When most people think about ADHD or ADP, they typically think about children and hyperactivity in children. 80 HD in adults is a fairly new diagnosis. In fact, up until about 20 years ago, ADHD was virtually unheard of. Now people in their 30s, 40s, and 50s, are being the diagnosed with ADHD. This diagnosis is known as adult 80 HD.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) continues to effect about one third to one half of adults who were diagnosed with ADHD as children. Symptoms of ADHD in adults is very similar to the symptoms of ADHD children. The symptoms include the attention, be easily distracted, impulsively, and emotional instability. An accurate diagnosis of ADHD in adults is further complicated by the fact depression and substance abuse can sometimes mimic the symptoms of ADHD.

Another factor in the misdiagnosis of ADHD in adults is that most family physicians are reluctant to diagnose adults with ADHD. Since most physicians were taught that ADHD is primarily a childhood disease, they may be part unfamiliar with ADHD in adults. For this reason, it may be necessary to seek out the expert opinion of a psychiatrist or psychologist who has had experience with adult ADHD.

Treatment of ADHD in adults is very similar to the treatment of ADHD children. Typically, a stimulant such as Ritalin is prescribed. While it may seem like an oxymoron, stimulants actually help adults with ADHD concentrate better. The stimulant nature of this drug, helps with increasing norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain, which in turn, helps those suffering from ADHD in concentrating better. New research is finding that antidepressants can't work equally as well as stimulants in treating adults with ADHD.

For those adults with mild cases of ADHD, medication may not be needed at all. Some adults with ADHD respond very well to psychotherapy. Coping strategies and education about the disease can help adults with ADHD deal with its symptoms. Adults with ADHD also need to be aware that they are at a much higher risk for drug and alcohol abuse. In married couples, it is important that both husband and wife receive counseling as the adults with ADHD is more prone to emotional problems, impulsive decisions, and forgetting commitments. This places a large strain on the marriage. However, with the right psychotherapy, the adult with ADHD can live a normal life, and have a long and happy marriage.