ADHD Symptoms and Treatment in Adults
Many adults have difficulty keeping up with their daily tasks. They are often frustrated and mood swings. If you think you may be suffering from ADHD, consult your primary care provider or a mental health professional to conduct an evaluation.
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 caused by other medical conditions, mood disorders or other medical conditions.
Inattentional symptoms
Many adults suffering from ADHD find it difficult to complete homework, work or household chores. They miss appointments, don't pay bills on time, and struggle to maintain relationships with friends and family. They are more likely than other people to lose possessions, or make careless errors that could have grave consequences.
Speak with your health care provider if you are having trouble keeping the track of your work or personal matters. Your primary care physician will assess your situation and recommend you to a mental health specialist when appropriate.
Inattentive ADHD is often misunderstood. People who suffer from inattentive ADHD aren't always attentive when they are spoken to. They are easily distracted or are distracted by irrelevant thoughts. They are unable to stay focused on tasks, may make careless errors or struggle to follow instructions. They may also have trouble keeping their hands away from their faces or appear shaken.
Inattentive symptoms may lead to failure in the workplace or at school which can lead to anxiety and guilt for the affected. They can also cause issues with relationships with friends, family and co-workers.
Health care providers determine ADHD through a medical assessment, which includes conducting an interview with the patient and reviewing the behavior of the past. They may ask the person to fill out a questionnaire about their symptoms and may perform tests to determine if there are mental or physical health conditions that may have similar symptoms. Symptoms of ADHD must be present consistently before age 12 for the diagnosis to be made.
Adults who suffer from inattentive ADHD can often benefit from psychotherapy, lifestyle adjustments and other treatments to manage their symptoms. These treatments include behavioral therapy, medication, and family psychoeducation. Psychotherapy is a form of counseling that assists patients learn new skills, attitudes and ways of interacting with other people. Psychotherapy can teach strategies that decrease self-destructive and impulsive behaviors, improve organizational skills and boost confidence.
People with inattention ADHD might find it beneficial to discuss their struggles with a trusted family member or therapist. They may also be able to seek accommodations from teachers or supervisors as well as colleagues. Accommodations are tools or changes in the workplace that permit the disabled person to carry out tasks just like others, like using a step stool for those who are short.
Hyperactive symptoms
The signs and symptoms of ADHD might be different in adults compared to children. While children might be agitated, irritable and talkative, adult symptoms tend to be more subtle. They may forget their assignments and lose the track of time or location and make a few erroneous mistakes. They also may feel overly stimulated and have trouble sitting still, even while sitting down to a meal or in class. They may interrupt others or respond to questions prior to being asked an inquiry.
There are several conditions that can cause these symptoms. A thorough psychiatric examination is needed to determine the root of the symptoms and determine the most effective treatments. This could include psychotherapy, medication and lifestyle adjustments. This could mean the use of a healthier diet plan as well as more exercise and an improved sleep schedule. These can include making adjustments to work or school assignments and making use of aidive tools like calendars or planners, as well as smartphone apps.
You should first discuss your concerns with your family doctor or your primary healthcare provider if you suspect you might be suffering from ADHD. You can find helpful tips to talk to 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 symptoms must be evident in at least two different settings and have an impact on your everyday life. To be non medication treatment for adhd adults 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.
In addition to lifestyle changes and accommodations There are also medications that can help manage the symptoms of ADHD. These are known as stimulants. They work by streamlining the signals within your brain, which affect your attention, mood and behavior. Your doctor will prescribe the right dosage of the medication for you and will monitor your reaction to treatment. You could be prescribed a non-stimulant medicine when you experience unpleasant side effects, when the stimulant isn't working, or in combination with stimulants to boost the effectiveness of treatment.
Instinctive Symptoms
People with inattentive ADHD are more likely to lose their keys or phones. People with inattentive ADHD have a harder task of focusing on tasks, organizing their materials and completing projects. As adults, the result can be a million incomplete projects around the house: unpaid bills, unkempt houses and the garden that was planted but never watered.
Relationships are one of the most frequent areas in which the impulsive ADHD symptoms can cause difficulties. People who suffer from an impulsive ADHD tend to be impatient and want instant satisfaction. They might be quick to enter social situations without planning ahead, or take risks that can cause negative consequences. In addition, impulsive people might overreact in emotionally or stressful situations. One can become angry or defensive when fighting with family members or friends.
A health care specialist who is specialized in mental disorders will go over the medical background of a patient and conduct an examination to determine ADHD. The doctor will ask you about the symptoms and how they affect your interactions with others, work, and your home. To be diagnosed with either form of ADHD, a person must display six or more of the nine main symptoms. The symptoms must also interfere with daily functioning and last at least six months (American Psychiatric Association 2000).
Psychostimulants are the most effective treatment for ADHD. They affect the way that certain chemicals communicate with each other in the brain to regulate behavior. The most common stimulant is methylphenidate. It was originally used to treat ADHD in children. It is important to speak with your doctor about your medication if you are suffering from other health issues such as depression or high blood pressure. Psychotherapy can reduce the symptoms of impulsivity and distracting behavior in addition to medication. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a method of helping people recognize automatic or irrational thinking that may trigger negative behavior and to develop strategies for self-regulation.
Multiple symptoms
Adults who were diagnosed with ADHD as children may experience symptoms in adulthood. They can have mild or moderate symptoms that interfere in their school, work and social interactions. They could also be suffering from other mental health issues like depression or anxiety that require treatment. Adults may also suffer from learning disabilities that make it difficult to comprehend or follow directions in classrooms and offices.
The signs of the inattentive kind of ADHD aren't as evident in adults however, they can impact 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 trouble keeping up with their assignments and work. They often lose the location of their belongings and forget deadlines or appointments. They also have trouble following conversations or listening to music. They are more likely to be 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 criteria for diagnosing the disorder that includes symptoms that begin before age 12, occur in multiple settings and cause impairment in multiple domains 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 started before the age of 12 and persist at home, in school as well as in other social and work environments.
There's no reason for ADHD however, researchers are studying environmental and genetic factors that could have a role to play. Studies suggest that the brains of individuals with ADHD have difficulty regulating certain chemicals, such as neurotransmitters which help to regulate mood, attention, and behavior.
Consult your primary healthcare provider if there are indications of ADHD. Your doctor can conduct an examination and refer you for an evaluation by an expert in mental health. Psychotherapy and medicines are commonly used to treat ADHD, including stimulants that raise the levels of certain brain chemicals. These include amphetamines and methylphenidate. You should inform your health professional about any other medication you take, including vitamins and supplements. The FDA's website for medication contains information on approved medications as well as warnings and information guides.