ADHD and Its Impact on Interpersonal Relationships

Author(s):  
Ambika Kathju

This chapter is an attempt to discuss the interpersonal difficulties encountered by adults with ADHD. ADHD is one of the most common psychiatric disorders, while adult ADHD still remains the most undiagnosed one due to its comorbidity with other psychiatric disorders. It was until recently that the importance of adult ADHD was recognized to have an impact on the interpersonal difficulties faced by them. The core symptoms of ADHD in the form of behavioral and cognitive impairments along with social skill deficits are associated with maladjustments in their social and personal relationships that often lead to marital discord, problems with peers, family dysfunction, and parent-child conflicts.

2021 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-56
Author(s):  
Kukju Kweon

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by attention deficits, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. In the past, ADHD was considered to be limited to children and adolescents. However, ADHD has now been reconceptualized as a lifelong disorder, and two-thirds of ADHD patients continue to have core symptoms and dysfunction in adulthood. Currently, the public and clinicians’ interest in adult ADHD is rapidly increasing in Korea. In addition to interviews with patients for an adult ADHD diagnosis, interviews with family members, existing school records, and neuropsychological tests help clinicians to make a diagnosis. It is necessary to check whether the core symptoms of ADHD were expressed in childhood. Since adults’ symptom patterns differ from those of children, a self-report tool designed for adult ADHD is useful. The medications currently approved for ADHD in adults by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety of Korea are long-acting methylphenidate and atomoxetine. Both methylphenidate and atomoxetine improve the core symptoms of ADHD as well as daily function. Methylphenidate and atomoxetine can be used safely as first-line treatments, and the overall adverse effects are tolerable. However, attention should be paid to possible cardiovascular adverse events and misuse. Bupropion, modafinil, alpha2-agonist, and tricyclic antidepressants can also be used off-label.


1998 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 195-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judith Wiener

In the Fall 1996 issue of Learning Disability Quarterly, San Miguel, Forness, and Kavale argued that the social skills deficits typically found in studies of children with learning disabilities (LD) are largely due to comorbidity of learning disabilities with psychiatric disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and depressive disorder. In my response I review literature which suggests that while children with LD and comorbid ADHD are especially at risk for social skill deficits, there is no evidence supporting increased risk for children with both LD and depression. Furthermore, there is considerable evidence that some children who have LD without psychiatric disorders also have social skill deficits.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason He ◽  
Ericka Wodka ◽  
Mark Tommerdahl ◽  
Richard Edden ◽  
Mark Mikkelsen ◽  
...  

Alterations of tactile processing have long been identified in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, the extent to which these alterations are disorder-specific, rather than disorder-general, and how they relate to the core symptoms of each disorder, remains unclear. We measured and compared tactile detection, discrimination and order judgment thresholds between a large sample of children with ASD, ADHD, ASD + ADHD combined and typically developing controls. The pattern of results suggested that while difficulties with tactile detection and order judgement were more common in children with ADHD, difficulties with tactile discrimination were more common in children with ASD. Strikingly, subsequent correlation analyses found that the disorder-specific alterations suggested by the group comparisons were also exclusively related to the core symptoms of each respective disorder. These results suggest that disorder-specific alterations of lower-level sensory processes exist and are specifically related to higher-level clinical symptoms of each disorder.


2002 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Thomas D. Upton ◽  
James Bordieri ◽  
Mary Ann Roberts

Social skill deficits following severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) are prevalent. However, the development and provision of pro-active treatments for these deficits during rehabilitation have not kept pace with the need. Previous research described the development and presented encouraging data for community-based intensive social skills and work readiness training programs for adults with a brain injury. Brain injury residuals present similar social and vocational challenges to professionals worldwide. As such, this paper proposes these rehabilitation services may be replicated across cultures. To facilitate crosscultural replication, a training framework is shared. Australian rehabilitation counsellors may use this framework to replicate these services and contribute to the community reintegration of adults with brain injury.


2007 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ceri Evans

Cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment for a number of psychiatric disorders in adults of all ages. With the proportion of the population aged 65 or over increasing steadily, it is important to be aware of how the CBT needs of this age group can be best met. This article provides an overview of CBT and the historical context of using it with older people. Although an understanding of the individual, irrespective of age, is at the core of CBT, potential modifications to the procedure and content aimed at optimising its effectiveness for older people are discussed.


2004 ◽  
Vol 34 (8) ◽  
pp. 1561-1569 ◽  
Author(s):  
GÜNTHER KNOBLICH ◽  
FRANK STOTTMEISTER ◽  
TILO KIRCHER

Background. The present study investigated whether a failure of self-monitoring contributes to core syndromes of schizophrenia.Method. Three groups of patients with a DSM-IV diagnosis of schizophrenia (n=27), with either prominent paranoid hallucinatory or disorganization syndrome, or without these symptoms, and a matched healthy control group (n=23) drew circles on a writing pad connected to a PC monitor. Subjects were instructed to continuously monitor the relationship between their hand movements and their visual consequences. They were asked to detect gain changes in the mapping. Self-monitoring ability and the ability to automatically correct movements were assessed.Results. Patients with either paranoid-hallucinatory syndrome or formal thought disorder were selectively impaired in their ability to detect a mismatch between a self-generated movement and its consequences, but not impaired in their ability to automatically compensate for the gain change.Conclusions. These results support the claim that a failure of self-monitoring may underlie the core symptoms of schizophrenia.


2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hervé Caci ◽  
David Cohen ◽  
Olivier Bonnot ◽  
Bernard Kabuth ◽  
Jean-Phillipe Raynaud ◽  
...  

Objective: The objective of this study is to retrospectively describe the pathway toward ADHD diagnosis and treatment, and identify potential areas for improvement. Method: Parent-reported questionnaires were collected by a national sample of ADHD specialists. Results: In total, 473 complete questionnaires were analyzed. Initial onset of ADHD symptoms was reported at a mean age of 4.45 years. Mean age at diagnosis was 8.07 years, and half of the families had seen at least three health care professionals previously. Psychiatrists were most commonly consulted. A “combined” (89% boys) and inattentive (49% boys) profile was identified. Diagnosis was made 1 year later for the latter group. Two thirds of patients received pharmacological treatment. The delay in diagnosis was identified as the main source of concern for caregivers. Conclusion: The 4-year delay in diagnosis may represent a loss of opportunity. Training health care professionals in the core symptoms of ADHD may help reduce disparities and improve patient trajectory.


CNS Spectrums ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 13 (S13) ◽  
pp. 5-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas J. Spencer

AbstractTreatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may positively impact the neurobiology of adult patients with ADHD. Treatment may also minimize impairment from core symptoms and may alter the course of co-morbid disorders such as depression and substance use disorder. However, much of the information on stimulant use in adult ADHD comes from studies conducted in children, and it remains unclear whether there is a difference between children and adults when it comes to the side effects and tolerability of ADHD treatments. It is known that clinical presentation differs between adults and children, with adults demonstrating a higher percentage of mood disorders. Current treatments for adult ADHD include psychosocial therapies and pharmacologic therapies, the latter of which include the stimulants d-methylphenidate extended release (XR), OROS methylphenidate, lisdexamfetamine, and mixed amphetamine salts XR; and the nonstimulant atomoxetine, a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. There is need for additional study of treatment strategies for adult ADHD. Although all classes of ADHD medications are approved in adults, there are fewer approved formulations for adults than for children. Efficacy in adults is more subjective than in children, which may affect how efficacy rates for adult treatments are calculated. Adults also present a greater diversion risk than children. In addition, there are several new and emerging medication treatments worth considering.This Expert Roundtable Supplement represents part 2 of a 3-part supplement series on adult ADHD led by Lenard A. Adler, MD. In this activity, Thomas J. Spencer, MD, discusses the neurobiology and genetics of adult ADHD; Mark A. Stein, PhD, discusses stimulant therapy; and Jeffrey H. Newcorn, MD, reviews nonstimulants and psychosocial treatments.


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