ADHD Symptoms and Treatment in Adults
Many adults struggle to keep up with their daily activities. They may experience stress and mood swings. If you suspect that you be suffering from ADHD take a look at your primary care doctor or a mental health professional to conduct an evaluation.
Adult ADHD is diagnosed using the same criteria as it is for children. The symptoms must last at minimum six months, and cannot be caused by any other medical condition, mood disorders or other medical conditions.
Attentive symptoms
Adults with ADHD often have a difficult time to keep up with school, at work, or with household chores. They frequently skip appointments and don't pay their bills on time, and have difficulty maintaining relationships with their family and friends. They are more likely to lose possessions or make mistakes that can have serious consequences.
Speak with your health care provider if you are having difficulty keeping the track of your work or personal matters. Your primary care physician will assess your situation and possibly refer you to a mental professional if necessary.
Inattentive ADHD is often misunderstood. People with inattentive ADHD aren't always attentive when speaking to. They tend to forget quickly or get distracted by unrelated thoughts. They struggle to focus on their work, and can make careless errors or struggle to follow instructions. They may also struggle with keeping their hands from 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 who is affected. They can also cause issues in relationships with family, friends and colleagues.
Health professionals determine ADHD by conducting a clinical assessment that involves interviewing the individual and reviewing previous behavior. They will often ask the person to complete a symptom questionnaire and may perform tests for medical reasons to rule out physical or mental health conditions that may have similar symptoms. The symptoms of ADHD must be evident consistently prior to 12 years of age for an assessment.
Adults suffering from inattentive ADHD may 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 type of counseling that helps patients develop new attitudes, skills and ways of interacting with others. Psychotherapy can help to reduce self-destructive, impulsive behavior, improve organizational skills, and increase confidence.
People who have inattention ADHD might find it beneficial to discuss their struggles with a trusted family member or therapist. They may also be able to request accommodations from their teachers, supervisors and co-workers. Accommodations are tools or changes in the work environment that allow the disabled person to perform tasks like the rest of us, for example, using a step stool to help people who are small.
Hyperactive symptoms
Adults may exhibit different symptoms in comparison to children. Adult symptoms are less obvious. While children can be agitated and tense, adults tend to be less and less talkative. They might forget their tasks, get lost or lose take a wrong turn and make mistakes. They might also feel excessively energetic and find it difficult to sit still in a class or meal. They may interrupt others or blurt out answers before being asked questions, and may have trouble waiting their turn in games or conversations.
There are several ailments that can trigger these symptoms. A full psychiatric evaluation is needed to determine the cause of the symptoms as well as determine the most effective treatment. These include psychotherapy, medication and lifestyle adjustments. These can include eating a healthy diet, exercising and sleep schedules. This could include adjusting school or work assignments, and utilizing aidive tools such as calendars and planners, as well as smartphone apps.
If you suspect you might have ADHD The first step is to discuss your concerns with your family physician or primary care physician. The How to Talk to Your Provider factsheet from NIMH provides guidelines on how to communicate with your provider about mental issues.
To be diagnosed with ADHD the symptoms must appear in at least two different settings and have an impact on everyday life. They must be present for at least six months to qualify. Your provider will evaluate you to see if you have the inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive symptoms of ADHD.
Alongside lifestyle modifications and accommodations There are also medications that can help you manage the symptoms of ADHD. These medications are known as stimulants. They work by enhancing signals in your brain that influence your attention, mood and behavior. Your doctor will prescribe you the appropriate dose and will keep track of your response. You might be prescribed a non-stimulant medicine in the event of a recurring side effects, when stimulants aren't working or is used in conjunction with stimulants to increase the effectiveness of treatment.
The symptoms of an impulse
Everybody loses keys or a cellphone from time-to-time, but for people with inattention ADHD small distractions are a bigger issue. People with inattentive ADHD have a difficult task of focusing on tasks, arranging their material and completing their projects. As adults, the result may be a million incomplete projects around the house, such as unpaid bills, messy homes and the garden that was started but never watered.
Relationships are among the most prevalent areas where an impulsive ADHD symptoms can create problems. People with impulsive ADHD are often impatient and want immediate satisfaction. They might be quick to enter social situations without planning ahead, or take risks that can lead to negative consequences. Impulsive people may also overreact to emotional or stressful situations. For example, a person may become extremely angry or defensive during arguments with friends or family.
To be diagnosed with one of the two types of ADHD A health professional who specializes in mental disorders must examine the medical history of the patient and conduct a physical exam. The doctor will also inquire about how symptoms impact your work, home and personal relationships. To be diagnosed with any type of ADHD, a patient must exhibit at least six of the nine main symptoms. The symptoms must affect everyday functioning and last at minimum six months (American Psychological Association 2000).
The most effective treatment for ADHD is psychostimulants. These are drugs that target how certain chemicals interact in the brain to regulate behavior. The most well-known stimulant is methylphenidate. It was originally developed to treat ADHD in children. It's possible that the medication is not appropriate for some people with other health issues, for example, depression or high blood pressure Therefore, it is important to discuss your medication with your health care provider. Psychotherapy can help reduce distraction and impulsive symptoms in addition to medication. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is focused on helping people recognize Irrational or automatic thinking that can trigger negative behaviors and to develop strategies for self-regulation.
Combination of Symptoms
Adults who had ADHD as children could experience symptoms that come back in adulthood. They can have mild or moderate symptoms that cause problems in their work, school as well as social interactions. Other mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression, could also require treatment. Adults may also suffer from learning disabilities that make it difficult to understand or follow instructions in classrooms and offices.
Adults may not be able identify the signs of inattention ADHD, but it can still affect their ability to function at work and home. It can be difficult for people with this kind of ADHD to sit quietly for college lectures or business meetings, and they might have trouble keeping up with assignments and work assignments. They can frequently lose track of their belongings and forget appointments or deadlines. They may also have trouble following conversations or listening music. They are more likely to get distracted by people or activities 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 American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV TR) has a diagnostic criteria that includes symptoms that start before age 12and can manifest in multiple settings and cause impairment in a variety of areas like school or 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 continue at home, in school, and in other work and social situations.
There's no known cause of ADHD, but researchers are studying genetic and environmental factors that may have a role to play. Studies suggest that the brains of those with ADHD have difficulty regulating certain chemicals, including neurotransmitters that help control attention, mood and behavior.
Speak to your primary healthcare provider if you show indications of ADHD. More suggestions can do a physical exam and recommend you to an expert in mental health care to conduct an evaluation. Treatment for ADHD usually involves psychotherapy and medications including stimulants, which boost levels of certain chemicals in the brain. Amphetamines and methylphenidate as well as other stimulants are used. Tell your doctor about all other medications you take such as vitamins or supplements. The FDA's medication website contains information about approved medications along with warnings and patient guidelines.