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Can't Focus? It May Be Adult ADHD

Test your knowledge of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Christina Ianzito,

AARP

En español

Published April 30, 2021

8 Questions

de069f46-4692-4f15-a00c-3757292032d2

Can't Focus? It May Be Adult ADHD

[ {
 "question" : "What is adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)?\n",
 "answers" : [ {
 "answer" : "A mental illness where someone swings erratically from being lethargic and unfocused to a state of high energy and attentiveness",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "A restlessness and increased problem focusing that usually begins late in life and is often mistaken for dementia",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "A neurological disorder that begins in childhood and results in inattention and impulsiveness",
 "correctAnswer" : true
 }, {
 "answer" : "An attention disorder with a hormonal basis that is more common among women",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 } ],
 "multiSelect" : false,
 "explanation" : "ADHD is a mental health condition that starts in childhood and is marked by a lack of focus and restlessness. It appears to affect men and women in equal numbers.\n",
 "hint" : "",
 "hintLink" : "",
 "questionImgCaption" : "ADHD doesn't just affect kids.",
 "questionImgCredit" : "Tetra Images / Alamy"
}, {
 "question" : "Which of the following statements is not true about adult ADHD?\n",
 "answers" : [ {
 "answer" : "Adults with ADHD have a higher rate of car crashes",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "Hyperactivity symptoms tend to get worse with age",
 "correctAnswer" : true
 }, {
 "answer" : "ADHD may be inherited from biological parents",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "People with ADHD often have sleep disorders",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 } ],
 "multiSelect" : false,
 "explanation" : "The hyperactivity symptoms of ADHD usually decrease with age, while inattention and impulsivity symptoms tend to continue or worsen over time.\n",
 "hint" : "",
 "hintLink" : "",
 "questionImgCaption" : "",
 "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
 "question" : "What are common symptoms or signs of ADHD?\n",
 "answers" : [ {
 "answer" : "Headaches and sluggishness",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "Intense focus on unusual topics and obsessive tendencies",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "Frequent boredom and a hot temper",
 "correctAnswer" : true
 }, {
 "answer" : "Weakness and joint pain",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 } ],
 "multiSelect" : false,
 "explanation" : "Feeling bored and a hot temper are common signals that someone might have ADHD — as are disorganization, mood swings and frustration.\n",
 "hint" : "",
 "hintLink" : "",
 "questionImgCaption" : "",
 "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
 "question" : "What percentage of adults are thought to have ADHD?\n",
 "answers" : [ {
 "answer" : "Less than 1 percent",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "Between 2 and 4 percent",
 "correctAnswer" : true
 }, {
 "answer" : "Between 7 and 10 percent",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "As many as 12 percent",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 } ],
 "multiSelect" : false,
 "explanation" : "The American Psychiatric Association estimates that 2.5 percent of adults have ADHD (and about 8.4 percent of school-age children). Other estimates put the number as high as 4 percent.\n",
 "hint" : "",
 "hintLink" : "",
 "questionImgCaption" : "",
 "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
 "question" : "What were some of the common names for the disorder we now call ADHD?\n",
 "answers" : [ {
 "answer" : "Brain damaged syndrome",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "Defect of moral control",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "Hyperkinetic impulse disorder",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "All of the above",
 "correctAnswer" : true
 } ],
 "multiSelect" : false,
 "explanation" : "In the early 1900s the term &quot;defect of moral control&quot; was used to describe the symptoms of ADHD. They were also attributed to brain damage, and in the 1970s to &quot;hyperkinetic impulse disorder.&quot;\n",
 "hint" : "",
 "hintLink" : "",
 "questionImgCaption" : "",
 "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
 "question" : "What is the standard treatment for adult ADHD?\n",
 "answers" : [ {
 "answer" : "Sedatives with brand names such as Valium and Xanax",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "Stimulants with brand names such as Adderall and Ritalin",
 "correctAnswer" : true
 }, {
 "answer" : "Electroshock treatment combined with talk therapy",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "Medications that lower blood pressure",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 } ],
 "multiSelect" : false,
 "explanation" : "Besides medication, some people have found an emphasis on structure and routines to be helpful to manage their symptoms.\n",
 "hint" : "",
 "hintLink" : "",
 "questionImgCaption" : "",
 "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
 "question" : "Why are some experts concerned about the sharp increase in the number of prescriptions for ADHD medications in recent years?\n",
 "answers" : [ {
 "answer" : "People without the disorder, including many college students, are using them illegally to improve focus and stay attentive.",
 "correctAnswer" : true
 }, {
 "answer" : "More and more people are overdosing because they are told that the drugs are associated with weight loss.",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "People are using them illegally for their sedating effect that mimics sleeping pills.",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "They have become a high-priced street drug because in some users they are able to induce LSD-like hallucinations.",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 } ],
 "multiSelect" : false,
 "explanation" : "The illegal use of amphetamine-based meds like Adderall (which some users refer to as &quot;popping an addie&quot;) has become pervasive among athletes, students and others wanting a quick way to stay alert and focused.\n",
 "hint" : "",
 "hintLink" : "",
 "questionImgCaption" : "",
 "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
 "question" : "What percentage of college students do surveys show are misusing Adderall and other drugs meant to treat ADHD?\n",
 "answers" : [ {
 "answer" : "5 or 6 percent",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "Between 10 and 15 percent",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "About 20 percent",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "As many as 35 percent",
 "correctAnswer" : true
 } ],
 "multiSelect" : false,
 "explanation" : "Surveys have found anywhere from 8 to 35 percent of students reporting use of these stimulants. It's become such a problem that some universities are starting to severely restrict the dispensation of prescriptions for the drugs.\n",
 "hint" : "",
 "hintLink" : "",
 "questionImgCaption" : "",
 "questionImgCredit" : ""
} ]

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Can't Focus? It May Be Adult ADHD

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Christina Ianzito covers scams and fraud, and is the books editor for aarp.org and AARP The Magazine. Also a longtime travel writer and editor, she received a 2020 Lowell Thomas Award for travel writing from the Society of American Travel Writers Foundation.