ADHD Symptoms and Treatment in Adults
Many adults struggle to keep up with their everyday tasks. They are often frustrated and mood swings. If you suspect you may have ADHD consult your primary health care provider or mental-health professional for an assessment.
Adult ADHD is diagnosed with 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 or other medical conditions.
Attention-deficit Symptoms
Adults with ADHD often find it difficult to keep up in school, at work or with household chores. They frequently miss appointments and don't pay their bills on time, and have difficulty maintaining relationships with family and friends. They are more likely to lose possessions or make mistakes which can result in serious consequences.
If you're having difficulty managing your personal or professional affairs, consider speaking with your health care provider. Your primary care doctor will examine your situation and may refer you to a mental specialist should it be necessary.
Inattentive ADHD is often misunderstood. People with inattentive ADHD don't always listen when they are spoken to and are easily distracted or often distracted by irrelevant thoughts. They may struggle to stay on task, make mistakes, or struggle to follow instructions. They may also struggle with keeping their hands off their faces, or appear to be shaken.
Inattentive symptoms can lead to failure at school or work which can lead to anger and shame for the person suffering. They can also cause issues with relationships with friends, family and co-workers.
Health professionals diagnose ADHD based on a clinical assessment, which involves interviewing the person and analyzing their the behavior of the past. untreated adhd in adults depression will often request that the person answer a symptom questionnaire, and may conduct tests for medical reasons to exclude mental or physical illnesses that have similar symptoms. Symptoms of ADHD must be present consistently before the age of 12 for a diagnosis to be made.
Adults with inattention ADHD might benefit from psychotherapy and lifestyle modifications to manage their symptoms. These treatments include behavioral therapy, medication, and family psychoeducation. Psychotherapy is a type of therapy that helps patients learn new skills, attitudes and ways of communicating with others. 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 might find it helpful to discuss their struggles with a trusted friend, family member or therapist. They may also be able to request accommodations from teachers, supervisors and co-workers. Accommodations are modifications and tools to the environment that enable the disabled person to carry out tasks like the rest of us. For instance an individual who is short may use the step stool.
Hyperactive symptoms
Adults can exhibit different symptoms in comparison to children. While children may fidget, seem agitated and talkative, adult symptoms tend to be more subtle. They might forget to complete 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 mutter answers before being asked questions, and may have trouble waiting their turn during games or conversations.
There are a variety of illnesses that can cause these symptoms. To determine the cause of symptoms and the most effective treatment, a full psycho-psychiatric evaluation is required. These can include psychotherapy, medication and lifestyle changes. These can include a healthier diet, exercise and sleep schedules. This can be done by adjusting school or work assignments and making use of aidive tools such as calendars or planners, as well as apps for smartphones.
If you suspect you might have ADHD The first step should be to discuss your concerns with your family physician or primary care provider. The How to Talk to Your Provider factsheet from NIMH contains guidelines on how to communicate with your physician about mental issues.
To be diagnosed with ADHD symptoms must be present in at least two settings and have a significant impact on daily life. They must have been 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.
In addition to lifestyle modifications and accommodations, there are medications that can help you manage your symptoms of ADHD. These medications are known as stimulants. They function by enhancing the signals within your brain, which affect your mood, attention, and behavior. Your doctor will determine the best dose of the medication for you and track your response to treatment. You might be prescribed non-stimulant medication in the event of side effects or if a stimulant does not work. They can also be combined with stimulants to increase the effectiveness.
Instinctive Symptoms
Everyone misplaces keys or a phone from time to time, but for people with inattention ADHD, these little distractions are a bigger issue. If it's a case of doodles in class or losing track of time during a meeting, people with inattention ADHD have a harder time to keep track of tasks and organize their materials to complete their projects. As adults, this may cause a variety of unfinished projects around the house, including unpaid bills, unkempt homes and the vegetable garden that was started but never watered.
Relationships are one of the most frequent areas in which the impulsive ADHD symptoms can create difficulties. People who suffer from ADHD who are impulsive ADHD are often impatient and want instant satisfaction. They might be quick to enter social situations without thinking ahead, or take risks that could result in negative consequences. In addition, impulsive individuals may react too strongly in stressful or emotional situations. One can become frustrated or defensive in a dispute with family members or friends.
To get diagnosed with one of the two forms of ADHD, a healthcare professional who is trained in mental disorders must review a person's medical history and conduct an exam. The doctor will also inquire about how symptoms affect your work, home and personal relationships. To be diagnosed with one or the other form of ADHD, a person must exhibit at least six of nine major symptoms. The symptoms must hinder everyday functioning and last at least six months (American Psychiatric Association, 2000).
The most effective treatment for ADHD is psychostimulants, which are medications which target the way that certain chemicals interact in the brain to regulate behavior. The most common type of stimulant is methylphenidate, which was first used to treat ADHD in children. It's possible that the medication is not suitable for certain people suffering from other health conditions like depression or high blood pressure It is therefore important to discuss your medications with your physician. In addition to medication psychotherapy can help reduce the symptoms of impulsivity and distraction. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a method of helping people recognize unintentional or irrational thoughts which could trigger negative behaviors and develop strategies for self-regulation.
Combination of symptoms
Adults who suffered from ADHD as children could experience symptoms that resurface during adulthood. They may experience 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. Many adults also suffer from learning difficulties, which can make it difficult for them to understand or follow directions in classrooms and offices.
Symptoms of the inattentive type of ADHD aren't as obvious in adults but they do influence how people perform at home and at work. This type of ADHD makes it difficult for people to remain focused in meetings at work or during classes at college. They might also have trouble keeping up with their work and assignments. They may forget deadlines or appointments, and may lose track of their belongings. They might also have trouble keeping track of conversations or listening to music. They are more likely to get distracted by people or activities that are happening 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 criterion for diagnosing the disorder that includes symptoms that begin before age 12, occur in a variety of settings and result in impairment across multiple domains, 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 have begun before the age of 12 and continue to manifest at school, at home, and in other work and social settings.
Researchers are investigating genetic and environmental factors which could be responsible for the development of ADHD. Studies suggest that the brains of people with ADHD have trouble regulating certain chemicals, such as neurotransmitters that manage mood, attention and behavior.
If you have signs of ADHD discuss it with your primary care doctor. Your doctor can perform an examination and refer you for an assessment by a mental health professional. Treatment for ADHD typically involves psychotherapy and medication including stimulants, which boost levels of certain chemicals in the brain. These include amphetamines and methylphenidate. Tell your doctor about all other medications you are taking such as vitamins or supplements. The FDA's medication website has information on approved medications, warnings and patient information guides.