Hyperactivity in Adults

Hyperactive children grow into hyperactive adults quite often. In fact, a 2006 study by Harvard Medical School states that approximately 4 percent of American adults have ADHD, or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.

History

• Adults with ADHD, or hyperactivity, will have started experiencing symptoms in childhood. By the time they are adults, they will have most likely accumulated a track record of many failed relationships, job changes and school problems.

Organization/Attention Issues

• An adult with hyperactivity, or ADHD, is poorly organized, is frequently late to or misses appointments entirely, loses things often, has incomplete assignments or jobs and tunes out details or conversations.

Emotional Issues

• An adult suffering from hyperactivity will get bored frequently and grow frustrated quickly. Anger issues may have plagued the person since childhood, shown by temper outbursts or perhaps masked by alcohol or drug use. Due to the problems and failures, an adult with ADHD, particularly untreated ADHD, will often have poor self-esteem.

Medication Treatment

• Hyperactive adults can take stimulant medication for ADHD, like younger patients. They may also find antidepressants helpful, especially certain newer atypical antidepressants such as Wellbutrin, which also helps users fight nicotine cravings.

Other Therapies and Treatments

• Adults with ADHD or hyperactivity can benefit from counseling to help them gain perspective on their disorder, learn coping and organization skills and rebuild their self-esteem.