ADHD Symptoms and Treatment in Adults
Many adults struggle to keep up with their daily activities. They often experience frustration and mood swings. If you think you may be suffering from ADHD take a look at your primary care physician or an expert in mental health for an assessment.
Adult ADHD is diagnosed using the same criteria as it is for children. The symptoms must last for at minimum six months and cannot be explained 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 frequently skip appointments, fail to pay bills on time, and have trouble maintaining relationships with their family and friends. They are more likely than others to lose things, or make mistakes that could have grave consequences.
Talk to your health care provider if you are having difficulty keeping track of work or personal matters. Your primary care provider will evaluate your situation and possibly refer you to a mental professional should it be necessary.
Symptoms of inattentive ADHD are often misunderstood. People with inattentive ADHD are not always attentive when they are spoken to and are easily distracted or frequently distracted by irrelevant thoughts. They might have difficulty staying focused, make careless mistakes, or struggle with following instructions. They also have difficulty keeping their hands off their faces or may seem unstable or fidgety.
Inattention to the 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 members and co-workers.
Health care providers determine ADHD based on a clinical assessment that involves interviewing the person and analyzing their past behavior. They may ask the patient to fill out an inventory of symptoms and run medical tests in order to determine whether other conditions exhibit similar symptoms. The symptoms of ADHD must be present consistently before 12 years of age to make an diagnosis.
Adults who suffer from inattentive ADHD may benefit from psychotherapy and lifestyle changes to ease their symptoms. These treatments include medication, behavioral therapy, and family psychoeducation. Psychotherapy is a type of therapy that assists patients develop new attitudes, skills, and ways to interact with others. Psychotherapy can help to reduce impulsive, self-destructive behavior, improve the ability to manage and organize, and boost confidence.
It can be beneficial for people suffering from inattention ADHD to talk about their issues with a friend or family member a therapist. They may also be able to request accommodations from their teachers or supervisors as well as colleagues. Accommodations are modifications and tools to the working environment that permit the disabled person to perform tasks as everyone else. For example an individual who is short may utilize stepstools.
Hyperactive symptoms
Adults may exhibit different symptoms than children. While children can fidget, seem agitated and talkative, adult symptoms tend to be more subtle. They might forget about tasks, lose track of time or place and make mistakes that aren't their fault. They might also feel excessively active and find it difficult to sit still during a meal or class. They may interrupt others, or give answers before being asked an inquiry.
There are many illnesses that can cause these symptoms. A full psychiatric evaluation is needed to determine the root of the symptoms and identify the most effective treatment options. These could include psychotherapy, medications and lifestyle adjustments. read on can include the use of a healthier diet plan along with more exercise and better sleeping schedules. This could include changing work or school assignments and using aidive tools such as calendars and planners, as well as apps for smartphones.
If you suspect that you may have ADHD, your first step should be to discuss your concerns with your family physician or primary care doctor. You can find tips for talking with 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 to be considered diagnosed with ADHD symptoms must manifest in at least two or more environments and have a significant impact on everyday life. They must be present for at least six months to qualify. Your provider will evaluate you to see if you have the inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive symptoms of ADHD.
In addition to lifestyle modifications and accommodations There are also medications that can help manage your symptoms of ADHD. These medications are called stimulants. They work by streamlining the signals in your brain that affect your mood, attention, and behavior. Your doctor will determine the best dosage of the medication for you and monitor your response to treatment. You could be prescribed a non-stimulant medication when you experience unpleasant side effects, when the stimulant isn't working, or when combined with stimulants to increase the effectiveness of treatment.
The symptoms of an impulse
Everyone misplaces keys or a cellphone from time-to-time however for those who suffer from inattentive ADHD, these little distractions can become an issue. People with inattentive ADHD have a harder managing their tasks, arranging their materials and completing their projects. As adults, the result may be a million incomplete projects around the house, such as unpaid bills, unkempt houses, and the vegetable garden that was started but never watered.
The impulse-driven symptoms of ADHD can create problems in many areas of our lives, but specifically in relationships. People who have an impulsive ADHD tend to be anxious and require immediate satisfaction. They might be quick to enter social situations without planning ahead or take risks that could result in negative consequences. In addition, impulsive people might react in a emotional or stressful situations. For example, a person may become extremely angry or defensive when arguing with friends or family.
To be diagnosed with one of the two types of ADHD the health care professional specializing in mental disorders should review a person's medical history and conduct an examination. The doctor will ask you about the symptoms and how they affect your relationships at work, in your family, and at home. In order to be diagnosed with any type 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 six months (American Association for Psychiatric Research 2000).
Psychostimulants are the most effective treatment for ADHD. These medications target the way certain chemicals communicate with each other in the brain to regulate behavior. The most well-known stimulant is methylphenidate. It was originally developed to treat ADHD in children. It's important to talk with your physician about your medication if you have other health conditions like depression or high blood pressure. Psychotherapy can reduce impulsive symptoms and distracting behaviors in addition to medication. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is focused on helping people recognize automatic or irrational thoughts that can trigger negative behavior and to develop strategies for self-regulation.
Combination Symptoms
Adults who were diagnosed with ADHD as children may be affected in later life. They can have mild, moderate or even severe symptoms that hinder work, school and social interactions. They also may have other mental health issues like depression or anxiety that require treatment. Adults may also experience problems with learning, which may make it difficult for them to understand or follow instructions in offices and classrooms.
The symptoms of the inattentive form of ADHD aren't as obvious in adults, but they can still affect how people function at home and work. It's hard for people who suffer from this type of ADHD to remain calm during college lectures or business meetings, and they could have trouble keeping up with assignments and work tasks. They may often lose track of their belongings and forget appointments or deadlines. They may also have difficulty following conversations or listening to music. They are more likely to be 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 American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition (DSM-IV TR) has a diagnostic criteria which includes symptoms that manifest before age 12, occur in a variety of settings and result in impairment across multiple domains including 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 begun before the age of 12 and continue at home, in school, and in various work and social settings.
There is no cause for ADHD, but researchers are studying genetic and environmental factors that could have a role to play. According to studies, people who suffer from ADHD may have difficulty regulating certain chemicals in their brains, including neurotransmitters which aid in controlling the mood, attention and behavior.
Speak to your primary health care provider if you exhibit indications of ADHD. Your doctor can do an examination and refer you to a mental health professional to conduct an assessment. Psychotherapy and medications are usually employed to treat ADHD, including stimulants that increase the levels of certain brain chemicals. Amphetamines and methylphenidate as well as other stimulants are commonly used. You should tell your health care provider about any other medications you take, including vitamins and supplements. The FDA's website for medications contains information on approved medications as well as patient information and warnings guidelines.