ADHD Symptoms and Treatment in Adults
Many adults find that they are struggling to keep up with their daily activities, often experiencing frustration and mood swings. If you think you may have ADHD consult your primary health care provider or mental-health professional to conduct an evaluation.
The criteria for determining 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 other medical conditions or mood disorders.
Inattentive Signs
Many people with ADHD find it difficult to keep up with homework, work or household chores. They don't attend appointments, fail to pay bills on time, and have trouble maintaining relationships with family and friends. They are more likely to lose things or make careless mistakes that can have serious consequences.
Speak to your health care provider if you have difficulty keeping track of work or personal issues. Your primary care physician will examine your situation and refer you to a mental specialist if necessary.
Symptoms of inattention ADHD are often misunderstood. People suffering from inattentive ADHD do not always listen when they are spoken to and tend to forget quickly or are frequently distracted by irrelevant thoughts. They might have difficulty staying focused, make careless mistakes, or struggle with following instructions. They also struggle to keep their hands from their face or appear shaky or fidgety.
Inattentive symptoms can lead to failing at school or at work and can cause anger and shame for the person suffering. They can also cause issues in relationships with family, friends and co-workers.
Health care providers identify ADHD by conducting a clinical assessment that involves conducting an interview with the patient and reviewing previous behavior. They might ask the person to fill out a symptom checklist and conduct medical tests to determine if there are other conditions that have similar symptoms. The symptoms of ADHD must be present consistently prior to 12 years of age to make an diagnosis.
Adults with inattention ADHD might benefit from psychotherapy and lifestyle changes to manage their symptoms. These treatments include behavioral therapy, medication and psychoeducation for families. Psychotherapy is a type of counseling that assists patients learn new skills, attitudes and ways of engaging with other people. The practice of behavioral therapy can teach methods that will decrease self-destructive and impulsive behaviors, improve organizational skills and increase confidence.
People with inattention ADHD might find it helpful to talk about their issues with a trusted family member or therapist. They might also seek accommodations from their teachers, supervisors and co-workers. 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 someone who is short.
Hyperactive symptoms
Adults may show different symptoms in comparison to children. Adult symptoms are less obvious. While children might seem to be restless and fidget while adults tend to be less talkative. They might forget about tasks or tasks, lose track of time or place and make a few erroneous mistakes. They also may feel overly energetic and find it difficult to sit still, even while eating a meal or in class. They may interrupt other students or shout out answers before being asked questions, and may aren't able to wait their turn during games or conversations.
There are several ailments that can trigger these symptoms. A comprehensive psychiatric assessment is necessary to determine the root of the symptoms and determine the most effective treatments. These could include psychotherapy, medications and lifestyle adjustments. This can include the use of a healthier diet plan, more exercise, and an improved sleep schedule. These can include making adjustments to work or school assignments, and utilizing assistive tools like calendars, planners, and apps for smartphones.
If you suspect that you might have ADHD, your first step is to discuss your concerns with your family physician or primary care doctor. You can find tips for talking with your health care provider regarding mental health issues on the NIMH's How to Talk to Your Health Care Provider fact sheet.
To be diagnosed with ADHD symptoms must be evident in at least two different settings and have an impact on your daily life. They must have been present for at least six months to be eligible. 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, in addition to adjustments to your lifestyle and accommodations. These drugs are known as stimulants. They work by streamlining the signals within your brain, which affect your mood, attention and behavior. Your doctor will prescribe you the right dosage and will be able to observe your response. You may be prescribed non-stimulant medication in the event of side effects or if a stimulant fails to work. They can also be combined with stimulants for increased effectiveness.
The symptoms of an impulse
Everyone misplaces keys or a cellphone from time to time, but for people with inattention ADHD small distractions are a bigger issue. People with inattentive ADHD have a difficult task of focusing on tasks, arranging their material and completing their projects. As adults, the result could be a million incomplete projects around the house: unpaid bills, dirty houses, and the vegetable garden that was started but never watered.
Relationships are among the most common areas where an impulsive ADHD symptoms can cause problems. People who have hyperactive ADHD tend to be anxious and require immediate satisfaction. They may be impulsive and enter social situations without planning ahead or take risks that could result in negative consequences. In addition, impulsive individuals might overreact in emotional or stressful situations. For example, a person might become highly annoyed or defensive during arguments with family members or friends.
A health care professional who specializes in mental disorders will review the medical history of a patient and perform an exam to diagnose ADHD. The doctor will also ask questions about how the symptoms impact your work, home and personal relationships. To be diagnosed with either form of ADHD the patient must show six or more of nine major symptoms. The symptoms must also affect daily functioning and last at minimum six months (American Psychological Association, 2000).
The most effective treatment for ADHD is psychostimulants, which are medications that affect the way certain chemicals interact with the brain to regulate behavior. The most popular type of stimulant is the methylphenidate that was initially used to treat ADHD in children. The medication might not be appropriate for some people with other health issues, for example, depression or high blood pressure It is therefore essential to discuss your medications with your health care provider. In addition to medicines, psychotherapy may help reduce impulsive and distracting symptoms. adhd in adults symptoms and treatment (CBT) focuses on helping individuals recognize unintentional or irrational thoughts which could trigger negative behaviors, and develop strategies of self-regulation.
Combination of Symptoms
Adults who suffered from ADHD as children may have symptoms that come back in adulthood. They could experience mild or moderate symptoms that cause problems with their schoolwork, work, and social interactions. They may also have other mental health problems like depression or anxiety, which require treatment. Adults may also suffer from learning disabilities, which make it difficult to comprehend or follow directions in classrooms and offices.
Adults might not be able to recognize the symptoms of inattentive ADHD however it could still affect their ability to function at home and at work. This kind of ADHD can make it difficult for people to stay focused during business meetings or college lectures. They might also have difficulty keeping up with their assignments and work. They can often lose the track of their belongings or forget deadlines or appointments. They may also have difficulty following conversations or listening to music. They are more likely to be distracted by activities or people 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 criteria for diagnosing the disorder which includes symptoms that manifest before age 12, occur in multiple settings and cause impairment in a variety of areas including 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 be present before the age of 12 and persist at home, at school, and in other work and social situations.
There is no cause for ADHD, but researchers are studying genetic and environmental factors that may have a role to play. According to research, people with ADHD might have trouble regulating certain brain chemicals, including neurotransmitters which aid in controlling the way they behave, their mood and attention.
Speak to your primary healthcare provider if you show indications of ADHD. Your doctor can do an examination and recommend you to an expert in mental health to conduct an assessment. Treatment for ADHD typically involves psychotherapy as well as medications like stimulants that increase the levels of certain chemicals in the brain. These include amphetamines and methylphenidate. It is important to inform your doctor about any other medication you take, including vitamins and supplements. The FDA's medication website contains information on approved medicines along with warnings and patient guidelines.