ADHD Symptoms and Treatment in Adults
Many adults report that they struggle to keep up with the demands of daily life frequently experiencing anger and mood swings. If you suspect you have ADHD take a look at your primary care physician or an expert in mental health to conduct an evaluation.
The criteria used to diagnose adult ADHD is the same as that for children The symptoms must be present for a period of 6 months and not better explained by other medical conditions or mood disorders.
Attentive symptoms
Adults with ADHD often have a difficult time to keep up in school, at work, or with household chores. They are late for appointments, don't pay bills on time and have trouble maintaining relationships with friends and family. They are more likely to lose possessions or make careless mistakes which can result in serious consequences.
Talk to your health care provider if you are having trouble keeping the track of your work or personal matters. Your primary care physician will evaluate your situation and refer you to a mental professional if necessary.
Inattentive ADHD is often misunderstood. People suffering from inattentive ADHD do not always listen when they are questioned and tend to forget quickly or are frequently distracted by irrelevant thoughts. They may have trouble staying focused, make careless mistakes, or struggle to follow directions. They also struggle to keep their hands off their faces or may seem unstable or fidgety.
Inattention to symptoms can result in failure at work or school which can lead to feelings of shame and frustration for the person affected. They can also cause problems in relationships with friends, family members and co-workers.
Health care providers determine ADHD through a medical assessment that involves conducting an interview with the patient and reviewing previous behavior. They will often ask the person to answer a symptom questionnaire, and may conduct tests for medical reasons to determine if there are mental or physical health conditions that may have similar symptoms. The symptoms of ADHD should be present continuously prior to 12 years old to make a diagnosis.
Adults suffering from inattentive ADHD are often able to benefit from psychotherapy, lifestyle modifications and other treatments to manage their symptoms. These treatments include medications, behavioral therapy and family psychoeducation. Psychotherapy is a form of counseling which helps patients develop new skills, attitudes and ways of interacting with other people. Psychotherapy can help to reduce impulsive, self-destructive behavior, improve organizational skills, and increase confidence.
It could be helpful for people with inattentive ADHD to talk about their struggles with a family member, family member, or a therapist. Teachers or supervisors, as well as colleagues may be able to offer accommodations. Accommodations are tools and changes to the environment that allow a person with disabilities to carry out tasks like all other people. For instance an individual who is short may utilize the step stool.
Hyperactive Symptoms
Adults may exhibit different symptoms in comparison to children. While children might fidget, appear restless and agitated while adult symptoms tend to be more subtle. They may forget about their tasks or tasks, lose the track of time or location and make mistakes that aren't their fault. They might also feel excessively energetic and struggle to sit still during a meal or in class. They might interrupt others or blurt out answers before they've been asked an answer, or struggle to keep their place in conversations or games.
These symptoms could be caused by a myriad of conditions. To determine the root of symptoms and the most efficient treatment, a thorough mental health assessment is needed. This could include psychotherapy, medications and lifestyle adjustments. They can be an improved diet, exercise and sleep schedules. They may also require adjusting work or school assignments, and using assistive devices like calendars, planners, and smartphone apps.
If you suspect that you might have ADHD the first step is to discuss your concerns with your family doctor or primary care physician. You can find helpful tips for speaking with your health care provider about mental health issues on NIMH's How to Talk to Your Health Care Provider fact sheet.
It's crucial to know that to be diagnosed with ADHD, symptoms must occur in two or more settings and have a significant impact on daily life. To be eligible, they must have been present at least six month. Your provider will evaluate you to see if you have the inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive symptoms of ADHD.
In addition to lifestyle changes and accommodations, there are medications that can help you manage your symptoms of ADHD. try this are called stimulants. They work by reorganizing brain's signals that affect your mood, attention and behavior. Your doctor will prescribe you the right dose and observe your response. You could be prescribed a non-stimulant medication when you experience unpleasant adverse effects, or when stimulants aren't working or when combined with stimulants to enhance the effectiveness of treatment.
Instinctive Symptoms
People who are inattentive ADHD are more likely to lose their keys or cellphones. People with inattentive ADHD have a tougher managing their tasks, arranging their materials and completing projects. As adults, this may result in a myriad of tasks that are not completed at the house: houses that are not cleaned and bills not paid, as well as the vegetable garden that was started but never tended to.
The symptoms of impulsive ADHD can create difficulties in a variety of aspects of life, but particularly in relationships. People with hyperactive ADHD are often overwhelmed and want immediate gratification. They can be impulsive and jump into social situations with little preparation or risk-taking which could have negative consequences. Impulsive people may also overreact to emotional or stressful situations. A person may become very annoyed or defensive when arguing with family or friends.
A health care professional with a specialization in mental disorders will review the medical background of a patient and perform an exam to diagnose ADHD. The doctor will inquire about your symptoms and how they affect your relationships at work, in your family, and at your home. To be diagnosed with either form of ADHD the patient must display at least six of the nine main symptoms. The symptoms must interfere with daily functioning and last at minimum six months (American Psychiatric Association 2000).
The most effective treatment for ADHD is psychostimulants. These are drugs that target how certain chemicals interact in the brain to regulate behavior. The most commonly used stimulant is methylphenidate. It was originally developed to treat ADHD among children. The medication might not be appropriate for some people with other health issues, such as depression or high blood pressure, so it's important to discuss your medications with your doctor. Psychotherapy can help reduce distraction and impulsive symptoms in addition to medication. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is focused on teaching people to identify Irrational or automatic thinking that can trigger negative behaviors and develop strategies for self-regulation.
Multiple Symptoms
Adults who were diagnosed with ADHD as children may be affected in later life. They may experience mild, moderate or even severe symptoms that interfere with school, work, and social interactions. They also may have other mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression, that require treatment. A few adults may also have learning disabilities that make it difficult to understand or follow directions in classrooms and offices.
Adults may not be able recognize the symptoms of inattentive ADHD, but it can be affecting their ability to perform at work and home. It's difficult for those with this kind of ADHD to remain calm during college lectures or business meetings, and they might struggle to keep track of assignments and work tasks. They can frequently lose track of their belongings and forget appointments or deadlines. They may also have trouble following conversations or listening music. They are more likely to be distracted by people or activities around them than most other 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 4th edition (DSM-IV TR) has a criterion for diagnosing the disorder that includes symptoms that begin before age 12, occur in a variety of settings and result in 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. Symptoms must have started before the person was 12 years old. They must persist at home, at school, and in other work and social settings.
There's no known cause of ADHD however, researchers are studying environmental and genetic factors that could be a factor. According to studies, people who suffer from ADHD may have difficulty controlling certain chemicals in their brains, including neurotransmitters which help control mood, attention and behavior.
If you are experiencing signs of ADHD you should talk to your primary care physician. Your doctor can perform an examination of your body and refer you to an evaluation by a mental health professional. Psychotherapy and medications are usually used to treat ADHD with stimulants that increase the levels of certain brain chemicals. Amphetamines, methylphenidate and other stimulants are used. Tell your doctor about all other medications you are taking such as vitamins or supplements. The FDA's medication site has information on approved medications along with warnings and information guidelines.