ADHD Symptoms and Treatment in Adults
Many adults report that they are struggling to keep up with daily tasks, often experiencing frustration and mood swings. If you think you may have ADHD, consult your primary care physician or a mental health professional 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 explained by other medical conditions mood disorders, other medical conditions.
Attentive Signs
Adults with ADHD often have a difficult time to keep up in school, at work or with household chores. They often miss appointments and don't pay their bills on time, and have trouble maintaining relationships with family and friends. They are more likely to lose things or make a mistake that could have grave consequences.
If you're having difficulty keeping track of your personal or work-related affairs, consider talking to your health care provider. My Home Page will assess your situation and may refer you to a mental specialist if necessary.
Inattentive ADHD is often misunderstood. People who suffer from inattentive ADHD are not always attentive when they are spoken to. They tend to forget quickly or get distracted by unrelated thoughts. They have difficulty staying focused on tasks, may make mistakes or fail to follow instructions. They may also have trouble keeping their hands off their faces or appear shaken.
Inattentive symptoms can lead to failure at school or work which can lead to feelings of shame and frustration for the person affected. They can also cause problems in relationships with family, friends and colleagues.
The diagnosis of ADHD is based on the assessment of the clinical. This involves an interview with the patient and a review of past behavior. They may ask the patient to fill out a symptom checklist and conduct medical tests in order to rule out other conditions that exhibit similar symptoms. The symptoms of ADHD must be present consistently before 12 years of age to be able to determine if it is an assessment.
Adults who suffer from inattention ADHD typically benefit from psychotherapy, lifestyle changes and other treatments to manage their symptoms. These treatments include medication, behavioral therapy and psychoeducation for families. Psychotherapy is a form of counseling that helps patients develop new skills, attitudes, and ways to interact with other people. Psychotherapy can teach strategies that can reduce impulsive and self-destructive behaviors improve organizational skills and increase confidence.
It could be helpful for people suffering from inattention ADHD to talk about their struggles with a friend or family member a therapist. They might also seek accommodations from their teachers or supervisors as well as colleagues. Accommodations are a way of making changes in the work environment that allow a person with a disability to carry out tasks just like everyone else, such as using a step stool for people who are small.
Hyperactive symptoms
Adults can exhibit different symptoms than children. Adult symptoms are more subtle. While children can fidget and appear restless, adults tend to be less and less talkative. They may forget their assignments or tasks, lose the track of time or location and make careless mistakes. They might also feel excessively active and struggle to sit still during a meal or class. They may interrupt other students, or give answers before being asked an inquiry.
These symptoms could be caused by a myriad of conditions. A thorough psychiatric examination is required to determine the cause of the symptoms and identify the most effective treatments. This includes psychotherapy, medication and lifestyle changes. These could include an improved diet, exercise and sleeping schedules. They may also require making adjustments to school or work assignments and using aidive devices such as calendars, planners, and smartphone apps.
It is recommended to first discuss your concerns with your family physician or your primary healthcare provider if you suspect that you might be suffering from ADHD. You can find tips to talk to your health care provider regarding mental health issues in the NIMH's How to Talk to Your Health Care Provider fact sheet.
It's important to know that to be diagnosed with ADHD, symptoms must occur in two or more settings and seriously interfere with 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.
There are medications available that can aid in managing your ADHD symptoms, as well as lifestyle modifications and accommodations. These medications are known as stimulants. They work by enhancing signals in your brain that influence your mood, attention, and behavior. Your doctor will give you the appropriate dose and will observe your response. You may be prescribed non-stimulant drugs when you experience adverse reactions or if a stimulant fails to work. They can also be used in combination with stimulants for increased effectiveness.
The symptoms of an impulse
People with inattentive ADHD are more likely to lose their keys or mobile phones. People with inattentive ADHD have a difficult managing their tasks, organizing their materials and completing projects. As adults, this can lead to a multitude of tasks that are not completed at the house, including houses that are not cleaned and bills not paid and the vegetable garden that has been planted but never tended to.
The impulse-driven symptoms of ADHD can cause problems in many areas of life, but especially in relationships. People who have impulsive ADHD are often overwhelmed and want instant satisfaction. They may be prone to rushing into social situations without planning or risk taking, which can have negative effects. People who are easily triggered can also react to emotional or stressful situations. For instance, a person might become highly annoyed or defensive when arguing with friends or family.
To get diagnosed with one of the two forms of ADHD, a health professional who specializes in mental disorders must review the medical history of the patient and conduct an exam. The doctor will inquire about the symptoms and how they affect your relationships, work, and your home. To be diagnosed with any type of ADHD the patient must display at least six of nine major symptoms. The symptoms must also affect everyday functioning and last at minimum six months (American Association for Psychiatric Research 2000).
Psychostimulants are the most effective treatment for ADHD. They target the way certain chemicals communicate with each other in the brain to regulate behaviour. The most commonly used type of stimulants is the methylphenidate that was initially used to treat ADHD in children. It is important to speak with your physician about your medication if have other health conditions such as depression or high blood pressure. In addition to medication, psychotherapy may help reduce impulsive and distracting symptoms. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a method of helping people recognize the automatic or irrational thoughts that may 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 in their school, work and social interactions. Other mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression, might also require treatment. A few adults may also have learning disabilities that make it difficult to understand or follow instructions in classrooms and offices.
Symptoms of the inattentive type of ADHD aren't as evident in adults, but they can still affect how people function at home and at work. This type of ADHD makes it difficult for people to stay focused in meetings at work or during college lectures. They may also have difficulty keeping up with their work and assignments. They frequently lose the location of their belongings and forget deadlines or appointments. They might also have trouble listening to music or following conversations. They are more likely to be distracted by the 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 Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV TR) 4th edition of the American Psychiatric Association, includes a criterion to diagnose the disorder. This includes symptoms that begin before age 12 and are present in a variety of settings and can cause problems in multiple 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 to manifest at home, at school as well as in various work and social environments.
Researchers are examining the effects of environmental and genetic factors that could be involved in the development of ADHD. According to research, people with ADHD might have trouble regulating certain chemicals in their brains, including neurotransmitters which aid in controlling mood, attention and behavior.
If you have signs of ADHD you should talk to your primary care doctor. Your doctor will conduct a physical examination and refer you for an evaluation by a mental health professional. Psychotherapy and medication are typically employed to treat ADHD, including stimulants that boost the levels of certain brain chemicals. Amphetamines and methylphenidate as well as other stimulants are used. It is important to inform your health professional about any other medications you take, including vitamins and supplements. The FDA's website for medications contains information on approved medications, warnings and patient information guidelines.