ADHD Symptoms and Treatment in Adults
Many adults report that they have trouble keeping up with their daily activities often expressing frustration and mood swings. If you suspect that you might have ADHD contact your primary health care provider or mental health professional for an evaluation.
The criteria for diagnosing adult ADHD is similar to the criteria used for children ADHD: symptoms must be evident over 6 months and not better explained by other medical disorders or conditions.
Attention-deficit Symptoms
Adults with ADHD typically have difficulty to keep up in the workplace, at school or with household chores. They frequently skip appointments, fail to pay bills on time, and have trouble maintaining relationships with family and friends. They are more likely than others to lose possessions, or make mistakes that could have grave consequences.
If you are having trouble managing your work or personal affairs, consider talking to your health care provider. Your primary care provider will evaluate your situation and refer you to a mental health professional should it be necessary.
Inattentive ADHD is often misunderstood. People suffering from inattentive ADHD don't always listen when they are spoken to and are easily distracted or frequently distracted by irrelevant thoughts. They might have difficulty staying on task, make mistakes, or struggle to follow instructions. They also have difficulty keeping their hands from their face or appear unsteady or fidgety.
Inattentive symptoms may lead to failure in the workplace or at school which can lead to anger and shame for the affected. They can also cause issues in relationships with friends, family members and co-workers.
The diagnosis of ADHD is based on a clinical assessment. This involves an interview with the patient and an examination of their past behavior. They may ask the patient to complete an inventory of symptoms and run medical tests to rule out other conditions that exhibit similar symptoms. Symptoms of ADHD must be present consistently before the age of 12 for a diagnosis to be established.
Adults with inattention ADHD may benefit from psychotherapy and lifestyle modifications to manage their symptoms. These treatments include behavioral therapy, medication, and family psychoeducation. Psychotherapy is a kind of counseling which helps patients develop new skills, attitudes and ways of communicating with others. The use of behavioral therapy can help decrease impulsive, self-destructive behavior, increase the ability to manage and organize, and boost confidence.
It could be helpful for those with inattention ADHD to talk about their struggles with a friend, family member, or therapist. Teachers or supervisors, as well as colleagues may be able to offer accommodations. Accommodations are tools or changes in the work environment that allow the disabled person to carry out tasks just like the rest of us, for example, using a step stool for people who are small.
Hyperactive Signs and symptoms
Adults can exhibit different symptoms than children. While children may fidget, appear restless and talkative while adult symptoms tend to be more subtle. They might forget their tasks, get lost or lose place and make careless errors. They might also feel stimulated and have trouble sitting still, even when sitting down to a meal or in class. They may interrupt others or mutter answers before being asked questions, and may aren't able to wait their turn during games or conversations.
There are a variety of illnesses that can cause these symptoms. To determine the underlying cause of symptoms and the most efficient treatment, a thorough mental health assessment is needed. These could include psychotherapy, medications and lifestyle changes. They can be eating a healthy diet, exercising and sleeping schedules. This could include adjusting school or work assignments, and utilizing aidive tools such as calendars or planners, as well as apps for smartphones.
If you suspect you may have ADHD, your first step should be to discuss your concerns with your family doctor or primary care provider. The How to Talk to Your Provider factsheet from NIMH provides guidelines on how to communicate with your physician regarding mental health issues.
To be considered to have ADHD symptoms must be present in at least two different settings and have an impact on everyday life. They must be present for at least six months in order to be eligible. Your provider will evaluate you to see if you have the inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive symptoms of ADHD.
Alongside lifestyle changes and accommodations, there are medications that can help you manage your symptoms of ADHD. These are referred to as stimulants. They work by reorganizing brain signals that affect your mood, attention and behavior. Your doctor will give you the right dosage and will be able to observe your response. You could be prescribed a non-stimulant drug when you experience unpleasant adverse effects, or when the stimulant isn't working, or in combination with stimulants to enhance the effectiveness of treatment.
Instinctive Symptoms
People with inattention ADHD are more likely to lose their keys or cellphones. People with inattentive ADHD have a harder time following tasks, arranging their material, and completing projects. As adults, this can lead to a multitude of unfinished projects around the home: houses that are not cleaned and bills not paid and a vegetable garden that's been started but not watered.
Relationships are one of the most common areas where an impulsive ADHD symptoms can lead to issues. People who suffer from an impulsive ADHD tend to be impatient and want instant satisfaction. They might jump into social situations without thinking ahead, or take risks that can result in negative consequences. People who are easily triggered can also react to stressful or emotional situations. For example, a person might become highly annoyed or defensive during arguments with family or friends.
A health professional with a specialization in mental disorders will go over the medical background of a patient and conduct an examination to determine ADHD. The doctor will also inquire about how the symptoms impact your home, work and family relationships. To be diagnosed with one of the types of ADHD one must show six or more of the nine main symptoms and the symptoms must be interfering with daily functioning for at least six months (American Association for Psychiatric Research 2000).
The most effective treatment for ADHD is psychostimulants, which are drugs that affect the way certain chemicals interact in the brain to regulate behavior. The most common type of stimulants is the methylphenidate that was initially used to treat ADHD in children. It's important to talk with your physician about your medication if you have other health conditions such as depression or high blood pressure. Psychotherapy can help reduce the symptoms of impulsivity and distracting behavior in addition to medication. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), focuses on teaching people to identify Irrational or automatic thinking that can trigger negative behaviors and develop strategies for self-regulation.
Combination of Symptoms
Adults who were diagnosed with ADHD as children may develop symptoms into adulthood. They may experience mild or moderate symptoms that interfere in their work, school as well as social interactions. Other mental health issues, like anxiety or depression, might also require treatment. A few adults may also have learning disabilities, which make it difficult to understand or follow directions in classrooms and offices.
The signs of the inattentive kind of ADHD aren't as obvious in adults but they do impact how people function at home and at work. This type of ADHD makes 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 can often lose the track of their belongings or forget appointments or deadlines. They also have difficulty keeping track of conversations or listening to music. They are more prone to being distracted by the activities or people 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 4th edition (DSM-IV TR) has a criterion for diagnosing the disorder that includes symptoms that start before age 12, occur in multiple settings and lead to impairment in multiple domains 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. The symptoms must have begun before the age of 12 years old. They must persist at home, at school, as well as in other work and social situations.
There is no cause for ADHD, but researchers are studying environmental and genetic factors that could be a factor. According to adhd treatment for adults without medication , people with ADHD may have difficulty controlling certain chemicals in their brains that aid in controlling the way they behave, their mood and attention.
If you have signs of ADHD discuss it with your primary care physician. Your doctor will conduct an examination and refer you to an evaluation by an expert in mental health. Psychotherapy and medication are typically employed to treat ADHD and other disorders, such as stimulants that increase the levels of certain brain chemicals. Amphetamines, methylphenidate and other stimulants are utilized. Tell your doctor about all other medications you are taking such as vitamins or supplements. The FDA's medication website contains information about approved medications along with warnings and patient guidelines.