ADHD Symptoms and Treatment in Adults
Many adults report that they are struggling to keep up with the demands of daily life frequently experiencing anger and mood swings. If you think you might have ADHD check with your primary health care provider or mental-health professional to conduct an assessment.
The criteria used to diagnose adult ADHD is the same as that for children The symptoms must be present for at least 6 months and are not be better explained by other medical disorders or mental health issues.
Inattentional symptoms
Many people with ADHD find it difficult to keep up with homework, work or household chores. They frequently miss appointments and fail to pay their bills on time, and have difficulty maintaining relationships with friends and family. They are more likely to lose items or make careless mistakes which can result in serious consequences.
If you have problems managing your personal or work-related affairs, consider talking to your health care provider. Your primary care doctor can evaluate your situation and refer you to a mental health professional when appropriate.
Inattentive ADHD is often misunderstood. People with inattentive ADHD are not always attentive when they are spoken to. They forget easily or get distracted by irrelevant thoughts. They have difficulty staying focused on their tasks, and may make careless errors or struggle to follow instructions. They also have trouble keeping their hands off their faces or may seem shaky or fidgety.
Inattention to symptoms can cause a drop in performance at the workplace or at school which can lead to frustration and shame for those affected. They can also cause problems in relationships with friends, family members and co-workers.
Health care professionals identify ADHD based on a clinical assessment, which includes interviewing the person and analyzing their the behavior of the past. They may ask the individual to complete a symptom checklist and conduct medical tests in order to determine whether other conditions exhibit similar symptoms. The symptoms of ADHD should be present continuously prior to 12 years old to make an diagnosis.
Adults with inattentive ADHD might benefit from psychotherapy and lifestyle modifications to manage their symptoms. These treatments include behavioral therapy, medication and psychoeducation for families. Psychotherapy is a type of counseling that helps patients develop new skills, attitudes and ways of interacting with others. Behavioral therapy can teach techniques that reduce self-destructive and impulsive behavior, improve organizational skills and increase confidence.
It can be beneficial for those with inattention ADHD to discuss their issues with a friend, family member, or therapist. Teachers or supervisors, as well as colleagues might be able to provide accommodations. Accommodations are the tools and modifications to the working environment that permit disabled people to carry out tasks like everyone else. For example, a short person can use the step stool.
Hyperactive Signs and symptoms
Adults may exhibit different symptoms as children. While children might be agitated, irritable and agitated, adult symptoms tend to be more subtle. They might forget to complete tasks, get lost or lose take a wrong turn and make mistakes. They may also feel stimulated and have trouble sitting still, even when eating a meal or in class. They may interrupt others, or give answers before being asked to answer a question.
These symptoms could be caused by a myriad of conditions. To determine the underlying cause of the symptoms and determine the most effective treatment, a complete psychiatric assessment is required. These could include psychotherapy, medication and lifestyle adjustments. This can include a healthier eating plan, more exercise, and better sleeping schedules. These can include adjusting school or work assignments and making use of assistive tools like calendars or planners, as well as smartphone apps.
You should first discuss your concerns with your family doctor or your primary healthcare provider if you suspect you may have ADHD. The How to Talk to Your Provider factsheet from NIMH contains guidelines on how to communicate with your physician about mental issues.
To be considered to have ADHD, the symptoms must be evident in at least two different settings and have an impact on your daily life. They must have been present for at least six months in order to qualify. Your provider will evaluate you to see if you have the inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive symptoms of ADHD.
In addition to lifestyle changes and accommodations There are also medications that can help manage your symptoms of ADHD. These drugs are known as stimulants. They work by streamlining the signals within your brain, which affect your attention, mood and behavior. Your doctor will prescribe the appropriate dose and will keep track of your response. You may be prescribed non-stimulant drugs if you experience side effects or if a stimulant does not work. They are also combined with stimulants to increase the effectiveness.
Impulsive Symptoms
Everyone misplaces keys or a 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 material and completing projects. As adults, this can cause a variety of half-finished tasks around the home: unpaid bills and unkempt homes and a vegetable garden that's been planted but not watered.
The impulsive symptoms of ADHD can create difficulties in a variety of aspects of life, but particularly in relationships. People with ADHD who are impulsive ADHD are often fast-paced and crave instant gratification. They may be prone to rushing into social situations with little planning or taking risks which could have negative effects. Additionally, people who are impulsive might react in a emotionally or stressful situations. For example, a person might become highly annoyed or defensive when arguing with family members or friends.
To determine if you have one of the two types of ADHD the healthcare professional who is trained in mental disorders must review the medical history of a patient and conduct a physical exam. The doctor will ask you about the symptoms and how they affect your interactions with others, work, and your home. To be diagnosed with either form of ADHD, a person must display six or more of the nine main symptoms. The symptoms must affect everyday functioning and last at least six months (American Psychological Association 2000).
Psychostimulants are the most effective treatment for ADHD. They target the way that certain chemicals communicate with each other in the brain to regulate behavior. The most well-known stimulant is methylphenidate. It was initially used to treat ADHD in children. The medication may not be appropriate for some people with other health conditions, for example, depression or high blood pressure, so it's important to discuss your medication with your doctor. Psychotherapy can help decrease the symptoms of impulsivity and distracting behavior in addition to medications. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), focuses on teaching people to recognize Irrational or automatic thinking that may trigger negative behavior and develop strategies for self-regulation.
Combined Symptoms
Adults who were diagnosed with ADHD as children may develop symptoms into adulthood. They may experience mild, moderate or even severe symptoms that interfere with work, school and social interactions. Other mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression, might also require treatment. adhd in adults untreated may also have difficulties with learning, making it difficult to comprehend or follow directions in classrooms and offices.
Adults may not be able recognize the symptoms of inattentive ADHD, but it can be a problem for them to function at home and work. It's hard for people with this kind of ADHD to be able to concentrate during college lectures or business meetings, and they may have trouble keeping up with assignments and work-related tasks. They frequently lose the track of their belongings or forget appointments or deadlines. They may also have difficulty following conversations or listening to music. They are more prone to being distracted by the activities or people in the vicinity 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 an assessment criteria to identify the disorder. This includes symptoms that start at the age of 12 and can be seen in a variety of settings and can cause problems in 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 be present before the age of 12 and continue to manifest at school, at home as well as in other work and social environments.
Researchers are studying the effects of environmental and genetic factors that may be at play in the development of ADHD. According to studies, people who suffer from ADHD may have difficulty regulating certain chemicals in their brains, including neurotransmitters which can regulate the mood, attention and behavior.
If you're experiencing symptoms of ADHD discuss it with your primary care provider. Your doctor may conduct an exam of your body and recommend you to an expert in mental health to do an evaluation. Psychotherapy and medicines are commonly employed to treat ADHD and other disorders, such as stimulants that increase the levels of certain brain chemicals. Amphetamines and methylphenidate as well as other stimulants are utilized. Inform your doctor about any other medications you are taking, including vitamins or supplements. The FDA's medication website has information on approved medications, warnings and patient information guides.