ADHD Symptoms and Treatment in Adults
Many adults find that they struggle to keep up with daily tasks, often experiencing frustration and mood swings. If you think you may be suffering from ADHD take a look at your primary care doctor or a mental health professional for an evaluation.
Adult ADHD is diagnosed using the same criteria that it is for children. The symptoms must last at minimum six months and cannot be explained by other medical conditions mood disorders, other medical conditions.
Attention-deficit Signs and symptoms
Adults suffering from ADHD typically have difficulty to keep up with the workplace, at school or with household chores. They don't attend appointments, fail to pay bills on time, and have difficulty maintaining relationships with family and friends. They are more likely than other people to lose things, or make careless errors that can have serious consequences.
If you're having difficulty managing your personal or professional matters, you should talk to a health care provider. Your primary care doctor will assess your situation and refer you to a mental specialist should it be necessary.
Inattentive ADHD is often misunderstood. People suffering from inattentive ADHD aren't always attentive when they are spoken to. They tend to forget quickly or get distracted by irrelevant thoughts. They might have difficulty staying on task, make mistakes, or struggle to follow directions. They may also struggle with keeping their hands off their faces, or appear to be shaken.
Inattentive symptoms may result in a failure at school or at work and can result in anger and shame for the affected. They can also cause problems 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 as well as a review of past behavior. They often request that the person answer a symptom questionnaire, and may conduct medical tests to exclude mental or physical health conditions that may have similar symptoms. The symptoms of ADHD must occur consistently since before age 12 in order for the diagnosis to be established.
Adults with inattention ADHD may benefit from psychotherapy and lifestyle modifications to ease their symptoms. These treatments include medication as well as behavioral therapy and family psychoeducation. Psychotherapy is a type of counseling that assists patients learn new skills, attitudes and ways of interacting with others. Behavioral therapy can teach techniques that will reduce self-destructive and impulsive behavior as well as improve organizational skills and increase confidence.
It may be helpful for those with inattention ADHD to discuss their issues with a friend or family member therapist. Teachers or supervisors as well as coworkers may be able to offer accommodations. Accommodations are the tools and modifications to the environment that allow a person with disabilities to perform tasks as everyone else. For instance, a short person can utilize stepstools.
Hyperactive Symptoms
Adults can exhibit different symptoms in comparison to children. Adult symptoms are more subtle. While children may seem to be restless and fidget while adults tend to be less and less talkative. adhd treatment for older adults may forget about their tasks, lose the time or location and make mistakes that aren't their fault. They might also feel energetic and find it difficult to sit still, even while sitting down to a meal or in class. They may interrupt others, or give answers before being asked a question.
There are a variety of illnesses that can cause these symptoms. A comprehensive psychiatric assessment is required to determine the root of the symptoms and identify the most effective treatment options. This could include psychotherapy, medication and lifestyle changes. This could mean the use of a healthier diet plan as well as more exercise and an improved sleep schedule. adhd treatment for adults without medication can include making adjustments to work or school assignments and using aidive tools such as calendars and planners, as well as apps for smartphones.
You should first discuss your concerns with your family physician or primary healthcare provider if you suspect you might be suffering from ADHD. The How to Talk to Your Provider factsheet from NIMH offers suggestions on how to speak with your physician about mental health issues.
It's crucial to know that to be diagnosed with ADHD symptoms must be present in more than one setting and seriously interfere with daily life. They must be present for at least six months to be eligible. Your provider will evaluate you to see if you have the inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive symptoms of ADHD.
Alongside lifestyle adjustments and changes There are also medications that can ease your symptoms of ADHD. These medications are called stimulants. They function by enhancing the signals in your brain that influence your mood, attention and behavior. Your doctor will prescribe the appropriate dosage of the medication for you and will monitor your reaction to treatment. You may be prescribed non-stimulant drugs when you experience adverse reactions or if a stimulant doesn't work. They are also used in combination with stimulants to boost effectiveness.
Impulsive Symptoms
Everyone loses keys or cellphone from time-to-time however for those who suffer from inattention ADHD, these little distractions are more of an issue. It doesn't matter if it's drawing in class or losing track of time in a meeting, those with inattention ADHD find it harder to follow tasks and organize their materials to complete their projects. As adults, the result may be a million unfinished projects around the house: unpaid bills, unkempt houses and the vegetable garden that was planted but never watered.
The impulsive symptoms of ADHD can cause issues in a variety of areas of life, but particularly when it comes to relationships. People who suffer from an impulsive ADHD are often impatient and want instant gratification. They may be impulsive and enter social situations without planning ahead or take risks that can result in negative consequences. In addition, impulsive individuals might react in a emotionally or stressful situations. For instance, a person could become extremely annoyed or defensive during arguments with friends or family.
To determine if you have one of the two forms of ADHD, a healthcare professional who is trained in mental disorders must review a person's medical history and conduct an examination. The doctor will also inquire about how the symptoms impact your home, work, and personal relationships. To be diagnosed with any type of ADHD the patient must display at least six of nine major symptoms. The symptoms must affect everyday functioning and last at minimum six months (American Psychiatric Association 2000).
The most effective treatment for ADHD is psychostimulants. These are drugs that affect the way certain chemicals interact with the brain to regulate behavior. The most common type of stimulants is methylphenidate, which was first used to treat ADHD in children. It's important to talk with your physician regarding your medication if you suffer from other health issues such as depression or high blood pressure. In addition to medications psychotherapy can help reduce the symptoms of impulsivity and distraction. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on helping people recognize automatic or irrational thoughts that can trigger negative behavior, and develop strategies of self-regulation.
Combination of symptoms
Adults who were diagnosed with ADHD as children may experience symptoms in adulthood. They may have mild, moderate or severe symptoms that interfere with school, work and social interactions. Other mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression, could also require treatment. Adults may also experience problems with learning, which may make it difficult for them to comprehend or follow directions in offices and classrooms.
Symptoms of the inattentive type of ADHD aren't as obvious in adults however, they can affect how people function at home and at work. This type of ADHD makes it difficult for people to stay focused in meetings at work or during college lectures. They might also have difficulty keeping up with their work and assignments. They might forget deadlines or appointments, and lose track of their belongings. They might also have trouble keeping track of conversations or listening to music. They are more prone to being distracted by the people or activities 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 American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV TR) has a diagnostic criteria that includes symptoms that begin before age 12, occur in multiple settings and lead to impairment in multiple domains including school or 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 started before the age of 12 and continue to manifest at home, at school and in other social and work situations.
Researchers are examining environmental and genetic factors that could be involved in the development of ADHD. Research suggests that the brains of people who suffer from ADHD have trouble regulating certain chemicals, such as neurotransmitters that help manage mood, attention and behavior.
Speak to your primary health care provider if you exhibit signs of ADHD. Your doctor can perform a physical examination and refer you for an evaluation by an expert in mental health. Treatment for ADHD usually involves psychotherapy as well as medications including stimulants, which increase the levels of certain chemical in the brain. Amphetamines, methylphenidate, and other stimulants are commonly used. Inform your doctor about any other medications you are taking such as vitamins or supplements. The FDA's website for medication contains information about approved medications along with warnings and information guides.