In this seminar, I will be exploring some research studies discussing how the ADHD symptoms manifest in adults and cause problems and impairment in different domains, ex. home, work, social and personal, of an Adult ADHD person’s life leading to family distress. Further, I will discuss about assessment and management of family distress.
2. SEMINAR OUTLINE
Conceptualizing Adult ADHD
Adult ADHD Symptoms and Family Distress
Assessment and Diagnosis of Adult ADHD and
Management of Family Distress
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4. ADHD is a genetic, neurobiological disorder
that affects ones ability to regulate impulse
control, motor activity, and attentiveness
(i.e. a disorder of executive function).
“the core problem in ADHD seems to
be with response inhibition”
CONCEPTUALISING ADULT ADHD
Cognitive Process of Attention:
1. Detecting a stimulus
(focusing)
2. Processing the detected
information.
3. Sustaining attention to the
relevant stimulus.
4. Inhibiting involuntary
shifting (distractibility)
5. Organizing a response to
the stimulus.
WHAT IS ADHD?
6. DSM5 DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA FOR ADULT ADHD
Five or more of the following for Adults
Lack of attention to details / careless
mistakes
Difficulty sustaining attention
Does not seem to listen
Does not follow through on
instructions (easily side-tracked)
Difficulty organizing tasks and
activities
Avoids sustained mental efforts
Loses and misplaces objects
Easily distracted
Forgetful in daily activities
Five or more of the following for Adults
Fidgetiness (head or feet) / squirms in seat
Leaves seat frequently
Running about / feeling restless
Excessively loud or noisy
Always “on the go”
Talks excessively
Blurts out answers
Difficulty waiting his or her turn
Tends to act without thinking
8. ICD-10 CRITERIA FOR ADULT ADHD
ICD-10 Codes DSM5
F90.0 - Disturbance of activity and
attention
Predominantly inattentive presentation
F90.1 – Hyperkinetic conduct disorder Predominantly hyperactive / impulsive
presentation
F90.8 – Other hyperkinetic disorders Other Specified ADHD
F90.9 – Hyperkinetic disorder,
unspecified
Unspecified ADHD
F90 – Hyperkinetic conduct disorder
9. EPIDEMIOLOGY
Prevalence of Adult ADHD Compared
with other Major Psychiatric Disorders
in Adults!
Schizophrenia 1%
Bipolar Disorder 2.5%
Generalized Anxiety Disorder 3%
Adult ADHD 4.5%
Major Depression 7%
Some Stats!
ADHD affects 4-5% of the
adult population
Half of the children with
ADHD still meet full
criteria in adulthood
Men are more likely than
women to be diagnosed
with Adult ADHD
11. THEORIES AND MODELS OF ADHD
1. Causal Theories
Genetic causes
Non-genetic causes
• Twin studies indicate that the
disorder is often inherited from
one's parents with genetics
determining about 75% of cases.
• Siblings of children with ADHD are
three to four times more likely to
develop the disorder than siblings
of children without the disorder.
• Genetic factors are also believed to
be involved in determining whether
ADHD persists into adulthood.
12. THEORIES AND MODELS OF ADHD
2. Social Construct Theories
The hunter vs. farmer hypothesis
proposes that the high frequency of
ADHD in contemporary settings
"represents otherwise normal
behavioural strategies that become
maladaptive in such evolutionarily novel
environments as the formal school
classroom.“
Hyperfocus is an
intense form of mental
concentration or
visualization. It is like
tunnel vision where the
rest of the world is cut
off, blocking out potential
distractions.
thing.
(Thom Hartmann in his book Attention Deficit Disorder: a Different Perception)
13. THEORIES AND MODELS OF ADHD
3. Diathesis–Stress Model
Disorder
“diathesis means predisposition”
“environment is the social construct”
“attitude is the personal schema”
Diathesis
Environment Attitude
15. DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
Medical disorders
Endocrine and metabolic disorders (thyroid disorders)
Neurological disorders (including traumatic brain injury)
Sleep disorders (obstructive sleep apnea)
Side effects of drug treatment
16. COMORBIDITIES IN ADULD ADHD
Adults with ADHD have 3-7 times the rate of comorbid psychiatric
disorders compared with the general population
Mood Disorders (depression, bipolar)
38% prevalence of any mood disorder
Anxiety disorders
47% prevalence of any anxiety disorder
Substance use disorder
15% prevalence of any substance use disorder
18. PRE-SCHOOL
SCHOOL-AGE
ADOLESCENT
COLLEGE-AGE
ADULT
o Behavioral disturbance
o Behavioral problems
o Academic problems
o Poor social interaction
o Co-morbidities
o Academic impairment
o Poor social interaction
o Lower self-esteem
o Smoking / alcohol / drugs
o Antisocial behaviour
o Academic failure
o Not able to cope with daily tasks
o Occupational difficulties
o Low self-esteem
o Alcohol & substance abuse
o Co-morbidities
o Forensic problems
o Unable to cope with daily tasks
o Unemployment
o Low self-esteem
o Relationship problems
o Alcohol & substance abuse
o Mood instability
o Co-morbidities
o Forensic problems
DEVELOPMENTAL COURSE OF ADHD
19. HYPERACTIVITY “can’t sit still, always on the go, climbs
or runs at inappropriate time”
RESTLESSNESS “can’t stay focused on one thing,
fidgety, impatient”
Hyperactivity in childhood often changes to inner
restlessness in adulthood.
ADULT ADHD SYMPTOM MANIFESTATION
20. PHYSICAL IMPULSIVITY “doing things that result in a lot of
injuries, problems waiting one’s turn”
VERBAL IMPULSIVITY
“saying the ‘wrong thing’ or speaking
out of turn, interrupting others
excessively”
Physical impulsivity in childhood often changes to
verbal impulsivity in adulthood.
ADULT ADHD SYMPTOM MANIFESTATION
21. ADULT ADHD SYMPTOM MANIFESTATION
INATTENTION “problems paying attention in class or
completing school work”
INATTENTION “difficulty concentrating at work,
problems finishing tasks”
Inattention in childhood often remains inattention in
adulthood but carries more severe consequences.
22. RESTLESSNESS1
Leading to family distress…
HYPERACTIVITY
in childhood
often changes
to inner
restlessness in
adulthood.
Self-selects very active job
Needs constant activity,
leading to family tension
Is overscheduled/
overwhelmed
Is a workaholic
ADULT ADHD SYMPTOM MANIFESTATION
23. IMPULSIVITY2 IMPULSIVITY in
childhood often
carries more
serious
consequences
in adulthood
Low frustration tolerance
Quits jobs
Ends relationships
Drives too fast
Loses temper
Talks excessively
ADULT ADHD SYMPTOM MANIFESTATION
Leading to family distress…
24. INATTENTION
in childhood
often carries
more serious
consequences
in adulthood
Procrastination
Difficulty organising
Being late
Forgetting things or
appointments
INATTENTION3
ADULT ADHD SYMPTOM MANIFESTATION
Leading to family distress…
25. ADULT ADHD SYMPTOMS AND IMPAIRMENT
The UMass Study
• Adult ADHD sample (148)
• Psychiatric disorders (97)
• General population control
group (109)
They evaluated the
functioning of these adults in
numerous major life
activities.
Barkley, Murphy, & Fischer (2008) UMASS study
26. SYMPTOM
MANIFESTATION “behavioural expressions of a disorder”
IMPAIRMENT
“impairments are the consequences
that result from the symptoms”
DISTRESS
ADULT ADHD SYMPTOMS AND IMPAIRMENT
“unpleasant
consequences”
27. CONCEPTUALISING FAMILY DISTRESS
FAMILY DISTRESS is defined as an
unpleasant or disorganized state which
arises from an actual or perceived
demand-capability imbalance leading to
an imbalance in the family’s functioning
and which is also characterized by a
multidimensional demand for
adjustment or adaptive behavior.
(Hamilton I. McCubbin, Marvin B. Sussman, 1993)
Stress becomes
distress when it is
subjectively defined
as unpleasant or
undesirable by the
family unit.
29. ADULT ADHD SYMPTOMS AND FAMILY DISTRESS
SOCIAL1
Lack of Social skills
Problems with Law
Increased risky behaviour
Substance-abuse
Social withdrawal
30. ADULT ADHD SYMPTOMS AND FAMILY DISTRESS
WORK2
Frequent layoffs
Frequent change of jobs
Financial crisis
Incomplete projects
Procrastination
Unorganised
Late for meetings
32. ADULT ADHD SYMPTOMS AND FAMILY DISTRESS
PERSONAL DYSFUNCTION3
Psychological distress
Feelings of worthlessness
Hostility, depression and anxiety
Low self-esteem
Low self-confidence
Diminished sense of self-efficacy
Sense of shame and guilt
35. Burden of Care
Subjective
Worry Guilt Depression
Objective
Financial
Problems
Relationship
Issues
BURDEN OF CARE AND FAMILY DISTRESS
Cognitive behaviour therapy-based psychoeducational groups for adults with ADHD and their significant others
(PEGASUS): an open clinical feasibility trial.
37. ASSESSMENT AND DIAGNOSIS
Adult ADHD Rating Scales
oWHO’s Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS)
oConners' Adult ADHD Rating Scales (CAARS)
Monitoring Quality of Life in Adults with ADHD
oADHD Impact Module - Adult™ (AIM-A)
Measuring Family Distress
o Brief Family Distress Scale
38.
39. MANAGING FAMILY DISTRESS
Psychotherapy and Psychoeducation for Adult with
ADHD and the Family Members
Cognitive Behavior Therapy
Skill Based Therapy
Family Therapy
40. MANAGING FAMILY DISTRESS
Psychoeducation for Managing Family Distress
It is essential for Adults with ADHD and family members
to have a good understanding of the condition.
Most adults need to ‘stop fighting the symptoms’ and
learn to manage them.
Books, seminars and counselling sessions can be a useful
for psychoeducation.
41. MANAGING FAMILY DISTRESS
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Management of Family
Distress
Addressing Communication Problems
Overcoming Anxiety and Depression
Developing Family Routines
Addressing Family ‘Stress Management’
Coping with the Adversities and the Practical Life Conditions
Coping to Live with the Partner with the Adult ADHD Symptoms
42. MANAGING FAMILY DISTRESS
Optimism
Altruism
Moral compass
Faith and spirituality
Humour
Role model
Social supports
Face fears
Life mission
Training
Enhancing Resilience
43. SUMMARY
Adult ADHD is highly prevalent relative to other
psychiatric disorders
The ADHD symptoms which manifests in adults cause
problems and impairment in multiple life domains
There is high association between Adult ADHD
symptoms and family distress
Managing ADHD in Adult is difficult for both the care-
receiver and the care-giver