ADHD in Seniors

ADHD in Seniors - MalaysiaSymptoms

ADHD in Seniors

We all know a thing or two about ADHD, but what about ADHD diagnosed only in older adults? We break down the complexity surrounding it in this article.

ADHDis an acronym for Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder. While it is a common disorder in childhood, some people may only be diagnosed in the later years of their lives.In some cases, ADHD is developed later in an individual as well.In this article, we will learn the signs and how to deal with the condition.

What Does It Look Like?

Firstly, we need to identify what ADHD looks like, be it in children, or seniors. Commonly, adults are not diagnosed as there is no standardised screening to cater to the situation. Persons with undiagnosed ADHD symptoms over the years may have developed coping strategies to compensate, which may hide straightforward signs such as hyperactivity or inattentiveness. Nonetheless, this is a condition that affects one’s entire life. This may happen later, if not now.

An older person with ADHD may express symptoms differently. These are some of the possible signs and symptoms:

  • Experiencing restlessness
  • Excessive fidgeting
  • Talking too much
  • Experiencing difficulty to relax
  • Unable to sit quietly for a long time
  • Generally impatient
  • Engage in angry outbursts
  • Experiencing disorganisation
  • Forgetful
  • Challenged to plan and complete tasks
  • Poor time management
  • Generally impulsive

Types of ADHD

ADHD may present itself in a few ways. To date, there are three types that are recognised:

  • Predominantly Inattentive Presentation:In this case, the individual struggles to organise or complete a task, pay attention to details or keep up with instructions. Then, this person is easily distracted, forgetting details of daily activities.
  • Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation:In this case, the person fidgets and talks a lot. Some may feel the urge to run, jump or climb constantly, as it is difficult to remain seated. Due to restlessness, the person may also feel troubled by impulsiveness. In turn, this person may interrupt people, grab things or speak at the wrong times. There is difficulty in waiting for their turn or listening to directions. As a result, he or she may have more accidents and injuries compared to others.
  • Combined Presentation:In some individuals, they may exhibit both types of ADHD equally.

However, the display of ADHD symptoms may change over time.

Causes of ADHD

Aside from genetics, the causes of ADHD are majorly unknown. Scientists are still conducting research to study the effects and causes that may lead to ADHD. These factors may be a risk factor regarding the condition:

  • Brain injury
  • Exposure to environmentally hazardous items, such as lead, during pregnancy or at a young age
  • Use of alcohol and tobacco during pregnancy
  • Premature delivery
  • Low birth weight

Diagnosing ADHD in Older Adults

As there is no specific tool to diagnose ADHD in older adults, it can be difficult to diagnose them.

One of the best measures is to check how they function in everyday life. Screening tools developed by psychologists such as the Brown ADD Scale for Adolescents and Adults, or the Barkley Adult ADHD Rating Scale–IV (BAARS-IV), focus on this area.

Based on the DSM-5, adults are able to qualify for a clinical interview if they exhibit at least five out of nine ADHD symptoms, in inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity and/or present with impairments in several settings. Importantly, the symptoms should be lifelong, and they can be traced back to childhood years. While an absence of an ADHD diagnosis might have happened, it may be tied to the fact that ADHD was poorly understood decades ago.

Complications in the diagnosis may occur due to similarities with age-related conditions and factors, such as:

  • Depressive pseudodementia.This will compromise thinking capabilities, motivation, and mood.
  • Age-related cognitive decline.This is seen with additional episodes of forgetfulness, memory loss, etc.
  • Mild cognitive decline (MCI).This can put an individual at risk for dementia.
  • Menopause-related cognitive impairment.This can present itself in women, as the lowered estrogen levels can lead to cognitive changes. Studies have shown that estrogen plays a role in daily cognitive function.
  • Sleep disturbances or apnea.
  • Increase in multiple medications for several medical illnesses.

Although the symptoms of cognitive decline and ADHD can look similar, the period in which they occur will usually help to distinguish the situation at hand.

How Can I Tell If It’s ADHD or Dementia?

While they may appear similar, these are some ways to figure out which likelihood is the possible answer for your situation. One of the most important factors is to see when the symptoms of ADHD began. Albeit undiagnosed, a patient may have experienced the symptoms in elementary school or during their first job. For additional information, family members and childhood associations may be able to help to recall the patient’s behaviour. School and work reports can play a role as well.

This may be present in the form of poor concentration or inability to complete a task efficiently. Then, they may have tried to compensate by working overtime. However, not all persons with ADHD suffer from uncontrollable hyperactivity and poor outcomes in life. They may be able to cope at first, but only start to struggle when the tasks get demanding. The loss of structure, such as retirement, can trigger symptoms of underlying ADHD to worsen.

Treatment Options

If you or a senior person has been diagnosed with ADHD, treatment is vital in order to minimise the condition’s impact on everyday living. Nonetheless, appropriate intervention methods should be considered in view of several factors:

  • Most adults aged 50 and above areon existing medication intake. With this, it may include analgesics, antidepressants, and more, for ongoing illnesses. As a medication for ADHD mayinterfere with an existing program, the healthcare provider should advise on the suitability of the medicine. If a patient has a co-existing psychiatric condition, the healthcare provider shoulddetermine the treatment priority, in order to alleviate the symptoms of one condition without worsening the others.
  • There is alack of conclusive studieson the effectiveness of stimulants in older adults. The maximum approved age for stimulant use ranges from 55 to 65 years. As such,insurance may not cover these treatment options. Aside from that, some adults may be on ADHD medications while another group is undergoing non-pharmacological treatment for ADHD. This would include therapies or skills and behaviour training.
  • Psychotherapy is able toimprove the self-esteem of older adults with ADHD. If it is coupled with effective treatment, this revelation can act as a positive and life-changing revelation for the individuals affected by it. Psychotherapy canassist patients to reconcile emotional and mental involvement from this condition. However, it is important for patients to distinguish the difference between who they are as a person and ADHD so that they do not utilise ADHD as their entire identity.

Next Steps

The key is to make lifestyle changes. As such, there are some ways to help if you have the condition.

  • Exercise regularly and eat a balanced diet.With this, exercise can burn off excess energy and aggression. It is best to minimise sugary foods as this affects mood swings.
  • Sleep plentifully.With enough sleep, you are giving yourself the best chance to focus and manage stress. A person is less likely to handle their mental state adequately when they are tired.
  • Attempt better time management.While it is challenging, try to set deadlines and timers for important things. Find a way to write down time-sensitive assignments and prioritise them.
  • Work on relationships.Stay alert in conversation and online communication. Try not to jump ahead with responses and practice listening. Grow relationships with people who understand your challenges with ADHD.
  • Be mindful.By engaging with meditation and contemplation, it can help to sort out a busy mind and gain control over one’s emotions.
  • Create an encouraging work environment.By choosing work that motivates and interests you, it can help you to invest the effort to do well. Not only that, try to team up with people who are organised. This can assist in smoothening the work processes.

There may be other methods that work for your situation as well. Overall, while ADHD is a lifelong condition, steps can be taken to lighten its effects. References

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