ADHD Symptoms and Treatment in Adults
Many adults find that they have trouble keeping up with the demands of daily life often expressing frustration and mood swings. If you suspect you may have ADHD check with your primary health care provider or mental-health professional for an assessment.
The criteria for determining adult ADHD is similar to that for children The symptoms must be present for at least 6 months and are not be more easily explained by other medical disorders or mental health issues.
Inattentional symptoms
Adults with ADHD often have a difficult time to keep up in school, at work or with household chores. They often have trouble keeping appointments and fail to pay their bills on time, and have trouble maintaining relationships with their family and friends. They are more likely than others to lose possessions, or make careless errors that can have serious consequences.
Talk to learn more if you have difficulty keeping track of work or personal matters. Your primary care doctor will assess your situation and recommend you to a mental health professional when appropriate.
The signs of inattentive ADHD are often misunderstood. People with inattentive ADHD are not always attentive when they are questioned, forget easily or are frequently distracted by irrelevant thoughts. They are unable to stay focused on their tasks, and may make mistakes or fail to follow directions. They may also struggle with keeping their hands from their faces or appear shaky.
Inattention to the symptoms could result in a failure at school or at work and can result in frustration and shame for the affected. They can also cause issues in relationships with family, friends and co-workers.
The diagnosis of ADHD is based on the evaluation of the clinical. This includes an interview with the patient and a review of past behavior. They often ask the person to complete a symptom questionnaire and may also conduct medical tests to determine if there are mental or physical health conditions that share similar symptoms. The symptoms of ADHD must be evident consistently prior to the age of 12 to be able to determine if it is an assessment.
Adults suffering from inattentive ADHD are often able to benefit from psychotherapy, lifestyle changes and other treatments that help to manage their symptoms. These treatments include medications as well as behavioral therapy and family psychoeducation. Psychotherapy is a form of counseling that assists patients learn new skills, attitudes and ways of interacting with others. Behavioral therapy can teach techniques that will reduce self-destructive and impulsive behavior improve organizational skills and boost confidence.
People with inattention ADHD might find it helpful to talk about their issues with a trusted family member or therapist. They might also be able to request accommodations from their teachers, supervisors and co-workers. Accommodations are tools and changes to the working environment that permit the disabled person to perform tasks as all other people. For example the person who is short can use the step stool.
Hyperactive Symptoms
The symptoms of this type of ADHD may look different in adults than children. Adult symptoms are more subtle. While children may fidget and appear restless while adults tend to be less talkative. They might forget their tasks, lose track or get lost and make a few mistakes. They might also feel energised and struggle to sit still, even while sitting down to a meal or in class. They may interrupt others or shout out answers before they've been asked a question, and struggle to keep their place in conversations or games.
These symptoms can be caused by a variety of ailments. To determine the root of the symptoms and determine the most efficient treatment, a thorough psycho-psychiatric evaluation is required. These include psychotherapy, medications and lifestyle modifications. These could include a healthier diet, exercise and sleep schedules. They could also include adjusting work or school assignments and making use of assistive devices like calendars, planners and smartphone apps.
It is important to discuss your concerns with your family doctor or primary healthcare provider if you suspect that you might have ADHD. You can find tips to talk to your health care provider regarding mental health issues on the NIMH's How to Talk to Your Health Care Provider fact sheet.
To be considered to have ADHD, the symptoms must appear in at least two different settings and have a significant impact on everyday life. To be eligible they must be 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 to help you manage your ADHD symptoms in addition to adjustments to your lifestyle and accommodations. These medications are known as stimulants. They work by streamlining the signals in your brain that affect your attention, mood and behavior. Your doctor will prescribe you the right dose and monitor your response. You might be prescribed non-stimulant medications when you experience adverse reactions or if a stimulant fails to work. They can also be used in combination with stimulants to boost effectiveness.
Impulsive Symptoms
People with inattention 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 may result in a myriad of unfinished projects around the house: unpaid bills, unkempt homes and the vegetable garden that has been established but not watered.
Relationships are among the most frequent areas in which an impulsive ADHD symptoms can create difficulties. People who suffer from ADHD who are impulsive ADHD are usually fast-paced and crave immediate gratification. They may be impulsive and enter social situations without thinking ahead or take risks that can lead to negative consequences. People who are impulsive may also react to stressful or emotional situations. A person may become very angry or defensive when fighting with family members or friends.
A medical specialist who is specialized in mental disorders will go over the medical history of a patient, and conduct an examination to determine ADHD. The doctor will also inquire about how the symptoms impact your home, work and relationships. In order to be diagnosed with any type of ADHD the patient must show at least six of the nine symptoms and the symptoms have to interfere with daily functioning for at least six months (American Psychological Association, 2000).
The most effective treatment for ADHD is psychostimulants, which are medications which target the way that certain chemicals communicate in the brain to regulate behavior. The most common type of stimulant is the methylphenidate that was initially used to treat ADHD in children. It is essential to speak with your doctor about your medication if suffer from other health issues like depression or high blood pressure. Psychotherapy can help decrease impulsive symptoms and distracting behaviors in addition to medications. More suggestions (CBT) focuses on helping individuals recognize the automatic or irrational thoughts that could trigger negative behaviors, and develop strategies of self-regulation.
Combination of symptoms
Adults who had ADHD as children may have symptoms that resurface during adulthood. They may have mild, moderate or even severe symptoms that interfere with school, work, and social interactions. They may also have other mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression, that require treatment. Many adults also suffer from learning issues, which could make it difficult for them to comprehend or follow directions in offices and classrooms.
Adults may not be able to identify the signs of inattention ADHD however it could still affect their ability to function at home and work. It's difficult for those who suffer from this type of ADHD to remain calm during college lectures or business meetings, and they might struggle to keep track of assignments and work assignments. They may forget deadlines and appointments, and may lose track of their belongings. They may also have trouble keeping track of conversations or listening to music. They are more likely to get distracted by people or activities around them than most 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 American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV TR) has a diagnostic criteria that includes symptoms that begin before age 12and can manifest in multiple settings and cause impairment in a variety of areas like school and 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 have begun before the person was 12 years old. They must persist at home, in school and in other work and social environments.
There's no reason for ADHD, but researchers are studying genetic and environmental factors that could be a factor. Studies suggest that the brains of people with ADHD are unable to regulate certain chemicals, such as neurotransmitters that control attention, mood and behavior.
Consult your primary healthcare provider if you show indications of ADHD. Your doctor may conduct a physical exam and recommend you to an expert in mental health care to do an evaluation. Treatment for ADHD typically involves psychotherapy and medication including stimulants, which increase the levels of certain chemicals in the brain. These include amphetamines and methylphenidate. Inform your doctor of all other medications you take such as vitamins or supplements. The FDA's medication website has information on approved medications along with warnings and patient guides.