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 may be suffering from ADHD take a look at your primary care provider or an expert in mental health for an assessment.
Adult ADHD is diagnosed using the same criteria as it is for children. The symptoms must last at minimum six months, and cannot be caused by other medical conditions mood disorders, other medical conditions.
Inattentive symptoms
Adults suffering from ADHD often have a difficult time to keep up with school, at work, or with household chores. They frequently miss appointments and don't pay their bills on time, and have trouble maintaining relationships with friends and family. They are more likely to lose things or make a mistake that can have serious consequences.
Talk to your health care provider if you are having difficulty keeping the track of your work or personal matters. Your primary care provider will examine your situation and possibly refer you to a mental specialist should it be necessary.
Inattentive ADHD is often misunderstood. People with inattentive ADHD don't always listen when spoken to and are easily distracted or frequently distracted by irrelevant thoughts. They struggle to focus on their tasks, and may make mistakes or fail to follow directions. They also have trouble keeping their hands from their face or may seem unsteady or fidgety.
Inattention to symptoms can result in failure at school or work and can cause frustration and shame for the person affected. They can also cause problems with relationships with family, friends and colleagues.
The diagnosis of ADHD is based on the clinical assessment. This includes an interview with the patient as well as an assessment of the past behavior. They may request that the person answer a symptom questionnaire, and may perform medical tests to rule out physical or mental illnesses that have similar symptoms. Symptoms of ADHD must be consistent before age 12 in order for the diagnosis to be established.
Adults suffering from inattentive ADHD are often able to benefit from psychotherapy, lifestyle adjustments and other treatments to manage their symptoms. These treatments include medication, behavioral therapy and psychoeducation for families. Psychotherapy is a kind of therapy that helps patients develop new skills, attitudes and ways of communicating with other people. Behavioral therapy can teach techniques that will reduce impulsive and self-destructive behaviors, improve organizational skills and build confidence.
It may be helpful for people with inattentive ADHD to discuss their struggles with a friend, family member, or a therapist. Teachers or supervisors, as well as colleagues might be able to provide accommodations. Accommodations are a way of making changes in the workplace that permit a person with a disability to perform tasks like everyone else, such as having a step stool for someone who is short.
Hyperactive Signs and symptoms
Adults can exhibit different symptoms than children. Adult symptoms are less obvious. While children can fidget and appear restless while adults tend to be less active. They might forget about tasks or tasks, lose track of time or place and make a few erroneous mistakes. They might also feel stimulated and have trouble sitting still, even while sitting down to a meal or in class. They might interrupt others or blurt out answers before being asked questions, and may struggle to keep their place in games or conversations.
Learn Alot more can be caused by a myriad of conditions. To determine the cause of symptoms and the most efficient treatment, a thorough mental health assessment is needed. These include psychotherapy, medications and lifestyle adjustments. They can be eating a healthy diet, exercising and sleeping schedules. These can include adjusting school or work assignments, and utilizing aidive tools like calendars, planners, and apps for smartphones.
If you suspect you might have ADHD the first step should be to discuss your concerns with your family physician or primary care physician. You can find helpful 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 symptoms must appear in at least two different settings and have an impact on daily life. For them to qualify, 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.
In more.. to lifestyle modifications and accommodations, there are medications that can ease your symptoms of ADHD. These medications are referred to as stimulants. They work by streamlining the signals in your brain that affect your mood, attention and behavior. Your doctor will prescribe you the right dosage and will be able to observe your response. You may be prescribed a non-stimulant drug when you experience unpleasant adverse effects, or when a stimulant isn't helping or is used in conjunction with stimulants to increase the effectiveness of treatment.
Instinctive Symptoms
Everyone misplaces keys or a cellphone from time-to-time However, for those with inattentive ADHD the little distractions are more of an issue. If it's a case of doodles in class or losing track of time in a meeting, those with inattentive ADHD are more difficult to follow tasks or organize their materials. They also find it difficult to complete their projects. As adults, the result can be a million unfinished projects around the house, such as unpaid bills, dirty houses and the vegetable garden that was started but never watered.
Relationships are one of the most common areas where impulsive ADHD symptoms can create issues. People who have an impulsive ADHD often feel anxious and require immediate satisfaction. They might jump into social situations without planning ahead, or take risks that could lead to negative consequences. Impulsive people may also overreact to emotional or stressful situations. One can become frustrated or defensive in a dispute with family members or friends.
To determine if you have one of the two forms of ADHD the healthcare professional who is trained in mental disorders should review a person's medical history and conduct an exam. The doctor will also inquire about how symptoms impact your home, work, and relationships. To be diagnosed with one or the other form of ADHD, a patient must display at least six of the nine major symptoms. The symptoms must interfere with everyday functioning and last at minimum six months (American Psychiatric Association 2000).
Psychostimulants are the most effective treatment for ADHD. These medications target the way certain chemicals communicate with each other in the brain to regulate behavior. The most popular type of stimulant is the methylphenidate that was initially used to treat ADHD in children. It's possible that the medication is not suitable for certain people suffering from other health issues, such as high blood pressure or depression It is therefore important to discuss your medications with your doctor. In addition to medications psychotherapy can help reduce the symptoms of distraction and impulsivity. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), focuses on teaching people to recognize automatic or irrational thinking that triggers negative behaviors and devise strategies for self-regulation.
Combination of symptoms
Adults who suffered from ADHD as children could experience symptoms that come back in adulthood. They can have mild or moderate symptoms that hinder in their work, school, and social interactions. Other mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression, might also require treatment. A few adults may also have difficulties with learning, making it difficult to comprehend or follow directions in offices and classrooms.
Symptoms of the inattentive type of ADHD aren't as easy to see in adults, but they can still impact how people function at home and work. It can be difficult for people with this type of ADHD to sit quietly for college lectures or business meetings, and they might be unable to keep up with assignments and work-related tasks. They may often lose the location of their belongings and forget appointments or deadlines. They may also have difficulty keeping track of conversations or listening to music. They are more susceptible to distraction 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) 4th edition of the American Psychiatric Association, includes a criterion to diagnose the disorder. This includes symptoms that begin before age 12 and occur in a variety of settings, causing 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 be present before the age of 12 and continue at school, at home, and in other work and social settings.
There's no known cause of ADHD however, researchers are studying environmental and genetic factors that may be a factor. Research suggests that the brains of individuals with ADHD have difficulty regulating certain chemicals, such as neurotransmitters which help control attention, mood and behavior.
If you have signs of ADHD, talk to your primary care provider. Your doctor will conduct an exam of your body and recommend you to an expert in mental health to conduct an evaluation. Psychotherapy and medications are usually used to treat ADHD with stimulants that increase the levels of certain brain chemicals. Amphetamines, methylphenidate and other stimulants are utilized. Inform your doctor about any other medications you are taking including supplements or vitamins. The FDA's medication website contains information about approved medications along with warnings and information guides.