ADHD Symptoms and Treatment in Adults
Many adults report that they have trouble keeping up with their daily activities, often experiencing frustration and mood swings. If you suspect you might have ADHD consult your primary health care provider or a mental health professional for an assessment.
Adult ADHD is diagnosed using the same criteria that it is for children. The symptoms must last for at minimum six months, and cannot be caused by other medical conditions, mood disorders or other medical conditions.
Inattentive Signs
Adults with ADHD often have a difficult time to keep up with the workplace, at school or with household chores. They are late for appointments, don't 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 mistakes that could have grave consequences.
Speak with your health care provider if you are having trouble keeping the track of your work or personal issues. Your primary care physician can evaluate your situation and refer you to a mental health professional if appropriate.
The symptoms of inattentive ADHD are often misunderstood. People with inattentive ADHD do not always listen when they are questioned and tend to forget quickly or are often distracted by irrelevant thoughts. They have difficulty staying focused on tasks, may make mistakes or fail to follow directions. They also have trouble keeping their hands off their face or appearing unstable or fidgety.
Inattentive symptoms can lead to failure at school or work, which can create feelings of shame and frustration for the person suffering. They can also cause issues in relationships with family, friends and co-workers.
The diagnosis of ADHD is based on the assessment of the clinical. This includes an interview with the patient and a review of previous behavior. They may request that the person answer a symptom questionnaire, and may also conduct medical tests to determine if there are mental or physical health conditions that share similar symptoms. The symptoms of ADHD must be present consistently prior to the age of 12 for an diagnosis.
Adults suffering from inattentive ADHD typically benefit from psychotherapy, lifestyle modifications and other treatments to manage their symptoms. These treatments include behavioral therapy, medication, and family psychoeducation. Psychotherapy is a form of counseling which helps patients develop new skills, attitudes and ways of communicating with other people. The practice of behavioral therapy can teach methods that can reduce self-destructive and impulsive behavior improve organizational skills and boost confidence.
People who have inattention ADHD may find it helpful to discuss their struggles with a trusted family member or therapist. They might also seek accommodations from teachers or supervisors as well as colleagues. Accommodations are tools or changes in the workplace that permit a person with a disability to do the same tasks as the rest of us, for example, having a step stool for those who are short.
Hyperactive Signs and symptoms
The signs and symptoms of ADHD can be different in adults as compared to children. Adult symptoms are more subtle. While children might fidget and appear restless adults are less and less talkative. They might forget about tasks, lose the time or location and make a few erroneous mistakes. They might also feel excessively active and have difficulty sitting still during a meal or in class. They might interrupt others or shout out answers before they've been asked an answer, or struggle to keep their place in conversations or games.
There are many illnesses that can cause these symptoms. To determine the underlying cause of symptoms and the most efficient treatment, a thorough mental health assessment is needed. This includes psychotherapy, medication and lifestyle modifications. These could include a healthier diet, exercise and sleep schedules. They can also involve making adjustments to school or work assignments and using assistive devices like calendars, planners, and smartphone apps.
It is important to discuss your concerns with your family physician or primary healthcare provider if you suspect that you might be suffering from ADHD. There are some tips for speaking with your health care provider regarding mental health issues in the 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 manifest in two or more settings and seriously interfere with daily life. They must be present for at least six months in order to qualify. Your provider will evaluate you to see if you have the inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive symptoms of ADHD.
There are medications available to assist you in managing your ADHD symptoms in addition to lifestyle modifications and accommodations. These medications are known as stimulants. They function by enhancing the signals in your brain that influence your mood, attention and behavior. Your doctor will prescribe you the right dose and observe your response. You may be prescribed non-stimulant medication if you experience side effects or if a stimulant fails to work. They are also used in combination with stimulants to increase the effectiveness.
The symptoms of an impulse
People with inattention ADHD are more likely to lose their keys or cellphones. It doesn't matter if it's drawing in class or losing track of the time in a meeting, those with inattention ADHD are more difficult to stay on task, organize their materials and complete projects. As adults, the result may be a million incomplete projects around the home: unpaid bills, messy homes and the vegetable garden that was planted but never watered.
Relationships are one of the most frequent areas in which impulsive ADHD symptoms can lead to difficulties. People who suffer from ADHD who are impulsive ADHD tend to be fast-paced and crave instant satisfaction. They can be impulsive and jump into social situations with little planning or taking risks which could have negative effects. untreated adhd in adults may also overreact to stressful or emotional situations. One can become frustrated or defensive in a dispute with family members or friends.
To be diagnosed with one of the two types of ADHD the health professional who specializes in mental disorders must examine a person's medical history and conduct a physical exam. The doctor will inquire about your symptoms and how they affect your relationships at work, in your family, and at your home. In order to be diagnosed with any type of ADHD, a person must exhibit at least six of the nine major symptoms and the symptoms have to interfere with daily functioning for at least six months (American Association for Psychiatric Research 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 common kind of stimulant is the methylphenidate that was initially used to treat ADHD in children. It is important to speak with your physician regarding your medication if you suffer from other health issues such as depression or high blood pressure. In addition to medications, psychotherapy may help reduce impulsive and distracting symptoms. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a method of helping people recognize unintentional or irrational thoughts which could trigger negative behaviors, and develop strategies of self-regulation.
Combination Symptoms
Adults who were diagnosed with ADHD as children can experience symptoms in adulthood. They may experience mild, moderate or severe symptoms that interfere with work, school and social interactions. They could also be suffering from other mental health problems like depression or anxiety, which require treatment. Some adults may also have learning disabilities, which make it difficult to understand or follow directions in classrooms and offices.
The signs of the inattentive kind of ADHD aren't as evident in adults but they do affect how people function at home and work. It's hard for people with this kind of ADHD to remain calm during classes or business meetings, and they might have trouble keeping up with assignments and work tasks. They may often lose the track of their belongings or forget deadlines or appointments. They may also have difficulty listening to music or following conversations. They are more likely to get distracted by activities or people 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 Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV TR), fourth edition of the American Psychiatric Association, includes an assessment criteria to identify the disorder. This includes symptoms that appear before age 12 and occur in a variety of settings, causing 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 person was 12 years old and continue at home, at school, as well as in other social and work settings.
There's no reason for ADHD, but researchers are studying genetic and environmental factors that may play a role. Research suggests that the brains of people with ADHD have trouble regulating certain chemicals, such as neurotransmitters which help to regulate mood, attention, and behavior.
Speak to your primary healthcare provider if you show symptoms of ADHD. Your doctor can do an examination and recommend you to an expert in mental health care to do an evaluation. Treatment for ADHD typically involves psychotherapy and medication, such as stimulants that boost levels of certain chemicals in the brain. These include amphetamines and methylphenidate. You should inform your doctor about any other medication you take, including vitamins and supplements. The FDA's medication website contains information on approved medicines along with warnings and patient guides.