Attention Deficit Disorder/ ADHD

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Can a child grow out of having Attention Dedicit Disorder, or does that child just turn into an adult with ADD/ADHD?

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Specializes in LTC , SDC and MDS certified (3.0).

experts say they can grow out of it...my feeling is they learn to handle the s/s better and are more aware .

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Specializes in Geriatrics, WCC.

On a personal level. I have a 22 yr old son that is ADHD, he also now since becoming an adult has the diagnosis of antisocial behavior. For years, I made sure he got his medication and now he does not take any, partly due to it is his choice and partly dues to he can't afford it. He doesn't have a job (even though he is awesome at construction) because he freezes up at the thought of going for an interview with someone he doesn't know. He does not understand anything that he reads but, is able to learn by things he is told. Others may have seemed togrow out of it but, my son has not and never will.

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It really depends, some grow out of it a good number grow into adults with ADD/ADHD. I was one of those children and have adult ADD.

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On a personal level. I have a 22 yr old son that is ADHD, he also now since becoming an adult has the diagnosis of antisocial behavior. For years, I made sure he got his medication and now he does not take any, partly due to it is his choice and partly dues to he can't afford it. He doesn't have a job (even though he is awesome at construction) because he freezes up at the thought of going for an interview with someone he doesn't know. He does not understand anything that he reads but, is able to learn by things he is told. Others may have seemed togrow out of it but, my son has not and never will.

Thom Hartmann has some good books on Adult ADD/ADHD. Have you tried to get your son hooked up with Badgercare and DVR services? DVR may be able to help him get placed in a job and also provide some coaching.

HTH

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Specializes in med-surg, telemetry,geriatrics.

experts say children with ADD or ADHD grow to adulthood and have adult ADD, but many learn to control the symptoms and are able to function normally. However, many have comorbidities that also go along with it such as depression, anxiety and bipolar disease. So in short, statistics say no they do not grow out of it per se, but perhaps learn to cope with some of the symptoms into adulthood. I have had ADD all my life I suspect, never diagnosed. When in elementary school they called it "hyperactive kid" and I had learning problems, especially with reading. I learned how to learn my way through it by junior high and I was a straight A student. I graduated high school "Salutatorian". Went to college and graduated with honors. I function fine as a nurse and I am not on any meds. Occasionally, I will have an outburst (not often) of speaking before I think about what I might have said and the consequences of speaking too quickly. But all in all I do not have the same struggles I did as a child, I've learned to "outgrow" them. Also I still can't sit still more than a short time, and I am always moving some part of my body shaking a foot, tapping my fingers or running my mouth...lol...oh and I always want to talk first and have a hard time listening when it is my turn.

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Specializes in CCU stepdown, PACU, labor and delivery.

I have a good friend who has it, is on meds for it, and is an incredible nurse!

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My ex-husband had a bad case as a child. As an adult he had a rage problem and, in my opinion, is a sociopath.

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