ADHD Symptoms and Treatment in Adults
Many adults find that they struggle to keep up with the demands of daily life often expressing frustration and mood swings. If you think you might have ADHD contact your primary health care provider or a mental-health professional for an assessment.
Adult ADHD is diagnosed with the same criteria that it is for children. The symptoms must last for at minimum six months, and cannot be caused by any other medical condition, mood disorders or other medical conditions.
Attentive Symptoms
Many people with ADHD find it difficult to complete schoolwork, work or household chores. They miss appointments, don't pay their bills on time and have trouble maintaining relationships with family and friends. They are more likely to lose possessions or make a mistake that could have grave consequences.
Talk 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 if necessary.
Symptoms of inattentive ADHD are often misunderstood. People suffering from inattentive ADHD don't always listen when they are spoken to and are easily distracted or frequently distracted by irrelevant thoughts. They are unable to stay focused on their work, and can make careless errors or struggle to follow instructions. They may also have difficulty keeping their hands from their faces or appear shaken.
Inattentive symptoms may lead to failure in the workplace or at school which can lead to frustration and shame for the affected. They can also cause problems in relationships with family, friends and co-workers.
Health care providers identify ADHD based on a clinical assessment, which includes interviewing the individual and reviewing past behavior. They may ask the individual to fill out an inventory of symptoms and run tests on the body to rule out other conditions that exhibit similar symptoms. The symptoms of ADHD must occur consistently since before age 12 for the diagnosis to be made.
Adults suffering from inattention ADHD may benefit from psychotherapy and lifestyle changes to manage their symptoms. These treatments include medications such as behavioral therapy, family therapy and psychoeducation. Psychotherapy is a form of counseling which helps patients develop new attitudes, skills and ways of communicating with others. Behavioral therapy can help reduce self-destructive, impulsive behavior, improve organizational skills, and increase confidence.
People with inattentive ADHD might find it helpful to discuss their struggles with a trusted family member or therapist. Teachers or supervisors as well as coworkers may be able to offer accommodations. Accommodations are tools or changes in the environment that allow a person with a disability to carry out tasks just like everyone else, such as using a step stool for someone who is short.
Hyperactive symptoms
The signs of ADHD can be different in adults than children. Adult symptoms are less obvious. While children can seem to be restless and fidget while adults tend to be less and less talkative. They may forget about their tasks and lose the time or location and make a few erroneous mistakes. They might also feel energised and struggle to sit still, even when eating dinner or in class. They might interrupt others or shout out answers before they've been asked a question, and aren't able to wait their turn in conversations or games.
These symptoms could be caused by a variety of ailments. A thorough psychiatric examination is needed to determine the cause of the symptoms and identify the most effective treatment options. These could include psychotherapy, medication and lifestyle adjustments. These could include a healthier diet, exercise and sleeping schedules. This can be done by making adjustments to work or school assignments and making use of aidive tools like calendars or planners, as well as apps for smartphones.
It is important to discuss your concerns with your family physician or primary healthcare provider if you suspect you might have ADHD. There are some tips to talk to your health care provider regarding mental health issues on NIMH's How to Talk to Your Health Care Provider fact sheet.
To be diagnosed with ADHD the symptoms must be present in at least two different settings and have a significant impact on daily life. They must be present for at least six months in order to be considered to be diagnosed. Your provider will evaluate you to see if you have the inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive symptoms of ADHD.
There are medications available to assist you in managing your ADHD symptoms, as well as adaptations to your lifestyle and accommodation. These medications are called stimulants. They function by enhancing the signals in your brain that influence your attention, mood and behavior. Your doctor will prescribe the right dosage of the medication to you and track your response to treatment. You may be prescribed non-stimulant medication if you experience side effects or if a stimulant doesn't work. They are also combined with stimulants to boost effectiveness.
The symptoms of an impulse
Everyone misplaces keys or a cellphone from time-to-time However, for those with inattention ADHD small distractions can become an issue. It doesn't matter if it's drawing in class or losing track of the time during a meeting, people with inattentive ADHD are more difficult to follow tasks or organize their materials. They also find it difficult to complete their projects. As adults, this may lead to a multitude of unfinished projects around the house, including unpaid bills, unkempt homes and a vegetable garden that has been established but not watered.
Relationships are one of the most prevalent areas where impulsive ADHD symptoms can create problems. People with an impulsive ADHD are often anxious and seek immediate gratification. They can be impulsive and jump into social situations with no planning or taking risks which could result in negative consequences. In addition, impulsive individuals might react in a stressful or emotional situations. Someone could become annoyed or defensive when arguing with family or friends.
To be diagnosed with one of the two forms of ADHD, a health professional who specializes in mental disorders must examine a person's medical history and conduct an examination. The doctor will ask you about your symptoms and how they impact your relationships at work, in your family, and at your home. To be diagnosed with one or the other form of ADHD, a person must exhibit six or more of the nine main symptoms. The symptoms must also interfere with daily functioning and last for at minimum six months (American Psychological Association, 2000).
Psychostimulants are the most effective treatment for ADHD. These medications target the way that certain chemicals interact with each other in the brain to regulate behavior. The most common stimulant is methylphenidate. It was initially used to treat ADHD among children. It's important to talk with your physician about your medication if are suffering from other health issues such as depression or high blood pressure. In addition to medicines psychotherapy can help reduce the symptoms of impulsivity and distraction. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), focuses on teaching people to identify Irrational or automatic thinking that can trigger negative behaviors and develop strategies for self-regulation.
Combination symptoms
Adults who were diagnosed with ADHD as children can develop symptoms into adulthood. They may experience mild or moderate symptoms that interfere with their schoolwork, work as well as social interactions. Other mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression, might also require treatment. Some adults may also have learning disabilities that make it difficult to comprehend or follow directions in offices and classrooms.
The symptoms of the inattentive form of ADHD aren't as obvious in adults however, they can impact how people function at home and at work. This kind of ADHD makes it difficult for people to sit still in meetings at work or during college lectures. They might also have difficulty keeping up with their work and assignments. They frequently lose track of their belongings and forget deadlines or appointments. They may also have difficulty keeping track of conversations or listening to music. They are more likely to get distracted by people or activities 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. untreated adhd in adults depression includes symptoms that begin at the age of 12 and can be seen in multiple settings and 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 have manifested before the person was 12 years old and continue at home, in school and in social and work settings.
Researchers are investigating environmental and genetic factors that could be involved in the development of ADHD. According to research, people with ADHD may have difficulty regulating certain chemicals in their brains, including neurotransmitters which help control the way they behave, their mood and attention.
If you're experiencing symptoms of ADHD, talk to your primary care physician. Your doctor can do an exam of your body and refer you to a mental health professional to conduct an evaluation. Psychotherapy and medications are usually employed to treat ADHD and other disorders, such as stimulants that raise the levels of certain brain chemicals. These include amphetamines and methylphenidate. Tell your doctor about all other medications you take, including vitamins or supplements. The FDA's medication website contains information about approved medications, warnings and patient information guidelines.