ADHD Symptoms and Treatment in Adults
Many adults have difficulty keeping up with their daily activities. They may experience stress and mood shifts. If you think you might be suffering from ADHD contact your primary health care provider or mental-health professional for an evaluation.
Adult ADHD is diagnosed with the same criteria as it is for children. The symptoms should last at least six months and cannot be caused by other medical conditions, mood disorders or other medical conditions.
Inattentive Symptoms
Many people with ADHD struggle to keep up with schoolwork, work or household chores. They often 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 than other people to lose possessions, or make a mistake that could have grave consequences.
Speak to your health care provider if are having trouble keeping the track of your work or personal issues. Your primary care physician will assess your situation and refer you to a mental health professional should it be necessary.
Inattentive ADHD is often misunderstood. People suffering from inattentive ADHD are not always attentive when they are spoken to and tend to forget quickly or are often distracted by irrelevant thoughts. They struggle to focus on their work, and can make mistakes or fail to follow instructions. They also struggle to keep their hands off their face or appearing shaky or fidgety.
Inattentive symptoms may cause a drop in performance at the workplace or at school and can result in anxiety and guilt for the affected. They can also cause issues in relationships with friends, family members and co-workers.
The diagnosis of ADHD is based on a clinical assessment. This includes an interview with the patient as well as a review of previous behavior. They may ask the individual to complete a symptom checklist and conduct tests on the body to determine if there are other conditions that exhibit similar symptoms. The symptoms of ADHD must be present consistently before the age of 12 for a diagnosis to be made.
Adults with inattentive ADHD typically benefit from psychotherapy, lifestyle changes and other treatments that help to manage their symptoms. These treatments include behavioral therapy, medication and family psychoeducation. Psychotherapy is a type of counseling that assists patients develop new skills, attitudes and ways of interacting with other people. Behavioral therapy can teach techniques that will reduce self-destructive and impulsive behavior, improve organizational skills and build confidence.
It could be helpful for people with inattentive ADHD to talk about their struggles with a family member or family member, or therapist. Teachers or supervisors as well as coworkers may be able to offer accommodations. Accommodations are a way of making changes in the workplace that permit the disabled person to perform tasks like everyone else, such as using a step stool for someone who is short.
Hyperactive Signs and symptoms
Adults may show different symptoms in comparison to children. While children may fidget, seem agitated and agitated the symptoms of adults tend to be more subtle. They might forget about tasks and lose track of time or place and make careless mistakes. They might also be overly energetic and have difficulty sitting still in a class or meal. They might interrupt others or shout out answers before they've had the chance to ask a question, and struggle to keep their place in games or conversations.
These symptoms can be caused by a variety of conditions. A comprehensive psychiatric assessment is required to determine the cause of the symptoms and determine the most effective treatment. These can include psychotherapy, medications and lifestyle adjustments. These can include eating a healthy diet, exercising and sleeping schedules. These can include changing work or school assignments and making use of aidive tools like calendars or planners, as well as smartphone 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 helpful 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 diagnosed with ADHD the symptoms must be evident in at least two different settings and have an impact on your everyday life. They must have been present for at least six months to qualify. Your provider will evaluate you to see if you have the inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive symptoms of ADHD.
In addition to lifestyle adjustments and changes, there are medications that can ease the symptoms of ADHD. These medications are called stimulants. They work by streamlining the signals in your brain that affect your attention, mood and behavior. Your doctor will prescribe you the right dosage and will be able to keep track of your response. You might be prescribed non-stimulant medications if you experience side effects or if a stimulant does not work. They can also be used in combination with stimulants to increase the effectiveness.
Instinctive Symptoms
Everyone loses keys or cellphone from time to time, but for people with inattention ADHD, these little distractions are a bigger issue. People with inattentive ADHD have a difficult managing their tasks, arranging their materials and completing projects. As adults, the result can be a million half-finished projects around the house: unpaid bills, unkempt houses, and the vegetable garden that was started but never watered.
Relationships are one of the most frequent areas in which an impulsive ADHD symptoms can cause difficulties. People who suffer from an impulsive ADHD are often anxious and seek immediate satisfaction. They may be impulsive and enter social situations without planning ahead or take risks that can result in negative consequences. In addition, impulsive people might overreact in emotional or stressful situations. effects of untreated adhd in adults can become angry or defensive when fighting with family members or friends.
A health professional with a specialization in mental disorders will examine the medical history of a patient, and perform an exam to diagnose ADHD. The doctor will also ask questions about how the symptoms impact your home, work, and family relationships. To be diagnosed with any type of ADHD, a person must display at least six of the nine major symptoms. The symptoms must also hinder daily functioning and last for at minimum six months (American Association for Psychiatric Research 2000).
Psychostimulants are the most effective treatment for ADHD. They affect the way certain chemicals communicate with each other in the brain to regulate behavior. The most popular type of stimulant is the methylphenidate drug, which was originally used to treat ADHD in children. It's important to talk with your physician regarding your medication if you have other health conditions like depression or high blood pressure. In addition to medication, psychotherapy may help reduce the symptoms of impulsivity and distraction. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is focused on helping people recognize automatic or irrational thoughts that can trigger negative behavior and develop strategies for self-regulation.
Combination of symptoms
Adults who suffered from ADHD as children could experience symptoms that resurface during adulthood. They may experience mild, moderate, or severe symptoms that interfere with school, work and social interactions. They also may have other mental health issues like depression or anxiety that require treatment. Some adults also have learning difficulties, which can make it difficult for them to comprehend or follow directions in offices and classrooms.
The symptoms of the inattentive form of ADHD aren't as evident in adults however, they can influence how people perform at home and at work. This kind of ADHD makes it difficult for people to remain focused in meetings at work or during college lectures. They might also be unable to keep up with their assignments and work. They might forget deadlines or appointments, and lose their possessions. They might also have trouble following conversations or listening music. They are more prone to being distracted by the activities or people around 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 begin at the age of 12 and can be seen in a variety of settings, causing problems across multiple 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 begun before the age of 12 years old and continue at home, at school, and in other work and social settings.
There is no cause for ADHD, but researchers are studying genetic and environmental factors that may be a factor. Studies suggest that the brains of people with ADHD are unable to regulate certain chemicals, including neurotransmitters which help control attention, mood and behavior.
Talk to your primary health care provider if you exhibit symptoms of ADHD. Your doctor will conduct a physical exam and refer you to an expert in mental health to do an evaluation. Treatment for ADHD typically involves psychotherapy and medications like stimulants that increase the levels of certain chemicals in the brain. Amphetamines, methylphenidate, and other stimulants are utilized. You should tell your health care provider about any other medication you take, including supplements and vitamins. The FDA's website for medication contains information on approved medications, warnings, and patient information guides.