Men who can't concentrate: adult attention deficits

ADHD in adults

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is not just for children anymore. Experts say about one-half to two-thirds of all ADHD cases?two to five million?are in adults. Moreover, ADHD is five to seven times more common in males. Until recently, many in the helping professions believed that most symptoms largely disappear in adolescence.

"The disorder was often missed in childhood, so a man often isn't diagnosed until his wife absolutely insists on marital counseling," says Mary Bellis Waller, Ph.D., a psychotherapist and scientist at the Center for Addiction and Behavioral Studies in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

"Most adult males with ADHD show a great deal of impulsivity in starting and ending relationships, difficulties holding onto jobs and money, and heavy involvement with drugs and alcohol," says psychologist Eliot Goldman, Ph.D., coordinator of the adult ADHD clinic at North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System on Long Island.

Males with ADHD rarely wear wrist watches and also have a lousy sense of direction, so they frequently get lost while driving. Many college men with ADHD become addicted to Internet surfing because the medium is flashy and you can easily go to another web page once the novelty wears off.

Heredity

According to Arthur Robin, Ph.D., professor of psychiatry and behavior neuroscience at Wayne State University School of Medicine, recent research reveals ADHD is largely passed on through heredity.

A study of identical twins found that in 81 percent of cases, if one twin had ADHD, the other also had it?a condition known to scientists as "concordance." But a study of fraternal twins found concordance in only 29 percent of those siblings. Another study of twins revealed 67 percent concordance in identical twins, but zero for fraternal twins. Additionally, researchers in the area of molecular genetics have discovered a link between a particular gene known as DRD4 repeater gene and ADHD. That's the same gene that has previously been associated with the personality trait of high novelty seeking behavior.

Making it work

Some men with ADHD actually harness it for on-the-edge careers as race car drivers, oil riggers, policemen, entrepreneurs, stock brokers or other jobs that require considerable vim and vigor. Unfortunately, men with ADHD may also have short attention spans, be easily distracted, unorganized and subject to temper tantrums that make them less than perfect people persons.

The feelings of ADHD

"It's like having a whirlwind in your mind," said one man with ADHD. Everything seems to be blowing around and nothing stays put. It can also be like watching someone change channels on the television every few seconds. You can get a general idea of what is going on, but you miss most of the content."

Adds Dr. Robin, "Generally, people with ADHD are at the mercy of their moods. An odd idea pops into their minds and they follow that until another off-the-wall notion crops up." With an inability to think matters through, people with ADHD act on too many impulses and often become ensnared in the legal system.

Living with ADHD

While there is no cure, symptoms can be managed with prescribed medications like Ritalin, Dexedrine and Adderall. Some men keep themselves on track by using day books, computers and tape recorders, and by posting schedules and appointments throughout the home and office and learning better time management skills. Men who seek professional help learn to find additional relief in regular exercise, maintaining a sense of humor, reducing negative thoughts about themselves, reducing alcohol and drug use and enlisting a friend to help them finish tasks and remember commitments.

Most adults with ADHD can and do lead successful personal and professional lives. A physician diagnosed with ADHDused his tremendous energy to see an unusual number of patients during a typical day. But he knew he was weak on follow-through so he turned down complex cases that involved many details and outside consultants.

A real estate salesman, was a flashy glad-hander who could charm the fangs out of a rattlesnake but found his commissions nonetheless drying up. While undergoing treatment for ADHD, he discovered his office was totally disorganized, which made it unable for him to follow up on leads. It took a year to set up a filing system that has put his income back on track.

"About half [of these men] are helped by medications. The other half improve their lives by learning how to get organized and pay attention to details," Dr. Goldman says.

The bright side

ADHD does have its upside. As listed in a recent edition of ADDitudes, an on-line magazine for people with ADHD, there are at least 10 benefits to ADHD:

1. Boundless energy and enthusiasm
People with ADHD frequently have the energy and stamina to persist with sports and other demanding activities without slowing down or losing strength.

2. Innovative thinking
People with ADHD, who often feel less bound by rules and tried procedures, frequently are able to "think out of the box" and come up with inventive solutions. Albert Einstein is thought to have had ADHD.

3. Curiosity
People with ADHD frequently are more curious than others. Their tendency and ability to hyperfocus impels them to ferret out information and details in a wide variety of areas.

4. Emotional intuition
People with ADHD feel their emotions strongly and often have an uncanny ability to be "in touch" with their emotions, as well as the emotions of others.

5. Great memory for minute details
While most of us tend to remember the big picture and forget the details, people with ADD are just the opposite. Their exceptional recall for details makes them an asset on team projects.

6. Acceptance and forgiveness of others
Perhaps because of their own trying social experiences, people with ADHD tend to be more accepting of others' foibles and more forgiving of others' mistakes.

7. Embracing risk and change
People with ADHD are often more willing to take risks to achieve their goals. They are unafraid of change and enjoy the challenge of adapting to new ways of doing things.

8. Persistence
People with ADHD bounce back more quickly, and more often, than most other people. When confronted with negative feedback or failure, they are more likely to persist in overcoming obstacles and criticisms.

9. Sociability
Their energy, creativity, and love of excitement is a tremendous social asset. People with ADHD often find themselves motivating and energizing large groups of friends and co-workers.

10. Creativity
Many people with ADHD are exceptionally creative and productive visual artists, performers, composers, and writers. Beethoven and Mozart are both believed to have had ADHD.