ADHD Symptoms and Treatment in Adults
Many adults have difficulty keeping up with their everyday tasks. They may experience stress and mood shifts. If you think you may have ADHD you should consult your primary care doctor or a mental health professional for an evaluation.
Adult ADHD is diagnosed with the same criteria as it is for children. The symptoms should last at least six months and cannot be explained by other medical conditions, mood disorders or other medical conditions.
Inattentional symptoms
Many adults with ADHD struggle to keep up with schoolwork, work, or household chores. They don't attend appointments, fail to pay bills on time and have difficulty maintaining relationships with their family and friends. They are more likely to lose items or make careless mistakes that can have serious consequences.
If you have problems managing your work or personal affairs, consider talking to an expert in health care. Your primary care physician will evaluate your situation and may refer you to a mental specialist should it be necessary.
Inattentive ADHD is often misunderstood. People with inattentive ADHD don't always listen when they are spoken to, forget easily or are frequently distracted by irrelevant thoughts. They struggle to focus on their tasks, and may make a mistake or struggle to follow directions. They also have trouble keeping their hands from their face or appearing shaky or fidgety.
Inattention to the symptoms could lead to failure in school or at work and can result in anxiety and guilt for those affected. They can also cause issues in relationships with family, friends and co-workers.
Health professionals diagnose ADHD through a medical assessment, which includes conducting an interview with the patient and reviewing previous behavior. They will often request that the person complete a symptom questionnaire and may perform tests to exclude mental or physical health conditions that share similar symptoms. Symptoms of ADHD must be consistent before the age of 12 for a diagnosis to be established.
Adults who suffer from inattentive ADHD are often able to benefit from psychotherapy, lifestyle modifications and other treatments that help to manage their symptoms. These treatments include medication, behavioral therapy and family psychoeducation. Psychotherapy is a form of therapy that assists patients develop new skills, attitudes and ways of interacting with other people. Psychotherapy can help to reduce impulsive, self-destructive behavior, increase the ability to manage and organize, and boost confidence.
People with inattentive ADHD may find it helpful to discuss their struggles with a trusted family member or therapist. They may also seek accommodations from their teachers or supervisors as well as colleagues. Accommodations are modifications and tools to the environment that enable the disabled person to complete tasks just like all other people. For example, a short person can use the step stool.
Hyperactive symptoms
Adults may show different symptoms than children. Adult symptoms are less obvious. While children may fidget and appear restless, adults tend to be less talkative. They might forget about tasks or tasks, lose the time or location and make a few erroneous mistakes. They might also feel stimulated and have trouble sitting still, even while sitting down to a meal or in class. They might interrupt others or blurt out answers before being asked questions, and may aren't able to wait their turn during games or conversations.
There are a variety of ailments that can trigger these symptoms. To determine the root of the symptoms and determine the most efficient treatment, a thorough psychiatric assessment is required. These include psychotherapy, medications and lifestyle adjustments. These can include an improved diet, exercise and sleep schedules. This can be done by changing work or school assignments and making use of aidive tools such as calendars or planners, as well as apps for smartphones.
If you suspect you may have ADHD The first step should be to discuss your concerns with your family doctor or primary care provider. The How to Talk to Your Provider factsheet from NIMH contains suggestions on how to speak with your physician about mental health issues.
It is important to understand that in order to be considered diagnosed with ADHD symptoms must be present in at least two or more environments and seriously interfere with daily life. To be eligible, they must have been 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. These medications are referred to as stimulants. They work by streamlining the signals within your brain, which affect your attention, mood and behavior. Your doctor will prescribe the right dose and monitor your response. You might be prescribed a non-stimulant medicine when you have bothersome adverse effects, or when the stimulant isn't working, or is used in conjunction with stimulants to enhance the effectiveness of treatment.
The symptoms of an impulse
Everyone loses keys or phone from time to time however for those who suffer from inattentive ADHD small distractions are more of an issue. People with inattentive ADHD have a harder task of focusing on tasks, arranging their material and completing projects. As adults, this can cause a variety of tasks that are not completed at the house, including unpaid bills, unkempt homes, as well as the vegetable garden that has been established but never tended to.
The impulse-driven symptoms of ADHD can cause problems in many areas of life, but especially in relationships. People with impulsive ADHD tend to be anxious and require instant gratification. They might be quick to enter social situations without thinking ahead, or take risks that can lead to negative consequences. People who are easily triggered can also react to stressful or emotional situations. Someone could become angry or defensive when fighting with family members or friends.
To get diagnosed with one of the two forms of ADHD, a health professional who specializes in mental disorders must examine the medical history of a patient and conduct an examination. The doctor will also inquire about how symptoms affect your home, work, and relationships. To be diagnosed with one of the types of ADHD one must exhibit at least six of the nine major symptoms and the symptoms must be interfering with daily functioning for at least 6 months (American Association for Psychiatric Research 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 stimulant is methylphenidate. It was originally developed to treat ADHD among children. It is essential to speak with your doctor about your medication if suffer from other health issues like depression or high blood pressure. In non medication treatment for adhd adults to medication psychotherapy can aid in reducing the symptoms of impulsivity and distraction. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on teaching individuals to identify unintentional or irrational thoughts which can trigger negative behavior, and develop strategies of self-regulation.
Combination of Symptoms
Adults who suffered from ADHD as children might experience symptoms that resurface during adulthood. They may experience mild or moderate symptoms that hinder with their schoolwork, work as well as social interactions. They also may have other mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety, which require treatment. Adults may also experience learning difficulties, which can make it difficult for them to comprehend or follow instructions in classrooms and offices.
The signs of the inattentive kind of ADHD aren't as evident in adults, but they can still influence how people perform at home and work. It's hard for people who suffer from this type of ADHD to sit quietly for classes or business meetings, and they might struggle to keep track of assignments and work tasks. They may forget deadlines or appointments, and lose track of their belongings. They also have difficulty keeping track of conversations or listening to music. They tend to be more easily distracted by the activities or people surrounding them than 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), fourth edition of the American Psychiatric Association, includes the criteria for diagnosing the disorder. This includes symptoms that begin before age 12 and are present in multiple settings and cause 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. Symptoms must have started before the age of 12 years old and continue at home, in school, and in social and work settings.
There is no cause for ADHD however, researchers are studying environmental and genetic factors that could play a role. Studies suggest that the brains of those with ADHD are unable to regulate certain chemicals, such as neurotransmitters that to regulate mood, attention, and behavior.
If you are experiencing signs of ADHD you should talk to your primary care physician. Your doctor can conduct an examination and refer you to an assessment by an expert in mental health. Treatment for ADHD usually involves psychotherapy as well as medications like stimulants that increase the levels of certain chemical in the brain. Amphetamines and methylphenidate as well as other stimulants are commonly used. You should tell your health professional about any other medicines you take, such as supplements and vitamins. The FDA's website for medication contains information on approved medications, warnings, and patient information guidelines.