ADHD Symptoms and Treatment in Adults
Many adults report that they are struggling to keep up with their daily activities frequently experiencing anger and mood swings. If you suspect you have ADHD you should consult your primary care provider or an expert in mental health to conduct an evaluation.
Adult ADHD is diagnosed using the same criteria that it is for children. The symptoms must last at minimum six months, and cannot be caused by any other medical condition mood disorders or other medical conditions.
Attention-deficit Signs
Many adults with ADHD have difficulty keep up with schoolwork, work or household chores. They miss appointments, don't pay their bills on time and struggle to maintain relationships with friends and family. They are more likely than other people to lose their possessions or make mistakes that can have serious consequences.
Speak with your health care provider if are having difficulty keeping track of work or personal issues. Your primary care physician will evaluate your situation and may refer you to a mental professional should it be necessary.
The symptoms of inattentive ADHD are often misunderstood. People with inattentive ADHD are not always attentive when speaking to. They forget easily or are distracted by irrelevant thoughts. adhd symptoms in adults treatment struggle to focus on tasks, may make mistakes or fail to follow instructions. They may also have difficulty keeping their hands away from their faces, or appear to be shaken.
Inattention to the symptoms can lead to failure at work or school, which can create feelings of shame and frustration for the person suffering. They can also cause issues in relationships with friends, family members and colleagues.
Health professionals diagnose ADHD through a medical assessment, which includes interviewing the individual and reviewing past behavior. They might ask the person to complete an inventory of symptoms and run tests on the body to determine if there are other conditions that have similar symptoms. Symptoms of ADHD must be present consistently before age 12 in order for the diagnosis to be made.
Adults who suffer from inattention ADHD can often benefit from psychotherapy, lifestyle adjustments and other treatments to manage their symptoms. These treatments include behavioral therapy, medication and psychoeducation for families. Psychotherapy is a kind of counseling that assists patients learn new attitudes, skills and ways of communicating with others. Psychotherapy can teach strategies that can decrease self-destructive and impulsive behaviors as well as improve organizational skills and build confidence.
It can be beneficial for people with inattentive ADHD to discuss their struggles with a friend or family member, or therapist. They may also seek accommodations from teachers or supervisors, as well as coworkers. Accommodations are tools and changes to the environment that allow a person with disabilities to carry out tasks like everyone else. For example the person who is short can use a step stool.
Hyperactive Signs and symptoms
Adults can exhibit different symptoms than children. Adult symptoms are more subtle. While children may seem to be restless and fidget, adults tend to be less and less talkative. They may forget their assignments or tasks, lose the track of time or location and make a few erroneous mistakes. They may also feel overly active and have difficulty sitting still during a meal or class. They may interrupt others or provide answers prior to being asked an inquiry.
These symptoms can be triggered by a variety of ailments. To determine the root of the symptoms and determine the most effective treatment, a complete psycho-psychiatric evaluation is required. These include psychotherapy, medications and lifestyle modifications. This could mean the use of a healthier diet plan as well as more exercise and a better sleep schedule. This can be done by making adjustments to work or school assignments, and utilizing assistive tools like calendars or planners, as well as smartphone apps.
If you suspect you might have ADHD The first step should be to discuss your concerns with your family physician or primary care physician. The How to Talk to Your Provider factsheet from NIMH provides tips on how to talk with your provider about mental health issues.
To be diagnosed with ADHD, the symptoms must appear in at least two environments and have an impact on everyday life. To be considered a candidate, they must have been present at least six month. 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 that can aid in managing your ADHD symptoms, as well as adjustments to your lifestyle and accommodations. These medications are known as stimulants. They work by reorganizing brain's signals that affect your mood and attention, as well as your behavior. Your doctor will prescribe the right dosage of the medication to you and will monitor your response to treatment. 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.
The symptoms of an impulse
People with inattentive ADHD are more likely to lose their keys or phones. People with inattentive ADHD have a tougher managing their tasks, organizing their materials, and completing projects. As adults, this may result in a myriad of unfinished projects around the house: houses that are not cleaned and bills not paid and the vegetable garden that's been started but not watered.
Relationships are among the most common areas where impulsive ADHD symptoms can lead to issues. People with an impulsive ADHD tend to be fast-paced and crave immediate satisfaction. They might jump into social situations without planning ahead, or take risks that could lead to negative consequences. Impulsive people may also overreact to emotional or stressful situations. Someone could become angry or defensive when fighting with family or friends.
A medical specialist who is specialized in mental disorders will examine the medical background of a patient and conduct an examination to diagnose ADHD. The doctor will inquire about your symptoms and how they impact your interactions with others, work, and your home. To be diagnosed with one or the other form of ADHD the patient must display six or more of the nine major symptoms. The symptoms must also hinder daily functioning and last at minimum six months (American Psychiatric Association 2000).
Psychostimulants are the most effective treatment for ADHD. They target the way certain chemicals communicate with one another in the brain to regulate behavior. The most common stimulant is methylphenidate. It was initially used to treat ADHD in children. The medication may not be suitable for people with other health issues, such as depression or high blood pressure It is therefore important to discuss your medications with your health care provider. Psychotherapy can help decrease impulsive symptoms and distracting behaviors in addition to medication. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), focuses on teaching people to recognize automatic or irrational thinking that triggers negative behaviors and develop strategies for self-regulation.
Combination Symptoms
Adults who were diagnosed with ADHD as children can be affected in later life. They may have mild, moderate or severe symptoms that hinder school, work and social interactions. Other mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression, might also require treatment. Many adults also suffer from problems with learning, which may make it difficult for them to comprehend or follow directions in offices and classrooms.
Adults might not be able to detect the signs of inattention ADHD however, it can still affect their ability to perform at home and at work. This type of ADHD makes it difficult for people to remain focused in meetings at work or during college lectures. They might also have trouble keeping up with their assignments and work. They might forget deadlines or appointments, and may lose their possessions. They may also have difficulty following conversations or listening to music. They tend to be more easily distracted by activities or people surrounding them than other 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) 4th 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 and can cause 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 be present before the age of 12 and continue at school, at home, and in other social and work situations.
There is no cause for ADHD however, researchers are studying genetic and environmental factors that could be a factor. According to research, people with ADHD may have difficulty regulating certain brain chemicals, including neurotransmitters which aid in controlling the mood, attention and behavior.
Consult your primary health care provider if you exhibit symptoms of ADHD. Your doctor can conduct a physical examination and refer you for an evaluation by an expert in mental health. Treatment for ADHD typically involves psychotherapy and medication, such as stimulants that increase the levels of certain chemicals in the brain. Amphetamines, methylphenidate, and other stimulants are utilized. Inform your doctor of all other medications you take such as vitamins or supplements. The FDA's website for medication contains information on approved medications as well as warnings and information guides.