ADHD Symptoms and Treatment in Adults
Many adults report that they are struggling to keep up with daily tasks often expressing frustration and mood swings. If you suspect that you have ADHD you should consult your primary care doctor or an expert in mental health to conduct an evaluation.
The criteria for determining adult ADHD is similar to the criteria used for children ADHD: symptoms must be evident over 6 months and not better explained by other medical conditions or mood disorders.
Attentive Signs and symptoms
Adults suffering from ADHD often have a difficult time to keep up with school, at work, or with household chores. They are late for appointments, don't pay bills on time and struggle to maintain relationships with family and friends. They are more likely than other people to lose things, or make mistakes which can result in serious consequences.
If you're having difficulty keeping track of your personal or work-related affairs, consider talking to your health care provider. Your primary care physician can evaluate your situation and recommend you to a mental health professional when appropriate.
Inattentive ADHD is often misunderstood. People with inattentive ADHD don't always listen when they are spoken to and tend to forget quickly or are often distracted by irrelevant thoughts. They have difficulty staying focused on their work, and can make a mistake or struggle to follow directions. They may also struggle with keeping their hands away from their faces, or appear to be shaken.
first line treatment for adhd in adults to symptoms can result in a failure at 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 assessment of the clinical. This involves an interview with the patient as well as an examination of their past behavior. They often require the patient to complete a symptom questionnaire and may conduct medical tests to rule out physical or mental illnesses that have similar symptoms. Symptoms of ADHD must occur consistently since before age 12 in order for the diagnosis to be established.
Adults suffering from inattention ADHD can often benefit from psychotherapy, lifestyle changes and other treatments that help to manage their symptoms. These treatments include therapy with medication, behavioral therapy, and family psychoeducation. Psychotherapy is a type of counseling that assists patients learn new skills, attitudes and ways of communicating with others. The use of behavioral therapy can help decrease impulsive, self-destructive behavior, improve organizational skills, and increase confidence.
People who have inattention ADHD might find it beneficial to talk about their issues with a trusted family member or therapist. Teachers or supervisors, as well as colleagues may be able to offer accommodations. Accommodations are a way of making changes in the work environment that allow the disabled person to carry out tasks just like the rest of us, for example, using a step stool for someone who is short.
Hyperactive symptoms
Adults may exhibit different symptoms as children. While children might be agitated, irritable and agitated while adult symptoms tend to be more subtle. They might forget their tasks, lose track of or place and make careless errors. They may also feel overly energetic and find it difficult to sit still during a meal or in class. They may interrupt others or shout out answers before being asked an answer, or struggle to keep their place during games or conversations.
There are many illnesses that can cause these symptoms. To determine the cause of the symptoms and determine the most efficient treatment, a thorough psycho-psychiatric evaluation is required. These could include psychotherapy, medication and lifestyle changes. This could include the use of a healthier diet plan as well as more exercise, and a better sleep schedule. They could also include changing school or work assignments and making use of aidive devices such as planners, calendars, and smartphones apps.
You should first discuss your concerns with a family doctor or your primary healthcare provider if you suspect you might have ADHD. You can find tips for talking with your health care provider about mental health issues on the NIMH's How to Talk to Your Health Care Provider fact sheet.
To be diagnosed with ADHD, the symptoms must be evident in at least two different settings and have a significant impact on daily life. To be eligible, they must have been present for at least six months. 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 assist you in managing your ADHD symptoms in addition to lifestyle modifications and accommodations. These drugs are known as stimulants. They work by reorganizing the brain's signals that affect your mood and attention, as well as your behavior. Your doctor will give you the appropriate dose and will monitor your response. You might be prescribed a non-stimulant medicine when you experience unpleasant side effects, if stimulants aren't working or is used in conjunction with stimulants to increase the effectiveness of treatment.
Instinctive Symptoms
People who are inattentive ADHD are more likely to lose their keys or cellphones. Whether it's doodling in class or losing track of the time during a meeting, people with inattention ADHD find it harder to follow tasks, organize their materials and complete their projects. As adults, the result may be a million incomplete projects around the house: unpaid bills, dirty houses and the vegetable garden that was planted but never watered.
The impulse-driven symptoms of ADHD can create problems in many areas of life, but particularly with relationships. People with impulsive ADHD are often anxious and seek immediate gratification. They may jump into social situations without preparation or risk-taking, which can have negative effects. Impulsive people may also overreact to stressful or emotional situations. For example, a person may become extremely angry or defensive in arguments with family or friends.
A health care professional with a specialization 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 symptoms affect your home, work, and relationships. To be diagnosed with any type of ADHD, a person must exhibit at least six of the nine main symptoms. The symptoms must also affect daily functioning and last 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 communicate in the brain to regulate behavior. The most commonly used kind of stimulant is the methylphenidate that was initially used to treat ADHD in children. The medication might not be suitable for certain people suffering from other health conditions such as high blood pressure or depression Therefore, it is important to discuss your medication with your doctor. In addition to medication, psychotherapy may help reduce the symptoms of impulsivity and distraction. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a method of teaching people to identify the automatic or irrational thoughts that triggers negative behaviors and devise strategies for self-regulation.
Combination symptoms
Adults who were diagnosed with ADHD as children may develop symptoms into adulthood. They may experience mild or moderate symptoms that interfere in their school, work, and social interactions. They could also be suffering from other mental health problems, such as anxiety or depression, that require treatment. Some adults also have problems with learning, which may make it difficult for them to comprehend or follow instructions in classrooms and offices.
Symptoms of the inattentive type of ADHD aren't as easy to see in adults but they do impact how people function at home and at work. It can be difficult for people who suffer from this type of ADHD to sit quietly for classes or business meetings, and they might struggle to keep track of assignments and work-related tasks. They may forget deadlines or appointments, and lose their possessions. They may also have difficulty listening to music or following conversations. They tend to be more easily 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 American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV TR) has a criterion for diagnosing the disorder that includes symptoms that start at the age of 12 and occur in a variety of settings and result in impairment in multiple domains, such as at school or 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 be present before the age of 12 and continue at home, at school, and in various work and social situations.
There is no cause for ADHD however, researchers are studying environmental and genetic factors that could be a factor. According to studies, those with ADHD might have trouble regulating certain brain chemicals and brains, such as neurotransmitters that help control the way they behave, their mood and attention.
If you're experiencing symptoms of ADHD discuss it with your primary care provider. Your doctor can do an exam of your body and recommend you to an expert in mental health to conduct an evaluation. Treatment for ADHD typically involves psychotherapy as well as medications like stimulants that increase the levels of certain chemical in the brain. Amphetamines and methylphenidate as well as other stimulants are utilized. You should inform your health care provider about any other medicines you take, including supplements and vitamins. The FDA's website for medications contains information about approved medications along with warnings and patient guidelines.