ADHD Symptoms and Treatment in Adults
Many adults discover that they have trouble keeping up with their daily activities frequently experiencing anger and mood swings. If you suspect that you may have ADHD check with your primary health care provider or a mental-health professional for an assessment.
Adult ADHD is diagnosed with the same criteria as it is for children. The symptoms should last at minimum six months and cannot be explained by other medical conditions mood disorders or other medical conditions.
Attentive symptoms
Many adults suffering from ADHD have difficulty keep up with homework, work or household chores. They are late for appointments, don't pay their bills on time and have difficulty maintaining relationships with friends and family. They are more likely than other people to lose their possessions or make mistakes that can have serious consequences.
Talk to your health care provider if have difficulty keeping the track of your work or personal issues. Your primary care doctor will assess your situation and refer you to a mental health professional should it be necessary.
Inattentive ADHD is often misunderstood. People suffering from inattentive ADHD don't always listen when they are spoken to, forget easily or are frequently distracted by irrelevant thoughts. They may have trouble staying focused, make careless mistakes or struggle to follow directions. They also have trouble keeping their hands off their faces or appear shaky or fidgety.
inattentive adhd treatment adults can lead to failure at school or work which can lead to feelings of shame and frustration for the person who is affected. They can also cause problems with relationships with family, friends and co-workers.
The diagnosis of ADHD is based on the clinical assessment. This involves an interview with the patient and a review of past behavior. They may request that the person fill out a questionnaire about their symptoms and may perform tests for medical reasons to rule out physical or mental health conditions that may have similar symptoms. Symptoms of ADHD must be consistent before age 12 in order for the diagnosis to be made.
Adults with inattention ADHD typically benefit from psychotherapy, lifestyle modifications and other treatments to manage their symptoms. These treatments include medication, behavioral therapy and psychoeducation for families. Psychotherapy is a type of counseling that helps patients to develop new skills, attitudes, and ways to interact with others. Behavioral therapy can help reduce impulsive, self-destructive behavior, improve the ability to manage and organize, and boost confidence.
People who have inattention ADHD might find it beneficial to talk about their issues with a trusted friend, family member or therapist. They may also be able to seek accommodations from teachers or supervisors, as well as coworkers. Accommodations are modifications and tools to the environment that enable the disabled person to perform tasks as the rest of us. For instance, a short person can utilize stepstools.
Hyperactive Signs and symptoms
The signs of ADHD might be different in adults as compared to children. While children can fidget, seem agitated and talkative the symptoms of adults tend to be more subtle. They might forget their tasks, lose track of or take a wrong turn and make mistakes. They might also feel energetic and find it difficult to sit still, even when eating dinner or in class. They may interrupt others or blurt out answers before they've had the chance to ask questions, and may aren't able to wait their turn in conversations or games.
There are many conditions that can cause these symptoms. A comprehensive psychiatric assessment is needed to determine the cause of the symptoms and determine the most effective treatment options. This could include psychotherapy, medications and lifestyle changes. This can include a healthier eating plan, more exercise and better sleeping schedules. This could include making adjustments to work or school assignments and using aidive tools such as calendars, planners, and apps for smartphones.
If you suspect you have ADHD, your first step should be to discuss your concerns with your family doctor or primary care doctor. There are some tips for talking with your health care provider about mental health issues on NIMH's How to Talk to Your Health Care Provider fact sheet.
To be considered to have ADHD the symptoms must be present in at least two settings and have an impact on your daily life. They must have been present for at least six months to be eligible. 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 help you manage the symptoms of ADHD. These are known as stimulants. They work by reorganizing the brain signals that affect your mood and attention, as well as your behavior. Your doctor will prescribe the right dosage and will be able to keep track of your response. You could be prescribed a non-stimulant drug in the event of a recurring side effects, if 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 time following tasks, arranging their material, and completing projects. As adults, this may lead to a multitude of tasks that are not completed at the house: houses that are not cleaned and bills not paid and a vegetable garden that's been planted but never tended to.
The symptoms of impulsive ADHD can create issues in a variety of areas of life, but especially in relationships. People who have hyperactive ADHD often feel impatient and need instant satisfaction. They might be quick to enter social situations without planning ahead, or take risks that can result in negative consequences. In addition, impulsive people may react too strongly in stressful or emotional situations. For instance, someone might become highly annoyed or defensive when arguing with family or friends.
A health specialist who is specialized in mental disorders will go over the medical background of a patient and perform an exam to diagnose ADHD. The doctor will ask you about the symptoms and how they affect your relationships at work, in your family, and at home. To be diagnosed with either form of ADHD the patient must show at least six of the nine main symptoms. The symptoms must affect everyday functioning and last at minimum six months (American Association for Psychiatric Research, 2000).
Psychostimulants are the most effective treatment for ADHD. These medications target the way certain chemicals interact with each other in the brain to regulate behavior. The most common type of stimulant is methylphenidate, which was first used to treat ADHD in children. It is important to speak with your physician about your medication if you suffer from other health issues such as depression or high blood pressure. In addition to medications psychotherapy can aid in reducing impulsive and distracting symptoms. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), focuses on helping people recognize automatic or irrational thinking that may trigger negative behavior and to develop strategies for self-regulation.
Combination of Symptoms
Adults who had ADHD as children may have symptoms that resurface during adulthood. They may experience mild or moderate symptoms that cause problems in their work, school as well as social interactions. Other mental health issues, like anxiety or depression, might also require treatment. Adults may also experience problems with learning, which may make it difficult for them to comprehend or follow directions in offices and classrooms.
Adults may not be able identify the signs of inattention ADHD however it could be affecting their ability to function at home and at work. This kind of ADHD can make it difficult for people to sit still during business meetings or classes at college. They might also have difficulty keeping up with their assignments and work. They often lose the track of their belongings or forget appointments or deadlines. They may also have difficulty following conversations or listening to 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 diagnostic criteria that includes symptoms that begin before age 12, occur in multiple settings and lead to impairment across multiple domains like school or 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 and persist at home, in school, as well as in other social and work environments.
Researchers are examining the effects of environmental and genetic factors that might be involved in the development of ADHD. According to research, people who suffer from ADHD may have difficulty regulating certain chemicals in their brains, including neurotransmitters which help control the mood, attention and behavior.
If you have signs of ADHD you should talk to your primary care physician. Your doctor will conduct an examination and refer you to an expert in mental health care to conduct an evaluation. Psychotherapy and medicines are commonly employed to treat ADHD and other disorders, such as stimulants that raise the levels of certain brain chemicals. These include amphetamines and methylphenidate. You should inform your health professional about any other medication you take, such as supplements and vitamins. The FDA's website for medications contains information on approved medicines, warnings and patient information guidelines.