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 may have ADHD check with your primary healthcare provider or a mental-health professional to conduct an evaluation.
The criteria for diagnosing adult ADHD is the same as that for children: symptoms must be present over 6 months and not be more easily explained by medical disorders or conditions.
Attention-deficit Symptoms
Adults with ADHD typically have difficulty to keep up in the workplace, at school or with household chores. They often skip appointments and don't pay their bills on time, and have difficulty maintaining relationships with family and friends. They are more likely to lose possessions or make mistakes that can have serious consequences.
If you are having trouble keeping track of your personal or work-related affairs, consider talking to an expert in health care. Your primary care doctor will examine your situation and refer you to a mental professional when needed.
The symptoms of inattentive ADHD are often misunderstood. People suffering from inattentive ADHD don't always listen when they are questioned and tend to forget quickly or are often distracted by irrelevant thoughts. They are unable to stay focused on their work, and can make mistakes or fail to follow directions. They may also have trouble keeping their hands away from their faces or appear shaky.
Inattention to symptoms can result in failure at school or work, which can create frustration and shame for the person who is affected. They can also cause issues in 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 an examination of their past behavior. They often ask the person to complete a symptom questionnaire and may also conduct medical tests 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 established.
Adults suffering from inattentive ADHD may benefit from psychotherapy and lifestyle modifications to ease their symptoms. These treatments include behavioral therapy, medication, and family psychoeducation. Psychotherapy is a form of therapy that helps patients learn new attitudes, skills and ways of interacting with others. The use of behavioral therapy can help decrease impulsive, self-destructive behavior, increase organizational skills, and increase confidence.
It could be helpful for people with inattentive ADHD to discuss their struggles with a friend or family member therapist. Teachers or supervisors, as well as colleagues might be able to provide accommodations. Accommodations are the tools or modifications in the environment that allow disabled people to carry out tasks just like others, like using a step stool for those who are short.
Hyperactive Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of ADHD might be different in adults as compared to children. Adult symptoms are less obvious. While children can seem to be restless and fidget, adults tend to be less talkative. They may forget tasks, lose track or get lost and make a few mistakes. They may also feel overly active and have difficulty sitting still in a class or meal. They might interrupt others or blurt out answers before they've been asked a question, and have trouble waiting their turn during games or conversations.
These symptoms can be triggered by a variety of ailments. A comprehensive psychiatric assessment is required to determine the cause of the symptoms as well as determine the most effective treatments. These include psychotherapy, medication and lifestyle changes. They can be an improved diet, exercise and sleep schedules. They can also involve changing school or work assignments, and using aidive devices such as planners, calendars, and smartphones apps.
You should first discuss your concerns with a family doctor or primary healthcare provider if you suspect that you might have ADHD. The How to Talk to Your Provider factsheet from NIMH offers tips on how to talk with your physician regarding mental health issues.
To be diagnosed with ADHD, the symptoms must appear in at least two environments and have a significant impact on everyday life. For them to qualify, 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.
In addition to lifestyle modifications and accommodations, there are medications that can ease your symptoms of ADHD. These drugs are known as stimulants. They work by enhancing signals within your brain, which affect your mood, attention, and behavior. Your doctor will give you the right dose and observe your response. You may be prescribed non-stimulant medications in the event of side effects or if a stimulant does not work. They are also combined with stimulants for increased effectiveness.
Impulsive Symptoms
Everybody loses keys or a cellphone from time-to-time, but for people with inattentive ADHD small distractions are more of an issue. Whether it's doodling in class or losing track of the time during a meeting, people with inattention ADHD are more difficult to keep track of tasks, organize their materials and complete projects. As adults, the result can be a million incomplete projects around the house, such as unpaid bills, dirty houses, and the vegetable garden that was started but never watered.
The impulse-driven symptoms of ADHD can cause problems in many areas of life, but especially in relationships. People with an impulsive ADHD often feel impatient and need instant gratification. They might be quick to enter social situations without planning ahead, or take risks that can result in negative consequences. Additionally, people who are impulsive might react in a emotionally or stressful situations. Someone could become frustrated or defensive in a dispute with family members or friends.
To determine if you have one of the two types of ADHD, a healthcare professional who is trained in mental disorders must review the medical history of the patient and conduct a physical exam. The doctor will ask you about your symptoms and how they affect your relationships, work, and your home. To be diagnosed with either form of ADHD the patient must exhibit at least six of the nine main symptoms. The symptoms must also hinder daily functioning and last for at least six months (American Psychological Association 2000).
Psychostimulants are the most effective treatment for ADHD. They affect the way certain chemicals communicate with one another in the brain to regulate behavior. The most common stimulant is methylphenidate. It was initially used to treat ADHD among children. The medication might not be appropriate for some people with other health conditions, for example, depression or high blood pressure Therefore, it is important to discuss your medication with your doctor. In click through the up coming page to medications, psychotherapy may help reduce the symptoms of impulsivity and distraction. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is focused on helping individuals recognize automatic or irrational thoughts that may trigger negative behaviors and to develop strategies for self-regulation.
Combined Symptoms
Adults who experienced ADHD as children could experience symptoms that come back in adulthood. They can have mild or moderate symptoms that interfere in their school, work and social interactions. Other mental health issues, like depression or anxiety, may also require treatment. Some adults may also have learning disabilities, which make it difficult to comprehend or follow instructions in offices and classrooms.
Adults might not be able to recognize the symptoms of inattentive ADHD however it could be a problem for them to perform at home and at work. This type of ADHD can make it difficult for people to remain focused in business meetings or classes at college. They may also be unable to keep up with their work and assignments. They frequently lose track of their belongings and forget appointments or deadlines. They may also have trouble keeping track of conversations or listening to music. They are more susceptible to distraction by the 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 Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV TR), fourth edition of the American Psychiatric Association, includes the criteria for diagnosing the disorder. This includes symptoms that appear at the age of 12 and can be seen in multiple settings and cause 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. Symptoms must have started before the age of 12 years old and persist at home, in school, as well as in other social and work environments.
There's no known cause of ADHD, but researchers are studying genetic and environmental factors that may play a role. According to research, people who suffer from ADHD might have trouble regulating certain brain chemicals, including neurotransmitters which aid in controlling the way they behave, their mood and attention.
If you are experiencing signs of ADHD, talk to your primary care physician. Your doctor can conduct an examination and refer you to an assessment by a mental health professional. Psychotherapy and medication are typically utilized to treat ADHD and other disorders, such as stimulants that increase the levels of certain brain chemicals. Amphetamines, methylphenidate, and other stimulants are commonly used. Inform your doctor about any other medications you are taking, including vitamins or supplements. The FDA's medication website contains information about approved medications, warnings, and patient information guides.