ADHD Symptoms and Treatment in Adults
Many adults struggle to keep up with their daily tasks. They often experience frustration and mood swings. If you suspect that you have ADHD take a look at your primary care provider or a mental health professional for an evaluation.
The criteria for diagnosing adult ADHD is the same as that for children: symptoms must be present for at least 6 months and are not be better explained by other medical disorders or conditions.
Attentive Symptoms
Adults with ADHD often find it difficult to keep up in the workplace, at school or with household chores. They miss appointments, don't pay bills on time, and have difficulty maintaining relationships with family and friends. They are more likely than other people to lose things, or make careless errors which can result in serious consequences.
If you're having difficulty managing your personal or work-related matters, you should talk to a health care provider. Your primary care physician can assess your situation and refer you to a mental health specialist if appropriate.
Inattentive ADHD is often misunderstood. People suffering from inattentive ADHD don't always listen when spoken to, forget easily or are often distracted by irrelevant thoughts. They have difficulty staying focused on their tasks, and may make a mistake or struggle to follow instructions. They may also struggle with keeping their hands from their faces or appear shaken.
Inattention to the symptoms could lead to failure in the workplace or at school which can lead to anxiety and guilt for the affected. They can also cause issues with relationships with family, friends and co-workers.
Health care providers diagnose ADHD through a medical assessment that involves conducting an interview with the patient and reviewing previous behavior. They may ask the individual to fill out the symptom checklist and perform medical tests 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 established.
Adults who suffer from inattention ADHD may benefit from psychotherapy and lifestyle changes to help manage their symptoms. These treatments include medications as well as behavioral therapy and family psychoeducation. Psychotherapy is a type of counseling that helps patients develop new skills, attitudes and ways of interacting with other people. The use of behavioral therapy can help decrease self-destructive and impulsive behavior, increase organizational skills, and increase confidence.
People with inattention ADHD might find it helpful to discuss their struggles with a trusted friend, family member or therapist. They may also be able to request accommodations from teachers, supervisors and co-workers. Accommodations are tools and changes to the environment that allow disabled people to carry out tasks like everyone else. For instance the person who is short can use the step stool.
Hyperactive Signs and symptoms
Adults may exhibit different symptoms as children. Adult symptoms are less obvious. While children can be agitated and tense adults are less active. They may forget their assignments or tasks, lose the track of time or location and make mistakes that aren't their fault. They may also feel overly active and have difficulty sitting still in a class or meal. They may interrupt other students, or give answers before being asked to answer a question.
adhd in adults treatment could be caused by a variety of conditions. A full psychiatric evaluation is needed to determine the root of the symptoms as well as determine the most effective treatments. This includes psychotherapy, medication and lifestyle adjustments. This could mean a healthier eating plan as well as more exercise and an improved sleep schedule. They could also include adjusting work or school assignments and using aidive devices such as planners, calendars, and smartphones apps.
If you suspect you might have ADHD The first step is to discuss your concerns with your family doctor or primary care physician. There are some tips for speaking with your health care provider regarding mental health issues on the NIMH's How to Talk to Your Health Care Provider fact sheet.
To be considered to have ADHD symptoms must be present in at least two settings and have a significant impact on everyday life. They must have been present for at least six months in order 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 modifications and accommodations, there are medications that can help you manage the symptoms of ADHD. These drugs are known as stimulants. They function by reorganizing brain's signals that affect your mood and attention, as well as your behavior. Your doctor will prescribe you the right dose and keep track of your response. You might be prescribed a non-stimulant drug in the event of a recurring adverse effects, or when stimulants aren't working or when combined with stimulants to boost the effectiveness of treatment.
Instinctive Symptoms
People with inattention ADHD are more likely to lose their keys or phones. It doesn't matter if it's drawing in class or losing track of time in a meeting, those with inattention ADHD have a harder time to stay on task or organize their materials. They also find it difficult to complete their projects. As adults, this may cause a variety of tasks that are not completed at the house, including houses that are not cleaned and bills not paid and the vegetable garden that was established but never watered.
Relationships are among the most frequent areas in which an impulsive ADHD symptoms can cause issues. People who suffer from an impulsive ADHD are usually impatient and want immediate satisfaction. They may jump into social situations with little planning or taking risks which could have negative consequences. In addition, impulsive people might react in a emotional or stressful situations. For example, a person could become extremely annoyed or defensive in arguments with family or friends.
To determine if you have one of the two kinds of ADHD the healthcare professional who is trained in mental disorders must review the medical history of the patient and conduct a physical exam. The doctor will inquire about the symptoms and how they affect your interactions with others, work, and your home. To be diagnosed with any type of ADHD, a person must exhibit six or more of the nine major symptoms. The symptoms must hinder daily functioning and last at least six months (American Association for Psychiatric Research 2000).
Psychostimulants are the most effective treatment for ADHD. These medications target the way certain chemicals communicate with one another in the brain to regulate behavior. The most common type of stimulant is the methylphenidate that was initially used to treat ADHD in children. It's possible that the medication is not appropriate for some people with other health issues, such as high blood pressure or depression It is therefore important to discuss your medications with your health care provider. In addition to medications psychotherapy can aid in reducing the symptoms of impulsivity and distraction. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is focused on teaching people to identify the automatic or irrational thoughts that may trigger negative behavior and to develop strategies for self-regulation.
Combination Symptoms
Adults who experienced ADHD as children might experience symptoms that return in adulthood. They can have mild or moderate symptoms that interfere with their schoolwork, work and social interactions. They may also have other mental health problems like anxiety or depression, that require treatment. A few adults may also have difficulties with learning, making it difficult to comprehend or follow directions in classrooms and offices.
Adults may not be able to detect the signs of inattention ADHD however it could still affect their ability to perform at home and at work. This type of ADHD can make it difficult for people to sit still in meetings at work or during classes at college. They may also have difficulty keeping up with their assignments and work. They frequently lose track of their belongings and forget appointments or deadlines. They might also have trouble keeping track of conversations or listening to music. They are more prone to being distracted 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 Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV TR) 4th edition of the American Psychiatric Association, includes a criterion to diagnose the disorder. This includes symptoms that start before age 12 and occur in a variety of settings, causing issues in a variety of 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 begun before the age of 12 and continue at home, in school as well as in other social and work environments.
There's no reason for ADHD however, researchers are studying genetic and environmental factors that may have a role to play. Research suggests that the brains of individuals with ADHD have trouble regulating certain chemicals, including neurotransmitters which help manage mood, attention and behavior.
Talk to your primary healthcare provider if you show symptoms of ADHD. Your doctor will conduct a physical examination and refer you for an evaluation by a mental health professional. Treatment for ADHD typically involves psychotherapy and medications like stimulants that boost levels of certain chemicals in the brain. Amphetamines, methylphenidate and other stimulants are used. Tell your doctor about all other medications you are taking including supplements or vitamins. The FDA's medication site has information on approved medications, warnings, and patient information guidelines.