Causes and risk factors  

The cause for adult ADHD as with children, are still unknown. It’s due to abnormal functioning of neurotransmitters and chemical messengers in brain.

Risk factors

• Child hood ADHD
• Family history of ADHD
• Low birth weight
• Premature births
• Smoking and alcohol consumption in pregnancy

 Clinical types

• Inattentive type
• Hyperactive/impulsive type
• Combined

 Clinical signs and symptoms

Effects of adult ADHD

• Health: Results in compulsive eating or reaching for unhygienic and unhealthy foods, alcohol and drug abuse or forgetting medication for a chronic condition
• Work and finances: Difficulty concentrating, completing tasks. Managing finances may also be a concern.
• Relationships: As there are problems in organizing and planning relationships can be affected

Treatment

Psychotherapy

Marital and individual counseling and self-help groups are usually combined with pharmacotherapy and skill training.

• Psychotherapy helps in learning time and management skills
• It also helps patients to overcome low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression.

Pharmacotherapy in adult ADHD

• Methylphenidate
• Pemoline
• Dextroamphetamine
• Antidepressants like Imipramine, Nortryptline, Bupropion

Methylphenidate (Ritalin) and Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine) are the most effective drugs in improving attention and concentration, and in reducing impulsivity in adults with adult ADHD.