ADHD Symptoms and Treatment in Adults
Many adults have difficulty keeping up with their daily activities. They often experience frustration and mood swings. If you suspect that you might be suffering from ADHD check with your primary healthcare provider or a mental-health professional for an assessment.
Adult ADHD is diagnosed with the same criteria that it is for children. The symptoms must last for at least six months and cannot be explained by other medical conditions mood disorders or other medical conditions.
Attentive Signs
Adults with ADHD often find it difficult to keep up with the workplace, at school 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 than others to lose their possessions or make a mistake that could have grave consequences.
Talk to your health care provider if you are having difficulty keeping track of work or personal matters. Your primary care provider can assess your situation and recommend you to a mental health professional if appropriate.
The signs of inattention ADHD are often misunderstood. People with inattentive ADHD aren't always attentive when spoken to. They tend to forget quickly or get distracted by irrelevant thoughts. They might have difficulty staying focused, make careless mistakes or struggle to follow directions. They may also have trouble keeping their hands off their faces or appear shaky.
Inattentive symptoms can lead to failure at school or work, which can create feelings of shame and frustration for the person who is affected. They can also cause problems with relationships with family, friends and co-workers.
Health care providers determine ADHD through a medical assessment, which involves interviewing the individual and reviewing the behavior of the past. They may ask the individual to complete the symptom checklist and perform medical tests in order to rule out other conditions that exhibit similar symptoms. The symptoms of ADHD must be evident consistently prior to 12 years old to be able to determine if it is a diagnosis.
Adults who suffer from inattentive ADHD are often able to benefit from psychotherapy, lifestyle changes and other treatments that help to manage their symptoms. These treatments include therapy with medication, behavioral therapy and psychoeducation for families. Psychotherapy is a form of counseling that helps patients develop new attitudes, skills, and ways to interact with others. Psychotherapy can help to reduce self-destructive and impulsive behavior, improve the ability to manage and organize, and boost confidence.
People with inattentive ADHD might find it beneficial to talk about their issues with a trusted family member or therapist. They might also seek accommodations from their teachers, supervisors and co-workers. Accommodations are a way of making changes in the work environment that allow a person with a disability to carry out tasks just like everyone else, such as using a step stool for someone who is short.
Hyperactive symptoms
The signs and symptoms of ADHD can be different in adults as compared to children. Adult symptoms are more subtle. While children might seem to be restless and fidget, adults tend to be less talkative. They might forget to complete tasks, lose track of or 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 other students or blurt out answers before they've been asked a question, and have trouble waiting their turn in conversations or games.
There are several ailments that can trigger these symptoms. A thorough psychiatric examination is necessary to determine the root of the symptoms and identify the most effective treatment options. These include psychotherapy, medication and lifestyle changes. This can include a healthier eating plan as well as more exercise and better sleeping schedules. This can be done by changing work or school assignments and making use of assistive tools like calendars, planners, and smartphone apps.
If you suspect that you might have ADHD The 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 provides guidelines on how to communicate with your provider about mental issues.
To be diagnosed with ADHD symptoms must appear in at least two different settings and have a significant impact on everyday life. To be considered a candidate they must be present for at least six months. Your provider will evaluate you to see if you have the inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive symptoms of ADHD.
There are medications to assist you in managing your ADHD symptoms, as well as adaptations to your lifestyle and accommodation. These medications are referred to as stimulants. They work by reorganizing the brain's signals that influence your mood and attention, as well as your behavior. Your doctor will prescribe the appropriate dosage of the medication to you and will monitor your response to treatment. You may be prescribed a non-stimulant medication in the event of a recurring side effects, when stimulants aren't working or in combination with stimulants to enhance the effectiveness of treatment.
The symptoms of an impulse
Everyone misplaces keys or a cellphone from time-to-time, but for people with inattention ADHD small distractions are a bigger issue. People with inattentive ADHD have a harder task of focusing on tasks, organizing their materials, and completing projects. As adults, the result could be a million half-finished projects around the house, such as unpaid bills, dirty houses and the vegetable garden that was planted but never watered.
Relationships are among the most common areas where the impulsive ADHD symptoms can cause problems. People with impulsive ADHD are usually impatient and want immediate satisfaction. They can be impulsive and jump into social situations with no planning or risk taking, which can have negative consequences. In addition, impulsive individuals might overreact in emotionally or stressful situations. Someone could become annoyed or defensive when arguing with family or friends.
To get diagnosed with one of the two types of ADHD, a health care professional specializing in mental disorders must examine the medical history of the patient and conduct an exam. The doctor will inquire about your symptoms and how they impact your relationships at work, in your family, and at your home. In order to be diagnosed with any type of ADHD the patient must exhibit six or more of the nine major symptoms and the symptoms have to interfere with daily functioning for at least 6 months (American Association for Psychiatric Research 2000).
adult adhd diagnosis and treatment for ADHD is psychostimulants, which are medications which target the way that certain chemicals communicate in the brain to regulate behavior. The most commonly used stimulant is methylphenidate. It was originally developed to treat ADHD among children. It is important to speak with your physician about your medication if are suffering from other health issues such as depression or high blood pressure. Psychotherapy can reduce impulsive symptoms and distracting behaviors in addition to medication. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is focused on helping people recognize automatic or irrational thinking that can trigger negative behaviors and to develop strategies for self-regulation.
Combination of symptoms
Adults who experienced ADHD as children could experience symptoms that return in adulthood. They may experience mild, moderate or even severe symptoms that hinder school, work and social interactions. Other mental health issues, like depression or anxiety, may also require treatment. Adults may also suffer from learning disabilities that make it difficult to understand or follow directions in offices and classrooms.
The symptoms of the inattentive form of ADHD aren't as evident in adults, but they can still impact how people function at home and work. This type of ADHD makes it difficult for people to remain focused during business meetings or classes at college. They may also have trouble keeping up with their work and assignments. They might forget deadlines or appointments, and lose their possessions. They also have trouble following conversations or listening to music. They are more prone to being distracted by the people or activities that are going on around them than the majority of 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 start before age 12 and are present in a variety of settings, causing issues 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 as well as in other social and work settings.
Researchers are examining genetic and environmental factors which might be involved in the development of ADHD. According to studies, those who suffer from ADHD might have trouble regulating certain brain chemicals, including neurotransmitters which help control the way they behave, their mood and attention.
If you're experiencing symptoms of ADHD, talk to your primary care physician. Your doctor will conduct a physical exam and refer you to a mental health professional to conduct an assessment. Treatment for ADHD usually involves psychotherapy as well as medications, such as stimulants that boost levels of certain chemicals in the brain. Amphetamines, methylphenidate, and other stimulants are commonly used. You should tell your doctor about any other medicines you take, including vitamins and supplements. The FDA's medication site has information on approved medications along with warnings and information guides.