a classic case of “hyperactive-type” ADHD. He did poorly in school. He was defiant, disruptive and took physical risks. “I was so utterly different no one suspected I could have it, too,” she says.
Nadeau continued her obsessive work habits throughout college and graduate school. She earned a Ph.D. and began a psychology practice. While treating children with ADHD about three decades ago, it dawned on her she had many of the same difficulties. “I realized I was making all sorts of accommodations in my life for ADHD,” she says.
At about the same time, a pediatrician diagnosed ADHD in her youngest daughter, now grown and working as a real estate agent. Both she and her daughter have found Ritalin-like medications help them stay organized and think clearly. And Nadeau has found ways to cope. She keeps her office calm and quiet to minimize distractions. She has an office staff that takes care of organizing paperwork and paying bills. “But I still struggle with these issues every day,” she says.
Not every case of a hyperactive or unfocused child – or adult – is a missed case of ADHD. “Diagnosing ADHD requires a careful psychological assessment to find out if it really is ADHD, and not some other problem or poor child rearing,” Hinshaw says.
What should parents look for?
Girls who are very intelligent but have problems at school is a telltale sign, Nadeau says. So are frequent stomach aches or anxiety about school. Girls with ADHD are also often dismissed as “social butterflies,” she says. In women, hyperactivity is often manifested as talkativeness.
If you or someone you know has ADHD, we encourage that you seek assistance from your local healthcare provider. To find out more about ADHD, visit our Health Conditions tab on BlackDoctor.org.
SOURCES: Kathleen Nadeau, Ph.D., psychologist, Silver Spring, Md.; Stephen Hinshaw, Ph.D., professor, psychology, University of California at Berkeley; October 2002 Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology