ADHD Symptoms and Treatment in Adults
Many adults report that they have trouble keeping up with their daily activities frequently experiencing anger and mood swings. If you suspect that you may have ADHD check with your primary healthcare provider or a mental-health professional for an assessment.
The criteria for determining adult ADHD is the same as that for children ADHD: symptoms must be evident for at least 6 months and are not be better explained by other medical disorders or conditions.
Inattentive Signs and symptoms
Adults suffering from ADHD often find it difficult to keep up with school, at work, or with household chores. They are late for appointments, don't pay bills on time and have trouble maintaining relationships with their family and friends. They are more likely than others to lose their possessions or make careless errors that could have grave consequences.
Speak with your health care provider if you are having difficulty keeping track of work or personal issues. Your primary care physician will assess your situation and possibly refer you to a mental specialist when needed.
The symptoms of inattentive ADHD are often misunderstood. People suffering from inattentive ADHD are not always attentive when they are questioned, forget easily or are often distracted by irrelevant thoughts. They may struggle to stay focused, make careless mistakes or struggle to follow directions. They also have trouble keeping their hands from their face or appear unsteady or fidgety.
Inattention to symptoms can lead to failure in school or at work which can lead to anxiety and guilt for those affected. They can also cause issues in relationships with family, friends and co-workers.
Health professionals determine ADHD by conducting a clinical assessment, which involves interviewing the individual and reviewing past behavior. They may ask the person to complete a symptom questionnaire and may perform medical tests to determine if there are mental or physical health conditions that share similar symptoms. Symptoms of ADHD must occur consistently since before the age of 12 for a diagnosis to be established.
Adults suffering from inattention ADHD might benefit from a psychotherapy session and lifestyle changes to manage their symptoms. These treatments include medication, behavioral therapy and psychoeducation for families. Psychotherapy is a type of counseling which helps patients to develop new attitudes, skills and ways of interacting with other people. Behavioral therapy can teach techniques that will reduce impulsive and self-destructive behaviors, improve organizational skills and increase confidence.
People with inattention ADHD might find it beneficial to talk about their issues with a trusted family member or therapist. Teachers, supervisors, and co-workers might be able to provide accommodations. Accommodations are modifications and tools to the environment that enable a person with disabilities to perform tasks as everyone else. For instance the person who is short can utilize stepstools.
Hyperactive Signs and symptoms
Adults can exhibit different symptoms as children. While children may fidget, appear restless and agitated while adult symptoms tend to be more subtle. They may forget tasks, lose track of or get lost and make a few mistakes. They may also feel overly active and struggle to sit still in a class or meal. They may interrupt other students or respond to questions prior to being asked to answer a question.
These symptoms can be caused by a variety of ailments. To determine the underlying cause of symptoms and the most efficient treatment, a thorough psychiatric assessment is required. These could include psychotherapy, medications and lifestyle changes. These can include an improved diet, exercise and sleep schedules. They can also involve making adjustments to school or work assignments and using aidive devices such as calendars, planners and smartphone apps.
If you suspect that you have ADHD, your first step should be to discuss your concerns with your family doctor or primary care provider. You can find helpful tips to talk to your health care provider about mental health issues on NIMH's How to Talk to Your Health Care Provider fact sheet.
It's important to know that to be considered diagnosed with ADHD, symptoms must occur in two or more settings and significantly interfere with daily life. They must be present for at least six months in order to be considered to be diagnosed. Your provider will evaluate you to see if you have the inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive symptoms of ADHD.
There are a variety of medications available that can aid in managing your ADHD symptoms, as well as adaptations to your lifestyle and accommodation. These are referred to as stimulants. They work by enhancing signals in your brain that influence your attention, mood and behavior. Your doctor will prescribe the right dosage of the medication to you and will monitor your response to treatment. You may be prescribed a non-stimulant medicine in the event of a recurring side effects, when stimulants aren't working or is used in conjunction with stimulants to increase the effectiveness of treatment.
Instinctive Symptoms
People with inattentive ADHD are more likely to lose their keys or mobile phones. If it's a case of doodles in class or losing track of time during a meeting, people with inattentive ADHD find it harder to keep track of tasks, organize their materials and complete their projects. As adults, this can lead to a multitude of unfinished projects around the house, including houses that are not cleaned and bills not paid, as well as the vegetable garden that has been started but never tended to.
Relationships are among the most frequent areas in which impulsive ADHD symptoms can cause problems. People with an impulsive ADHD often feel anxious and require instant gratification. They may jump into social situations with little planning or risk taking, which can have negative consequences. In addition, impulsive individuals might react in a emotional or stressful situations. A person may become very frustrated or defensive in a dispute with family or friends.
A medical professional who specializes in mental disorders will review the medical background of a patient and conduct an examination to determine ADHD. The doctor will also inquire about how the symptoms impact your home, work and relationships. To be diagnosed with either type of ADHD one must exhibit six or more of the nine major symptoms and the symptoms must interfere with daily functioning for at least six months (American Association for Psychiatric Research 2000).
Psychostimulants are the most effective treatment for ADHD. These medications target the way certain chemicals interact with each other in the brain to regulate behaviour. The most common type of stimulant is the methylphenidate drug, which was originally used to treat ADHD in children. It's possible that the medication is not suitable for people with other health conditions like depression or high blood pressure, so it's important to discuss your medication with your doctor. In addition to medication psychotherapy can aid in reducing the symptoms of impulsivity and distraction. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), focuses on teaching people to recognize automatic or irrational thinking that can trigger negative behaviors and devise strategies for self-regulation.
Combined Symptoms
Adults who were diagnosed with ADHD as children can 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, could also require treatment. Adults may also experience learning issues, which could make it difficult for them to comprehend or follow directions in offices and classrooms.
Adults might not be able to identify the signs of inattention ADHD however, it can be affecting their ability to perform at home and work. This kind of ADHD makes it difficult for people to remain focused in meetings at work or during classes at college. They might also be unable to keep up with their work and assignments. They can frequently lose track of their belongings and forget appointments or deadlines. They may also have difficulty following conversations or listening to music. adhd symptoms adults treatment are more prone to being distracted by people or activities 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) 4th edition of the American Psychiatric Association, includes a criterion to diagnose the disorder. This includes symptoms that appear before age 12 and are present in multiple settings and cause 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 have begun before the age of 12 years old and continue at home, at school and in other social and work situations.
Researchers are studying genetic and environmental factors which might be responsible for the development of ADHD. Research suggests that the brains of people with ADHD have difficulty regulating certain chemicals, such as neurotransmitters that manage mood, attention and behavior.
Consult your primary healthcare provider if you show symptoms of ADHD. Your doctor may conduct a physical exam and refer you to an expert in mental health to conduct an evaluation. Treatment for ADHD typically involves psychotherapy and medication including stimulants, which boost levels of certain chemicals in the brain. Amphetamines, methylphenidate and other stimulants are used. You should tell your health professional about any other medication you take, including vitamins and supplements. The FDA's medication website has information on approved medications along with warnings and patient guidelines.