ADHD Symptoms and Treatment in Adults
Many adults struggle to keep up with their everyday tasks. They often experience frustration and mood shifts. If you think you may have ADHD consult your primary health care provider or mental-health professional for an evaluation.
The criteria for determining adult ADHD is similar to that for children: symptoms must be present for at least 6 months and are not be more easily explained by medical disorders or conditions.
Attentive symptoms
Adults suffering from ADHD often have a difficult time to keep up in the workplace, at school or with household chores. They frequently have trouble keeping 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 possessions, or make mistakes that can have serious consequences.
If you are having trouble keeping track of your work or personal affairs, consider speaking with an expert in health care. Your primary care physician can assess your situation and refer you to a mental health professional if appropriate.
Inattentive ADHD is often misunderstood. People with inattentive ADHD aren't always attentive when they are spoken to. They are easily distracted or get distracted by unrelated thoughts. They may struggle to stay focused, make erroneous mistakes, or struggle to follow instructions. They also have trouble keeping their hands from their face or appear unsteady or fidgety.
Inattention to the symptoms can lead to failure at work or school, which can create feelings of shame and frustration for the person affected. They can also cause problems in relationships with family, friends and colleagues.
The diagnosis of ADHD is based on the clinical assessment. This involves an interview with the patient as well as a review of previous behavior. They may ask the patient to fill out a symptom checklist and conduct medical tests to rule out other conditions that have similar symptoms. The symptoms of ADHD must be consistent before the age of 12 for a diagnosis to be established.
Adults suffering from inattention ADHD can often benefit from psychotherapy, lifestyle changes and other treatments that help to manage their symptoms. These treatments include medication such as behavioral therapy, family therapy and psychoeducation. Psychotherapy is a type of counseling that helps patients to develop new skills, attitudes and ways of communicating with others. The use of behavioral therapy can help decrease impulsive, self-destructive behavior, increase organizational skills, and increase confidence.
People with inattention ADHD may find it helpful to talk about their issues with a trusted family member or therapist. Teachers or supervisors as well as coworkers may be able to offer accommodations. Accommodations are a way of making changes in the work environment that allow a person with a disability to carry out tasks just like others, like using a step stool for people who are small.
Hyperactive Symptoms
Adults may show different symptoms than children. Adult symptoms are less obvious. While children may fidget and appear restless while adults tend to be less talkative. They may forget their assignments or tasks, lose the time or location and make a few erroneous mistakes. They might also feel excessively active and find it difficult to sit still during a meal or in class. They may interrupt others or blurt out answers before they've been asked a question, and aren't able to wait their turn during games or conversations.
These symptoms could be caused by a myriad of conditions. A full psychiatric evaluation is required to determine the cause of the symptoms as well as determine the most effective treatment. These can include psychotherapy, medication and lifestyle adjustments. This could include the use of a healthier diet plan along with more exercise, and an improved sleep schedule. They can also involve adjusting work or school assignments, and using aidive devices such as calendars, planners, and smartphone apps.
It is important to 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 provides guidelines on how to communicate with your physician about mental health issues.
To be considered to have ADHD, adhd treatment adults must be present in at least two environments and have a significant impact on daily life. For them to qualify, 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.
Alongside lifestyle modifications and accommodations There are also medications that can help manage your symptoms of ADHD. These medications are known as stimulants. They function by reorganizing brain's signals that affect your mood and attention, as well as your behavior. Your doctor will prescribe the right dose of the medication for you and track your response to treatment. You might be prescribed non-stimulant medications if you experience side effects or if a stimulant fails to work. They are also used in combination with stimulants to boost effectiveness.
Impulsive Symptoms
People with inattentive ADHD are more likely to lose their keys or cellphones. People with inattentive ADHD have a tougher task of focusing on tasks, organizing their materials, and completing projects. As adults, the result can be a million unfinished projects around the house: unpaid bills, messy homes and the garden that was planted but never watered.
The impulse-driven symptoms of ADHD can create difficulties in a variety of aspects of life, but especially when it comes to relationships. People who have impulsive ADHD often feel overwhelmed and want immediate gratification. They may be prone to rushing into social situations with little planning or taking risks which could have negative consequences. People who are easily triggered can also react to emotional or stressful situations. A person may become very angry or defensive when fighting with family or friends.
A medical professional who specializes in mental disorders will examine the medical background of a patient and conduct an examination to determine ADHD. The doctor will ask you about your symptoms and how they impact your relationships, work, and your home. In order to be diagnosed with any type of ADHD one must have at least six of the nine symptoms and the symptoms must be interfering with daily functioning for at least six months (American Psychiatric Association 2000).
The most effective treatment for ADHD is psychostimulants, which are medications which target the way that certain chemicals interact in the brain to regulate behavior. The most commonly used type of stimulant is methylphenidate, which was first used to treat ADHD in children. The medication may not be suitable for people with other health issues, such as high blood pressure or depression, so it's important to discuss your medications with your doctor. Psychotherapy can help reduce the symptoms of impulsivity and distracting behavior in addition to medication. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is focused on teaching individuals to identify unintentional or irrational thoughts which may trigger negative behaviors, and develop strategies of self-regulation.
Combination of Symptoms
Adults who were diagnosed with ADHD as children can experience symptoms in adulthood. They could experience mild or moderate symptoms that interfere with their schoolwork, work and social interactions. Other mental health issues, like anxiety or depression, could also require treatment. Many adults also suffer from learning difficulties, which can make it difficult for them to comprehend or follow directions in offices and classrooms.
The signs of the inattentive kind of ADHD aren't as obvious in adults but they do impact how people function at home and work. It's hard for people with this type of ADHD to sit quietly for college lectures or business meetings, and they could have trouble keeping up with assignments and work-related tasks. They frequently lose track of their belongings and forget deadlines or appointments. They might also have trouble listening to music or following conversations. They tend to be more easily distracted by people or activities 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 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 at the age of 12 and occur in a variety of settings and result in impairment in a variety of areas, such as at 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 started before the age of 12 and persist at home, at school and in various work and social settings.
Researchers are studying genetic and environmental factors which could be at play in the development of ADHD. Studies suggest that the brains of those who suffer from ADHD have difficulty regulating certain chemicals, such as neurotransmitters that to regulate mood, attention, and behavior.
Speak to your primary health care provider if you exhibit indications of ADHD. Your doctor can perform an examination of your body and refer you for an evaluation by a mental health professional. 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 doctor about any other medication you take, such as supplements and vitamins. The FDA's medication site has information about approved medicines as well as warnings and information guidelines.