ADHD Symptoms and Treatment in Adults
Many adults find that they are struggling to keep up with daily tasks often expressing frustration and mood swings. If you think you might be suffering from ADHD contact your primary health care provider or a mental-health professional to conduct an assessment.
Adult ADHD is diagnosed using the same criteria that it is for children. The symptoms should last at least six months and cannot be caused by any other medical condition mood disorders, other medical conditions.
Inattentional symptoms
Many people with ADHD have difficulty complete schoolwork, work or household chores. They don't attend appointments, fail to pay bills on time, and struggle to maintain relationships with friends and family. They are more likely than other people to lose things, or make careless errors that could have grave consequences.
Talk to your health care provider if you have difficulty keeping track of work or personal matters. Your primary care provider can evaluate your situation and recommend you to a mental health specialist if appropriate.
Symptoms of inattentive ADHD are often misunderstood. People who suffer from inattentive ADHD are not always attentive when spoken to. They are easily distracted or are distracted by irrelevant thoughts. They have difficulty staying focused on tasks, may make careless errors or struggle to follow instructions. They may also struggle with keeping their hands away from their faces or appear shaken.
Inattention to the symptoms can lead to failure at work or school and can cause feelings of shame and frustration for the person suffering. They can also cause problems in relationships with friends, family members and co-workers.
Health care providers determine ADHD through a medical assessment, which includes interviewing the individual and reviewing past behavior. They may ask the person to complete a symptom questionnaire and may perform tests to exclude mental or physical health conditions that may have similar symptoms. Symptoms of ADHD must occur consistently since before the age of 12 for a diagnosis to be established.
Adults suffering from inattentive ADHD can often benefit from psychotherapy, lifestyle adjustments and other treatments that help to manage their symptoms. These treatments include medication, behavioral therapy and psychoeducation for families. Psychotherapy is a kind of counseling that assists patients learn new attitudes, skills and ways of communicating with other people. The use of behavioral therapy can help decrease self-destructive and impulsive behavior, increase the ability to manage and organize, and boost confidence.
People with inattention ADHD may find it helpful to talk about their issues with a trusted family member or therapist. Teachers or supervisors, as well as colleagues might be able to provide accommodations. Accommodations are a way of making changes in the workplace that permit the disabled person to perform tasks like everyone else, such as using a step stool for people who are small.
Hyperactive Symptoms
The signs of ADHD might be different in adults compared to children. While children might be agitated, irritable and talkative while adult symptoms tend to be more subtle. They might forget about tasks, lose the track of time or location and make careless mistakes. They may also feel overly active and find it difficult to sit still during a meal or class. They may interrupt others or respond to questions prior to being asked an inquiry.
These symptoms could be caused by a variety of ailments. To determine the underlying cause of the symptoms and determine the most effective treatment, a complete psycho-psychiatric evaluation is required. These can include psychotherapy, medication and lifestyle changes. This can include an improved diet as well as more exercise and a better sleep schedule. They could also include adjusting work or school assignments, and using aidive devices such as planners, calendars, and smartphones apps.
It is recommended to first discuss your concerns with your family physician or your primary healthcare provider if you suspect that you might have ADHD. You can find helpful tips for talking with your health care provider regarding mental health issues on NIMH's How to Talk to Your Health Care Provider fact sheet.
It is important to understand that in order to be considered diagnosed with ADHD symptoms must be present in at least two or more environments and significantly interfere with daily life. To be eligible they must have been present for at least six months. Your provider will evaluate you to see if you have the inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive symptoms of ADHD.
There are a variety of medications available to help you manage your ADHD symptoms, as well as lifestyle modifications and accommodations. These drugs are known as stimulants. They work by reorganizing brain signals that affect your mood, attention and behavior. Your doctor will prescribe the right dosage of the medication for you and track your reaction to treatment. You may be prescribed a non-stimulant medication in the event of a recurring side effects, when stimulants aren't working or when combined with stimulants to enhance the effectiveness of treatment.
The symptoms of an impulse
Everybody loses keys or a cellphone from time to time, but for people with inattention ADHD the little distractions are a bigger issue. People with inattentive ADHD have a difficult task of focusing on tasks, organizing their materials and completing projects. As adults, this may result in a myriad of tasks that are not completed at the home: unpaid bills, unkempt homes and a vegetable garden that's been started but never watered.
Relationships are among the most frequent areas in which the impulsive ADHD symptoms can cause difficulties. People who suffer from impulsive ADHD tend to be fast-paced and crave immediate gratification. adhd symptoms adults treatment might be quick to enter social situations without planning ahead or take risks that could lead to negative consequences. People who are easily triggered can also react to emotional or stressful situations. A person may become very annoyed or defensive when arguing with family or friends.
To be diagnosed with one of the two forms of ADHD the healthcare professional who is trained in mental disorders must examine the medical history of a patient and conduct an exam. The doctor will ask you about your symptoms and how they affect your interactions with others, work, and home. To be diagnosed with one or the other form of ADHD, a patient must show six or more of the nine major symptoms. The symptoms must hinder everyday functioning and last at minimum six months (American Psychiatric Association, 2000).
The most effective treatment for ADHD is psychostimulants, which are drugs that target how certain chemicals interact with the brain to regulate behavior. The most well-known stimulant is methylphenidate. It was initially used to treat ADHD among children. It is essential to speak with your physician about your medication if you are suffering from other health issues like depression or high blood pressure. In addition to medication, psychotherapy may help reduce the symptoms of impulsivity and distraction. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on teaching individuals to identify the automatic or irrational thoughts that can trigger negative behavior and develop strategies for self-regulation.
Combined symptoms
Adults who were diagnosed with ADHD as children can be affected in later life. They may experience mild, moderate or severe symptoms that hinder school, work, and social interactions. They could also be suffering from other mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety that require treatment. Adults may also suffer from learning disabilities, which make it difficult to comprehend or follow directions in offices and classrooms.
The signs of the inattentive kind of ADHD aren't as evident in adults, but they can still affect how people function at home and at work. It's hard for people with this kind of ADHD to sit quietly for classes or business meetings, and they may struggle to keep track of assignments and work-related tasks. They may often lose track of their belongings and forget deadlines or appointments. They may also have difficulty following conversations or listening to music. They are more susceptible to distraction by the people or activities 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 American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition (DSM-IV TR) has a criterion for diagnosing the disorder which includes symptoms that manifest before age 12, occur in multiple settings and cause impairment in a variety of areas like school and in relationships.
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. They must persist at home, in school and in social and work situations.
There's no known cause of ADHD however, researchers are studying genetic and environmental factors that could have a role to play. Studies suggest that the brains of those who suffer from ADHD have difficulty regulating certain chemicals, such as neurotransmitters which help control attention, mood and behavior.
Speak to your primary healthcare provider if there are signs of ADHD. Your doctor will conduct a physical exam and recommend you to an expert in mental health care to do an evaluation. Treatment for ADHD usually involves psychotherapy and medications including stimulants, which increase the levels of certain chemical in the brain. Amphetamines, methylphenidate, and other stimulants are utilized. It is important to inform your health professional about any other medication you take, such as vitamins and supplements. The FDA's medication site has information on approved medications, warnings, and patient information guidelines.