ADHD Symptoms and Treatment in Adults
Many adults discover that they are struggling to keep up with daily tasks, often experiencing frustration and mood swings. If you suspect you may have ADHD contact your primary health care provider or a mental-health professional for an evaluation.
The criteria used to diagnose adult ADHD is similar to that for children: symptoms must be present for a period of 6 months and not be better explained by medical disorders or conditions.
Inattentional symptoms
Adults suffering from ADHD often find it difficult to keep up in the workplace, at school or with household chores. click here to find out more skip appointments, fail to pay bills on time, and have trouble maintaining relationships with family and friends. They are more likely than other people to lose possessions, or make careless errors that can have serious consequences.
If you have problems managing your personal or work-related affairs, consider speaking with your health care provider. Your primary care doctor can assess your situation and recommend you to a mental health specialist if appropriate.
Inattentive ADHD is often misunderstood. People who suffer from inattentive ADHD aren't always attentive when spoken to. They forget easily or get distracted by irrelevant thoughts. They might have difficulty staying focused, make erroneous mistakes or struggle to follow instructions. They may also have trouble keeping their hands away from their faces or appear shaken.
Inattentive symptoms may result in a failure at school or at work and can result in anger and shame for those affected. They can also cause issues with relationships with family, friends and colleagues.
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 a symptom checklist and conduct medical tests in order to determine whether other conditions exhibit similar symptoms. The symptoms of ADHD must be evident consistently before 12 years old to be able to determine if it is an diagnosis.
Adults who suffer from inattention ADHD might benefit from a psychotherapy session and lifestyle changes to help manage their symptoms. These treatments include behavioral therapy, medication, and family psychoeducation. Psychotherapy is a form of counseling that helps patients learn new attitudes, skills and ways of communicating with others. Behavioral therapy can help reduce self-destructive and impulsive behavior, increase organizational skills, and increase 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 may be able to offer accommodations. Accommodations are tools and changes to the environment that enable the disabled person to perform tasks as all other people. For example an individual who is short may use the step stool.
Hyperactive Signs and symptoms
The signs and symptoms of ADHD may look different in adults compared to children. While children can fidget, appear restless and talkative, adult symptoms tend to be more subtle. They may forget tasks, lose track or place and make careless errors. They might also be overly active and struggle to sit still during a meal or in class. They may interrupt other students, or give answers before being asked to answer a question.
There are a variety of conditions that can cause these symptoms. A comprehensive psychiatric assessment is necessary to determine the cause of the symptoms and identify the most effective treatments. These could include psychotherapy, medications and lifestyle adjustments. This could mean an improved diet, more exercise, and an improved sleep schedule. They could also include making adjustments to school or work 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 doctor. The How to Talk to Your Provider factsheet from NIMH offers suggestions on how to speak with your physician regarding mental health issues.
To be considered to have ADHD, the symptoms must be evident in at least two settings and have an impact on your 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 assist you in managing your ADHD symptoms in addition to adjustments to your lifestyle and accommodations. These medications are called stimulants. They work by reorganizing brain's signals that affect your mood, attention and behavior. Your doctor will prescribe you the right dosage and will be able to observe your response. You might be prescribed a non-stimulant medication when you experience unpleasant side effects, if the stimulant isn't working, or in combination with stimulants to increase the effectiveness of treatment.
The symptoms of an impulse
People with inattentive ADHD are more likely to lose their keys or phones. Whether it's doodling in class or losing track of time in a meeting, those with inattention ADHD find it harder to stay on task, organize their materials and complete projects. As adults, this may result in a myriad of half-finished tasks around the home: unpaid bills and unkempt homes and the vegetable garden that's been started but not watered.
The symptoms of impulsive ADHD can create problems in many areas of life, but especially with relationships. People who suffer from impulsive ADHD are often fast-paced and crave immediate gratification. They may jump into social situations with no planning or taking risks, which can have negative effects. In addition, impulsive individuals might react in a stressful or emotional situations. For example, a person might become highly annoyed or defensive when arguing with friends or family.
A health care specialist who is specialized in mental disorders will examine the medical history of a patient, and conduct an examination to determine ADHD. The doctor will ask you about your symptoms and how they impact your relationships, work, and your home. In order to be diagnosed with one of the types of ADHD the patient must have at least six of the nine main symptoms and the symptoms must be interfering with daily functioning for at least six months (American Psychological Association, 2000).
The most effective treatment for ADHD is psychostimulants, which are medications that affect the way certain chemicals interact in the brain to regulate behavior. The most commonly used stimulant is methylphenidate. It was initially used to treat ADHD among children. The medication might not be suitable for certain people suffering from other health issues, such as high blood pressure or depression It is therefore important to discuss your medication with your physician. Psychotherapy can reduce distraction and impulsive symptoms in addition to medications. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), focuses on helping people recognize Irrational or automatic thinking that can trigger negative behaviors and develop strategies for self-regulation.
Combination of Symptoms
Adults who had ADHD as children may have symptoms that resurface during adulthood. They can have mild, moderate, or severe symptoms that interfere with school, work, and social interactions. They could also be suffering from other mental health issues like anxiety or depression, that require treatment. A few adults may also have learning disabilities that make it difficult to understand or follow instructions in classrooms and offices.
The signs of the inattentive kind of ADHD aren't as evident in adults however, they can impact how people function at home and work. It's hard for people with this kind of ADHD to be able to concentrate during classes or business meetings, and they may be unable to keep up with assignments and work-related tasks. They can often lose the location of their belongings and forget deadlines or appointments. They might also have trouble listening to music or following conversations. They are more susceptible to distraction by people or activities around 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 that includes symptoms that start at the age of 12 and 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 and continue at home, at school, as well as in other work and social settings.
Researchers are investigating the effects of environmental and genetic factors that might be at play in the development of ADHD. According to studies, people with ADHD may have difficulty controlling certain brain chemicals that can regulate mood, attention and behavior.
If you're experiencing symptoms of ADHD, talk to your primary care provider. Your doctor can conduct an examination of your body and refer you to an evaluation by an expert in mental health. Treatment for ADHD typically involves psychotherapy and medication like stimulants that increase the levels of certain chemical in the brain. Amphetamines and methylphenidate as well as other stimulants are utilized. You should tell your doctor about any other medication you take, including vitamins and supplements. The FDA's website for medications contains information on approved medications as well as patient information and warnings guidelines.