ADHD Symptoms and Treatment in Adults
Many adults struggle to keep up with their everyday tasks. They are often frustrated and mood swings. If you suspect that you might have ADHD check with your primary health care provider or a mental health professional for an evaluation.
Adult ADHD is diagnosed using the same criteria that it is for children. The symptoms must last at minimum six months, and cannot be caused by other medical conditions, mood disorders or other medical conditions.
Attentive symptoms
Many people with ADHD find it difficult to keep up with homework, work or 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 possessions or make careless mistakes that could have grave consequences.
If you have problems keeping track of your work or personal matters, you should talk to an expert in health care. Your primary care doctor will assess your situation and refer you to a mental health professional if appropriate.
Inattentive ADHD is often misunderstood. People who suffer from inattentive ADHD aren't always attentive when they are spoken to. They tend to forget quickly or get distracted by irrelevant thoughts. They are unable to stay focused on their tasks, and may make mistakes or fail to follow instructions. They may also have difficulty keeping their hands away from their faces, or appear to be shaken.
Inattentive symptoms can lead to failure at school or work which can lead to feelings of shame and frustration for the person affected. They can also cause problems in relationships with friends, family and co-workers.
Health care providers determine ADHD based on a clinical assessment that involves conducting an interview with the patient and reviewing past behavior. They may ask the individual to fill out the symptom checklist and perform medical tests to determine if there are other conditions that have similar symptoms. Symptoms of ADHD must be consistent before the age of 12 for a diagnosis to be established.
Adults who suffer from inattention ADHD might benefit from psychotherapy and lifestyle modifications to ease their symptoms. These treatments include behavioral therapy, medication, and family psychoeducation. Psychotherapy is a kind of therapy that helps patients learn new skills, attitudes and ways of engaging with other people. The practice of behavioral therapy can teach methods that can reduce self-destructive and impulsive behavior, improve organizational skills and build confidence.
It could be helpful for people suffering from inattention ADHD to discuss their struggles with a friend or family member, or a therapist. They may also be able to request accommodations from their teachers or supervisors, as well as coworkers. Accommodations are a way of making changes in the environment that allow the disabled person to perform tasks like everyone else, such as using a step stool for someone who is short.
Hyperactive Symptoms
The symptoms of this type of ADHD may look different in adults as compared to children. Adult symptoms are more subtle. While children may fidget and appear restless adults are less talkative. They might forget about tasks, lose the track of time or location and make mistakes that aren't their fault. They might also feel stimulated and have trouble sitting still, even when sitting down to a meal or in class. They may interrupt others or respond to questions prior to being asked to answer a question.
These symptoms can be triggered by a myriad of conditions. A full psychiatric evaluation is required to determine the root of the symptoms as well as determine the most effective treatment. These include psychotherapy, medication and lifestyle adjustments. They can be an improved diet, exercise and sleeping schedules. This can be done by changing work or school assignments, and utilizing aidive tools like calendars, planners, and apps for smartphones.
It is recommended to first discuss your concerns with a family doctor or primary healthcare provider if you suspect you might be suffering from ADHD. You can find helpful tips to talk to your health care provider regarding mental health issues on NIMH's How to Talk to Your Health Care Provider fact sheet.
It is important to understand that in order to be diagnosed with ADHD symptoms must be present in more than one setting and seriously interfere with daily life. To be considered a candidate they must be 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 aid in managing your ADHD symptoms, as well as lifestyle modifications and accommodations. These are known as stimulants. They function by reorganizing brain signals that affect your mood and attention, as well as your behavior. Your doctor will prescribe the right dose of the medication for you and track your reaction to treatment. You may be prescribed a non-stimulant medicine in the event of a recurring side effects, when the stimulant isn't working, or when combined with stimulants to boost the effectiveness of treatment.
Instinctive Symptoms
Everyone loses keys or cellphone from time to time However, for those with inattentive ADHD, these little distractions can become an issue. People with inattentive ADHD have a harder managing their tasks, organizing their materials and completing their projects. As adults, this may cause a variety of half-finished tasks around the house, including houses that are not cleaned and bills not paid, as well as the vegetable garden that's been started but never watered.
Relationships are among the most prevalent areas where impulsive ADHD symptoms can cause problems. People who suffer from ADHD who are impulsive ADHD are often fast-paced and crave instant gratification. They may be impulsive and enter social situations without thinking ahead, or take risks that can lead to negative consequences. In addition, impulsive people might react in a emotional or stressful situations. Someone could become frustrated or defensive in a dispute with family or friends.
To get diagnosed with one of the two forms of ADHD the health professional who specializes in mental disorders should review a person's medical history and conduct an examination. The doctor will ask you about your symptoms and how they impact your relationships at work, in your family, and at your home. To be diagnosed with any type of ADHD, a patient must show at least six of nine major symptoms. The symptoms must also hinder daily functioning and last at least six months (American Psychological Association 2000).
The most effective treatment for ADHD is psychostimulants, which are medications which target the way that certain chemicals communicate in the brain to regulate behavior. The most common stimulant is methylphenidate. It was originally used to treat ADHD in children. It is important to speak with your physician regarding your medication if you suffer from other health issues such as depression or high blood pressure. Psychotherapy can help reduce distraction and impulsive symptoms in addition to medication. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), focuses on helping people recognize the automatic or irrational thoughts that triggers negative behaviors and develop strategies for self-regulation.
Combination Symptoms
Adults who were diagnosed with ADHD as children may be affected in later life. They may experience mild or moderate symptoms that interfere with their schoolwork, work as well as social interactions. Other mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety, may also require treatment. Some adults may also have learning disabilities, which make it difficult to understand or follow instructions in offices and classrooms.
Adults may not be able to detect the signs of inattention ADHD however it could still affect their ability to perform at work and home. It's hard for people who suffer from this type of ADHD to sit quietly for college lectures or business meetings, and they may be unable to keep up with assignments and work-related tasks. They may often lose track of their belongings and forget deadlines or appointments. They may also have difficulty listening to music or following conversations. 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. look at these guys and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 4th edition (DSM-IV TR) has a diagnostic criteria that includes symptoms that start before age 12, occur in multiple settings and cause impairment across multiple domains, such as at school and 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 started before the age of 12 and persist at home, at school, and in other work and social settings.
Researchers are studying the effects of environmental and genetic factors that may be at play in the development of ADHD. Studies suggest that the brains of those who suffer from ADHD have difficulty regulating certain chemicals, such as neurotransmitters which help control attention, mood and behavior.
If you're experiencing symptoms of ADHD you should talk to your primary care doctor. Your doctor will conduct a physical exam and refer you to a mental health professional to conduct an assessment. Psychotherapy and medicines are commonly employed to treat ADHD and other disorders, such as stimulants that increase the levels of certain brain chemicals. Amphetamines, methylphenidate, and other stimulants are utilized. Inform your doctor of all other medications you take such as vitamins or supplements. The FDA's medication website has information about approved medications, warnings and patient information guidelines.