ADHD Symptoms and Treatment in Adults
Many adults struggle to keep up with their daily activities. They often experience frustration and mood shifts. If you think you may have ADHD take a look at your primary care doctor or a mental health professional for an assessment.
Adult ADHD is diagnosed using the same criteria as it is for children. The symptoms must last for at least six months and cannot be caused by other medical conditions mood disorders or other medical conditions.
Inattentional symptoms
Many people with ADHD have difficulty keep up with schoolwork, work, or household chores. They miss appointments, don't pay bills on time and have trouble maintaining relationships with their family and friends. They are more likely to lose items or make mistakes that could have grave consequences.
Speak with your health care provider if you have difficulty keeping track of personal or work issues. Your primary care provider will assess your situation and refer you to a mental health professional when appropriate.
Inattentive ADHD is often misunderstood. People with inattentive ADHD don't always listen when they are spoken to and are easily distracted or often distracted by irrelevant thoughts. They might have difficulty staying on task, make mistakes, or struggle with following instructions. They also have trouble keeping their hands from their face or may seem unsteady or fidgety.
Inattention to the symptoms could lead to failure in school or at work and can result in anger and shame for those affected. They can also cause problems in relationships with family, friends and colleagues.
The diagnosis of ADHD is based on a clinical assessment. This includes an interview with the patient and an examination of their past behavior. They may ask the patient to complete an inventory of symptoms and run medical tests in order to rule out other conditions that have similar symptoms. The symptoms of ADHD must occur consistently since before age 12 for the diagnosis to be established.
Adults with inattentive ADHD might benefit from psychotherapy and lifestyle changes to manage their symptoms. These treatments include medication, behavioral therapy and family psychoeducation. Psychotherapy is a form of therapy that helps patients learn new skills, attitudes and ways of interacting with other people. The practice of behavioral therapy can teach methods that can decrease self-destructive and impulsive behaviors as well as improve organizational skills and boost confidence.
It can be beneficial for people suffering from inattention ADHD to talk about their struggles with a friend, family member, or a therapist. Teachers or supervisors, as well as colleagues may be able to offer accommodations. Accommodations are tools and changes to the working environment that permit a person with disabilities to complete tasks just like the rest of us. For example the person who is short can use a step stool.
Hyperactive Signs and symptoms
Adults may exhibit different symptoms in comparison to children. Adult symptoms are less obvious. While children may seem to be restless and fidget while adults tend to be less talkative. They may forget about their tasks, lose the time or location and make careless mistakes. They may also feel overly energetic and struggle to sit still during a meal or class. They may interrupt other students or blurt out answers before they've been asked a question, and struggle to keep their place during games or conversations.
There are a variety of conditions that can cause these symptoms. A comprehensive psychiatric assessment is needed to determine the cause of the symptoms and determine the most effective treatment options. These could include psychotherapy, medication and lifestyle adjustments. These could include eating a healthy diet, exercising and sleeping schedules. This could include changing work or school assignments, and utilizing aidive tools like calendars or planners, as well as apps for smartphones.
It is recommended to 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 suggestions on how to speak with your physician about mental health issues.
It's crucial to know that to be considered diagnosed with ADHD symptoms must be present in more than one setting and significantly interfere with everyday life. To be eligible 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 a variety of medications available to aid in managing your ADHD symptoms, in addition to lifestyle modifications and accommodations. These are known as stimulants. They work by streamlining the signals in your brain that affect your attention, mood and behavior. Your doctor will determine the best dosage of the medication to you and will monitor your reaction to treatment. You may be prescribed a non-stimulant medication when you experience unpleasant side effects, when stimulants aren't working or is used in conjunction with stimulants to enhance the effectiveness of treatment.
Instinctive Symptoms
People with inattentive ADHD are more likely to lose their keys or mobile phones. Whether it's doodling in class or losing track of time in a meeting, those with inattention ADHD have a harder time to stay on task, organize their materials and complete their projects. As adults, this may lead to a multitude of tasks that are not completed at the house: unpaid bills and unkempt homes and the vegetable garden that was started but not watered.
Relationships are among the most common areas where an impulsive ADHD symptoms can create issues. People who suffer from an impulsive ADHD tend to be anxious and seek instant satisfaction. They might be quick to enter social situations without planning ahead or take risks that can result in negative consequences. People who are impulsive may also react to emotional or stressful situations. For instance, someone could become extremely annoyed or defensive during arguments with family or friends.
To get diagnosed with one of the two kinds of ADHD, a health professional who specializes in mental disorders must review a person's medical history and conduct an exam. The doctor will inquire about the symptoms and how they impact your interactions with others, work, and your home. To be diagnosed with either type of ADHD one must exhibit six or more of the nine major symptoms and the symptoms have to 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 that certain chemicals communicate with each other in the brain to regulate behaviour. The most common stimulant is methylphenidate. It was originally developed to treat ADHD in children. The medication may not be suitable for people with other health issues, for example, high blood pressure or depression It is therefore essential to discuss your medications with your doctor. In adhd treatment for adults medication to medications psychotherapy can help reduce the symptoms of impulsivity and distraction. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a method of teaching individuals to identify the automatic or irrational thoughts that could trigger negative behaviors and develop strategies for self-regulation.
Combination of Symptoms
Adults who experienced ADHD as children may have symptoms that return in adulthood. They may have mild, moderate or severe symptoms that hinder work, school and social interactions. They also may have other mental health problems, such as depression or anxiety, which require treatment. A few adults may also have learning disabilities that make it difficult to comprehend or follow instructions in classrooms and offices.
Adults may not be able identify the signs of inattention ADHD however, it can still affect their ability to perform at home and work. It's hard for people with this type of ADHD to sit quietly for classes or business meetings, and they might 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 might also have trouble following conversations or listening music. They are more susceptible to distraction by the activities or people 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) Fourth 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 a variety of settings, causing issues 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 be present before the age of 12 and continue at school, at home as well as in other social and work settings.
Researchers are investigating environmental and genetic factors that might be involved in the development of ADHD. According to studies, people with ADHD may have difficulty regulating certain chemicals in their brains and brains, such as neurotransmitters that help control the way they behave, their mood and attention.
Consult your primary health care provider if you exhibit indications of ADHD. Your doctor can conduct an examination and refer you to an evaluation by an expert in mental health. Psychotherapy and medications are usually used to treat ADHD, including stimulants that raise the levels of certain brain chemicals. These include amphetamines and methylphenidate. Tell your doctor about all other medications you take, including vitamins or supplements. The FDA's medication website contains information about approved medications as well as patient information and warnings guides.