ADHD Symptoms and Treatment in Adults
Many adults report that they are struggling to keep up with daily tasks frequently experiencing anger and mood swings. If you think you may have ADHD, consult your primary care provider or an expert in mental health for an evaluation.
The criteria for determining adult ADHD is similar to that for children The symptoms must be present over 6 months and not better explained by medical conditions or mood disorders.
Attentive symptoms
Adults suffering from ADHD typically have difficulty to keep up with school, at work, or with household chores. They miss appointments, don't pay their bills on time and have trouble maintaining relationships with family and friends. They are more likely than other people to lose their possessions or make a mistake that could have grave consequences.
If you have problems managing your work or personal affairs, consider speaking with a health care provider. Your primary care provider can evaluate your situation and recommend you to a mental health professional should it be necessary.
Symptoms of inattention ADHD are often misunderstood. People with inattentive ADHD are not always attentive when speaking to. They are easily distracted or are distracted by irrelevant thoughts. They might have difficulty staying focused, make erroneous mistakes, or struggle to follow directions. symptoms of adhd in adults treatment struggle to keep their hands off their faces or may seem unstable or fidgety.
Inattention to symptoms can lead to failure in the workplace or at school which can lead to anxiety and guilt for those affected. They can also cause problems in relationships with friends, family members and co-workers.
Health care professionals determine ADHD based on a clinical assessment that involves interviewing the person and analyzing their the behavior of the past. They may require the patient to complete a symptom questionnaire and may conduct medical tests to exclude mental or physical health conditions that share similar symptoms. Symptoms of ADHD must be consistent before age 12 for the diagnosis to be made.
Adults suffering from inattention ADHD are often able to benefit from psychotherapy, lifestyle modifications and other treatments to manage their symptoms. These treatments include medication, behavioral therapy, and family psychoeducation. Psychotherapy is a form of counseling that helps patients develop new attitudes, skills and ways of engaging with other people. Behavioral therapy can help reduce self-destructive, impulsive behavior, improve organizational skills, and increase confidence.
People who have inattention ADHD might find it beneficial to talk about their issues with a trusted family member or therapist. They might also seek accommodations from teachers or supervisors, as well as coworkers. Accommodations are tools or changes in the environment that allow disabled people to carry out tasks just like everyone else, such as having a step stool for people who are small.
Hyperactive Signs and symptoms
Adults may exhibit different symptoms as children. Adult symptoms are less obvious. While children might seem to be restless and fidget while adults tend to be less talkative. They might forget to complete tasks, get lost or lose take a wrong turn and make mistakes. They may also feel stimulated and have trouble sitting still, even while eating a meal or in class. They might interrupt others or mutter answers before being asked questions, and may aren't able to wait their turn in conversations or games.
There are a variety of ailments that can trigger these symptoms. To determine the root 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 can include the use of a healthier diet plan, more exercise and an improved sleep schedule. They could also include adjusting work or school assignments and using assistive devices like calendars, planners, and smartphone apps.
It is important to discuss your concerns with a family doctor or primary healthcare provider if you suspect you may have ADHD. You can find helpful tips for talking with your health care provider about mental health issues in the NIMH's How to Talk to Your Health Care Provider fact sheet.
To be diagnosed with ADHD, the symptoms must be evident in at least two settings and have an impact on your everyday life. To be considered a candidate, they must have been present for at least six months. Your provider will evaluate you to see if you have the inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive symptoms of ADHD.
In addition to lifestyle adjustments and changes, there are medications that can ease your symptoms of ADHD. These are known as stimulants. adhd symptoms in adults treatment work by reorganizing the brain's signals that influence your mood and attention, as well as your behavior. Your doctor will prescribe the appropriate dose and will monitor your response. You may be prescribed a non-stimulant medication when you experience unpleasant adverse effects, or when a stimulant isn't helping or when combined with stimulants to boost the effectiveness of treatment.
Impulsive Symptoms
Everyone misplaces keys or a cellphone from time-to-time However, for those with inattentive ADHD small distractions are more of an issue. It doesn't matter if it's drawing in class or losing track of the time during a meeting, people with inattentive ADHD are more difficult to follow tasks or organize their materials. They also find it difficult to complete their projects. As adults, the result may be a million incomplete projects around the house, such as unpaid bills, dirty houses, and the vegetable garden that was planted but never watered.
The symptoms of impulsive ADHD can create difficulties in a variety of aspects of our lives, but specifically with relationships. People who have hyperactive ADHD often feel anxious and require instant gratification. They can be impulsive and jump into social situations with no planning or risk taking which could have negative consequences. People who are easily triggered can also react to stressful or emotional situations. For instance, someone may become extremely angry or defensive when arguing with family members or friends.
A health care professional with a specialization in mental disorders will review the medical background of a patient and conduct an examination to diagnose ADHD. The doctor will inquire about your symptoms and how they impact your relationships, work, and your home. To be diagnosed with either form of ADHD, a person must display at least six of the nine main symptoms. The symptoms must also hinder daily functioning and last for at minimum six months (American Psychological Association, 2000).
The most effective treatment for ADHD is psychostimulants. These are drugs which target the way that certain chemicals interact in the brain to regulate behavior. The most common stimulant is methylphenidate. It was originally used to treat ADHD among children. The medication might not be appropriate for some people with other health conditions, for example, high blood pressure or depression It is therefore important to discuss your medication with your health care provider. Psychotherapy can help reduce impulsive symptoms and distracting behaviors in addition to medication. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), focuses on teaching people to recognize automatic or irrational thinking that can trigger negative behaviors and develop strategies for self-regulation.
Combination of Symptoms
Adults who experienced ADHD as children might experience symptoms that return in adulthood. They can have mild, moderate, or severe symptoms that interfere with school, work and social interactions. Other mental health issues, like anxiety or depression, might also require treatment. Many adults also suffer from problems with learning, which may make it difficult for them to comprehend or follow instructions in offices and classrooms.
The signs of the inattentive kind of ADHD aren't as evident in adults, but they can still affect how people function at home and work. It can be difficult for people with this kind of ADHD to remain calm during classes or business meetings, and they may have trouble keeping up with assignments and work-related tasks. They might forget deadlines or appointments, and may lose the track of their belongings. They may also have difficulty listening to music or following conversations. 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 American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV TR) has a criteria for diagnosing the disorder that includes symptoms that begin at the age of 12 and occur in a variety of settings and result in impairment in a variety of areas like 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 manifested before the age of 12 years old. They must persist at home, in school, and in other social and work situations.
Researchers are studying the effects of environmental and genetic factors that may be responsible for the development of ADHD. Studies suggest that the brains of individuals with ADHD have trouble regulating certain chemicals, such as neurotransmitters that manage mood, attention and behavior.
If you have signs of ADHD you should talk to your primary care physician. Your doctor will conduct a physical exam and recommend you to a mental health professional to conduct an assessment. Psychotherapy and medications are usually used to treat ADHD, including stimulants that boost the levels of certain brain chemicals. These include amphetamines and methylphenidate. Inform your doctor of all other medications you take, including vitamins or supplements. The FDA's medication website has information on approved medicines as well as patient information and warnings guides.