ADHD Symptoms and Treatment in Adults
Many adults find that they are struggling to keep up with the demands of daily life often expressing frustration and mood swings. If you suspect you be suffering from ADHD, consult your primary care provider or a mental health professional for an evaluation.
Adult ADHD is diagnosed with the same criteria as it is for children. The symptoms must last for at minimum six months and cannot be caused by any other medical condition mood disorders, other medical conditions.
Inattentional symptoms
Many adults suffering from ADHD struggle to keep up with schoolwork, work, or household chores. They frequently have trouble keeping appointments and don't pay their bills on time, and have difficulty maintaining relationships with family and friends. They are more likely to lose items or make mistakes that could have grave consequences.
If you have problems keeping track of your personal or professional affairs, consider speaking with an expert in health care. Your primary care provider will assess your situation and may refer you to a mental health professional should it be necessary.
Inattentive ADHD is often misunderstood. People who suffer from inattentive ADHD aren't always attentive when spoken to. They forget easily or are distracted by irrelevant thoughts. They might have difficulty staying focused, make erroneous mistakes, or struggle to follow directions. They also have trouble keeping their hands off their face or appear unsteady or fidgety.
Inattentive symptoms can lead to failing at school or at work and can cause frustration and shame for the person suffering. They can also cause issues in relationships with family, friends and colleagues.
The diagnosis of ADHD is based on the assessment of the clinical. This includes an interview with the patient and a review of past behavior. They might ask the person to complete a symptom checklist and conduct medical tests to determine if there are other conditions that have similar symptoms. The symptoms of ADHD must be present consistently prior to 12 years of age to make a diagnosis.
Adults with inattention ADHD typically benefit from psychotherapy, lifestyle adjustments and other treatments to manage their symptoms. These treatments include therapy with medication, behavioral therapy and psychoeducation for families. Psychotherapy is a form of therapy that assists patients develop new skills, attitudes, and ways to interact with other people. Behavioral therapy can teach techniques that can decrease self-destructive and impulsive behaviors improve organizational skills and increase confidence.
People who have inattention ADHD might find it beneficial to talk about their issues with a trusted friend, family member or therapist. They may also be able to seek accommodations from their teachers or supervisors as well as colleagues. Accommodations are the tools and modifications to the working environment that permit disabled people to carry out tasks like the rest of us. For example an individual who is short may use stepstools.
Hyperactive Symptoms
Adults may show different symptoms than children. Adult symptoms are less obvious. While children may be agitated and tense while adults tend to be less talkative. They might forget their tasks, lose track or take a wrong turn and make mistakes. They may also feel energetic and find it difficult to sit still, even when eating a meal or in class. They might interrupt others or mutter answers before being asked an answer, or have trouble waiting their turn in games or conversations.
There are many conditions that can cause these symptoms. To determine the underlying cause of symptoms and the most effective treatment, a full psychiatric assessment is required. These include psychotherapy, medications and lifestyle changes. These can include eating a healthy diet, exercising and sleeping schedules. These can include changing work or school assignments, and utilizing aidive tools such as calendars or planners, as well as smartphone apps.
It is recommended to first discuss your concerns with a family doctor or primary healthcare provider if you suspect that you may have ADHD. There are some tips for talking with your health care provider regarding mental health issues on the NIMH's How to Talk to Your Health Care Provider fact sheet.
It's crucial to know that to be diagnosed with ADHD symptoms must manifest in at least two or more environments and have a significant impact on daily life. They must have been present for at least six months 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 medications available that can help you manage your ADHD symptoms, in addition to adaptations to your lifestyle and accommodation. These drugs are known as stimulants. They work by reorganizing brain's signals that affect your mood and attention, as well as your behavior. Your doctor will prescribe the appropriate dose and will observe your response. You might be prescribed a non-stimulant medicine when you have bothersome side effects, if a stimulant isn't helping or when combined with stimulants to boost the effectiveness of treatment.
Impulsive Symptoms
People with inattention ADHD are more likely to lose their keys or mobile phones. Whether it's doodling in class or losing track of the time in a meeting, those with inattention ADHD are more difficult to keep track of tasks, organize their materials and complete their projects. As adults, this can cause a variety of tasks that are not completed at the house: unpaid bills, unkempt homes and a vegetable garden that's been planted but never watered.
The impulse-driven symptoms of ADHD can cause problems in many areas of our lives, but specifically when it comes to relationships. People with an impulsive ADHD are often impatient and want instant gratification. They might jump into social situations without planning ahead, or take risks that can cause negative consequences. In addition, impulsive people might react in a emotional or stressful situations. A person may become very annoyed or defensive when arguing with family or friends.
A health professional with a specialization in mental disorders will review the medical background of a patient and perform an exam to diagnose ADHD. The doctor will also inquire about how symptoms affect your home, work, and family relationships. In order to be diagnosed with either type of ADHD, a person must have six or more of the nine symptoms and the symptoms have to interfere with daily functioning for at least six months (American Association for Psychiatric Research 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 popular type of stimulants is methylphenidate, which was first used to treat ADHD in children. It's possible that the medication is not suitable for certain people suffering from other health conditions, like high blood pressure or depression Therefore, it is important to discuss your medications with your doctor. In addition to medicines psychotherapy can help reduce the symptoms of impulsivity and distraction. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is focused on teaching people to recognize automatic or irrational thinking that triggers negative behaviors and to develop strategies for self-regulation.
Combination of symptoms
Adults who had ADHD as children could experience symptoms that come back 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, might also require treatment. Many adults also suffer from learning difficulties, which can make it difficult for them to comprehend or follow instructions in classrooms and offices.
Adults may not be able to recognize the symptoms of inattentive ADHD, but it can still affect their ability to function at home and work. This type of ADHD can make it difficult for people to remain focused in meetings at work or during classes at college. They may also have trouble keeping up with their work and assignments. They often lose the track of their belongings or forget appointments or deadlines. They may also have difficulty keeping track of conversations or listening to music. They tend to be more easily 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 American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition (DSM-IV TR) has a criterion for diagnosing the disorder which includes symptoms that manifest before age 12and can manifest in multiple settings and cause impairment across multiple domains including 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 be present before the age of 12 and continue at home, in school as well as in other work and social settings.
There is no cause for ADHD however, researchers are studying environmental and genetic factors that may be a factor. Studies suggest that the brains of people with ADHD have difficulty regulating certain chemicals, including neurotransmitters that manage mood, attention and behavior.
Talk to your primary healthcare provider if there are signs of ADHD. Your doctor can perform a physical examination and refer you for an assessment by an expert in mental health. adhd treatment for adult women for ADHD typically involves psychotherapy and medication including stimulants, which increase the levels of certain chemicals in the brain. Amphetamines, methylphenidate and other stimulants are commonly used. Inform your doctor about any other medications you take including supplements or vitamins. The FDA's website for medication contains information about approved medicines along with warnings and information guides.