ADHD Symptoms and Treatment in Adults
Many adults find that they struggle to keep up with daily tasks frequently experiencing anger and mood swings. If you think you may have ADHD you should consult your primary care doctor or a mental health professional to conduct an evaluation.
Adult ADHD is diagnosed with the same criteria as it is for children. The symptoms should last at least six months and cannot be caused by any other medical condition, mood disorders or other medical conditions.
Attention-deficit Symptoms
Many adults suffering from ADHD have difficulty complete schoolwork, work, or household chores. They frequently miss appointments and don't pay their bills on time, and have difficulty maintaining relationships with friends and family. They are more likely to lose things or make careless mistakes which can result in serious consequences.
If you have problems keeping track of your personal or work-related matters, you should talk to a health care provider. Your primary care physician will assess your situation and refer you to a mental health professional if necessary.
The signs of inattentive ADHD are often misunderstood. People with inattentive ADHD are not always attentive when they are questioned and tend to forget quickly or are often distracted by thoughts that are not relevant to their. They struggle to focus on tasks, may make a mistake or struggle to follow directions. They may also have trouble keeping their hands off their faces or appear shaky.
Inattention to symptoms can result in failure at school or work, which can create anger and shame for the person affected. They can also cause problems in relationships with family, friends and colleagues.
Health care professionals diagnose ADHD by conducting a clinical assessment, which involves conducting an interview with the patient and reviewing previous behavior. They might ask the person to fill out a symptom checklist and conduct tests on the body to determine if there are other conditions that have similar symptoms. The symptoms of ADHD should be present continuously prior to 12 years of age to be able to determine if it is a diagnosis.
Adults suffering from inattention ADHD might benefit from psychotherapy and lifestyle changes to help manage their symptoms. These treatments include medication as well as behavioral therapy and family psychoeducation. Psychotherapy is a form of counseling that helps patients develop new attitudes, skills and ways of communicating with other people. The use of behavioral therapy can help decrease impulsive, self-destructive behavior, increase organizational skills, and increase confidence.
It may be helpful for those with inattention ADHD to discuss their struggles with a family member or family member, or a therapist. They might also be able to seek accommodations from teachers, supervisors and co-workers. Accommodations are modifications and tools to the environment that allow disabled people to complete tasks just like the rest of us. For instance an individual who is short may use the step stool.
Hyperactive symptoms
Adults may show different symptoms as children. Adult symptoms are less obvious. While children can fidget and appear restless adults are less active. They might forget their tasks, lose track of or place and make careless errors. They might also be overly energetic and find it difficult to sit still during a meal or class. They might interrupt other students or provide answers prior to being asked to answer a question.
These symptoms can be caused by a variety of ailments. To determine the cause of symptoms and the most effective treatment, a complete psychiatric assessment is required. These could include psychotherapy, medication and lifestyle changes. This can include an improved diet, more exercise and an improved sleep schedule. They may also require adjusting work or school assignments, and using assistive devices like calendars, planners, and smartphone apps.
It is important to discuss your concerns with your family physician or your primary healthcare provider if you suspect that you might have ADHD. The How to Talk to Your Provider factsheet from NIMH provides suggestions on how to speak with your doctor regarding mental health issues.
To be considered to have ADHD, the symptoms must be evident in at least two settings and have a significant impact on everyday life. They must be present for at least six months to be considered to be diagnosed. Your provider will evaluate you to see if you have the inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive symptoms of ADHD.
In addition to lifestyle changes and accommodations, there are medications that can ease the 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 prescribe the right dosage of the medication for you and track your response to treatment. You could be prescribed a non-stimulant medication in the event of a recurring side effects, when a stimulant isn't helping or when combined with stimulants to boost the effectiveness of treatment.
Impulsive Symptoms
Everyone loses keys or phone from time to time However, for those with inattentive ADHD the little distractions can become an issue. If adhd treatment for adults medication 's a case of doodles in class or losing track of the time in a meeting, those with inattention ADHD have a harder time to follow tasks or organize their materials. They also find it difficult to complete projects. As adults, this can result in a myriad of half-finished tasks around the house, including unpaid bills and unkempt homes, as well as the vegetable garden that was planted but never watered.
The impulse-driven symptoms of ADHD can create problems in many areas of life, but particularly in relationships. People who suffer from ADHD who are impulsive ADHD are often impatient and want instant gratification. They might be quick to enter social situations without planning ahead, or take risks that could lead to negative consequences. People who are impulsive may also react to stressful or emotional situations. A person may become very angry or defensive when fighting with family members or friends.
A health care specialist who is specialized in mental disorders will review the medical history of a patient and conduct an examination to diagnose ADHD. The doctor will also inquire about how the symptoms impact your work, home and relationships. To be diagnosed with one or the other form of ADHD, a patient must exhibit six or more of the nine major symptoms. The symptoms must hinder daily functioning and last at minimum six months (American Psychological Association 2000).
Psychostimulants are the most effective treatment for ADHD. These medications target the way that certain chemicals communicate with one another in the brain to regulate behavior. The most common kind of stimulant is the methylphenidate drug, which was originally used to treat ADHD in children. The medication might not be appropriate for some people with other health conditions for example, depression or high blood pressure, so it's important to discuss your medications with your health care provider. In addition to medication psychotherapy can aid in reducing the symptoms of impulsivity and distraction. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on helping individuals recognize automatic or irrational thoughts that can trigger negative behavior and develop strategies for self-regulation.
Combined symptoms
Adults who had ADHD as children may have symptoms that resurface during adulthood. They may have mild, moderate or even severe symptoms that hinder work, school and social interactions. They could also be suffering from other mental health problems, such as depression or anxiety, which require treatment. Adults may also experience problems with learning, which may make it difficult for them to comprehend or follow instructions in offices and classrooms.
Adults may not be able recognize the symptoms of inattentive ADHD however it could be a problem for them to perform at work and home. This kind of ADHD makes it difficult for people to remain focused in meetings at work or during college lectures. They might also have difficulty keeping up with their work and assignments. They may often lose the location of their belongings and forget deadlines or appointments. They may also have difficulty following conversations or listening to music. They are more susceptible to distraction by the activities or people 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 criteria for diagnosing the disorder that includes symptoms that start at the age of 12 and occur in multiple settings and cause impairment in multiple domains 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. Symptoms must have started before the person was 12 years old and persist at home, at school and in other work and social settings.
Researchers are investigating genetic and environmental factors which may be at play in the development of ADHD. Studies suggest that the brains of people who suffer from ADHD have trouble regulating certain chemicals, including neurotransmitters that manage mood, attention and behavior.
If you're experiencing symptoms of ADHD, talk to your primary care provider. Your doctor can do a physical exam and recommend you to an expert in mental health care to do an evaluation. Treatment for ADHD usually involves psychotherapy and medications like stimulants that boost levels of certain chemicals in the brain. These include amphetamines and methylphenidate. Inform your doctor about any other medications you take, including vitamins or supplements. The FDA's medication site has information about approved medications, warnings, and patient information guides.