{"id":1576206,"date":"2019-05-07T10:44:45","date_gmt":"2019-05-07T14:44:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/new.divinemagazine.ca\/?p=1576206"},"modified":"2020-03-20T22:32:29","modified_gmt":"2020-03-21T02:32:29","slug":"adhd-what-you-need-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/divine.ca\/en\/adhd-what-you-need-to-know\/","title":{"rendered":"ADHD: What You Need to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"

Did you know that 1.1 million Canadian adults are living with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)<\/a>\u00a0 There are many myths and misperceptions that still exist about people with ADHD.\u00a0 While it may make school, jobs and relationships more challenging<\/a>[ii]<\/a>, there are management strategies that can help, from morning until night.<\/p>\n

Purdue Pharma recently conducted a poll of Canadians to measure their knowledge and understanding of ADHD and it was interesting to see how knowledge about the condition has grown, but there is still a long way to go.\u00a0 For example, only 20% of Canadians believe that ADHD is hereditary despite research showing a connection[i]<\/a>\u00a042% were unaware that most children living with ADHD do not outgrow the disorder by the time they are adults[ii]<\/a>.\u00a0 Finally, 80% of the people taking the poll were not\u00a0aware that ADHD affects women as often as men[i]<\/a>.<\/p>\n

divine.ca recently had the opportunity to interview Dr. Annick Vincent. As a psychiatrist and author who specializes in ADHD treatment, she was able to share what you can do if you, or a loved one, has the condition.<\/p>\n

How did you decide to specialize in ADHD patients as the focus of your practice?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I am an adult psychiatrist trained in mood disorders.\u00a0 When I finished my training, I was treating one of my first patients who mentioned he thought that his wife had ADHD.\u00a0 At the time, adult ADHD was not something that we knew about.\u00a0 I told him that ADHD in adults did not exist, but the only thing that could explain her symptoms was ADHD.\u00a0 I\u2019m also trained as a researcher and I saw this as a puzzle, so I looked through the literature.\u00a0 There were limited options at the time, but I was able to treat her and she started feeling better. This case hooked me.\u00a0 It is a rewarding practice.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ve written two books about ADHD for adult and children.\u00a0 Can you explain ADHD to our readers in a very simple way?<\/strong><\/p>\n

ADHD is a developmental disorder that you are born with.\u00a0 Your brain is wired differently.\u00a0 It is more difficult to regulate or control ideas; then you get inattentive.\u00a0 It\u00a0may be difficult to modulate your movements resulting in hyperactivity.\u00a0 It may be difficult to modulate your behaviour resulting in impulsive actions.\u00a0 Finally, you may also have difficulty modulating your emotions resulting in hyperactive emotions.\u00a0 Some people may have one of these issues and others may have a combination of some, or all of them.<\/p>\n

Some behaviours may diminish over time, mostly the hyperactive impulses. It is mostly the inattentive symptoms that carry on into adulthood which can result in more impairment when they are in situations that require their attention or when they need to organize themselves or their families.<\/p>\n

People with ADHD are great and resourceful, and we work with them to find strategies that will work for their symptoms.\u00a0 It makes a big difference for them to be able to do what they want to do because these people can make a huge contribution.<\/p>\n

\"ADHD:<\/p>\n

There are many misconceptions out there about people with ADHD.\u00a0 Some say that they cannot complete their education and others think that they can\u2019t hold down a job or a relationship.\u00a0 What is your opinion as an expert in the field?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Having ADHD increases your risks in having difficulty in school, but there are people with ADHD that will go on to complete their education and many who do well in the workplace. It depends on where the impairments are and if you have ADHD plus something else, like a learning disability it can be more difficult in school or job training.<\/p>\n

It may impair driving if inattentiveness is a problem. There is an increased risk for smoking or using drugs. People with ADHD may spend more time gaming, participating in activities that require a screen or spending money as a result of their inability to control their impulses.\u00a0 If you do have ADHD, this does not mean that all or even some of these things will happen.\u00a0 The risks decrease if it is diagnosed and treated with medication, and if the people learn coping strategies.\u00a0 This is why it is so important to talk about ADHD.<\/p>\n

What tips do people with ADHD need to keep in mind for focus in\u00a0their work and their relationships?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

People with ADHD need to remember that their brain is wired differently.\u00a0 There is a part of their brain that needs more stimulation so that it functions as well as other people\u2019s do.\u00a0 A good analogy is that people with ADHD are naturally sprinters, but they need to train themselves to be marathoners.\u00a0 It may be beneficial for them to cut their tasks into smaller chunks and put those chunks into their agenda at specific times.\u00a0 This will help them be more efficient and it allows them to \u201cprocrastinate better\u201d.<\/p>\n

Look at how much time and energy it takes to cope with your ADHD, then look at what strategies you have in place and, if you are coping well, you will not need medication.\u00a0 If those coping strategies are not enough, then you may need to use medication to treat the symptoms.\u00a0 Medication works as glasses for the brain by stimulating the areas of your brain that needs more stimulation.<\/p>\n

What do people with ADHD need to consider when it comes to time management and life in general?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Those living with ADHD need help not just managing their time, but also evaluating the time.\u00a0 Remember, you do not manage your time; you manage what you do with your time.\u00a0 It is more difficult for people with ADHD to prioritize, to start, stay on task and to finish something.\u00a0 As I mentioned before, cut the task into smaller parts and understand how long it will be before you get distracted.<\/p>\n

Those living with ADHD tend to do the most stimulating and fun tasks first.\u00a0 That means that the less interesting and more difficult tasks are tackled when they are tired and cannot concentrate.\u00a0 It is hard, but they need to plan to do those tasks first.\u00a0 Mix and match the task to when the brain is functioning at its peak.\u00a0 All of these tips can work for everyone with ADHD.<\/p>\n

Lastly, take care of yourself and this includes your body and your mind.\u00a0 Eat properly, sleep (75% of people with ADHD do not sleep enough), exercise, have fun and ensure that your physiological needs are being taken care of.\u00a0 It is also important to manage your emotions. When you are overwhelmed by emotions, you are not as attentive.<\/p>\n

Learn what distracts you.\u00a0 For example, if it\u2019s noise, use earplugs or an oscillating fan to help keep you focused.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

How do you inspire people with ADHD to do their best?<\/strong><\/p>\n

They have to know themselves well and what their motivation is.\u00a0 If you have a student, employee or loved one with ADHD, catch them doing something right.\u00a0 Look at success instead of putting the emphasis on failures.\u00a0 Acknowledge one success at a time and it doesn\u2019t have to be something huge or just something in school or work.\u00a0 Understand who you are, what you are good at and where things are difficult for you.<\/p>\n

In partnership with Purdue Pharma.<\/p>\n[1] Understanding Adult ADHD. CADDAC.\u00a0https:\/\/caddac.ca\/adhd\/understanding-adhd\/in-adulthood\/understanding-adult-adhd\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n

[1]<\/sub>\u00a0Red Flags for Adult ADHD. CADDAC.\u00a0https:\/\/caddac.ca\/adhd\/understanding-adhd\/in-adulthood\/adult-symptoms\/<\/a>. (Accessed October 2, 2018).<\/p>\n

[1]<\/sub>\u00a0Awareness of ADHD \u2013 A Survey of Canadians. October 2018.<\/p>\n[1] Ibid.[1] Ibid.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Did you know that 1.1 million Canadian adults are living with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)\u00a0 There are many myths and misperceptions that still exist about people with ADHD.\u00a0 While…<\/div>\n
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