Here is deck from discussion at this Forum that occurred on September 7, 2013

1. Created September 2013
ADD in Adults
Presented by NAMI PA, Main Line,
an affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness
Presenter:
Ellen Berman MD
EllenBermanMD.com
610 667 4617
Please view the final slide for NAMI PA, Main Line contact information.

2. Who is a family member of an adult with ADD?
 What questions do you come with?

3. What is ADD?
 Biologically based
 Genetic component
 Deficit in “executive functioning”: a basic capacity
that includes inhibition, planning, working memory
and set shifting.
 Does not imply decreased intelligence
 Level of impairment very variable
 Generally responsive to treatment

4. Diagnosis
 More difficult to diagnose in adulthood
 Disorganized, forgetful, loses things
 Unable to complete tasks (easily bored,
procrastination, indecisiveness)
 Racing thoughts or wandering thoughts
 Misses social cues, difficulty collaborating
 Hyperactive: Impatient, constantly moving
 Symptoms must be present from before age 12
 Symptoms must be severe, persistent, pervasive,
impairing

5. Problems and Strengths
 Impulsive
 Disorganized
 Difficulty starting and completing tasks
 Job difficulties
 Higher divorce rate
 BUT
 Can be creative and fun
 Hyperfocus can get things done
 Often very good at spatial relationships, hands on
work, athletics

6. Co Occurring Problems
 Learning differences
 Depression
 Anxiety
 Substance abuse (commonly alcohol and marijuana)
 Bipolar disorder
 Increased rate of accidents (especially driving),
arrests and antisocial behavior

7. Overlap bipolar and ADD
 ADHD: poor follow through, poor listening skills,
easily overwhelmed, inconsistent, forgetfulness
 Bipolar-ADHD shared: hyperactivity, difficulty
maintaining attention and focus (during highs),
mood swings
 Bipolar only: enduring dysphoric or euphoric mood,
insomnia, delusions, decreased or increased sleep
related to moods

8. Late Teenage and Launching
 High use of substances
 Difficulty studying, structuring life tasks in non-
structured situations, such as college
 Often one to two years behind socially
 Driving accidents frequent
 Impulsive sexuality, unsafe sex
 Does not learn quickly from failures; may repeat
same destructive behavior several times before
changing

9. Relationship Issues in Adulthood
 Forgetfulness/inability to stay on task or remember
agreements
 Hyperfocus on issues appears as disinterest in partner
 Easily bored, hard to “linger”, high need for stimulation
 Impulsiveness
 Time management problems
 Messiness; difficulty organizing home environment
 Intent vs. ability to carry through
 Sexual issues

10. Work Issues
 Inability to complete tasks
 Procrastination
 Anger management
 Trouble reading social cues

11. ADD and Parenting
 Difficulty following through with routines or
consequences
 Time management difficulties make day to day
activities difficult
 Impatience/easily frustrated
 May have difficulty reading child’s cues or emotions
 Particular struggles when child is ADD as well
 Parental arguments about strategy common and
stressful for the child

12. Treatment
 Accept the diagnosis and get treatment!!
 Work arounds ; do what you’re good at, delegate
what you’re bad at
 Get well enough organized to function at work and at
home. ADD coaching. Cognitive therapy.
 Go with the positive but don’t avoid the problems.
 Practice good communications and problem solving
with your partner
 Medication usually helps. Try it.
 Reaching for strengths

13. The Non ADD Partner
 Frustrated and confused
 Tired of doing most of the routine work
 Worried about money
 Feels as if partner is not listening
 Feels as if they have another child in the house

14. How can the Partner/Family Help
 Accept the diagnosis in your loved one.
 Choose your battles; stay as calm as possible.
 Do not suggest person is stupid, lazy or “just not
trying”.
 Look for and appreciate the positives.
 Practice good communication skills .
 Do the budget/child pickup/clean-up yourself if you
are seriously upset by the difficulties. Trade for tasks
the ADD person is good at.

15. Suggested reading and websites
 Driven to Distraction: Recognizing and Coping with Attention Deficit Disorder
from Childhood Through Adulthood. by Ed Hallowell and John Ratey
 Delivered from Distraction: Getting the Most out of Life with Attention Deficit
Disorder by Ed Hallowell and John Ratey
 The ADHD Effect on Marriage: Understand and Rebuild Your Relationship in
Six Steps. by Melissa Orlov
 Is it You, Me or Adult ADD? Stopping the Roller Coaster When Someone You
Love Has Attention Deficit Disorder. by Gina Pera
 ADD-Friendly Ways to Organize Your Life. by Judith Kolberg and Kathleen
Nadeau
 The Disorganized Mind: Coaching Your ADHD Brain to Take Control of Your
Tasks, Time and Talents. by Nancy A. Ratey
 CHADD: www.chadd.org/. Children and Adults with Attention Deficit
Disorder. Excellent website for everyone
 Local coaching for ADD adults: www.americoach.org/

16. Created September 2013
Presented by NAMI PA, Main Line
an affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness
www.NAMIpaMainLine.org
info@NAMIpaMainLine.org
All information is current as of publication date; please let us know if you encounter broken hyperlinks.