Psychiatrists and psychologists have dealt with attention disorders for decades, but many myths still exist around the diagnosis known as ADHD. For example, it is completely absent in adults.

“The idea that the disorder will go away after the age of eighteen is a bit naive,” said psychiatrist Pavel Mohr of the National Institute of Mental Health, who also works at Charles 3rd University School of Medicine.

He alluded to the fact that some colleagues in psychology and psychiatry still use ADHD as a disorder (from English attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), or even the lesser known form of ADD, which differs by the absence of hyperactivity, is still being questioned. And this despite the countless scientific works and the ever-increasing number of diagnosed patients.

Many people do not learn about their attention deficit disorder for the first time until adulthood. Even after thirty or even more. It is likely that they were not diagnosed with the disorder at all in childhood, or its manifestations were mistaken for those of others during adolescence. In the worst cases, they are already labeled as “naughty”, “disrespectful” or “incompetent” as children without any further interest, and remain that way for a long time.

Today, thankfully, the taboo around ADHD is disappearing. Thanks to education, lay people and professionals are learning to understand that this is an official diagnosis, and overviews of the difficulties posed by the disorder are growing. Despite the fact that the discussion is moving forward, it remains one of the most challenging challenges for contemporary psychology and psychiatry. And this relates to pediatric and adult patients.

It should be noted that the manifestations differ significantly in different age groups. The basic difference is that specific hyperactivity or impulsivity declines in adulthood. “Attention distractions, planning disorders, emotional regulation disorders come to the fore. That’s what bothers people the most,” Mohr explains the fundamental difference on the Výdech podcast.

People with attention deficit disorder very often experience what is called time blindness – they are late for meetings or completely forget about them, they are also unable to plan things in terms of real-time possibilities. They have a more complicated relationship, they also often have problems at work. It is difficult for them to complete the planned tasks, they do not pay attention to details.

We all face such difficulties from time to time. Sometimes we are on pins and needles, we can barely keep our attention, we get distracted, we forget the time or meeting. However, in people diagnosed with attention deficit disorder, the condition persists and is difficult to control voluntarily. They often fail in their cognitive abilities, they have a great feeling of frustration because they do not achieve the same results as their colleagues, colleagues or friends.

As Mohr explains, it has nothing to do with intelligence, which some ADHD patients don’t realize for a long time. Only when they discover that they have an attention deficit disorder do they feel relieved that the problem did not arise because of their inability, but for the objective reasons provided by the disorder.

As one Exhalation listener, who was diagnosed with attention deficit disorder before the age of 40, wrote to us: “A person with ADHD can be very unsuccessful or, conversely, very successful.” lots of creativity, fresh ideas, as well as breakdowns, frustrations, and failed attempts at “normal” life.

On the other hand, it is necessary to realize that such a disorder does not define a person. “You’re not a disease, you’re not hypertension, you’re not diabetes. You’re not ADHD either. It’s something a person has, that he or she struggles with. But it’s also something that can be treated,” said Mohr.

There are several treatment options. Above all, a comprehensive approach is important. It could be, for example, psychotherapy, especially cognitive-behavioral therapy, working with planning and timing, or changing thoughts about mistakes and one’s own cognitive thinking.

Mohr also recommends the mindfulness method, which is focusing on your own experiences and feelings. However, supportive methods are not always sufficient, and the treatment of ADHD in many patients also includes medication.

In this new episode of Breathing, we dive deeper into how ADHD is actually diagnosed, why it’s significantly more difficult to detect the disorder in girls, or how difficult it is to function with attention deficit disorder in the workplace.

Listen to the entire player interview at the start of the article.

This episode concludes the first series of the Exhale podcast. We really appreciate your feedback. How do you like the mental health talk? Write to the email address vydech@sz.cz. Thank You