ADHD Symptoms and Treatment in Adults
Many adults find that they have trouble keeping up with their daily activities often expressing frustration and mood swings. If you think you may have ADHD take a look at your primary care provider or a mental health professional for an evaluation.
Adult ADHD is diagnosed with the same criteria as it is for children. The symptoms must last for at minimum six months, and cannot be explained by other medical conditions mood disorders or other medical conditions.
Attention-deficit Symptoms
Adults suffering from ADHD typically have difficulty to keep up in school, at work, or with household chores. They frequently have trouble keeping 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 can have serious consequences.
Speak to your health care provider if are having difficulty keeping track of personal or work matters. Your primary care provider will assess your situation and refer you to a mental health specialist if appropriate.
The signs of inattention ADHD are often misunderstood. People with inattentive ADHD are not always attentive when speaking to. untreated adhd in adults relationships forget easily or get distracted by unrelated thoughts. They may struggle to stay focused, make erroneous mistakes, or struggle with following instructions. They also have difficulty keeping their hands off their face or appearing shaky or fidgety.
Inattention to symptoms can result in failing at school or at work which can lead to anger and shame for the person affected. They can also cause problems with relationships with family, friends and co-workers.
Health care professionals determine ADHD based on a clinical assessment that involves interviewing the individual and reviewing the behavior of the past. They will often require the patient to fill out a questionnaire about their symptoms and may conduct tests for medical reasons to exclude mental or physical health conditions that share similar symptoms. The symptoms of ADHD must be present consistently prior to 12 years of age to make a diagnosis.
Adults with inattention ADHD are often able to benefit from psychotherapy, lifestyle adjustments and other treatments that help to manage their symptoms. These treatments include medication as well as behavioral therapy and family psychoeducation. Psychotherapy is a type of therapy that assists patients to develop new attitudes, skills and ways of communicating with other people. Psychotherapy can help to reduce self-destructive and impulsive behavior, increase 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 may also seek accommodations from teachers or supervisors, as well as coworkers. Accommodations are the tools or modifications in the work environment that allow the disabled person to carry out tasks just like others, like having a step stool for someone who is short.
Hyperactive symptoms
The symptoms of this type of ADHD may look different in adults than children. While children might fidget, seem agitated and talkative, adult symptoms tend to be more subtle. They might forget to complete tasks, lose track or 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 other students, or give answers before being asked an inquiry.
There are several ailments that can trigger these symptoms. A thorough psychiatric examination is required to determine the root of the symptoms and identify the most effective treatment. These include psychotherapy, medications and lifestyle changes. This can include a healthier eating plan along with more exercise, and an improved sleep schedule. This could include changing work or school assignments and making use of assistive tools like calendars, planners, and apps for smartphones.
If you suspect you have ADHD, your first step should be to discuss your concerns with your family physician or primary care doctor. The How to Talk to Your Provider factsheet from NIMH contains guidelines on how to communicate with your provider about mental issues.
It's important to know that in order to be considered diagnosed with ADHD symptoms must manifest in two or more settings and have a significant impact on daily life. To be eligible, 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.
Alongside lifestyle changes and accommodations There are also medications that can help you manage your symptoms of ADHD. These medications are known as stimulants. They work by enhancing signals in your brain that influence your mood, attention, and behavior. Your doctor will prescribe you the right dose and keep track of your response. You might be prescribed non-stimulant drugs in the event of side effects or if a stimulant fails to work. They can also be used in combination with stimulants to boost effectiveness.
The symptoms of an impulse
Everybody loses keys or a cellphone from time-to-time, but for people with inattention ADHD the little distractions are a bigger issue. People with inattentive ADHD have a difficult managing their tasks, organizing their materials and completing their projects. As adults, this may cause a variety of half-finished tasks around the house: houses that are not cleaned and bills not paid and a vegetable garden that has been established but never tended to.
The impulsive symptoms of ADHD can create problems in many areas of our lives, but specifically with relationships. People who have impulsive ADHD tend to be overwhelmed and want instant gratification. They may be prone to rushing into social situations with no planning or taking risks which could have negative effects. People who are impulsive may also react to emotional or stressful situations. One can become annoyed or defensive when arguing with family members or friends.
A health professional who specializes in mental disorders will review the medical history of a patient and conduct an examination to determine ADHD. The doctor will also inquire about how the symptoms impact your work, home and relationships. To be diagnosed with any type of ADHD, a person must exhibit at least six of the nine major symptoms. The symptoms must 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 certain chemicals interact with each other in the brain to regulate behaviour. The most commonly used stimulant is methylphenidate. It was originally used to treat ADHD in children. It is essential to speak with your physician about your medication if have other health conditions like depression or high blood pressure. Psychotherapy can help reduce distraction and impulsive symptoms in addition to medication. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is focused on teaching individuals to identify the automatic or irrational thoughts that may trigger negative behaviors and develop strategies for self-regulation.
Combination of Symptoms
Adults who had ADHD as children may have symptoms that come back in adulthood. They can have mild, moderate or even severe symptoms that affect school, work, and social interactions. Other mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression, could also require treatment. Some adults also have learning difficulties, which can make it difficult for them to understand or follow directions in offices and classrooms.
Symptoms of the inattentive type of ADHD aren't as evident 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 sit quietly for classes or business meetings, and they could have trouble keeping up with assignments and work tasks. They may frequently lose the location of their belongings and forget appointments or deadlines. They may also have difficulty following conversations or listening music. They tend to be more easily distracted by activities or people 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. This 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 persist at home, at school, and in other social and work situations.
Researchers are studying the effects of environmental and genetic factors that could be at play in the development of ADHD. Studies suggest that the brains of individuals with ADHD are unable to regulate certain chemicals, including neurotransmitters which help manage mood, attention and behavior.
If you are experiencing signs of ADHD you should talk to your primary care doctor. Your doctor can conduct a physical examination and refer you to an evaluation by an expert in mental health. Psychotherapy and medication are typically used to treat ADHD with stimulants that raise the levels of certain brain chemicals. Amphetamines and methylphenidate as well as other stimulants are commonly used. Inform your doctor of all other medications you are taking, including vitamins or supplements. The FDA's medication site has information about approved medicines as well as warnings and information guidelines.