ADHD Symptoms and Treatment in Adults
Many adults struggle to keep up with their everyday tasks. They may experience stress and mood shifts. If you think you may have ADHD take a look at your primary care provider or an expert in mental health to conduct an evaluation.
The criteria used to diagnose adult ADHD is the same as that for children ADHD: symptoms must be evident for a period of 6 months and not be better explained by other medical disorders or mental health issues.
Attentive symptoms
Many adults with ADHD struggle to complete schoolwork, work or household chores. They often skip appointments and don't pay their bills on time, and have difficulty maintaining relationships with friends and family. They are more likely to lose possessions or make mistakes that could have grave consequences.
If you are having trouble managing your personal or work-related affairs, consider talking to an expert in health care. Your primary care physician can evaluate your situation and recommend you to a mental health specialist when appropriate.
Inattentive ADHD is often misunderstood. People suffering from inattentive ADHD are not always attentive when they are spoken to. They are easily distracted or get distracted by irrelevant thoughts. They may have trouble staying focused, make erroneous mistakes, or struggle to follow directions. They may also struggle with keeping their hands off their faces, or appear to be shaken.
Inattention to the symptoms could cause a drop in performance at the workplace or at school and can result in anger and shame for those affected. They can also cause issues with relationships with family, friends and co-workers.
The diagnosis of ADHD is based on the clinical assessment. This involves an interview with the patient and a review of past behavior. They will often require the patient to complete a symptom questionnaire and may also conduct tests to exclude mental or physical health conditions that share similar symptoms. The symptoms of ADHD must be evident consistently before 12 years of age to make an assessment.
Adults with inattention ADHD may benefit from psychotherapy and lifestyle changes to manage their symptoms. These treatments include medication, behavioral therapy and family psychoeducation. Psychotherapy is a form of counseling that assists patients develop new attitudes, skills and ways of engaging with others. Behavioral therapy can help reduce self-destructive, impulsive behavior, improve organizational skills, and increase confidence.
It can be beneficial for people with inattentive ADHD to discuss their struggles with a friend, family member, or therapist. They might also seek accommodations from their teachers, supervisors and co-workers. Accommodations are tools or changes in the work environment that allow disabled people to do the same tasks as everyone else, such as using a step stool to help those who are short.
Hyperactive Signs and symptoms
The symptoms of this type of ADHD can be different in adults as compared to children. While children can fidget, appear restless and agitated the symptoms of adults tend to be more subtle. They might forget to complete tasks, get lost or lose get lost and make a few mistakes. They also may feel overly stimulated and have trouble sitting still, even while sitting down to a meal or in class. They may interrupt others, or give answers before being asked a question.
These symptoms could be caused by a myriad of conditions. A comprehensive psychiatric assessment is needed to determine the cause of the symptoms and identify the most effective treatments. This could include psychotherapy, medication and lifestyle changes. This can include an improved diet, more exercise, and a better sleep schedule. They could also include making adjustments to school or work assignments, and using aidive devices such as calendars, planners and smartphone apps.
If you suspect you may have ADHD, your first step should be to discuss your concerns with your family doctor or primary care physician. 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 environments and have an impact on your everyday life. They must be present for at least six months to be eligible. Your provider will evaluate you to see if you have the inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive symptoms of ADHD.
In learn more to lifestyle changes and accommodations There are also medications that can ease your symptoms of ADHD. These drugs are known as stimulants. They work by streamlining the signals within your brain, which affect your mood, attention and behavior. Your doctor will prescribe the appropriate dosage of the medication to you and monitor your response to treatment. You may be prescribed a non-stimulant drug when you experience unpleasant side effects, if the stimulant isn't working, or in combination with stimulants to increase the effectiveness of treatment.
Instinctive Symptoms
People with inattentive ADHD are more likely to lose their keys or phones. People with inattentive ADHD have a difficult task of focusing on tasks, organizing their materials, and completing projects. As adults, the result could be a million unfinished projects around the house, such as unpaid bills, messy homes and the vegetable garden that was planted but never watered.
The impulse-driven symptoms of ADHD can cause problems in many areas of life, but especially in relationships. People who suffer from impulsive ADHD are usually impatient and want immediate satisfaction. They can be impulsive and jump into social situations without planning or taking risks, which can have negative consequences. Impulsive people may also overreact to stressful or emotional situations. A person may become very angry or defensive when fighting with family or friends.
To be diagnosed with one of the two forms of ADHD, a healthcare professional who is trained in mental disorders must review the medical history of the patient and conduct an examination. The doctor will ask you about the symptoms and how they affect your interactions with others, work, and your home. To be diagnosed with one or the other form of ADHD, a person must show at least six of nine major symptoms. The symptoms must interfere with daily functioning and last for at least six months (American Psychological Association 2000).
Psychostimulants are the most effective treatment for ADHD. These medications target the way that certain chemicals communicate with each other in the brain to regulate behaviour. The most commonly used kind of stimulant is methylphenidate, which was first used to treat ADHD in children. The medication might not be suitable for people with other health conditions, such as depression or high blood pressure It is therefore important to discuss your medications with your doctor. In addition to medicines psychotherapy can aid in reducing the symptoms of impulsivity and distraction. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), focuses on helping people recognize the automatic or irrational thoughts that can trigger negative behaviors and devise strategies for self-regulation.
Combination of Symptoms
Adults who experienced ADHD as children might experience symptoms that come back in adulthood. They may experience mild, moderate, or severe symptoms that interfere with school, work, and social interactions. Other mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety, may also require treatment. Adults may also experience learning difficulties, which can make it difficult for them to understand or follow directions in offices and classrooms.
The signs of the inattentive kind of ADHD aren't as easy to see in adults however, they can influence how people perform at home and at work. It can be difficult for people with this kind of ADHD to remain calm during classes or business meetings, and they might be unable to keep up with assignments and work assignments. They may forget deadlines and appointments, and then lose track of their belongings. They also have difficulty keeping track of conversations or listening to music. They are more prone to being distracted by the activities or people in the vicinity than most 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 the criteria for diagnosing the disorder. This includes symptoms that appear before age 12 and are present in a variety of settings and can 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 be present before the age of 12 and continue to manifest at home, in school as well as in other work and social situations.
There is no cause for ADHD, but researchers are studying environmental and genetic factors that could play a role. According to research, people who suffer from ADHD may have difficulty controlling certain chemicals in their brains, including neurotransmitters which can regulate mood, attention and behavior.
If you are experiencing signs of ADHD you should talk to your primary care provider. Your doctor can conduct a physical examination and refer you to an assessment by an expert in mental health. Treatment for ADHD usually involves psychotherapy and medications including stimulants, which boost levels of certain chemicals in the brain. Amphetamines and methylphenidate as well as other stimulants are utilized. Inform your doctor about any other medications you take including supplements or vitamins. The FDA's medication website contains information about approved medicines along with warnings and information guides.