ADHD Symptoms and Treatment in Adults
Many adults find that they struggle to keep up with their daily activities often expressing frustration and mood swings. If you suspect that you have ADHD you should consult your primary care provider or a mental health professional for an assessment.
treatment for adhd in adults for diagnosing adult ADHD is similar to the criteria used for children: symptoms must be present for at least 6 months and are not better explained by other medical conditions or mood disorders.
Inattentive Symptoms
Many adults with ADHD have difficulty complete schoolwork, work or household chores. They often have trouble keeping appointments, fail to pay bills on time, and have difficulty maintaining relationships with family and friends. They are more likely than other people to lose things, or make a mistake that could have grave consequences.
If you are having trouble keeping track of your work or personal affairs, consider speaking with your health care provider. Your primary care provider will examine your situation and may refer you to a mental health professional if necessary.
Inattentive ADHD is often misunderstood. People with inattentive ADHD do not always listen when they are spoken to, forget easily or are frequently distracted by irrelevant thoughts. They have difficulty staying focused on their tasks, and may make mistakes or fail to follow instructions. They also have difficulty keeping their hands off their face or appearing unstable or fidgety.
Inattentive symptoms may lead to failure in the workplace or at school which can lead to anxiety and guilt for the affected. They can also cause issues in relationships with friends, family members and co-workers.
The diagnosis of ADHD is based on the evaluation of the clinical. This involves an interview with the patient as well as an assessment of the past behavior. They may ask the patient to complete an inventory of symptoms and run medical tests in order to determine whether other conditions have similar symptoms. Symptoms of ADHD must occur consistently since before age 12 for the diagnosis to be made.
Adults with inattentive ADHD are often able to benefit from psychotherapy, lifestyle adjustments and other treatments to manage their symptoms. These treatments include behavioral therapy, medication and family psychoeducation. Psychotherapy is a kind of therapy that assists patients to develop new skills, attitudes and ways of communicating with others. Behavioral therapy can teach techniques that can reduce self-destructive and impulsive behavior, improve organizational skills and boost confidence.
It could be helpful for people suffering from inattention ADHD to talk about their struggles with a friend, family member, or a therapist. Teachers or supervisors as well as coworkers may be able offer accommodations. Accommodations are tools and changes to the environment that allow the disabled person to carry out tasks like all other people. For instance an individual who is short may use the step stool.
Hyperactive Symptoms
Adults may exhibit different symptoms in comparison to children. Adult symptoms are less obvious. While children can be agitated and tense while adults tend to be less talkative. They may forget tasks, lose track or take a wrong turn and make mistakes. They might also feel excessively energetic and find it difficult to sit still during a meal or in class. They may interrupt others, or give answers before being asked an inquiry.
These symptoms can be caused by a variety of ailments. A full psychiatric evaluation is needed to determine the cause of the symptoms and determine the most effective treatment. This includes psychotherapy, medication and lifestyle changes. This could include the use of a healthier diet plan, more exercise, and better sleeping schedules. These can include making adjustments to work or school assignments, and utilizing aidive tools like calendars and planners, as well as apps for smartphones.
If you suspect that you may have ADHD The first step should be to discuss your concerns with your family physician or primary care doctor. You can find helpful tips for speaking with your health care provider regarding mental health issues on NIMH's How to Talk to Your Health Care Provider fact sheet.
To be considered to have ADHD, the symptoms must be present in at least two environments and have a significant impact on everyday life. For them to qualify, they must have been present for at least six months. Your provider will evaluate you to see if you have the inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive symptoms of ADHD.
There are a variety of medications available to help you manage your ADHD symptoms, as well as lifestyle modifications and accommodations. These drugs are known as stimulants. They function by enhancing the signals within your brain, which affect your attention, mood and behavior. Your doctor will prescribe you the right dose and observe your response. You might be prescribed non-stimulant drugs if you experience side effects or if a stimulant does not work. They can also be combined with stimulants to boost effectiveness.
Instinctive Symptoms
People with inattentive ADHD are more likely to lose their keys or mobile phones. Whether it's doodling in class or losing track of the time during a meeting, people with inattention ADHD are more difficult to follow tasks and organize their materials to complete projects. As adults, the result can be a million incomplete projects around the house: unpaid bills, messy homes and the vegetable garden that was started but never watered.
The impulse-driven symptoms of ADHD can create issues in a variety of areas of our lives, but specifically with relationships. People who have an impulsive ADHD often feel anxious and require instant 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 instance, someone might become highly annoyed or defensive in arguments with friends or family.
To get diagnosed with one of the two types of ADHD, a health care professional specializing in mental disorders must examine the medical history of a patient and conduct an exam. The doctor will inquire about your symptoms and how they affect your relationships, work, and home. In order to be diagnosed with any type of ADHD, a person must have at least six of the nine main symptoms and the symptoms must be interfering with daily functioning for at least 6 months (American Psychological Association, 2000).
The most effective treatment for ADHD is psychostimulants. These are drugs which target the way that certain chemicals interact in the brain to regulate behavior. The most popular type of stimulants is the methylphenidate drug, which was originally used to treat ADHD in children. It is important to speak with your doctor about your medication if are suffering from other health issues like depression or high blood pressure. Psychotherapy can help reduce distraction and impulsive symptoms in addition to medications. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), focuses on teaching people to identify Irrational or automatic thinking that triggers negative behaviors and devise strategies for self-regulation.
Combination of Symptoms
Adults who were diagnosed with ADHD as children can experience symptoms in adulthood. They can have mild, moderate or even severe symptoms that interfere with school, work, and social interactions. Other mental health issues, like depression or anxiety, may also require treatment. A few adults may also have learning disabilities, which make it difficult to understand or follow instructions in offices and classrooms.
Adults may not be able to recognize the symptoms of inattentive ADHD, but it can still affect their ability to perform at home and at work. This type of ADHD can make it difficult for people to remain focused in meetings at work or during classes at college. They may also have difficulty keeping up with their assignments and work. They may forget deadlines or appointments, and then lose track of their belongings. They may also have trouble keeping track of conversations or listening to music. They are more susceptible to distraction by the activities or people that are going on around them than the majority of 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 which includes symptoms that manifest before age 12and can manifest in multiple settings and lead to impairment in a variety of areas, such as at 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. The symptoms must be present before the age of 12 and continue to manifest at school, at home, and in various work and social settings.
There's no known cause of ADHD, but researchers are studying environmental and genetic factors that may play a role. Studies suggest that the brains of those with ADHD have trouble regulating certain chemicals, including neurotransmitters which help control attention, mood and behavior.
If you have signs of ADHD, talk to your primary care physician. Your doctor can conduct an examination and refer you to an assessment by a mental health professional. Treatment for ADHD typically involves psychotherapy and medication, such as stimulants that increase the levels of certain chemicals in the brain. Amphetamines and methylphenidate as well as other stimulants are utilized. Tell your doctor about all other medications you take, including vitamins or supplements. The FDA's medication website contains information about approved medications along with warnings and patient guides.