Adults who have ADHD are at more risk for other psychiatric disorders, especially disorders of mood. Of these the most worrisome is bipolar disorder, which is found in an estimated 1 in 5 (19.4%) of patients with ADHD.*  Bipolar disorder, or manic-depressive illness, is characterized by extreme swings of mood. The down swings, the depressive symptoms, tend [...]
The CNS stimulants have a central place in the treatment of ADHD. When they work well the results can be dramatic. But they don’t always work. We need to remember that perhaps 60-70% of adults with ADHD respond to one or the other or both stimulants. 25% of those who respond will do so only [...]
My patient was in tears. She had come in for help with her function at work, where she had difficulty staying on task and completing projects. Someone had jokingly suggested that she had attention deficit disorder. Her boss had been critical of her function, so she thought she may as well get this possibility looked into.Â
In our initial [...]
Does the patient meet criteria for ADHD symptoms? To do that, the symptoms must have been present for at least 6 months.*  The symptoms of ADHD  are grouped in two clusters: nine syptoms of inattention and nine of hyperactivity/impulsivity.
The Inattention syptoms include :Â making careless mistakes; having difficulty sustaining attention; being easily distracted; having problems organizing; failing [...]
My psychiatric colleagues and I met for our monthly study-group luncheon yesterday. Sometimes we discuss scientific issues or review papers; sometimes we discuss clinical concerns. Yesterday the question came up of how to prescribe medication to patients with ADHD. The specific issue was whether or not patients taking CNS stimulants should take them continuously, or [...]
The patient was grinning from ear to ear. “I just got the new job! It’s my dream job!” she said. “And I think I can do it, now that I’m getting treatment for my ADHD!”
I rejoiced with her, because she is an impressive person who had been struggling before she was diagnosed and treated. I’m the [...]
