ADHD Symptoms and Treatment in Adults
Many adults find that they are struggling to keep up with the demands of daily life often expressing frustration and mood swings. If you think you may have ADHD you should consult your primary care physician or a mental health professional for an evaluation.
The criteria used to diagnose adult ADHD is the same as that for children ADHD: symptoms must be evident for at least 6 months and are not be better explained by medical conditions or mood disorders.
Attentive symptoms
Many people with ADHD have difficulty keep up with schoolwork, work, or household chores. They don't attend appointments, fail to pay bills on time, and struggle to maintain relationships with their family and friends. They are more likely than others to lose their possessions or make careless errors that could have grave consequences.
Speak with your health care provider if you are having difficulty keeping track of work or personal matters. Your primary care physician will examine your situation and possibly refer you to a mental professional if necessary.
The signs of inattention ADHD are often misunderstood. People with inattentive ADHD are not always attentive when they are spoken to and are easily distracted or frequently distracted by irrelevant thoughts. They are unable to stay focused on their tasks, and may make a mistake or struggle to follow directions. They may also have difficulty keeping their hands from their faces or appear shaky.
Inattentive symptoms may cause a drop in performance at school or at work and can result in anxiety and guilt for the affected. They can also cause problems in relationships with family, friends and co-workers.
Health care professionals determine ADHD through a medical assessment, which includes interviewing the person and analyzing their past behavior. They may ask the patient to fill out the symptom checklist and perform tests on the body to determine whether other conditions have similar symptoms. The symptoms of ADHD must be present consistently before age 12 for the diagnosis to be made.
Adults suffering from inattention ADHD typically benefit from psychotherapy, lifestyle modifications and other treatments that help to manage their symptoms. These treatments include medication as well as behavioral therapy and family psychoeducation. Psychotherapy is a form of counseling which helps patients to develop new skills, attitudes and ways of interacting with others. Psychotherapy can teach strategies that will reduce impulsive and self-destructive behaviors as well as improve organizational skills and boost confidence.
People who have inattention ADHD might find it beneficial to talk about their issues with a trusted family member or therapist. Teachers or supervisors, as well as colleagues might be able to provide accommodations. Accommodations are the tools or modifications in the work environment that allow a person with a disability to perform tasks like the rest of us, for example, having a step stool for someone who is short.
Hyperactive symptoms
The signs and symptoms of ADHD might be different in adults compared to children. While children can be agitated, irritable and talkative while adult symptoms tend to be more subtle. They may forget their assignments or tasks, lose the time or location and make a few erroneous mistakes. They may also feel overly energetic and find it difficult to sit still during a meal or in class. They might interrupt other students or provide answers prior to being asked to answer a question.
There are several ailments that can trigger these symptoms. To determine the cause of symptoms and the most effective treatment, a full psychiatric assessment is required. This could include psychotherapy, medications and lifestyle adjustments. They can be a healthier diet, exercise and sleeping schedules. This can be done by adjusting school or work assignments, and utilizing assistive tools like calendars or planners, as well as apps for smartphones.
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. The How to Talk to Your Provider factsheet from NIMH offers suggestions on how to speak with your provider about mental health issues.
It's important to know that in order to be diagnosed with ADHD, symptoms must occur in at least two or more environments and significantly interfere with everyday life. To be eligible they must be 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 adjustments and changes, there are medications that can help you manage your symptoms of ADHD. These medications are called stimulants. They function by reorganizing brain's signals that affect your mood and attention, as well as your behavior. Your doctor will prescribe you the appropriate dose and will keep track of your response. You may 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 cellphone from time to time However, for those with inattentive ADHD the little distractions are more of an issue. Whether it's doodling in class or losing track of time in a meeting, those with inattention ADHD are more difficult to stay on task or organize their materials. They also find it difficult to complete projects. As adults, the result can be a million incomplete projects around the house: unpaid bills, dirty houses and the garden that was started but never watered.
Relationships are one of the most common areas where an impulsive ADHD symptoms can cause difficulties. People who suffer from impulsive ADHD are often anxious and seek instant gratification. They might be quick to enter social situations without planning ahead, or take risks that could result in negative consequences. In addition, impulsive people may react too strongly in stressful or emotional situations. A person may become very annoyed or defensive when arguing with family members or friends.
To be diagnosed with one of the two kinds of ADHD the health professional who specializes in mental disorders should review a person's medical history and conduct an exam. The doctor will inquire about your symptoms and how they impact your relationships, work, and your home. To be diagnosed with one or the other form of ADHD, a patient must display six or more of the nine major symptoms. The symptoms must interfere with everyday functioning and last at minimum six months (American Psychiatric Association, 2000).
Psychostimulants are the most effective treatment for ADHD. These medications target the way that certain chemicals communicate with each other in the brain to regulate behavior. The most commonly used stimulant is methylphenidate. It was originally used to treat ADHD among children. It's possible that the medication is not suitable for people with other health conditions, like high blood pressure or depression, so it's important to discuss your medication with your health care provider. Psychotherapy can help decrease impulsive symptoms and distracting behaviors in addition to medications. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on helping individuals recognize automatic or irrational thoughts that could trigger negative behaviors, and develop strategies of self-regulation.
Combined effects of untreated adhd in adults who experienced ADHD as children might experience symptoms that come back in adulthood. They may have mild, moderate or even severe symptoms that hinder work, school and social interactions. Other mental health issues, like anxiety or depression, could also require treatment. Some adults may also have difficulties with learning, making it difficult to understand or follow instructions in offices and classrooms.
The signs of the inattentive kind of ADHD aren't as obvious in adults, but they can still influence how people perform at home and at work. This type of ADHD makes it difficult for people to stay focused in business meetings or classes at college. adult adhd diagnosis and treatment may also have trouble keeping up with their work and assignments. They may forget deadlines or appointments, and then lose the track of their belongings. They might also have trouble listening to music or following conversations. They are more susceptible to distraction by 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 a criterion to diagnose the disorder. This includes symptoms that begin before age 12 and occur in a variety of settings and can 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 person was 12 years old. They must persist at home, in school, and in social and work situations.
There's no reason for ADHD, but researchers are studying environmental and genetic factors that could be a factor. According to studies, people with ADHD may have difficulty regulating certain chemicals in their brains, including neurotransmitters which help control mood, attention and behavior.
Talk to your primary healthcare provider if there are signs of ADHD. Your doctor will conduct 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, such as stimulants that increase the levels of certain chemical in the brain. Amphetamines, methylphenidate and other stimulants are commonly used. You should tell your health professional about any other medicines you take, such as supplements and vitamins. The FDA's medication website contains information about approved medications along with warnings and information guides.