Week 9 Assignment

2

ADHD in Adults

Richard Davis

Walden University

SOCW 6301

ADHD in Adults

Introduction

ADHD does not just affect children. It can also have a negative impact on adults' lives, especially in the workplace. ADHD has four primary effects on adults: Inattentive ADHD can cause problems at work because people with this condition are more likely to make mistakes and take longer to complete tasks than people without it.

Hyperactive ADHD can cause problems at work because people with this condition tend to be unable to concentrate or sit still for long periods. This can lead to lost productivity and other issues that arise from having an employee who is fidgeting too much or who are not being able to focus on their work.

Impulsivity is often accompanied by hyperactivity, making it difficult for people with ADHD to stay focused on their job responsibilities—especially if those responsibilities require them to take detailed notes or read through files before making decisions about what needs to be done (Castells et al., 2019).

Difficulty paying attention makes it harder for people with ADHD to focus on the task at hand when they are trying something new at work—like learning how a new product works or starting up a new project from scratch—and this can lead to frustration when trying.

Additionally, the effects of ADHD on adults are varied and can include organizational problems, difficulties with time management, and lack of self-discipline. Adults with ADHD may also have problems with memory, concentration, and attention (Parenti et al., 2020).

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects the brain's ability to regulate behavior and focus attention. There are three characteristics of neurodevelopmental disorders based on what we know about ADHD: impulsivity, hyperactivity/inattention, and difficulty maintaining attention over time.

Impulsivity is acting without thinking about the consequences of one's actions. For example, someone with ADHD may make inappropriate remarks or interrupt other people during meetings because they cannot pause before speaking or thinking about how their words might impact others.

Hyperactivity is defined as having an excess amount of motor activity. This would include fidgeting, running around, or jumping excessively in public spaces such as stores and restaurants. Difficulty maintaining attention over time is the "inability to stay focused for long enough periods." This symptom can be exacerbated by distractions such as loud noises or bright lights (Weibel et al., 2022).

Characteristics of neurodevelopmental

Neurodevelopmental disorders are characterized by the onset of symptoms before the age of three and by a delay in brain development. These disorders affect the whole brain, not just one particular area.

There is no single cause of neurodevelopmental disorders, but they are thought to result from genetic and environmental factors interacting with each other over time. Genetic factors include Genetic mutations that predispose individuals to certain diseases or conditions; Genetic variations that affect how well a person's genes function; Genetic variations that affect brain development and function (Morris-Rosendahl et al., 2022).

I will change, refine, or focus the research on the effects of ADHD on adults and characteristics of neurodevelopmental disorder based on my exploration of the literature by focusing on the following: The impact of ADHD on adults is often overlooked and misunderstood by adults themselves. This can lead to frustration with their symptoms and a lack of understanding about living with ADHD. The literature explores how this lack of understanding can harm adults' health and well-being.

The literature also explores how adults cannot always access treatment for ADHD because they do not know how to find it or do not understand what it means to be treated for it and how it relates to their lives. In addition, there is a lack of understanding about why medication alone is not enough for many people with ADHD, which can make it difficult for them to understand why they need other types of treatment, like therapy or support groups, in order to overcome their symptoms.

References

Weibel, S., Menard, O., Ionita, A., Boumendjel, M., Cabelguen, C., Kraemer, C., ... & Lopez, R. (2020). Practical considerations for evaluating and managing Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in adults. L'encephale, 46(1), 30-40.

Castells, X., Blanco‐Silvente, L., & Cunill, R. (2018). Amphetamines for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (8).

Parenti, I., Rabaneda, L. G., Schoen, H., & Novarino, G. (2020). Neurodevelopmental disorders: from genetics to functional pathways. Trends in Neurosciences, 43(8), 608-621.

Morris-Rosendahl, D. J., & Crocq, M. A. (2022). Neurodevelopmental disorders—the history and future of a diagnostic concept. Dialogues in clinical neuroscience.