ADHD Symptoms and Treatment in Adults
Many adults struggle to keep up with their daily tasks. They are often frustrated and mood shifts. If you think you may have ADHD contact your primary health care provider or mental-health professional to conduct an assessment.
Adult ADHD is diagnosed with the same criteria that it is for children. The symptoms should last at least six months and cannot be caused by any other medical condition, mood disorders or other medical conditions.
Attention-deficit Symptoms
Many adults suffering from ADHD struggle to complete schoolwork, work, or household chores. They often have trouble keeping appointments, fail to pay bills on time, and have trouble maintaining relationships with friends and family. They are more likely to lose items or make careless mistakes which can result in serious consequences.
Speak to your health care provider if you are having difficulty keeping track of personal or work issues. Your primary care provider will examine your situation and may refer you to a mental specialist when needed.
Inattentive ADHD is often misunderstood. People suffering from inattentive ADHD aren't always attentive when spoken to. They forget easily or get distracted by irrelevant thoughts. They have difficulty staying focused on their tasks, and may make careless errors or struggle to follow instructions. They may also have difficulty keeping their hands from their faces or appear shaky.
Inattentive symptoms may lead to failure in the workplace or at school which can lead to frustration and shame for those affected. They can also cause problems in relationships with family, friends and co-workers.
The diagnosis of ADHD is based on a clinical assessment. This involves an interview with the patient and a review of past behavior. They may ask the person to fill out a questionnaire about their symptoms and may conduct tests to exclude mental or physical illnesses that have similar symptoms. Symptoms of ADHD must be consistent before age 12 in order for the diagnosis to be established.
Adults with inattention ADHD are often able to benefit from psychotherapy, lifestyle modifications and other treatments to manage their symptoms. These treatments include medication, behavioral therapy and family psychoeducation. Psychotherapy is a kind of counseling that assists patients develop new attitudes, skills and ways of engaging with others. Behavioral therapy can teach techniques that can reduce self-destructive and impulsive behavior as well as improve organizational skills and boost confidence.
It may be helpful for people suffering from inattention ADHD to discuss their issues with a friend or family member 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 disabled people to carry out tasks like all other people. For instance an individual who is short may use the step stool.
Hyperactive symptoms
The symptoms of this type of ADHD can be different in adults as compared to children. Adult symptoms are more subtle. While children can seem to be restless and fidget while adults tend to be less active. They might forget to complete tasks, lose track of or get lost and make a few mistakes. They might also be overly active and find it difficult to sit still during a meal or class. They may interrupt other students, or give answers before being asked to answer a question.
These symptoms can be caused by a variety of ailments. To determine the underlying cause of the symptoms and determine the most efficient treatment, a thorough psycho-psychiatric evaluation is required. This could include psychotherapy, medications and lifestyle changes. They can be an improved diet, exercise and sleep schedules. They could also include making adjustments to school or work assignments and using assistive devices like calendars, planners, and smartphone apps.
It is recommended to first discuss your concerns with your family doctor or your primary healthcare provider if you suspect you might be suffering from ADHD. The How to Talk to Your Provider factsheet from NIMH offers suggestions on how to speak with your provider regarding mental health issues.
To be considered to have ADHD symptoms must appear in at least two settings and have an impact on your daily life. For them to qualify, 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.
In addition to lifestyle modifications and accommodations, there are medications that can ease your symptoms of ADHD. These medications are referred to as stimulants. They work by enhancing signals within your brain, which affect your mood, attention, and behavior. Your doctor will prescribe the appropriate dosage of the medication for you and track your response to treatment. You could be prescribed a non-stimulant medicine in the event of a recurring adverse effects, or when a stimulant isn't helping or in combination with stimulants to enhance the effectiveness of treatment.
Impulsive Symptoms
Everyone loses keys or cellphone from time-to-time, but for people with inattentive ADHD, these little distractions are more of an issue. People with inattentive ADHD have a harder task of focusing on tasks, arranging their material, and completing projects. As adults, the result can be a million unfinished projects around the house: unpaid bills, messy homes and the vegetable garden that was planted but never watered.
The impulse-driven symptoms of ADHD can cause issues in a variety of areas of our lives, but specifically in relationships. People who suffer from an impulsive ADHD are often impatient and want instant gratification. 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. Someone could become frustrated or defensive in a dispute with family or friends.
To determine if you have one of the two forms of ADHD the health professional who specializes in mental disorders must examine the medical history of the patient and conduct an examination. The doctor will also inquire about how symptoms affect your work, home and relationships. To be diagnosed with either form of ADHD, a patient must show six or more of the nine major symptoms. The symptoms must interfere with daily functioning and last for at minimum six months (American Psychiatric Association, 2000).
The most effective treatment for ADHD is psychostimulants. These are drugs that affect the way certain chemicals interact in the brain to regulate behavior. The most commonly used stimulant is methylphenidate. adhd in adults untreated 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, for example, depression or high blood pressure, so it's essential to discuss your medications with your health care provider. In adhd in adults symptoms and treatment to medication psychotherapy can help reduce impulsive and distracting symptoms. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is focused on teaching people to identify automatic or irrational thinking that triggers negative behaviors and devise strategies for self-regulation.
Combination symptoms
Adults who were diagnosed with ADHD as children may experience symptoms in adulthood. They may have mild, moderate or severe symptoms that interfere with work, school and social interactions. Other mental health issues, like anxiety or depression, might also require treatment. Some adults may also have learning disabilities, which make it difficult to comprehend or follow directions in offices and classrooms.
The symptoms of the inattentive form of ADHD aren't as evident in adults however, they can impact how people function at home and work. This type of ADHD makes it difficult for people to sit still during business meetings or classes at college. They may also have trouble keeping up with their assignments and work. They can often lose track of their belongings and forget appointments or deadlines. They may also have trouble listening to music or following conversations. 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), fourth edition of the American Psychiatric Association, includes a criterion to diagnose the disorder. This includes symptoms that start at the age of 12 and can be seen in multiple settings and cause issues 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 begun before the age of 12 and persist at home, at school and in other work and social environments.
Researchers are examining the effects of environmental and genetic factors that may be at play in the development of ADHD. According to studies, people with ADHD might have trouble regulating certain brain chemicals and brains, such as neurotransmitters that can regulate mood, attention and behavior.
If you have signs of ADHD, talk to your primary care doctor. Your doctor will conduct an examination and refer you to an expert in mental health to conduct an assessment. Psychotherapy and medication are typically utilized to treat ADHD, including stimulants that raise the levels of certain brain chemicals. Amphetamines and methylphenidate as well as other stimulants are utilized. It is important to inform your health professional about any other medication you take, including vitamins and supplements. The FDA's medication website contains information on approved medications along with warnings and patient guidelines.