ADHD Symptoms and Treatment in Adults
Many adults struggle to keep up with their daily tasks. They are often frustrated and mood shifts. If you suspect you have ADHD you should consult your primary care doctor or an expert in mental health for an assessment.
Adult ADHD is diagnosed using the same criteria as it is for children. The symptoms must last for at minimum six months and cannot be caused by other medical conditions mood disorders, other medical conditions.
Inattentive Signs and symptoms
Adults with ADHD often find it difficult to keep up in school, at work or with household chores. They are late for appointments, don't pay their bills on time and struggle to maintain relationships with their family and friends. They are more likely than other people to lose their possessions or make a mistake which can result in serious consequences.
Talk to your health care provider if have difficulty keeping the track of your work or personal matters. Your primary care provider will examine your situation and possibly refer you to a mental health professional when needed.
Inattentive ADHD is often misunderstood. People who suffer from inattentive ADHD are not always attentive when they are spoken to. They are easily distracted or are distracted by irrelevant thoughts. They may have trouble staying focused, make erroneous mistakes, or struggle to follow instructions. They also have trouble keeping their hands off their face or appear unsteady or fidgety.
Inattentive symptoms may cause a drop in performance at school or at work, which can cause anxiety and guilt for those affected. They can also cause problems with relationships with friends, family and co-workers.
Health care professionals determine ADHD based on a clinical assessment, which includes interviewing the individual and reviewing past behavior. They might ask the person to fill out an inventory of symptoms and run medical tests to determine whether other conditions exhibit similar symptoms. The symptoms of ADHD must be evident consistently before 12 years old to be able to determine if it is an diagnosis.
Adults suffering from inattention ADHD typically benefit from psychotherapy, lifestyle adjustments and other treatments that help to manage their symptoms. These treatments include medication, behavioral therapy and family psychoeducation. Psychotherapy is a form of counseling that helps patients learn new attitudes, skills and ways of communicating with others. Psychotherapy can help to reduce self-destructive and impulsive behavior, improve the ability to manage and organize, and boost confidence.
It can be beneficial for those with inattention ADHD to talk about their struggles with a family member, family member, or a therapist. They may also be able to seek accommodations from their teachers, supervisors and co-workers. Accommodations are tools and changes to the working environment that permit disabled people to complete tasks just like all other people. For example an individual who is short may use stepstools.
Hyperactive Symptoms
Adults may exhibit different symptoms in comparison to children. While children can fidget, seem agitated and talkative the symptoms of adults tend to be more subtle. They may forget tasks, lose track of or take a wrong turn and make mistakes. They might also feel excessively energetic and struggle to sit still during a meal or class. They may interrupt others or provide answers prior to being asked a question.
There are a variety of illnesses that can cause these symptoms. A comprehensive psychiatric assessment is needed to determine the cause of the symptoms and determine the most effective treatment. These could include psychotherapy, medication and lifestyle adjustments. These could include a healthier diet, exercise and sleeping schedules. They can also involve adjusting work or school assignments and using assistive devices like calendars, planners, and smartphone apps.
If you suspect that you may have ADHD the first step is to discuss your concerns with your family doctor or primary care physician. There are some tips for talking with your health care provider regarding mental health issues on NIMH's How to Talk to Your Health Care Provider fact sheet.
To be diagnosed with ADHD the symptoms must be present in at least two environments and have an impact on everyday life. They must have been 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.
In addition to lifestyle modifications and accommodations There are also medications that can ease the symptoms of ADHD. These medications are known as stimulants. They function by reorganizing brain signals that affect your mood, attention and behavior. Your doctor will prescribe the appropriate dose of the medication for you and monitor your reaction to treatment. You may be prescribed a non-stimulant medication when you have bothersome adverse effects, or when stimulants aren't working or is used in conjunction with stimulants to boost the effectiveness of treatment.
Instinctive Symptoms
Everybody loses keys or a cellphone from time to time However, for those with inattentive ADHD the little distractions are a bigger issue. People with inattentive ADHD have a harder time following tasks, arranging their materials, and completing projects. As adults, this may cause a variety of unfinished projects around the home: unpaid bills, unkempt homes and a vegetable garden that has been planted but never tended to.
The impulsive symptoms of ADHD can cause problems in many areas of life, but especially when it comes to relationships. People with an impulsive ADHD are usually impatient and want instant gratification. They may be prone to rushing into social situations with little preparation or risk-taking which could have negative consequences. In addition, impulsive individuals might react in a stressful or emotional situations. One can become angry or defensive when fighting with family members or friends.
To determine if you have one of the two forms of ADHD the health professional who specializes in mental disorders should review the medical history of the patient and conduct an exam. The doctor will ask you about your symptoms and how they impact your relationships at work, in your family, and at your home. To be diagnosed with any type of ADHD, a person must exhibit at least six of the nine main symptoms. The symptoms must also hinder daily functioning and last at least six months (American Association for Psychiatric Research 2000).
The most effective treatment for ADHD is psychostimulants. These are drugs which target the way that certain chemicals interact with the brain to regulate behavior. The most commonly used type of stimulant is methylphenidate, which was first used to treat ADHD in children. The medication may not be suitable for people with other health conditions such as high blood pressure or depression Therefore, it is important to discuss your medication with your health care provider. In addition to medication, psychotherapy may help reduce the symptoms of distraction and impulsivity. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is focused on teaching people to recognize automatic or irrational thinking that can trigger negative behaviors and to develop strategies for self-regulation.
Combination of Symptoms
Adults who suffered from ADHD as children might experience symptoms that return in adulthood. They may experience mild, moderate or even severe symptoms that affect school, work, and social interactions. Other mental health issues, like anxiety or depression, might also require treatment. Some adults also have problems with learning, which may make it difficult for them to understand or follow instructions in offices and classrooms.
Adults may not be able detect the signs of inattention ADHD however it could still affect their ability to perform at home and at work. This type of ADHD can make it difficult for people to sit still in business meetings or college lectures. They may also have difficulty keeping up with their work and assignments. They may forget deadlines or appointments, and then lose the track of their belongings. They also have trouble following conversations or listening to music. They are more prone to being distracted 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 American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition (DSM-IV TR) has a criterion for diagnosing the disorder that includes symptoms that begin at the age of 12 and occur in multiple settings and lead to impairment in multiple domains including 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 of adhd in adults treatment must have begun before the age of 12 and continue at home, at school, and in various work and social environments.
Researchers are examining the effects of environmental and genetic factors that might be at play in the development of ADHD. According to studies, people who suffer from ADHD might have trouble regulating certain brain chemicals that can regulate mood, attention and behavior.
If you have signs of ADHD you should talk to your primary care doctor. Your doctor can conduct an examination and refer you for an evaluation by a mental health professional. Treatment for ADHD usually involves psychotherapy as well as medications like stimulants that increase the levels of certain chemicals in the brain. These include amphetamines and methylphenidate. You should tell your health care provider about any other medicines you take, including supplements and vitamins. The FDA's website for medication contains information about approved medicines as well as warnings and information guidelines.