Adult ADD

Attention Please: ADD/ADHD is Not Just a Childhood Condition

In the 21^stcentury, it’s standard procedure to test unfocused, impulsive and restless children who struggle to achieve in school for Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and provide support and treatment well into adulthood. But for those who came of age prior to the 1970s, that diagnosis was rarely made, leading to a lifetime of challenges. Only now, as ADHD and ADD are recognized as conditions that often do not disappear with maturity, are some seniors finally finding the answer to problems that have haunted them for years.

ADD is a condition of varying degrees, and in cases of milder severity, whether in the young or older patient, can be difficult to diagnose; especially in older adults, because the symptoms are different than in children.  Hyperactivity is rarely the primary indicator, although remnants are felt such as restlessness and talking too much. Most frequently experienced by adults is a tendency to be easily distracted, a decline in working memory and a lack of focused attention. As we get older, the challenge may lie in distinguishing these issues from the normal aging process, mild cognitive impairment or early dementia.  Forgetting names, misplacing things, or having problems with organization and planning can be hallmark traits of ADD or an aging brain. The key to identifying the difference is longevity of symptoms. ADD doesn’t suddenly appear full-blown in an adult, but leaves a years-long trail of distraction in its wake.

Experts advise that symptoms can shift with age, but these are found fairly consistently in older adults with ADD*:

• “Swiss cheese memory,” characterized by things that slip through the cracks
• Issues with working memory, such as being easily thrown off course mid-task
• Misplacing items
• Forgetting words or names, brain going ‘blank’ periodically
• Difficulty learning new things
• Talking excessively, often without realizing it
• Interrupting others
• Trouble following conversations
• Difficulty maintaining relationships and keeping in touch

According to the organization ADDitude, a leading source of information, support and advocacy for people living with ADHD, asking this simple question – “Would you have been talking about these symptoms 20 years ago?” – can be one of the most accurate of all indicators. Patients who answer in the affirmative, remembering constantly being chided for a messy room, branded as a daydreamer or underachiever, and finding it difficult to keep organized and on time at a first job, are more likely to have previously undiagnosed ADHD. In fact, the majority would say “I can’t remember a time that I wasn’t this way.”

Gratifyingly, adults who are diagnosed with ADHD or ADD in their older years find it can be revelatory to finally identify the cause of their ongoing challenges, and receive the support they need at a particularly vulnerable life stage. Coping with ADD as a senior actually parallels the issues faced by young people with ADHD when they leave home. The loss of structure for both groups can strain their ability to adequately care for themselves, and poor sleeping or eating habits can result, which exacerbate ADHD symptoms. However, treatment which may include appropriate doses of stimulant medication and cognitive behavioral therapy, has been shown to work as well for adults as children, and provide a newfound satisfaction with life.

As Dr. David W. Goodman, assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and director of the Adult Attention Deficit Disorder Center of Maryland, explains: “People may ask, ‘if you’ve had this problem for so long, why bother treating it now?’ Imagine you believed yourself to be as others labeled you throughout your life – careless, irrational, a daydreamer, dumb or just plain odd. Then, you realize a treatable disorder caused these symptoms, and they aren’t a reflection of who you are. It’s liberating to understand the difference between what you have – a disorder – and who you are – a person.”

*Source: Kathleen Nadeau, Ph.D. presentation at the 2018 Annual Meeting of the American Professional Society of ADHD and Related Disorders

Did You Know?

Although ADHD and ADD is a commonly seen psychiatric condition in the US, second only to generalized depression, adults in their 50s, 60s and 70s often go undiagnosed and untreated.

Fewer than half of adults with ADHD ages 45+ have ever sought any kind of treatment and only 25% have tried medication.

Source: www.additudemag.com

The post Adult ADD appeared first on Specialdocs Consultants.

For more information on the benefits of Concierge Medicine, please visit Logan Square Medical Group. To enroll as a new patient, please call us directly at (773) 489-7040a>. Current patients with any health concerns, should call Dr. Brown’s office directly at (773) 489-7040a>. Thank you!

Adult ADD

Attention Please: ADD/ADHD is Not Just a Childhood Condition

In the 21^stcentury, it’s standard procedure to test unfocused, impulsive and restless children who struggle to achieve in school for Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and provide support and treatment well into adulthood. But for those who came of age prior to the 1970s, that diagnosis was rarely made, leading to a lifetime of challenges. Only now, as ADHD and ADD are recognized as conditions that often do not disappear with maturity, are some seniors finally finding the answer to problems that have haunted them for years in Adult ADD.

ADD is a condition of varying degrees, and in cases of milder severity, whether in the young or older patient, can be difficult to diagnose; especially in older adults, because the symptoms are different than in children.  Hyperactivity is rarely the primary indicator, although remnants are felt such as restlessness and talking too much. Most frequently experienced by adults is a tendency to be easily distracted, a decline in working memory and a lack of focused attention. As we get older, the challenge may lie in distinguishing these issues from the normal aging process, mild cognitive impairment or early dementia.  Forgetting names, misplacing things, or having problems with organization and planning can be hallmark traits of ADD or an aging brain. The key to identifying the difference is longevity of symptoms. ADD doesn’t suddenly appear full-blown in an adult, but leaves a years-long trail of distraction in its wake.

What are Symptoms of Adult ADD?

Experts advise that symptoms can shift with age, but these are found fairly consistently in older adults with ADD*:

• “Swiss cheese memory,” characterized by things that slip through the cracks
• Issues with working memory, such as being easily thrown off course mid-task
• Misplacing items
• Forgetting words or names, brain going ‘blank’ periodically
• Difficulty learning new things
• Talking excessively, often without realizing it
• Interrupting others
• Trouble following conversations
• Difficulty maintaining relationships and keeping in touch

According to the organization ADDitude, a leading source of information, support and advocacy for people living with ADHD, asking this simple question – “Would you have been talking about these symptoms 20 years ago?” – can be one of the most accurate of all indicators. Patients who answer in the affirmative, remembering constantly being chided for a messy room, branded as a daydreamer or underachiever, and finding it difficult to keep organized and on time at a first job, are more likely to have previously undiagnosed ADHD. In fact, the majority would say “I can’t remember a time that I wasn’t this way.”

Gratifyingly, adults who are diagnosed with ADHD or ADD in their older years find it can be revelatory to finally identify the cause of their ongoing challenges, and receive the support they need at a particularly vulnerable life stage. Coping with ADD as a senior actually parallels the issues faced by young people with ADHD when they leave home. The loss of structure for both groups can strain their ability to adequately care for themselves, and poor sleeping or eating habits can result, which exacerbate ADHD symptoms. However, treatment which may include appropriate doses of stimulant medication and cognitive behavioral therapy, has been shown to work as well for adults as children, and provide a newfound satisfaction with life.

As Dr. David W. Goodman, assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and director of the Adult Attention Deficit Disorder Center of Maryland, explains: “People may ask, ‘if you’ve had this problem for so long, why bother treating it now?’ Imagine you believed yourself to be as others labeled you throughout your life – careless, irrational, a daydreamer, dumb or just plain odd. Then, you realize a treatable disorder caused these symptoms, and they aren’t a reflection of who you are. It’s liberating to understand the difference between what you have – a disorder – and who you are – a person.”

*Source: Kathleen Nadeau, Ph.D. presentation at the 2018 Annual Meeting of the American Professional Society of ADHD and Related Disorders

Did You Know?

Although ADHD and ADD is a commonly seen psychiatric condition in the US, second only to generalized depression, adults in their 50s, 60s and 70s often go undiagnosed and untreated.

Fewer than half of adults with ADHD ages 45+ have ever sought any kind of treatment and only 25% have tried medication.

Source: www.additudemag.com

The post Adult ADD appeared first on Specialdocs Consultants.

For more information on the benefits of Concierge Medicine, please visit Logan Square Medical Group. To enroll as a new patient, please call us directly at (773) 489-7040a>. Current patients with any health concerns, should call Dr. Brown’s office directly at (773) 489-7040a>. Thank you!

The Age of Anxiety

Higher Anxiety? Our ‘age of anxiety’ began four centuries ago

It can come on suddenly and intensely, causing shaking, confusion and difficulty breathing for no apparent reason…trigger an irrational avoidance of elevators or public transportation…or become a steady drumbeat of worry always in the background. All are known as anxiety disorders, one of the country’s most commonly experienced yet largely untreated mental health issues. Is our era of 24/7 disturbing news, packed schedules and often unrealistic expectations spurring a rise in these disorders, or does it just seem that way?

Modern life can be disquieting, but the truth is that anxiety disorders have always impacted large numbers of people around the world. Consider this description of Hippocrates’ patient in 1621’s The Anatomy of Melancholy: “He dare not come into company for fear he should be misused, disgraced, overshoot himself in gestures or speeches, or be sick; he thinks every man observeth him” – a classic case of what would now be diagnosed as social anxiety disorder. Recent research notes that anxiety disorders may be under-recognized and under-treated, but there is no evidence that its prevalence has increased. While the incidence rose from 9 to 15 percent in college students since 2009, according to the Journal of American College Health, the authors attribute the finding to a greater willingness to admit having a mental health issue and increased acceptance of it as a bona fide health problem.

Constant anxiety undeniably takes a toll on health, potentially increasing levels of the stress hormone cortisol and raising blood pressure and may drive inflammation and plaque formation that leads to heart attack and strokes. A reaction to stress that occurs in a region of the brain called the amygdala, anxiety prepares people to confront a crisis by putting the body on alert. The ‘fight or flight’ response serves us well when faced with actual danger but is counter-productive when dealing with worries around work, money, family life or health. However, it’s only when daily function is affected that a disorder is diagnosed, as shown below:

Everyday Anxiety: Worry about finances, health, family or other important life issues
Anxiety Disorder: Constant and unsubstantiated worry that causes significant distress and interferes with daily life

Everyday Anxiety: Embarrassment or self-consciousness in an uncomfortable or awkward social situation
Anxiety Disorder: Avoiding social situations for fear of being judged, embarrassed or humiliated

Everyday Anxiety: A case of nerves or sweating before a big test, business presentation, stage performance or other significant event
Anxiety Disorder: Seemingly out-of-the-blue panic attacks and preoccupation with the fear of having another one

Everyday Anxiety: Realistic fear of a dangerous object, place or situation
Anxiety Disorder: lrrational fear or avoidance of an object, place or situation that poses little or no threat of danger

Everyday Anxiety: Anxiety, sadness or difficulty sleeping immediately after a traumatic event
Anxiety Disorder: Recurring nightmares, flashbacks or emotional numbing related to a traumatic event that occurred several months or years before

The American Psychology Association defines these types of anxiety disorders (obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder are now categorized separately):

• Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD): the most common, it’s characterized by excessive, long-lasting worries about nonspecific life events, objects and situations.
• Panic disorder: brief or sudden attacks of intense terror and apprehension, leading to shaking, confusion, dizziness, nausea and breathing difficulties; can occur with or without a particular trigger.
• Specific phobia: irrational fear of a particular object or situation.
• Agoraphobia: fear of places, events, or situations, especially open spaces, that may cause you to panic and feel trapped, helpless or embarrassed.
• Social anxiety disorder: fear of negative judgment from others in social situations or of public embarrassment.
• Separation anxiety disorder: not exclusive to youngsters, but also experienced by adults who feel disconnected from a person or place that provides feelings of safety or security.

Additionally, anxiety disorders may play a role in exacerbating other conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), chronic respiratory disease and heart disease.

Reassuringly, the number of treatment options, both pharmaceutical and non, has grown. Most effective is a combination approach of psychotherapy (cognitive-behavioral therapy, focused talk therapy or exposure therapy), stress management (deep breathing, meditation and yoga) and antidepressant and/or anti-anxiety medications.

Finally, considerable benefits are seen from a healthy lifestyle – reduced intake of caffeine, tea, cola and chocolate, avoidance of recreational drugs and excessive alcohol, and emphasizing exercise, a nutritious diet, and most importantly, a good night’s sleep. According to a recent University of California at Berkley study, the amygdala was particularly stimulated when sleep deprived, mirroring that of anxiety disorders, suggesting that sleep therapy could reduce anxiety in people suffering from panic attacks, GAD and other conditions.

Did You Know?

40 million

People in the U.S. affected by anxiety disorders
Source: NIMH.gov

37%

Percentage of Americans with an anxiety disorder who receive treatment
Source: ADAA.org

The post The Age of Anxiety appeared first on Specialdocs Consultants.

For more information on the benefits of Concierge Medicine, please visit Logan Square Medical Group. To enroll as a new patient, please call us directly at (773) 489-7040a>. Current patients with any health concerns, should call Dr. Brown’s office directly at (773) 489-7040a>. Thank you!

The Age of Anxiety

Higher Anxiety? Our ‘age of anxiety’ began four centuries ago

It can come on suddenly and intensely, causing shaking, confusion and difficulty breathing for no apparent reason…trigger an irrational avoidance of elevators or public transportation…or become a steady drumbeat of worry always in the background. All are known as anxiety disorders, one of the country’s most commonly experienced yet largely untreated mental health issues. Is our era of 24/7 disturbing news, packed schedules and often unrealistic expectations spurring a rise in these disorders, or does it just seem that way? Are we in the midst of the Age of Anxiety?

Modern life can be disquieting, but the truth is that anxiety disorders have always impacted large numbers of people around the world. Consider this description of Hippocrates’ patient in 1621’s The Anatomy of Melancholy: “He dare not come into company for fear he should be misused, disgraced, overshoot himself in gestures or speeches, or be sick; he thinks every man observeth him” – a classic case of what would now be diagnosed as social anxiety disorder. Recent research notes that anxiety disorders may be under-recognized and under-treated, but there is no evidence that its prevalence has increased. While the incidence rose from 9 to 15 percent in college students since 2009, according to the Journal of American College Health, the authors attribute the finding to a greater willingness to admit having a mental health issue and increased acceptance of it as a bona fide health problem.

Constant anxiety undeniably takes a toll on health, potentially increasing levels of the stress hormone cortisol and raising blood pressure and may drive inflammation and plaque formation that leads to heart attack and strokes. A reaction to stress that occurs in a region of the brain called the amygdala, anxiety prepares people to confront a crisis by putting the body on alert. The ‘fight or flight’ response serves us well when faced with actual danger but is counter-productive when dealing with worries around work, money, family life or health. However, it’s only when daily function is affected that a disorder is diagnosed, as shown below:

Everyday Anxiety: Worry about finances, health, family or other important life issues
Anxiety Disorder: Constant and unsubstantiated worry that causes significant distress and interferes with daily life

Everyday Anxiety: Embarrassment or self-consciousness in an uncomfortable or awkward social situation
Anxiety Disorder: Avoiding social situations for fear of being judged, embarrassed or humiliated

Everyday Anxiety: A case of nerves or sweating before a big test, business presentation, stage performance or other significant event
Anxiety Disorder: Seemingly out-of-the-blue panic attacks and preoccupation with the fear of having another one

Everyday Anxiety: Realistic fear of a dangerous object, place or situation
Anxiety Disorder: lrrational fear or avoidance of an object, place or situation that poses little or no threat of danger

Everyday Anxiety: Anxiety, sadness or difficulty sleeping immediately after a traumatic event
Anxiety Disorder: Recurring nightmares, flashbacks or emotional numbing related to a traumatic event that occurred several months or years before

The American Psychology Association defines these types of anxiety disorders (obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder are now categorized separately):

• Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD): the most common, it’s characterized by excessive, long-lasting worries about nonspecific life events, objects and situations.
• Panic disorder: brief or sudden attacks of intense terror and apprehension, leading to shaking, confusion, dizziness, nausea and breathing difficulties; can occur with or without a particular trigger.
• Specific phobia: irrational fear of a particular object or situation.
• Agoraphobia: fear of places, events, or situations, especially open spaces, that may cause you to panic and feel trapped, helpless or embarrassed.
• Social anxiety disorder: fear of negative judgment from others in social situations or of public embarrassment.
• Separation anxiety disorder: not exclusive to youngsters, but also experienced by adults who feel disconnected from a person or place that provides feelings of safety or security.

Additionally, anxiety disorders may play a role in exacerbating other conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), chronic respiratory disease and heart disease.

Reassuringly, the number of treatment options, both pharmaceutical and non, has grown. Most effective is a combination approach of psychotherapy (cognitive-behavioral therapy, focused talk therapy or exposure therapy), stress management (deep breathing, meditation and yoga) and antidepressant and/or anti-anxiety medications.

Finally, considerable benefits are seen from a healthy lifestyle – reduced intake of caffeine, tea, cola and chocolate, avoidance of recreational drugs and excessive alcohol, and emphasizing exercise, a nutritious diet, and most importantly, a good night’s sleep. According to a recent University of California at Berkley study, the amygdala was particularly stimulated when sleep deprived, mirroring that of anxiety disorders, suggesting that sleep therapy could reduce anxiety in people suffering from panic attacks, GAD and other conditions.

Did You Know?

40 million

People in the U.S. affected by anxiety disorders
Source: NIMH.gov

37%

Percentage of Americans with an anxiety disorder who receive treatment
Source: ADAA.org

The post The Age of Anxiety appeared first on Specialdocs Consultants.

For more information on the benefits of Concierge Medicine, please visit Logan Square Medical Group. To enroll as a new patient, please call us directly at (773) 489-7040a>. Current patients with any health concerns, should call Dr. Brown’s office directly at (773) 489-7040a>. Thank you!