ADHD Symptoms and Treatment in Adults
Many adults report that they struggle to keep up with daily tasks frequently experiencing anger and mood swings. If you think you may be suffering from ADHD, consult your primary care doctor or an expert in mental health for an evaluation.
The criteria for diagnosing adult ADHD is similar to the criteria used for children The symptoms must be present for a period of 6 months and not better explained by other medical disorders or conditions.
Inattentive symptoms
Many adults suffering from ADHD find it difficult to complete schoolwork, work, or household chores. They are late for appointments, don't pay bills on time, and have difficulty maintaining relationships with their family and friends. They are more likely to lose possessions or make careless mistakes that can have serious consequences.
Speak with your health care provider if have difficulty keeping track of work or personal matters. Your primary care doctor will assess your situation and refer you to a mental health professional should it be necessary.
Inattentive ADHD is often misunderstood. People suffering from inattentive ADHD are not always attentive when they are questioned and tend to forget quickly or are often distracted by thoughts that are not relevant to their. They are unable to stay focused on their tasks, and may make mistakes or fail to follow directions. They may also struggle with keeping their hands off their faces or appear shaky.
Inattention to the symptoms could result in a failure at school or at work and can result in anxiety and guilt for those affected. They can also cause issues with relationships with friends, family and co-workers.
The diagnosis of ADHD is based on the evaluation of the clinical. This involves an interview with the patient and an assessment of the previous 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. The symptoms of ADHD must occur consistently since before age 12 in order for the diagnosis to be established.
Adults with inattentive ADHD may benefit from a psychotherapy session and lifestyle changes to help manage their symptoms. These treatments include therapy with medication, behavioral therapy, and family psychoeducation. Psychotherapy is a type of counseling that assists patients learn new attitudes, skills and ways of interacting with others. The use of behavioral therapy can help decrease self-destructive and impulsive behavior, increase organizational skills, and increase 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 or supervisors, as well as coworkers. Accommodations are modifications and tools to the environment that allow the disabled person to carry out tasks like all other people. For example the person who is short can utilize a step stool.
Hyperactive symptoms
Adults can exhibit different symptoms as children. While children might fidget, seem agitated and talkative, adult symptoms tend to be more subtle. They may forget their assignments and lose the track of time or location and make mistakes that aren't their fault. They might also be overly energetic and have difficulty sitting still in a class or meal. They may interrupt other students or blurt out answers before being asked an answer, or have trouble waiting their turn in games or conversations.
There are a variety of conditions that can cause these symptoms. To determine the underlying cause of symptoms and the most efficient treatment, a thorough psycho-psychiatric evaluation is required. These include psychotherapy, medication and lifestyle modifications. These can include an improved diet, exercise and sleep schedules. They can also involve making adjustments to school or work assignments and making use of aidive devices such as planners, calendars, and smartphones apps.
If you suspect that you may have ADHD the first step is to discuss your concerns with your family doctor or primary care physician. The How to Talk to Your Provider factsheet from NIMH provides tips on how to talk with your doctor regarding mental health issues.
To be diagnosed with ADHD symptoms must appear in at least two settings and have a significant impact on everyday life. For them to qualify 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 available to assist you in managing your ADHD symptoms in addition to lifestyle modifications and accommodations. see more are referred to as stimulants. They work by streamlining the signals in your brain that influence your attention, mood and behavior. Your doctor will prescribe you the appropriate dose and will keep track of your response. You might be prescribed non-stimulant medication when you experience adverse reactions or if a stimulant doesn't work. They are also combined with stimulants to increase the effectiveness.
Instinctive Symptoms
People with inattention ADHD are more likely to lose their keys or phones. People with inattentive ADHD have a harder managing their tasks, arranging their material, and completing projects. As adults, the result could be a million unfinished projects around the house, such as unpaid bills, dirty houses and the vegetable garden that was started but never watered.
The impulsive symptoms of ADHD can cause issues in a variety of areas of life, but especially in relationships. People who have hyperactive ADHD tend to be anxious and require immediate satisfaction. They might jump into social situations without planning ahead or take risks that can cause negative consequences. Impulsive people may also overreact to emotional or stressful situations. Someone could become frustrated or defensive in a dispute with family members or friends.
To get diagnosed with one of the two forms of ADHD the health care professional specializing in mental disorders should review a person's medical history and conduct an exam. The doctor will also inquire about how the symptoms impact your home, work, and personal relationships. In order to be diagnosed with either type of ADHD one must exhibit six or more of the nine main symptoms and the symptoms have to interfere with daily functioning for at least six months (American Psychological Association, 2000).
The most effective treatment for ADHD is psychostimulants. These are drugs which target the way that certain chemicals interact with the brain to regulate behavior. The most commonly used type of stimulants is methylphenidate, which was first used to treat ADHD in children. The medication may not be suitable for people with other health issues, like depression or high blood pressure Therefore, it is essential to discuss your medications with your doctor. Psychotherapy can reduce distraction and impulsive symptoms in addition to medications. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on helping individuals recognize the automatic or irrational thoughts that may trigger negative behaviors, and develop strategies of self-regulation.
Multiple Symptoms
Adults who were diagnosed with ADHD as children may experience symptoms in adulthood. They can have mild, moderate or severe symptoms that affect work, school and social interactions. They could also be suffering from other mental health problems, such as anxiety or depression, that require treatment. A few adults may also have learning disabilities, which make it difficult to comprehend or follow directions in offices and classrooms.
Adults may not be able to detect the signs of inattention ADHD however it could be a problem for them to function at home and work. This type of ADHD can make it difficult for people to sit still during business meetings or college lectures. They may also be unable to keep up with their assignments and work. They often lose track of their belongings and forget deadlines or appointments. They also have trouble following conversations or listening to music. They are more likely to get distracted by people or activities that are happening 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 an assessment criteria to identify the disorder. This includes symptoms that begin before age 12 and are present in multiple settings and cause problems across 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 have begun before the person was 12 years old and continue at home, in school and in other social and work situations.
Researchers are investigating genetic and environmental factors which could be responsible for the development of ADHD. Research suggests that the brains of individuals with ADHD have trouble regulating certain chemicals, such as neurotransmitters which help control attention, mood and behavior.
Speak to your primary healthcare provider if you show signs of ADHD. Your doctor can do an examination and refer you to an expert in mental health to do an evaluation. Psychotherapy and medication are typically used to treat ADHD and other disorders, such as stimulants that raise the levels of certain brain chemicals. Amphetamines and methylphenidate as well as other stimulants are utilized. You should tell your health professional about any other medicines you take, including supplements and vitamins. The FDA's medication site has information on approved medications, warnings, and patient information guides.