Table of Contents
Foreword xii
Introduction xv
1 Learning the Basics 1
Origin and History 1
The Mysterious Condition Finally Gets a Name 2
Adult ADHD: A Silent Disease 3
Differences between Childhood and Adult ADHD 6
Debunking the Myths 8
Diagnostic, Evaluation, and Treatment Basics 9
Strategies for Living 12
Like Parent, Like Child? 13
2 Understanding the Symptoms 15
The Three Types of Adult ADHD 15
Primary Symptoms 16
Secondary Symptoms 19
The Two Sides of Adult ADHD 20
Other Problems Associated with Adult ADHD 22
Conditions that Overlap or Mimic Adult ADHD 23
Medications and Drugs That May Mask Symptoms 24
3 Searching for Causes 27
Five Current Theories 27
Research Overview 30
Searching for Causes 35
Exploring Brain Anatomy 37
The Role of Brain Function 39
Are Chemical Deficiencies the Culprit? 39
4 The Many Faces of Adult ADHD 41
Why is Adult ADHD So Often Under-diagnosed? 41
Does Adult ADHD Always Begin in Childhood? 43
When Adult ADHD Affects Adult Teenagers 44
College Students Coping with Adult ADHD 46
When ADHD is "All in the Family" 48
Adult ADHD in the Elderly 49
5 Understanding Diagnostic Challenges and Limitations 51
The Problem with Comorbid Conditions 51
Confusing Symptoms of Stress and Depression for Adult ADHD 52
The Many Faces of Adult Depression 54
Challenges in Diagnosing Women with ADHD 58
Poverty and Adult ADHD 60
6 Meet the Screening Tests 61
Types of Medical Professionals Who Treat ADHD 61
Other Types of Specialists 64
Overview of Initial Evaluations Your Doctor May Use 66
Continuous Performance Tests 68
Neuropsychological Testing 71
Intellectual and Memory Tests 71
Blood andLaboratory Tests for Adult ADHD 72
Brain Scans and Imaging 73
7 How You Can Help Your Doctor 75
Developing a History of Behavior 75
Family and Personal Medical History 77
Importance of School and Work Reports 80
Relationships and Lifestyle Issues 82
Evaluating Sleep Habits 83
Examining Eating Habits 84
Language Disorders and ADHD 85
Pregnancy and ADHD 88
Searching for Environmental Factors 89
8 Choosing the Right Treatment 91
Overview of Biological Treatments 91
Psychological Treatments for Adult ADHD 93
Neurofeedback Therapies 96
The Benefits of Diet and Exercise 97
Building Social Skills 99
The Benefits of a Multi-Treatment Approach 99
Tools for Charting Your Progress 100
Self-Education Tips and Strategies 101
9 Treating with Medication 107
National Institutes of Health Landmark Study 107
Most Commonly Prescribed Drugs to Treat Adult ADHD 110
Focus on Stimulant Drugs 112
Strattera, a Rising Star in Medication 116
Nonstimulant Medications 117
Choosing and Monitoring Your Medications 121
Positive and Negative Effects of Medication 124
10 Exploring the Benefits of Talk Therapy 127
Why Talk Therapy Works 127
The Various Types of Psychotherapy 128
The Benefits of Talk Therapy 131
Couples and Relationship Therapy 135
Family Therapy 138
Building Better Friendships 139
Parenting Therapy 140
The Role of Coaches and Support Groups 141
11 Weighing the Role of Behavioral Modification 143
Three Types of Behavioral Modification 143
Your Adult ADHD Brain on Behavioral Modification 145
Focus on Traditional Behavioral Modification 146
Exploring Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) 147
The Role of Interpersonal Therapy 151
The Role of Body Awareness Training 153
12 Healing Through Neurofeedback 155
Overview of Treatment 155
Benefits of Neurofeedback 158
Pros, Cons, and Controversy 159
Choosing a Neurofeedback Therapist 162
13 Weighing the Effects of Diet and Environment 163
Pros, Cons, and Controversy 163
Foods That "Heal" Brain Cells 165
The Sugary Controversy 167
Power of Protein 168
Combining Diet and Medication 169
14 Financial and Legal Issues 171
Financial Strategies for ADHD Adults 171
Managing 174
Insurance Matters 175
Diagnoses and Legalities 177
15 Making Necessary Lifestyle Changes 181
Changing Negative Beliefs and Attitudes 181
Setting and Meeting Realistic Goals 186
Learning Stress Management 188
Get Adequate Sleep 190
Establishing Good Eating Habits 193
Get Regular Exercise 194
Getting a Handle on Clutter 195
16 Coping with Adult ADHD in Social Settings 199
Symptoms that Flare in Social Settings 199
Dealing with Anger 204
How to Deal with Criticism 206
Learning to Focus 206
Reading Nonverbal Clues 207
Slowing a Racing Mind 210
Making Friends 211
Should I Tell My Friends I Have Adult ADHD? 213
17 Harmony on the Home Front 215
An Hour in the Life of an ADHD Parent or Spouse 215
Adult ADHD Intervention Tactics 217
Alleviating Conflicts and Disruption 221
Importance of Family Therapy 223
18 Can This Relationship Be Saved? 225
When You or Your Partner Has Adult ADHD 225
Understanding your Partner's Disease 228
When Inattention Invades Relationships 231
When Impulsivity Comes Calling 232
When Hyperactivity Runs You Ragged 233
When Disorganization Divides Couples 234
How to Keep Romance Alive 235
How Adult ADHD Affects Sexual Intimacy 237
19 Overcoming Workplace and Career Challenges 241
Major Workplace Challenges 241
Finding a Compatible Career 243
Getting a Handle on Executive Functions 245
Working Well with Peers and Superiors 249
Getting in Synch with Office Politics 251
Should I Tell My Boss I Have Adult ADHD? 253
Your Legal Rights at Work 254
20 Finding the Silver Lining of Adult ADHD 257
The Upside of Adult ADD/ADHD 257
Brain-Wired for the Twenty-First Century 258
Tapping into Special ADHD Gifts 259
Harnessing the Power of Friendship 263
The Future of Adult ADHD 264
Appendix A Symptoms Checklist 267
Appendix B Additional Resources 273
Index 277
