- What are some of the symptoms of Adult ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)?
Unlike children with ADHD, who suffer more from hyperactivity (particularly boys), adults with ADHD tend to suffer more from inattention. The most common symptoms include:
- difficulty focusing on boring or repetitive work
- procrastination
- easily distracted by noise
- making careless mistakes
- How common is Adult ADHD?
Adult ADHD is believed to affect around 4% of the adult population. The condition can be underdiagnosed in women, because they were less likely to have been diagnosed as children. This is because boys are more likely to have been hyperactive as children, and were therefore more likely to have been diagnosed and treated.
- What are the most effective treatments for Adult ADHD?
First line treatments for Adult ADHD include the use of stimulant medications, such as Adderall, Vyvanse, Ritalin and Concerta. A non-stimulant medication, Strattera, is useful for patients with a history of substance abuse or who experience intolerable side effects from stimulants. ADHD sufferers also benefit from a form of talk therapy known as ADHD Coaching, which is a form of cognitive behavioral therapy that augments or takes the place of medication use.
- What are some of the symptoms of Binge Eating Disorder (BED)?
Binge eaters commonly experience a pattern of eating large amounts of food while experiencing a feeling that they cannot stop eating (ie. a loss of control). Binge eaters often eat alone, and experience a sense of disgust and/or shame afterwards.
- What are some of the potential treatments for Binge Eating Disorder (BED)?
A form of talk therapy called CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), combined with medication has been shown to be effective for treating BED. Commonly used medications would include SSRIs (e.g. Prozac), Topamax and Vyvanse.
