ADHD Symptoms and Treatment in Adults
Many adults have difficulty keeping up with their daily tasks. They are often frustrated and mood shifts. If you suspect that you be suffering from ADHD, consult your primary care physician or a mental health professional for an evaluation.
The criteria for diagnosing adult ADHD is the same as that for children ADHD: symptoms must be evident for a period of 6 months and not be better explained by other medical disorders or conditions.
Inattentive Symptoms
Many adults suffering from ADHD find it difficult to keep up with schoolwork, work or household chores. They often miss appointments, fail to pay bills on time, and have difficulty maintaining relationships with their family and friends. They are more likely than others to lose their possessions or make mistakes that can have serious consequences.
Speak with your health care provider if have difficulty keeping track of personal or work matters. Your primary care doctor can evaluate your situation and refer you to a mental health specialist should it be necessary.
Inattentive ADHD is often misunderstood. People suffering from inattentive ADHD don't always listen when they are spoken to and are easily distracted or often distracted by irrelevant thoughts. They have difficulty staying focused on tasks, may make a mistake or struggle to follow directions. They also struggle to keep their hands from their face or appearing unstable or fidgety.
Inattentive symptoms can lead to failure at school or work which can lead to anger and shame for the person suffering. They can also cause issues in relationships with friends, family and co-workers.
The diagnosis of ADHD is based on the clinical assessment. This includes an interview with the patient and a review of previous behavior. They may ask the individual to complete the symptom checklist and perform medical tests to rule out other conditions that have similar symptoms. The symptoms of ADHD must be present consistently prior to 12 years old to make an assessment.
Adults suffering from inattentive ADHD might benefit from psychotherapy and lifestyle modifications to help manage their symptoms. These treatments include medication, behavioral therapy, and family psychoeducation. Psychotherapy is a type of counseling that assists patients develop new skills, attitudes and ways of interacting with other people. Psychotherapy can teach strategies that reduce self-destructive and impulsive behavior, improve organizational skills and build confidence.
People with inattention ADHD might find it helpful to talk about their issues with a trusted family member or therapist. Teachers, supervisors, and co-workers may be able to offer accommodations. Accommodations are the tools and modifications to the environment that enable a person with disabilities to perform tasks as the rest of us. For example, a short person can utilize a step stool.
Hyperactive Signs and symptoms
Adults may exhibit different symptoms as children. While children may be agitated, irritable and talkative the symptoms of adults tend to be more subtle. They may forget their assignments or tasks, lose track of time or place and make a few erroneous mistakes. They also may feel overly stimulated and have trouble sitting still, even when eating a meal or in class. They may interrupt other students or respond to questions prior to being asked a question.
These symptoms can be caused by a variety of conditions. To determine the cause of the symptoms and determine the most effective treatment, a full mental health assessment is needed. These can include psychotherapy, medications and lifestyle adjustments. This could mean the use of a healthier diet plan as well as more exercise and better sleeping schedules. This can be done by adjusting school or work assignments and making use of aidive tools such as calendars or planners, as well as apps for smartphones.
It is important to discuss your concerns with a family doctor or primary healthcare provider if you suspect you may have ADHD. The How to Talk to Your Provider factsheet from NIMH contains guidelines on how to communicate with your physician regarding mental health issues.
To be considered to have ADHD the symptoms must be evident in at least two environments and have an 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 adjustments to your lifestyle and accommodations. These are referred to as stimulants. They work by reorganizing the brain signals that affect your mood and attention, as well as your behavior. Your doctor will determine the best dosage of the medication to you and will monitor your response to treatment. You could be prescribed a non-stimulant medicine when you experience unpleasant side effects, when the stimulant isn't working, or when combined with stimulants to boost the effectiveness of treatment.
The symptoms of an impulse
People with inattention ADHD are more likely to lose their keys or mobile phones. People with inattentive ADHD have a difficult managing their tasks, arranging their material and completing projects. As adults, this may lead to a multitude of half-finished tasks around the house, including unpaid bills and unkempt homes and a vegetable garden that has been planted but not watered.
Relationships are one of the most common areas where an impulsive ADHD symptoms can cause problems. People with an impulsive ADHD tend to be anxious and seek immediate gratification. They can be impulsive and jump into social situations without planning or risk taking which could result in negative consequences. Impulsive people may also overreact to emotional or stressful situations. For instance, a person may become extremely angry or defensive during arguments with friends or family.
A medical professional with a specialization in mental disorders will review the medical history of a patient and perform an exam to diagnose ADHD. The doctor will also inquire about how symptoms affect your home, work, and relationships. In order to be diagnosed with one of the types of ADHD, a person must exhibit six or more of the nine major symptoms and the symptoms must interfere with daily functioning for at least 6 months (American Association for Psychiatric Research 2000).
The most effective treatment for ADHD is psychostimulants, which are drugs that affect the way certain chemicals interact with the brain to regulate behavior. The most popular kind of stimulant is methylphenidate, which was first used to treat ADHD in children. It's important to talk with your doctor regarding your medication if you are suffering from other health issues like depression or high blood pressure. In addition to medicines psychotherapy can help reduce the symptoms of distraction and impulsivity. adhd treatment in adults (CBT) focuses on helping individuals recognize the automatic or irrational thoughts that could trigger negative behaviors and to develop strategies for self-regulation.
Combined Symptoms
Adults who experienced ADHD as children may have symptoms that come back in adulthood. They could experience mild or moderate symptoms that hinder in their school, work and social interactions. Other mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression, might also require treatment. Some adults may also have learning disabilities, which make it difficult to understand or follow directions in classrooms and offices.
The signs of the inattentive kind of ADHD aren't as evident in adults however, they can affect how people function at home and work. This kind of ADHD can make it difficult for people to sit still in business meetings or college lectures. They might also have difficulty keeping up with their work and assignments. They can often lose the track of their belongings or forget deadlines or appointments. They may also have difficulty following conversations or listening music. They are more likely to get distracted by the activities or people around them than most other 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 appear at the age of 12 and can be seen in multiple settings and cause 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 have begun before the age of 12 and continue to manifest at home, in school, and in various work and social environments.
There's no reason for ADHD, but researchers are studying genetic and environmental factors that may play a role. According to studies, people who suffer from ADHD may have difficulty regulating certain chemicals in their brains and brains, such as neurotransmitters that aid in controlling mood, attention and behavior.
If you are experiencing signs of ADHD you should talk to your primary care provider. Your doctor can perform a physical examination and refer you for an evaluation by an expert in mental health. Psychotherapy and medicines are commonly utilized to treat ADHD and other disorders, such as stimulants that increase the levels of certain brain chemicals. Amphetamines and methylphenidate as well as other stimulants are commonly used. It is important to inform your health care provider about any other medication you take, such as vitamins and supplements. The FDA's medication site has information about approved medications, warnings, and patient information guides.