ADHD Symptoms and Treatment in Adults
Many adults find that they have trouble keeping up with their daily activities, often experiencing frustration and mood swings. If you suspect that you have ADHD take a look at your primary care doctor or a mental health professional to conduct an evaluation.
Adult ADHD is diagnosed with the same criteria that it is for children. The symptoms must last at least six months and cannot be caused by any other medical condition, mood disorders or other medical conditions.
Inattentional symptoms
Many adults with ADHD have difficulty complete schoolwork, work, or household chores. They frequently skip appointments and don't pay their 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 have problems managing your personal or work-related matters, you should talk to your health care provider. Your primary care doctor will assess your situation and may refer you to a mental health professional if necessary.
The signs of inattentive ADHD are often misunderstood. People suffering from inattentive ADHD don't always listen when spoken to and tend to forget quickly or are often distracted by thoughts that are not relevant to their. They may have trouble staying focused, make careless mistakes or struggle to follow directions. They may also have trouble keeping their hands away from their faces or appear shaken.
Inattentive symptoms can lead to failing at school or at work which can lead to feelings of shame and frustration for the person affected. They can also cause issues in relationships with family, friends and colleagues.
Health care providers determine ADHD through a medical assessment, which includes conducting an interview with the patient and reviewing past behavior. They may request that the person complete a symptom questionnaire and may conduct tests for medical reasons to rule out physical or mental health conditions that may have similar symptoms. The symptoms of ADHD must be consistent before age 12 for the diagnosis to be made.
Adults with inattentive ADHD may benefit from a psychotherapy session and lifestyle changes to help manage their symptoms. These treatments include therapy with medication, behavioral therapy and psychoeducation for families. Psychotherapy is a type of therapy that helps patients develop new skills, attitudes and ways of interacting with others. Psychotherapy can teach strategies that will reduce impulsive and self-destructive behaviors, improve organizational skills and increase confidence.
People with inattentive ADHD may find it helpful to discuss their struggles with a trusted friend, family member or therapist. They might also be able to request accommodations from teachers or supervisors as well as colleagues. Accommodations are tools or changes in the workplace that permit the disabled person to perform tasks like others, like using a step stool to help those who are short.
Hyperactive Symptoms
The signs of ADHD may look different in adults compared to children. While children might be agitated, irritable and talkative, adult symptoms tend to be more subtle. They might forget to complete tasks, lose track or place and make careless errors. They may also feel overly energetic and struggle to sit still during a meal or class. They may interrupt other students or blurt out answers before they've had the chance to ask a question, and have trouble waiting their turn in conversations or games.
These symptoms can be triggered by a variety of conditions. A thorough psychiatric examination is required to determine the root of the symptoms and identify the most effective treatment options. These could include psychotherapy, medication and lifestyle adjustments. They can be an improved diet, exercise and sleep schedules. This could include making adjustments to work or school assignments, and utilizing assistive tools like calendars, planners, and smartphone apps.
If what happens if adhd is left untreated in adults suspect that you might have ADHD, your first step is to discuss your concerns with your family doctor or primary care provider. The How to Talk to Your Provider factsheet from NIMH contains guidelines on how to communicate with your doctor about mental issues.
To be considered to have ADHD, the symptoms must appear in at least two settings and have an impact on your daily 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.
In addition to lifestyle changes and accommodations There are also medications that can ease your symptoms of ADHD. These are known as stimulants. They work by reorganizing brain 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 will monitor your reaction to treatment. You might be prescribed non-stimulant medications when you experience adverse reactions or if a stimulant does not work. They are also utilized in conjunction with stimulants to boost effectiveness.
Instinctive Symptoms
People who are inattentive ADHD are more likely to lose their keys or phones. People with inattentive ADHD have a difficult time following tasks, organizing their materials, and completing projects. As adults, this may lead to a multitude of tasks that are not completed at the house: houses that are not cleaned and bills not paid, as well as the vegetable garden that was planted but never watered.
The impulsive symptoms of ADHD can cause difficulties in a variety of aspects of life, but particularly in relationships. People who suffer from ADHD who are impulsive ADHD tend to be impatient and want instant gratification. They may be impulsive and enter social situations without thinking ahead, or take risks that can result in negative consequences. Impulsive people may also overreact to stressful or emotional situations. One can become annoyed or defensive when arguing with family members or friends.
To be diagnosed with one of the two types of ADHD, a healthcare professional who is trained in mental disorders should review the medical history of a patient and conduct an examination. The doctor will also inquire about how the symptoms affect your work, home and relationships. In order to be diagnosed with any type of ADHD, a person must have at least six of the nine main symptoms and the symptoms must be interfering with daily functioning for at least six months (American Association for Psychiatric Research 2000).
The most effective treatment for ADHD is psychostimulants, which are medications that affect the way certain chemicals interact in the brain to regulate behavior. The most well-known stimulant is methylphenidate. It was originally developed to treat ADHD in children. It's important to talk with your physician about your medication if you are suffering from other health issues like depression or high blood pressure. In addition to medications psychotherapy can aid in reducing impulsive and distracting symptoms. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), focuses on helping people recognize Irrational or automatic thinking that triggers negative behaviors and to develop strategies for self-regulation.
Combination of symptoms
Adults who suffered from ADHD as children could experience symptoms that return in adulthood. They may experience mild or moderate symptoms that interfere in their school, work and social interactions. They may also have other mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression, that require treatment. A few adults may also have learning disabilities, which make it difficult 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 do influence how people perform at home and work. It can be difficult 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 tasks. They may forget deadlines or appointments, and then lose their possessions. They may also have difficulty following conversations or listening to music. They are more likely to get distracted by people or activities that are happening 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 diagnostic criteria which includes symptoms that manifest before age 12and can manifest in multiple settings and cause impairment in a variety of areas like school or 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 begun before the person was 12 years old and continue at home, at school and in social and work settings.
There's no known cause of ADHD, but researchers are studying environmental and genetic factors that could play a role. According to studies, those with ADHD may have difficulty regulating certain chemicals in their brains, including neurotransmitters which help control mood, attention and behavior.
If you are experiencing signs of ADHD, talk to your primary care physician. Your doctor can conduct a physical examination and refer you for an assessment by a mental health professional. Treatment for ADHD typically involves psychotherapy and medication including stimulants, which increase the levels of certain chemical in the brain. These include amphetamines and methylphenidate. You should inform your health care provider about any other medicines you take, such as vitamins and supplements. The FDA's website for medications contains information on approved medicines along with warnings and patient guidelines.