Academic literature on the topic 'ADHD Adult'

Drawing on the traditions of discursive psychology and critical discourse analysis this study examined the marketisation of ‘Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder’ (ADHD) to women in a small sample of online YouTube videos. Of specific interest was the constructed and constructive nature of discourse at a ‘micro’ level, with a particular focus on the reification and commodification of the ‘ADHD-product’; and the discursive strategies used to persuade women of the potential benefits of ‘ADHD’ diagnosis and ‘treatment’. The video material analysed represented a combination of first person testimonies from the ‘sufferer’, and the sharing of ‘expertise’ by ‘professionals’, and comprised of both verbal and visual aspects. The analytic categories generated told a ‘story’ of the construction and commodification of the ‘ADHD-product’, unproblematically positioned within the biomedical discourse; followed by the active promotion of ‘ADHD’ to women, with strong endorsements for the use of stimulant medication to ‘enhance performance’ and ‘increase one’s potential’. Attention was also paid to the possibility that this diagnosis might threaten women’s selfhood and undermine personal authenticity. Implications for research and professional practice are discussed in light of the analysis.

The purpose of this study was to investigate how an ADHD diagnosis late in life as an adult can have effected childhood and adult life. It is a qualitative study executed by interviewing four adults, two men and two women. The individuals in the study had all experienced difficulties in their childhood and in school and had all felt different from the rest of the ambient. None of the interviewees were on medication for ADHD but most were open for trying. Support from school or other settings had been minimal. Work was described as an important part of their lives and that a significant part of it was to not become restless. None of the interviewees had committed serious crime but some talked about substance abuse in form of alcohol. All of the individuals in the study showed strong qualities that had helped them through difficult times. They had all reacted positively to the diagnosis as it gave a greater understanding for their problems. Almost all talked about how life before and after diagnosis had affected their confidence mostly the women but they all had experienced problems with mental health.

The study aimed to explore the processes people go through when diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood from a psychological perspective. ADHD has recently been recognised as affecting adults. Limitations exist in the breadth and depth of qualitative research into the experiences of those receiving an ADHD diagnosis in adulthood. Existing research is largely descriptive, with a prominent focus on pharmacological treatment. As such, psychological processes have not been sufficiently explored. Without ADHD-specific models of adjustment, the literature on identity, cognitive adaptation and stigma is examined. A qualitative methodology was employed taking a critical realist perspective. A purposive sample of twelve participants was recruited through adult mental health services. Each participant took part in one digitally recorded, semi-structured interview where experiences were explored. A mixed inductive-deductive thematic analysis of the transcribed interviews was conducted following the Braun and Clarke (2006) six-stage methodological process. Three master themes were identified with subthemes: (1) Looking back: different, faulty; relief and regret; reframing; (2) Looking inwards (with acceptance); and (3) Looking outwards: labelling: disability, stigma and social comparisons. The study highlighted participants’ attempts to make sense of their past experiences considering the diagnosis, reflect on the effect the diagnosis had on their sense of self and identity and consider the positives and negatives of sharing their diagnosis. Participants also compared themselves with others and some reflected on ADHD being a shared experience within families. The current research has highlighted the contradictory nature of the diagnosis; that an ADHD diagnosis was necessary to access support and acknowledge people’s experiences (and potentially attribute past behaviours and experiences to ADHD rather than personal failure) but there remains a struggle with the sense of self, the way people are viewed by others (e.g. feeling stigmatised) and the permanence of being or having ADHD forever. This highlights the importance of supporting people to understand their interpretation of the diagnosis and target intervention in the adjustment process. Pre- and post-diagnostic support and contact with others who have been through the process would be beneficial. The study also highlights the need for further anti-stigma campaigns. A number of methodological limitations is discussed. Future research is necessary to explore models of attribution and interventions about the interpretation of the diagnosis and self-concept. The thesis ends with a personal reflection about my research journey and a discussion about diagnosis.

Objective. To examine associations among attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptom dimensions (hyperactivity, impulsivity, inattention, and sluggish cognitive tempo [SCT]) and functional impairment among adults. The potential influence of co-occurring internalizing and externalizing difficulties, as well as self-reported executive functioning deficits, on these associations was also evaluated. Methods. One thousand eight hundred and ninety-four adults (58.8% female; 75.9% Caucasian; age: M = 36.24 [SD = 11.65] years) recruited from Amazon’s Mechanical Turk (MTurk) completed extensive questionnaire batteries assessing ADHD symptoms, co-occurring internalizing and externalizing difficulties, executive functioning deficits, and functional impairment across a range of domains. First, factor analyses were completed to identify empirically-derived functional impairment factors for use in subsequent analyses. Second, associations between ADHD symptom dimensions and functional impairment factors were examined via a path model. Third, multiple mediation analyses were conducted to evaluate the impact of ADHD symptom dimensions on functional impairment domains via internalizing and externalizing difficulties. Finally, additional multiple mediation analyses were completed to examine to influence of ADHD symptom dimensions on functional impairment via self-reported executive functioning deficits. Results. Factor analyses identified four overlapping but distinct functional impairment factors indexing general impairment, quality of life, romantic relationship functioning, and social support. Path analyses revealed significant associations between increased ADHD symptoms and higher general impairment, lower quality of life, reduced romantic relationship functioning, and decrements in perceived social support. Multiple mediation analyses indicated that ADHD symptom dimensions influence functional impairment domains via specific internalizing, externalizing, and executive functioning difficulties. Conclusions. The pattern of findings provides further support for associations between ADHD symptom dimensions and a range of functional impairments, as well as highlighting potential exacerbation of these effects in the presence of co-occurring mental health and executive functioning difficulties. Current findings may help to clarify the complex phenomenology of ADHD in adults, and carry implications for improving extant treatment approaches.

Ongoing controversies regarding the clinical and nosological status of ADHD in adults emphasize the need for studies examining whether <i>DSM-IV</i> ADHD symptom dimensions and subtypes identified in research with children are valid for adults. Firm symptom criteria validated by data from adult samples have not been developed. Moreover, many clinic-referred adults present with attentional complaints and exhibit symptoms, neurocognitive weaknesses, and secondary problems similar to those seen in ADHD. However, data are mixed regarding the profile of neurocognitive deficits involved in adult expressions of ADHD, and it is unknown whether patterns of weakness in neurocognitive performance can be identified that reliably discriminate adults with ADHD from those with other neurobehavioral disorders (e.g., learning disabilities, LD). The purpose of this study was to further (a) evaluate the discriminant validity of <i>DSM-IV</i> ADHD in adults, (b) examine the nature and severity of neurocognitive deficits in adult ADHD, and (c) clarify the diagnostic utility of executive functioning measures among clinic-referred adults. Overall, results supported the discriminant validity of adult ADHD, but little support emerged for the existence of separate <i>DSM-IV</i> subtypes. Importantly, symptom ratings supported the existence of two broad symptom domains consistent with those delineated in <i>DSM-IV</i>. Moreover, principal components analysis of neuropsychological data identified three dimensions of neurocognitive executive functioning (EF; verbal working memory; sustained intention; and effortful learning) in which ADHD adults (n=35) performed significantly less well than those who received an LD diagnosis (n=24) or no diagnosis (n=21). Furthermore, composite scores in these EF domains generated correct classifications that were significantly better than chance when classifying adults that (a) did and did not meet criteria for ADHD, (b) met criteria for ADHD or LD, and (c) met criteria for ADHD or no clinical diagnosis. Classification results were robust when submitted to a jackknife (leave-one-out) validation procedure. Finally, results provided general support for the developmental lag hypothesis of frontal-subcortical functioning in ADHD when considered vis-à-vis child ADHD data, but findings also supported the notion that ADHD in adults is associated with continuing dysfunction in specific neuroanatomical pathways believed to subserve executive attentional functions (e.g., dorsolateral prefrontal-subcortical; anterior cingulate-subcortical; orbitofrontal-subcortical).<br>Ph. D.

ADHD, attention deficit hyperactive disorder was first described as such in the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, the DSM in 1987. Since then the disorder has had great interest from research but also from society. The amount of ADHD diagnoses has increased every year since the disorder has been established by the American Psychiatric Association and is in recent years the most established mental illness among children and adults. The goal of this paper is to explore how people diagnosed with ADHD subjectively define and experience the abstract object of ADHD. Previous research focuses on mapping the problems and impairments resulting from this “illness”, to gain more insight into the differences between people diagnosed with ADHD, and people who do not possess the described symptoms, often focused on the problems people experience. Social constructionists look upon ADHD as socially constructed; a socially valued dysfunction, a deviant pattern of behaviour was once observed and categorised into what we now call symptoms. The word symptom demonstrates indication or evidence, and the abstract object takes on disease like properties. The object becomes reified, which means as much as become real. The result is that ADHD is seen as the cause of problems, instead of a group of problems that was once labelled ADHD. The informants used for this research seem to have problems with controlling their impulses, which besides negatively influencing executive functioning, causes problems with social interaction. The informants often express feeling misunderstood by their environment, they feel different. They feel discriminated against by the structures of school, work and society as a whole which, they feel, impairs their abilities and missuses their talents. They express to feel at ease when they are fully occupied with something interesting and seem to call for understanding for their inabilities and space to develop their talents.