ADHD Symptoms and Treatment in Adults
Many adults discover that they struggle to keep up with daily tasks frequently experiencing anger and mood swings. If you suspect that you have ADHD, consult your primary care doctor or an expert in mental health for an evaluation.
Adult ADHD is diagnosed with the same criteria as it is for children. The symptoms must last for at minimum six months and cannot be caused by any other medical condition, mood disorders or other medical conditions.
Attentive Signs
Adults suffering from ADHD often find it difficult to keep up in school, at work or with household chores. They frequently skip appointments and don't pay their bills on time, and have difficulty maintaining relationships with family and friends. They are more likely than others to lose things, or make mistakes that could have grave consequences.
If you are having trouble managing your personal or professional matters, you should talk to your health care provider. Your primary care doctor can evaluate your situation and recommend you to a mental health professional should it be necessary.
Inattentive ADHD is often misunderstood. People who suffer from inattentive ADHD are not always attentive when spoken to. They forget easily or get distracted by unrelated thoughts. They struggle to focus on their tasks, and may make careless errors or struggle to follow directions. They also struggle to keep their hands from their face or appear unstable or fidgety.
Inattention to the symptoms could lead to failure in the workplace or at school, which can cause frustration and shame for the affected. They can also cause issues in relationships with family, friends and co-workers.
The diagnosis of ADHD is based on a evaluation of the clinical. This involves an interview with the patient as well as an assessment of the previous behavior. They might ask the person to complete the symptom checklist and perform medical tests in order to rule out other conditions that exhibit similar symptoms. The symptoms of ADHD must be present consistently before the age of 12 for a diagnosis to be made.
Adults suffering from inattentive ADHD typically benefit from psychotherapy, lifestyle adjustments and other treatments to manage their symptoms. These treatments include medications, behavioral therapy and family psychoeducation. Psychotherapy is a form of counseling that helps patients develop new skills, attitudes and ways of engaging with other people. Behavioral therapy can teach techniques that will reduce self-destructive and impulsive behavior, improve organizational skills and build confidence.
It may be helpful for people suffering from inattention ADHD to talk about their issues with a friend, family member, or therapist. Teachers or supervisors, as well as colleagues may be able to offer accommodations. Accommodations are the tools or modifications in the environment that allow the disabled person to perform tasks like the rest of us, for example, using a step stool to help people who are small.
Hyperactive Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of ADHD may look different in adults as compared to children. Adult symptoms are less obvious. While children might be agitated and tense while adults tend to be less talkative. They may forget tasks, get lost or lose place and make careless errors. They may also feel overly energetic and find it difficult to sit still during a meal or in class. They may interrupt other students or blurt out answers before they've had the chance to ask questions, and may struggle to keep their place during games or conversations.
There are several illnesses that can cause these symptoms. A thorough psychiatric examination is required to determine the cause of the symptoms and identify the most effective treatment. These include psychotherapy, medications and lifestyle changes. This could include the use of a healthier diet plan, more exercise, and a better sleep schedule. They may also require making adjustments to school or work assignments and using aidive devices such as calendars, planners and smartphone apps.
If you suspect you may have ADHD, your first step is to discuss your concerns with your family physician or primary care provider. The How to Talk to Your Provider factsheet from NIMH contains tips on how to talk with your physician regarding mental health issues.
It's important to know that in order to be considered diagnosed with ADHD, symptoms must occur in at least two or more environments and significantly interfere with everyday life. They must have been present for at least six months to be considered to be diagnosed. Your provider will evaluate you to see if you have the inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive symptoms of ADHD.
Alongside lifestyle adjustments and changes, there are medications that can ease the symptoms of ADHD. These are known as stimulants. They function by enhancing the signals within your brain, which affect your mood, attention and behavior. Your doctor will prescribe the appropriate dose of the medication for you and will monitor your reaction to treatment. You might be prescribed non-stimulant medication in the event of side effects or if a stimulant fails to work. They are also used in combination with stimulants to increase the effectiveness.
untreated adhd in adults depression with inattention ADHD are more likely to lose their keys or phones. People with inattentive ADHD have a harder task of focusing on tasks, organizing their materials and completing projects. As adults, the result may be a million half-finished projects around the home: unpaid bills, messy homes, and the vegetable garden that was planted but never watered.
The impulsive symptoms of ADHD can create issues in a variety of areas of our lives, but specifically when it comes to relationships. People who suffer from an impulsive ADHD are usually anxious and seek immediate gratification. They can be impulsive and jump into social situations without preparation or risk-taking which could result in negative consequences. In addition, impulsive people might overreact in stressful or emotional situations. For example, a person may become extremely angry or defensive when arguing with family or friends.
A health care specialist who is specialized in mental disorders will review the medical background of a patient and conduct an examination to determine ADHD. The doctor will ask you about the symptoms and how they impact your relationships, work, and home. To be diagnosed with either type of ADHD the patient must show six or more of the nine major symptoms and the symptoms must be interfering with daily functioning for at least 6 months (American Psychiatric Association 2000).
The most effective treatment for ADHD is psychostimulants. These are drugs that affect the way certain chemicals interact with the brain to regulate behavior. The most common kind of stimulant is methylphenidate, which was first used to treat ADHD in children. It's possible that the medication is not appropriate for some people with other health issues, such as depression or high blood pressure Therefore, it is essential to discuss your medications with your health care provider. In addition to medications, psychotherapy may help reduce impulsive and distracting symptoms. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on teaching individuals to identify the automatic or irrational thoughts that may trigger negative behaviors and to develop strategies for self-regulation.
Combined Symptoms
Adults who were diagnosed with ADHD as children can develop symptoms into adulthood. They can have mild, moderate or severe symptoms that hinder work, school and social interactions. Other mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression, might also require treatment. Adults may also experience learning issues, which could make it difficult for them to comprehend or follow directions in classrooms and offices.
Adults may not be able to identify the signs of inattention ADHD however it could be affecting their ability to perform at work and home. It's hard for people with this kind of ADHD to sit quietly for classes or business meetings, and they might struggle to keep track of assignments and work-related tasks. They may forget deadlines or appointments, and then lose their possessions. They might also have trouble keeping track of conversations or listening to music. They are more susceptible to distraction by the activities or people in the vicinity than most people.
Hyperactive-impulsive ADHD symptoms are more common in adults than the inattentive type of the disorder, but they can be difficult to diagnose in adults, too. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV TR) Fourth edition of the American Psychiatric Association, includes the criteria for diagnosing the disorder. This includes symptoms that begin before age 12 and are present in multiple settings and cause issues in multiple domains.
To qualify for a diagnosis of hyperactive-impulsive ADHD, people must have six or more symptoms that have persisted for at least six months. The symptoms must have manifested before the person was 12 years old and persist at home, in school and in other work and social settings.
Researchers are examining environmental and genetic factors that may be at play in the development of ADHD. Studies suggest that the brains of individuals who suffer from ADHD are unable to regulate certain chemicals, such as neurotransmitters which help manage mood, attention and behavior.
Consult your primary healthcare provider if there are symptoms of ADHD. Your doctor can do an examination and refer you to an expert in mental health to conduct an assessment. Treatment for ADHD typically involves psychotherapy as well as medications like stimulants that increase the levels of certain chemicals in the brain. These include amphetamines and methylphenidate. Inform your doctor about any other medications you are taking such as vitamins or supplements. The FDA's medication website contains information on approved medications as well as patient information and warnings guidelines.