Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is well known, especially to parents. The chances are we’ve all seen the TV shows with the out of control kids and the parents who blame ADHD for their misbehaving. By the time those kids reach their teenage years they’re either under the right medication to control their condition or they’re veering towards trouble on a whole new level, quite often they’re headed towards criminal activity.
ADHD comes with two potent symptoms which, when put together, can cause all sorts of problems. These are hyperactivity and a powerful impulsiveness. Sufferers will act without thinking, often irrationally and not to their best interests. At a young age this might not be too damaging, their school-work might suffer or they may get into trouble with their teachers more often than other kids but they won’t be endangering themselves. As they enter their teens, a period already roiling with moody hormone driven angst, their disorder can become much more dangerous.
It’s common for teenagers who have ADHD to get themselves into problems with the police as being ‘naughty’ becomes being ‘criminal’. For those who haven’t got their ADHD under control by the time they’re adults, a bleak future could be waiting. Adults are responsible for their own actions and the defence of having ADHD and struggling with the condition isn’t a defence any more.
There are potent drugs aimed at countering the symptoms of ADHD but before they can have any effect the sufferer has to confront his/her condition. Without the strength to admit there’s a problem there can be no chance, as with most psychological disorders a drug isn’t just going to fix it. It’s the same with depression and anxiety, until you admit and accept, you’ve got a problem and start to take positive steps to counter it, all the drugs in the world won’t fix it.
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