ADHD Symptoms and Treatment in Adults
Many adults discover that they have trouble keeping up with the demands of daily life, often experiencing frustration and mood swings. If you think you might be suffering from ADHD consult your primary health care provider or a mental health professional for an assessment.
The criteria for determining adult ADHD is the same as that for children The symptoms must be present over 6 months and not better explained by other medical disorders or conditions.
treatment for adhd in adults and symptoms
Adults suffering from ADHD often find it difficult to keep up in the workplace, at school or with household chores. They often miss appointments, fail to pay bills on time, and have difficulty maintaining relationships with friends and family. They are more likely than other people to lose possessions, or make mistakes that could have grave 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 may refer you to a mental professional if necessary.
Inattentive ADHD is often misunderstood. People suffering from inattentive ADHD do not always listen when they are spoken to and tend to forget quickly or are frequently distracted by irrelevant thoughts. They may have trouble staying focused, make careless mistakes, or struggle with following directions. They also have difficulty keeping their hands from their face or appearing shaky or fidgety.
Inattention to symptoms can cause a drop in performance at the workplace or at school, which can cause anxiety and guilt for the affected. They can also cause problems in relationships with friends, family and colleagues.
Health professionals diagnose ADHD through a medical assessment, which includes conducting an interview with the patient and reviewing previous behavior. They may ask the patient to fill out an inventory of symptoms and run medical tests in order to determine if there are other conditions that exhibit similar symptoms. The symptoms of ADHD should be present continuously prior to 12 years of age to make a diagnosis.
Adults suffering from inattention ADHD may benefit from psychotherapy and lifestyle modifications to manage their symptoms. These treatments include behavioral therapy, medication and family psychoeducation. Psychotherapy is a type of counseling which helps patients develop new skills, attitudes and ways of interacting with other people. The use of behavioral therapy can help decrease self-destructive and impulsive behavior, improve organizational skills, and increase confidence.
People with inattention ADHD may find it helpful to talk about their issues with a trusted family member or therapist. They might also be able to seek accommodations from their teachers or supervisors, as well as coworkers. Accommodations are tools and changes to the environment that allow a person with disabilities to complete tasks just like everyone else. For example the person who is short can utilize a step stool.
Hyperactive Symptoms
Adults may show different symptoms in comparison to children. While children can fidget, seem agitated and agitated, adult symptoms tend to be more subtle. They may forget about their tasks and lose track of time or place and make careless mistakes. They might also be overly active and find it difficult to sit still during a meal or in class. They might interrupt other students, or give answers before being asked to answer a question.
There are several ailments that can trigger these symptoms. To determine the root of symptoms and the most effective treatment, a full psychiatric assessment is required. These include psychotherapy, medication and lifestyle modifications. These can include a healthier diet, exercise and sleep schedules. These can include changing work or school assignments and making use of aidive tools like calendars, planners, and apps for smartphones.
It is important to discuss your concerns with your family physician or your primary healthcare provider if you suspect you may have ADHD. You can find tips for talking with your health care provider about mental health issues on NIMH's How to Talk to Your Health Care Provider fact sheet.
It's crucial to know that in order to be diagnosed with ADHD, symptoms must occur in at least two or more environments and seriously interfere with daily life. For them to qualify 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.
There are medications to help you manage your ADHD symptoms, in addition to lifestyle modifications and accommodations. These medications are called stimulants. They function by reorganizing brain's signals that influence your mood and attention, as well as your behavior. Your doctor will prescribe the appropriate dosage of the medication for you and monitor your response to treatment. You may be prescribed a non-stimulant medication when you experience unpleasant side effects, when the stimulant isn't working, or when combined with stimulants to increase the effectiveness of treatment.
Instinctive Symptoms
Everybody loses keys or a cellphone from time-to-time However, for those with inattention 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 inattention ADHD are more difficult to follow tasks, organize their materials and complete projects. As adults, the result may be a million incomplete projects around the house: unpaid bills, messy homes, and the vegetable garden that was started but never watered.
The impulse-driven symptoms of ADHD can cause problems in many areas of our lives, but specifically with relationships. People who suffer from ADHD who are impulsive ADHD tend to be anxious and seek immediate satisfaction. They may be impulsive and enter social situations without thinking ahead or take risks that could lead to negative consequences. In addition, impulsive individuals might react in a emotionally or stressful situations. A person may become very annoyed or defensive when arguing with family or friends.
A medical 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 inquire about how symptoms impact your work, home and personal relationships. In order to be diagnosed with one of the types of ADHD one must show six or more of the nine major symptoms and the symptoms must be interfering with daily functioning for at least 6 months (American Association for Psychiatric Research 2000).
The most effective treatment for ADHD is psychostimulants. These are drugs which target the way that certain chemicals communicate in the brain to regulate behavior. The most common type of stimulants is the methylphenidate drug, which was originally used to treat ADHD in children. It's important to talk with your physician about your medication if you have other health conditions like depression or high blood pressure. Psychotherapy can reduce impulsive symptoms and distracting behaviors in addition to medication. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is focused on teaching people to recognize automatic or irrational thinking that can trigger negative behaviors and to develop strategies for self-regulation.
Multiple Symptoms
Adults who were diagnosed with ADHD as children may experience symptoms in adulthood. They may experience mild or moderate symptoms that interfere with their schoolwork, work, and social interactions. Other mental health issues, like anxiety or depression, might also require treatment. Some adults may also have difficulties with learning, making it difficult to understand or follow instructions in classrooms and offices.
Adults may not be able to recognize the symptoms of inattentive ADHD however it could be a problem for them to function at work and home. It's difficult for those with this type of ADHD to sit quietly for classes or business meetings, and they might have trouble keeping up with assignments and work assignments. They may forget deadlines or appointments, and may lose track of their belongings. They also have difficulty keeping track of conversations or listening to music. They are more likely to be distracted by activities or people around them than most 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 diagnostic criteria which includes symptoms that manifest at the age of 12 and occur in multiple settings and lead to impairment in multiple domains including 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 have manifested before the age of 12 years old and persist at home, at school, as well as in other work and social environments.
Researchers are investigating the effects of environmental and genetic factors that could be responsible for the development of ADHD. Research suggests that the brains of people with ADHD are unable to regulate certain chemicals, including neurotransmitters that help control attention, mood and behavior.
If you are experiencing signs of ADHD discuss it with your primary care physician. Your doctor will conduct an examination and refer you to a mental health professional to do an evaluation. Treatment for ADHD usually involves psychotherapy and medications, such as stimulants that increase the levels of certain chemical in the brain. Amphetamines, methylphenidate, and other stimulants are utilized. It is important to inform your doctor about any other medicines you take, including vitamins and supplements. The FDA's website for medications contains information about approved medications along with warnings and patient guides.