2023-10-01 21:04:20
On the occasion of ADHD awareness month (Attention deficit disorder with or without hyperactivity), the Fondation Santé Urbaine offers you a discussion with Doctor Alexander Moreno in order to demystify the neurodevelopmental disorder which affects 4% of adults worldwide. Quebec. Often mislabeled as a disorder that only occurs in children, undiagnosed ADHD can cause stress, anxiety and misunderstanding in adults, making it so important to get the facts right. Discussion.
Doctor Moreno, can you explain to us what your specialty is specifically?
Alexander Moreno: I am a psychologist and neuropsychologist at the CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l’Île-de-Montréal and associate professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Montreal. I also direct the Innovation, Technology and Cognition laboratory at the Research Center of the University Institute of Geriatrics of Montreal, in addition to acting as a clinician at Notre-Dame Hospital.
Can you explain to us what characterizes attention deficit disorder with
(or without) hyperactivity?
Alexander Moreno: ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that occurs in connection with differential development in brain connectivity. It leads to challenges in self-modulation, that is, the ability to control and curb ideas. The disorder can also manifest itself through difficulty regulating physical movements as well as impulsivity in gestures and actions. It is also accompanied by difficulty regulating emotions, what is called emotional hyperreactivity.
We sometimes hear that adults living with ADHD are creative, lively,
innovative. What is it really?
Alexander Moreno: Indeed, when the thought structure is tree-like, rather than linear, it can help create connections more easily, which can result in great creativity.
ADHD is often associated with children. What is the picture among adults?
Alexander Moreno: ADHD in children has been widely publicized, but regarding two-thirds of children continue to experience significant difficulties as adults. The prevalence rate among children in Quebec is therefore 5 to 7%, and around 4% among adults. These people are often very confused regarding the reasons for their problems in life. They may be led to believe that they are lazy or incapable, but their difficulties are linked to undiagnosed ADHD. There is genetic transmission from parents to children in approximately 75% to 80% of cases, so it is often upon receiving a diagnosis for their child that adults realize they are also affected.
You mention several difficulties. What are these signs that might indicate adult ADHD?
Alexander Moreno: Some of the most common signs are disruptive and impulsive behavior, difficulty paying attention, and difficulty with organization, including time and schedule management. In adults, this can result in an inability to keep a job or complete their projects. We also note marital problems as well as difficulty managing money. Finally, we often see cases of substance abuse, more specifically caffeine, alcohol and cannabis.
Are these symptoms specific to adult ADHD?
Alexander Moreno: No. ADHD in adults manifests itself by several symptoms, which are not necessarily exclusive to it, which makes it very complex to diagnose. Furthermore, he rarely appears alone. It is often accompanied by mood disorders such as depression or anxiety disorders which can complicate diagnosis and treatment.
Are there any myths related to ADHD in adults?
Alexander Moreno: One of the common misperceptions is that medication can cure ADHD. This is false since ADHD is not an infection that can be treated with an antibiotic. Medications used for ADHD work like glasses: they normalize the situation when you use them, but the condition returns as soon as you stop taking them.
So it is impossible to cure ADHD?
Alexander Moreno: ADHD is treatable. In some children, symptoms will disappear as the brain matures. However, for the majority, the feeling that ADHD is cured comes from the compensatory mechanisms they develop as they grow up. Adults can learn to understand social codes, to organize themselves better and to plan better. The symptoms may therefore go unnoticed, but ADHD is a chronic disorder.
Do adults living with ADHD absolutely have to use medication?
Alexander Moreno: There is always a solution to help people living with the disorder. For many, medication can make a huge difference and help them achieve their studies or career, for example. Other people are not comfortable using pharmacological interventions. For these people, avenues focused on psychological therapies or mindfulness meditation, for example, may be a priority. The key is to respect the person’s values, and guide the approach from there.
Which professional can we consult if we want to get the facts straight?
Alexander Moreno: In Quebec, the diagnosis is made primarily by the family doctor, a psychologist or a neuropsychologist. Once the diagnosis has been established, they will subsequently refer or potentially collaborate with other complementary professionals such as social workers, occupational therapists, pharmacists, remedial teachers, etc.
What should you do when diagnosed with ADHD as an adult?
Alexander Moreno: Finally having their questions answered usually takes a huge weight off people’s shoulders. Some people have thought their whole lives that they were incompetent, and they are finally told that this is not the case. The diagnosis therefore provides a reassuring aspect. The possibility of treatment usually brings a lot of hope as well. Subsequently, the first thing to do is to educate yourself and help your loved ones understand, since it is a condition that also greatly impacts the person’s loved ones.
Are there any tips for living better with ADHD?
Alexander Moreno: Everything goes through stimulation control! The idea is to try to create a distraction-free environment. For students, for example, it is best to sit in front of the class, and away from windows. At work, we might try to set up a slightly more isolated workstation to limit noise, or to use noise-cancelling headphones. Using electronic diaries regularly or creating to-do lists broken down into small tasks are also good tools to live better with the condition.
What message are you sending to individuals or families living with ADHD?
Alexander Moreno: ADHD is a disorder, but that doesn’t mean it defines you!
By implementing the right strategies, it is possible to have an accomplished, fulfilled and completely satisfying life despite the diagnosis. It is therefore not only a
bad prognosis, in that sense.
This article is made possible thanks to the support of the Fondation Santé Urbaine. To find out more regarding the Foundation’s mission or to make a donation, go to https://www.fondationsanteurbaine.com
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#Demystifying #ADHD #adults
