Clinicians and researchers have long known that individuals with ADHD are more prone to engaging in risky behaviors such as smoking, gambling, substance abuse and unprotected sex. New studies show that adults with ADHD may engage in more risky behavior because of an exaggerated sense of benefit and a lessened ability to understand the consequences.
Many adults can have ADHD without even realizing it. These individuals may have all the typical symptoms of ADHD, but found ways to cope with them and get through life without major issues. This is known as “high functioning” ADHD. Here are some of the symptoms that characterize adult, high functioning ADHD.
If you are attending college, you probably don’t realize that just a few short years ago gambling was not part of everyday American life. Today gambling is as common as alcohol in college life. There are gambling opportunities everywhere: Vegas vacations targeting the spring break crowd, state-run lottery tickets at every corner store, Native-run casinos just up the road, slot games can be joined from every computer, and dorm room card games are a Friday night ritual. Students with ADHD are especially at risk for developing a gambling addiction. In fact ADHD students have an even higher rate of problem gambling than other college students – as many as 19% (nearly 1 in 5) college students with ADHD have a problem with gambling.
Money management can be a serious issue for people with ADHD. A UMASS study (2003/2004) found that 67% of adults with ADHD had trouble managing money. That’s compared to the control group where only 15% had money management problems. An ADHD coach can help you figure out what works with your style, your strengths, and you budget. It can feel like a big financial commitment to get a coach, but the long term payoff can mean getting control of your finances, saving for the future and no more sick feeling every time you get the mail.
Over the years we’ve written a lot of great posts about ADHD. We thought you might find it helpful to get a quick index to all of the topical posts. When you scan down the list it seems like there are few topics regarding high school and college students with ADHD that we haven’t covered!
