2023-09-25 06:06:49
Understanding ADHD: A Closer Look at the Disorder
ADHD, which stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is a condition characterized by concentration problems and hyperactivity. While it is commonly associated with children and teenagers, it is essential to note that ADHD can also affect adults and the elderly.
There are three forms of ADHD:
- Inattentive Behavior and Difficulty Maintaining Concentration: People with this form of ADHD are easily distracted and tend to be forgetful.
- Hyperactive/Impulsive Behavior: Individuals with this type of ADHD are highly active, occasionally aggressive, and frequently struggle with sleep problems.
- A Mixture of the Two Forms: Some people with ADHD may exhibit symptoms of both inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive behavior. For example, they may have difficulty coping with noisy websites containing flashing images.
Untangling the Diagnosis in Late Life
According to psychotherapist Arjan Videler, ADHD, as well as autism and borderline personality disorder, can sometimes go undiagnosed until later in life. Speaking on the MAX radio program “Villa VdB” on August 17, 2023, Videler emphasized that appropriate treatment options are available for people over 60. Contrary to the belief that individuals can outgrow ADHD after childhood, those who have exhibited symptoms since their early years are likely to continue experiencing them in old age.
Videler calls on general practitioners and practice assistants to refer older individuals more frequently to ensure necessary diagnosis and treatment. While progress has been made, he believes there is still more work to be done in addressing ADHD in the elderly population.
Elderly patients who were previously unaware of their condition often feel a sense of liberation upon receiving a long-awaited diagnosis. They have developed coping strategies throughout their lives but frequently find themselves overstimulated. Videler’s diagnosis serves as a missing puzzle piece, helping patients gain a better understanding of their behavior. Further insights into these experiences can be found in Videler’s book “With Age – Why It Makes Sense to Treat Elderly People with Psychological Problems,” co-authored with Rosalien Wilting.
Retirement and ADHD
Retirement often proves to be a crucial turning point for individuals with ADHD. With the removal of the structured routines inherent in working life, ADHD symptoms re-emerge. Once diagnosed, appropriate solutions can be explored, benefiting not only the individuals themselves but also their partners, children, and grandchildren, who are often affected by their behavior. Videler urges individuals to seek medical advice and not dismiss their symptoms, pointing out the prevalence of age discrimination even in the referral of 80-year-olds with depression. Loneliness and depression are common manifestations of ADHD among the elderly.
ADHD: A Growing Concern in Older Adults
Researcher Marieke Michielsen’s dissertation from November 2015 (VUmc) highlights the presence of ADHD in the elderly. In the Netherlands, almost 3% of individuals over the age of 60 are affected by this chronic psychiatric developmental disorder, compared to approximately 5% in children and 4% in adults.
Treatment Options: Medication for ADHD
Methylphenidate, a medication commonly used to treat ADHD, is unfortunately often misused by students seeking to enhance concentration when fatigued. Available under the brand name Ritalin, which has since become a generic term, this medication increases the release of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain, helping individuals maintain focus and control. For more information on the gender differences in ADHD, please refer to this article.
(Source: Villa VdB, Medisch Contact, MAX Today, Health Net, VUmc, Impuls & Woortblint, Parnassia Group, GZ-Psychologie. Photo: Shutterstock)
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