ADHD Symptoms and Treatment in Adults
Many adults have difficulty keeping up with their daily activities. They are often frustrated and mood swings. If you suspect that you have ADHD you should consult your primary care provider or an expert in mental health to conduct an evaluation.
The criteria used to diagnose adult ADHD is similar to that for children ADHD: symptoms must be evident for at least 6 months and are not be more easily explained by other medical disorders or mental health issues.
Inattentive Signs and symptoms
Adults with ADHD often have a difficult time to keep up with the workplace, at school or with household chores. They don't attend appointments, fail to pay bills on time, and have trouble maintaining relationships with friends and family. They are more likely to lose possessions or make mistakes that can have serious consequences.
Speak to your health care provider if you are having trouble keeping track of personal or work matters. Your primary care physician will evaluate your situation and may refer you to a mental specialist if necessary.
adhd in adults treatment is often misunderstood. People suffering from inattentive ADHD do not always listen when they are questioned and tend to forget quickly or are often distracted by thoughts that are not relevant to their. They are unable to stay focused on their tasks, and may make a mistake or struggle to follow instructions. They also have difficulty keeping their hands off their face or appearing shaky or fidgety.
Inattentive symptoms can lead to failing at school or at work which can lead to feelings of shame and frustration for the person suffering. They can also cause problems in relationships with family, friends and colleagues.
The diagnosis of ADHD is based on the clinical assessment. This involves an interview with the patient and an assessment of the past behavior. They may ask the patient to complete a symptom checklist and conduct medical tests to rule out other conditions that exhibit similar symptoms. The symptoms of ADHD must be present consistently before 12 years of age for an diagnosis.
Adults suffering from inattention ADHD might benefit from psychotherapy and lifestyle changes to ease their symptoms. These treatments include behavioral therapy, medication and family psychoeducation. Psychotherapy is a kind of counseling that helps patients to develop new attitudes, skills and ways of interacting with other people. The use of behavioral therapy can help decrease self-destructive, impulsive behavior, improve organizational skills, and increase confidence.
People who have inattention ADHD may find it helpful to discuss their struggles with a trusted family member or therapist. They may also be able to seek accommodations from teachers or supervisors, as well as coworkers. Accommodations are a way of making changes in the workplace that permit the disabled person to perform tasks like others, like using a step stool to help those who are short.
Hyperactive symptoms
Adults may exhibit different symptoms as children. While children can be agitated, irritable and agitated, adult symptoms tend to be more subtle. They may forget their assignments, lose the time or location and make mistakes that aren't their fault. They might also be overly active and have difficulty sitting still during a meal or in class. They may interrupt other students or respond to questions prior to being asked to answer a question.
These symptoms can be triggered by a variety of ailments. To determine the cause of the symptoms and determine the most efficient treatment, a thorough mental health assessment is needed. These include psychotherapy, medications and lifestyle modifications. This can include the use of a healthier diet plan along with more exercise and an improved sleep schedule. This can be done by changing work or school assignments, and utilizing assistive tools like calendars and planners, as well as apps for smartphones.
It is important to discuss your concerns with a family doctor or your primary healthcare provider if you suspect that you might have ADHD. 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.
It is important to understand that in order to be diagnosed with ADHD, symptoms must occur in more than one setting and significantly interfere with everyday 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.
Alongside lifestyle changes and accommodations, there are medications that can help you manage the symptoms of ADHD. These drugs are known as stimulants. They work by enhancing signals within your brain, which affect your attention, mood and behavior. Your doctor will prescribe you the appropriate dose and will observe your response. You might be prescribed a non-stimulant medication when you experience unpleasant side effects, when stimulants aren't working or in combination with stimulants to increase the effectiveness of treatment.
Instinctive Symptoms
Everyone misplaces keys or a phone from time to time however for those who suffer from inattention ADHD small distractions can become an issue. People with inattentive ADHD have a difficult managing their tasks, arranging their material and completing their projects. As adults, the result can be a million incomplete projects around the house: unpaid bills, unkempt houses, and the vegetable garden that was planted but never watered.
Relationships are one of the most common areas where the impulsive ADHD symptoms can lead to problems. People with hyperactive ADHD tend to be anxious and require instant satisfaction. They might be quick to enter social situations without thinking ahead or take risks that could cause negative consequences. In addition, impulsive people might overreact in stressful or emotional situations. Someone could become annoyed or defensive when arguing with family or friends.
To be diagnosed with one of the two types of ADHD the health professional who specializes in mental disorders should review a person's medical history and conduct an examination. The doctor will ask you about the symptoms and how they affect your interactions with others, work, and home. To be diagnosed with any type of ADHD the patient must show six or more of the nine major symptoms. The symptoms must also interfere with daily functioning and last for at least six months (American Psychological Association 2000).
Psychostimulants are the most effective treatment for ADHD. They target the way certain chemicals communicate with each other in the brain to regulate behaviour. The most common stimulant is methylphenidate. It was originally developed to treat ADHD in children. The medication might not be suitable for people with other health issues, like high blood pressure or depression, so it's important to discuss your medication with your doctor. Psychotherapy can reduce impulsive symptoms and distracting behaviors in addition to medications. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a method of helping individuals recognize the automatic or irrational thoughts that could trigger negative behaviors and to develop strategies for self-regulation.
Multiple Symptoms
Adults who had ADHD as children might experience symptoms that resurface during adulthood. They may experience mild or moderate symptoms that cause problems with their schoolwork, work, and social interactions. Other mental health issues, like anxiety or depression, might also require treatment. Some adults may also have 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 however, they can impact how people function at home and at work. It's hard for people who suffer from this type of ADHD to remain calm during classes or business meetings, and they could struggle to keep track of assignments and work assignments. They can frequently lose the track of their belongings or forget deadlines or appointments. They might also have trouble following conversations or listening music. They are more prone to being distracted by the activities or people 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) Fourth 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 and can cause issues across multiple 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 be present before the age of 12 and persist at school, at home, and in other work and social settings.
There is no cause for ADHD however, researchers are studying genetic and environmental factors that could have a role to play. Research suggests that the brains of individuals who suffer from ADHD have trouble regulating certain chemicals, including neurotransmitters that control attention, mood and behavior.
Consult your primary health care provider if you exhibit symptoms of ADHD. Your doctor can perform an examination of your body and refer you for an assessment by an expert in mental health. Treatment for ADHD usually involves psychotherapy and medications including stimulants, which increase the levels of certain chemicals in the brain. Amphetamines, methylphenidate, and other stimulants are used. Inform your doctor of all other medications you are taking including supplements or vitamins. The FDA's medication website has information about approved medications along with warnings and patient guidelines.