ADHD Symptoms and Treatment in Adults
Many adults discover that they are struggling to keep up with their daily activities, often experiencing frustration and mood swings. If you suspect that you might be suffering from ADHD consult your primary healthcare provider or a mental-health professional to conduct an assessment.
The criteria used to diagnose adult ADHD is similar to that for children ADHD: symptoms must be evident over 6 months and not better explained by medical disorders or mental health issues.
Inattentional symptoms
Adults suffering from ADHD often find it difficult to keep up with the workplace, at school or with household chores. They frequently miss appointments and fail to pay their bills on time, and have difficulty maintaining relationships with friends and family. They are more likely than others to lose possessions, or make careless errors that could have grave consequences.
If you have problems keeping track of your personal or professional matters, you should talk to an expert in health care. Your primary care physician can evaluate your situation and recommend you to a mental health specialist when appropriate.
Inattentive ADHD is often misunderstood. People with inattentive ADHD are not always attentive when speaking to. They are easily distracted or get distracted by irrelevant thoughts. They have difficulty staying focused on their work, and can make mistakes or fail to follow instructions. They may also have difficulty keeping their hands from their faces or appear shaky.
Inattention to the symptoms could result in a failure at school or at work, which can cause frustration and shame for the affected. They can also cause problems in relationships with family, friends and colleagues.
Health professionals determine ADHD through a medical assessment, which includes interviewing the individual and reviewing previous behavior. They may ask the person to fill out a questionnaire about their symptoms and may also conduct tests for medical reasons to rule out physical or mental health conditions that may have similar symptoms. The symptoms of ADHD should be present continuously before 12 years old to be able to determine if it is an assessment.
Adults who suffer from inattention ADHD are often able to benefit from psychotherapy, lifestyle adjustments and other treatments that help to manage their symptoms. These treatments include therapy with medication, behavioral therapy and psychoeducation for families. Psychotherapy is a form of counseling that helps patients develop new skills, attitudes and ways of interacting with others. Psychotherapy can teach strategies that decrease self-destructive and impulsive behaviors improve organizational skills and increase confidence.
It may be helpful for people suffering from inattention ADHD to talk about their struggles with a friend, family member, or a therapist. They might also be able to seek accommodations from their teachers or supervisors, as well as coworkers. Accommodations are tools and changes to the environment that enable a person with disabilities to perform tasks as all other people. For instance, a short person can use stepstools.
Hyperactive Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of ADHD can be different in adults than children. While adhd treatment for older adults might fidget, appear restless and agitated the symptoms of adults tend to be more subtle. They may forget about their tasks or tasks, lose the track of time or location and make mistakes that aren't their fault. They may also feel energetic and find it difficult to sit still, even when eating a meal or in class. They may interrupt other students or respond to questions prior to being asked an inquiry.
There are many conditions 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 includes psychotherapy, medication and lifestyle modifications. These can include eating a healthy diet, exercising and sleep schedules. These can include adjusting school or work assignments and using assistive tools like calendars, planners, and apps for smartphones.
You should first discuss your concerns with a family doctor or your primary healthcare provider if you suspect you might be suffering from ADHD. There are some 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 considered to have ADHD, the symptoms must appear in at least two different settings and have an impact on your everyday life. They must be present for at least six months in order to be considered to be diagnosed. Your provider will evaluate you to see if you have the inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive symptoms of ADHD.
There are a variety of medications available to help you manage your ADHD symptoms in addition to lifestyle modifications and accommodations. These drugs are known as stimulants. They function by reorganizing brain's signals that affect your mood, attention and behavior. Your doctor will determine the best dosage of the medication for you and track your response to treatment. You could be prescribed a non-stimulant medicine when you experience unpleasant adverse effects, or when the stimulant isn't working, or when combined with stimulants to boost the effectiveness of treatment.
The symptoms of an impulse
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, arranging their materials and completing their projects. As adults, the result may be a million unfinished projects around the house: unpaid bills, dirty houses, and the vegetable garden that was started but never watered.
The impulsive symptoms of ADHD can cause difficulties in a variety of aspects of life, but especially with relationships. People with an impulsive ADHD are often overwhelmed and want instant gratification. They can be impulsive and jump into social situations with little planning or risk taking which could have negative consequences. Additionally, people who are impulsive might react in a stressful or emotional 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 review the medical background of a patient and conduct an examination to diagnose ADHD. The doctor will also ask questions about how the symptoms affect your work, home and family relationships. To be diagnosed with either form of ADHD, a person must show six or more of the nine main symptoms. The symptoms must also affect daily functioning and last for at least six months (American Psychiatric Association 2000).
The most effective treatment for ADHD is psychostimulants. These are drugs that affect the way certain chemicals interact in the brain to regulate behavior. The most common stimulant is methylphenidate. It was initially 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 like depression or high blood pressure. Psychotherapy can help reduce the symptoms of impulsivity and distracting behavior in addition to medications. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is focused on helping people recognize Irrational or automatic thinking that triggers negative behaviors and devise strategies for self-regulation.
Combination Symptoms
Adults who were diagnosed with ADHD as children may develop symptoms into adulthood. They may have mild, moderate or severe symptoms that interfere with work, school and social interactions. Other mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression, might also require treatment. A few adults may also have learning disabilities, which 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 but they do affect how people function at home and work. This kind of ADHD can make it difficult for people to sit still during business meetings or college lectures. They may also have difficulty keeping up with their assignments and work. They may often lose the location of their belongings and forget appointments or deadlines. They might also have trouble following conversations or listening music. They are more likely to get distracted by 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 a criterion to diagnose the disorder. This includes symptoms that appear before age 12 and occur in a variety of settings and can 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. The symptoms must have begun before the person was 12 years old and continue at home, at school, as well as in other work and social environments.
There is no cause for ADHD however, researchers are studying genetic and environmental factors that may be a factor. Studies suggest that the brains of those who suffer from ADHD are unable to regulate certain chemicals, such as neurotransmitters which help to regulate mood, attention, and behavior.
Speak to your primary healthcare provider if there are symptoms of ADHD. Your doctor may conduct an exam of your body and refer you to a mental health professional to conduct an evaluation. Treatment for ADHD usually involves psychotherapy and medications, such as stimulants that increase the levels of certain chemicals in the brain. These include amphetamines and methylphenidate. It is important to inform your doctor about any other medication you take, including supplements and vitamins. The FDA's website for medications contains information on approved medications along with warnings and patient guidelines.