ADHD Symptoms and Treatment in Adults
Many adults find that they are struggling to keep up with the demands of daily life often expressing frustration and mood swings. If you suspect you may have ADHD consult your primary health care provider or a mental-health professional to conduct an assessment.
The criteria for determining adult ADHD is the same as that for children: symptoms must be present for a period of 6 months and not be more easily explained by other medical conditions or mood disorders.
Inattentive Signs
Many adults with ADHD have difficulty keep up with homework, work or household chores. They miss appointments, don't pay bills on time, and have difficulty maintaining relationships with friends and family. They are more likely than other people to lose possessions, or make a mistake that can have serious consequences.
Speak to your health care provider if you are having difficulty keeping the track of your work or personal matters. Your primary care doctor will evaluate your situation and possibly refer you to a mental specialist if necessary.
Symptoms of inattention ADHD are often misunderstood. People with inattentive ADHD aren't always attentive when they are spoken to. They are easily distracted or are distracted by irrelevant thoughts. They have difficulty staying focused on tasks, may make careless errors or struggle to follow instructions. They also have difficulty keeping their hands from their face or appear unsteady or fidgety.
Inattention to symptoms can result in failure at school or work, which can create frustration and shame for the person who is affected. They can also cause problems in relationships with friends, family and colleagues.
Health professionals determine ADHD through a medical assessment that involves conducting an interview with the patient and reviewing the behavior of the past. They may ask the patient to fill out an inventory of symptoms and run tests on the body to determine if there are other conditions that have similar symptoms. The symptoms of ADHD must occur consistently since before the age of 12 for a diagnosis to be made.
Adults with inattention ADHD might benefit from a psychotherapy session and lifestyle changes to ease their symptoms. These treatments include medication, behavioral therapy and psychoeducation for families. Psychotherapy is a type of counseling that helps patients learn new attitudes, skills and ways of communicating with other people. Behavioral therapy can teach techniques that can decrease self-destructive and impulsive behaviors as well as improve organizational skills and boost confidence.
It may be helpful for people suffering from inattention ADHD to discuss their struggles with a friend or family member, or a therapist. Teachers or supervisors, as well as colleagues might be able to provide accommodations. Accommodations are modifications and tools to the environment that enable the disabled person to complete tasks just like all other people. For example an individual who is short may utilize stepstools.
Hyperactive symptoms
The signs of ADHD may look different in adults compared to children. While children might be agitated, irritable and agitated the symptoms of adults tend to be more subtle. They may forget their assignments or tasks, lose the time or location and make mistakes that aren't their fault. They also may feel overly stimulated and have trouble sitting still, even when eating a meal or in class. They may interrupt other students or shout out answers before being asked questions, and may struggle to keep their place in games or conversations.
There are many conditions that can cause these symptoms. To determine the cause of symptoms and the most effective treatment, a full psychiatric assessment is required. This could include psychotherapy, medication and lifestyle changes. This can include an improved diet as well as more exercise and an improved sleep schedule. They may also require changing school or work assignments and using assistive devices like calendars, planners and smartphone apps.
If you suspect that you have ADHD the first step is to discuss your concerns with your family doctor or primary care doctor. The How to Talk to Your Provider factsheet from NIMH contains tips on how to talk with your doctor about mental health issues.
It's important to know that to be diagnosed with ADHD, symptoms must occur in two or more settings and have a significant impact on everyday life. To be considered a candidate they must be present for at least six months. Your provider will evaluate you to see if you have the inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive symptoms of ADHD.
In addition to lifestyle changes and accommodations There are also medications that can ease the symptoms of ADHD. These are referred to as stimulants. They function by enhancing the signals within your brain, which affect your mood, attention and behavior. Your doctor will prescribe the appropriate dosage of the medication to you and monitor your response to treatment. You may be prescribed a non-stimulant medicine in the event of a recurring side effects, when the stimulant isn'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. If it's a case of doodles in class or losing track of time in a meeting, those with inattention ADHD have a harder time to stay on task or organize their materials. They also find it difficult to complete projects. As adults, the result may be a million half-finished projects around the home: unpaid bills, unkempt houses and the garden that was planted but never watered.
The symptoms of impulsive ADHD can create problems in many areas of our lives, but specifically with relationships. People with an impulsive ADHD tend to be impatient and want immediate gratification. They can be impulsive and jump into social situations with no planning or taking risks, which can have negative consequences. In addition, impulsive people might react in a emotional or stressful situations. For example, a person could become extremely annoyed or defensive during arguments with family members or friends.
To determine if you have one of the two kinds of ADHD, a healthcare professional who is trained in mental disorders should review a person's medical history and conduct an examination. The doctor will also inquire about how the symptoms impact your home, work, and personal relationships. In order to be diagnosed with either type of ADHD the patient must have six or more of the nine main symptoms and the symptoms have to interfere with daily functioning for at least 6 months (American Association for Psychiatric Research 2000).
Psychostimulants are the most effective treatment for ADHD. These medications target the way that certain chemicals communicate with one another in the brain to regulate behavior. The most commonly used type of stimulant is the methylphenidate drug, which was originally 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 Therefore, it is important to discuss your medication with your doctor. Psychotherapy can help reduce impulsive symptoms and distracting behaviors in addition to medication. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on helping individuals recognize automatic or irrational thoughts that could trigger negative behaviors and develop strategies for self-regulation.
Multiple symptoms
Adults who suffered from ADHD as children could experience symptoms that return in adulthood. They could experience mild or moderate symptoms that cause problems in their work, school and social interactions. They could also be suffering from other mental health issues like depression or anxiety, which require treatment. Adults may also suffer from learning disabilities that make it difficult to understand or follow instructions in classrooms and offices.
Adults may not be able to recognize the symptoms of inattentive ADHD, but it can be a problem for them to function at home and at work. This kind of ADHD makes it difficult for people to remain focused in meetings at work or during college lectures. They may also be unable to keep up with their work and assignments. They often lose track of their belongings and forget appointments or deadlines. They may also have difficulty following conversations or listening to music. They are more susceptible to distraction by 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 Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV TR), fourth edition of the American Psychiatric Association, includes an assessment criteria to identify the disorder. This includes symptoms that start at the age of 12 and can be seen in a variety of settings, causing problems in a variety of domains.
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 started before the age of 12 and continue at home, in school as well as in various work and social situations.
Researchers are investigating environmental and genetic factors that may be at play in the development of ADHD. According to studies, those with ADHD might have trouble regulating certain brain chemicals, including neurotransmitters which aid in controlling the mood, attention and behavior.
Consult your primary healthcare provider if there are signs of ADHD. Your doctor can conduct an examination and refer you for an evaluation by an expert in mental health. effects of untreated adhd in adults and medicines are commonly employed to treat ADHD and other disorders, such as stimulants that increase the levels of certain brain chemicals. These include amphetamines and methylphenidate. You should inform your doctor about any other medication you take, such as supplements and vitamins. The FDA's medication site has information on approved medications as well as warnings and information guides.