ADHD Symptoms and Treatment in Adults
Many adults have difficulty keeping up with their daily activities. They may experience stress and mood shifts. If you suspect you might be suffering from ADHD contact your primary health care provider or a mental-health professional for an assessment.
Adult ADHD is diagnosed using the same criteria that it is for children. The symptoms must last for at least six months and cannot be caused by other medical conditions, mood disorders or other medical conditions.
Inattentive symptoms
Many people with ADHD find it difficult to keep up with schoolwork, work, or household chores. They frequently have trouble keeping appointments and fail to pay their bills on time, and have difficulty maintaining relationships with their family and friends. They are more likely to lose items or make careless mistakes that could have grave consequences.
If you have problems managing your personal or work-related affairs, consider talking to a health care provider. Your primary care physician will evaluate your situation and may refer you to a mental specialist when needed.
The symptoms of inattentive ADHD are often misunderstood. People with inattentive ADHD are not always attentive when spoken to, forget easily or are often distracted by thoughts that are not relevant to their. They struggle to focus on their tasks, and may make careless errors or struggle to follow directions. They also struggle to keep their hands from their face or may seem unsteady or fidgety.
Inattention to the symptoms could lead to failure in the workplace or at school, which can cause frustration and shame for the affected. They can also cause issues with relationships with friends, family and co-workers.
The diagnosis of ADHD is based on the clinical assessment. This includes an interview with the patient as well as a review of previous behavior. They may ask the person to fill out a questionnaire about their symptoms and may conduct medical tests to exclude mental or physical illnesses that have similar symptoms. The symptoms of ADHD must be evident consistently prior to 12 years of age to be able to determine if it is an assessment.
Adults with inattention ADHD are often able to benefit from psychotherapy, lifestyle adjustments and other treatments to manage their symptoms. These treatments include medications, behavioral therapy and family psychoeducation. Psychotherapy is a type of therapy that helps patients learn new skills, attitudes and ways of communicating with others. Psychotherapy can help to reduce self-destructive and impulsive behavior, increase the ability to manage and organize, and boost confidence.
People with inattention ADHD might find it helpful to discuss their struggles with a trusted family member or therapist. They may also be able to seek accommodations from their teachers or supervisors, as well as coworkers. Accommodations are the tools and modifications to the environment that allow a person with disabilities to complete tasks just like all other people. For example an individual who is short may utilize stepstools.
Hyperactive Symptoms
Adults may exhibit different symptoms as children. Adult symptoms are more subtle. While children may seem to be restless and fidget while adults tend to be less and less talkative. They might forget to complete tasks, lose track of or get lost and make a few mistakes. They might also feel excessively energetic and struggle to sit still during a meal or class. They may interrupt other students, or give answers before being asked a question.
These symptoms can be triggered by a variety of conditions. A comprehensive psychiatric assessment is necessary to determine the cause of the symptoms and identify the most effective treatment. This includes psychotherapy, medication and lifestyle modifications. This can include an improved diet as well as more exercise and better sleeping schedules. These can include making adjustments to work or school assignments and making use of assistive tools like calendars, planners, and smartphone apps.
If you suspect that you may have ADHD, your first step should be to discuss your concerns with your family physician or primary care provider. The How to Talk to Your Provider factsheet from NIMH provides tips on how to talk with your doctor regarding mental health issues.
To be considered to have ADHD the symptoms must appear in at least two environments and have a significant impact on everyday life. To be considered a candidate they must be present for at least six months. Your provider will evaluate you to see if you have the inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive symptoms of ADHD.
There are medications to aid in managing your ADHD symptoms, in addition to lifestyle modifications and accommodations. These drugs are known as stimulants. They work by streamlining the signals in your brain that influence your mood, attention, and behavior. Your doctor will prescribe the right dosage of the medication to you and will monitor your reaction to treatment. You could be prescribed a non-stimulant drug in the event of a recurring side effects, if the stimulant isn't working, or when combined with stimulants to increase the effectiveness of treatment.
Impulsive Symptoms
Everybody loses keys or a cellphone from time-to-time however for those who suffer from inattention ADHD small distractions can become an issue. People with inattentive ADHD have a tougher managing their tasks, arranging their materials and completing their projects. As adults, the result could be a million incomplete projects around the home: unpaid bills, messy homes, and the vegetable garden that was planted but never watered.
The impulsive symptoms of ADHD can cause problems in many areas of life, but particularly with relationships. People who have impulsive ADHD are often anxious and require immediate gratification. They can be impulsive and jump into social situations without planning or risk taking which could have negative effects. People who are impulsive may also react to stressful or emotional situations. A person may become very annoyed or defensive when arguing with family members or friends.
To get diagnosed with one of the two forms of ADHD the health professional who specializes in mental disorders must examine a person's medical history and conduct an examination. The doctor will also inquire about how the symptoms impact your home, work, and relationships. To be diagnosed with either form of ADHD, a person must exhibit at least six of the nine major symptoms. The symptoms must also interfere with daily functioning and last at least six months (American Psychological Association, 2000).
The most effective treatment for ADHD is psychostimulants. These are drugs that target how certain chemicals communicate in the brain to regulate behavior. The most commonly used kind of stimulant is methylphenidate, which was first used to treat ADHD in children. The medication may not be suitable for people with other health conditions, such as depression or high blood pressure It is therefore essential to discuss your medications with your physician. Psychotherapy can reduce impulsive symptoms and distracting behaviors in addition to medications. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a method of helping people recognize the automatic or irrational thoughts that may trigger negative behaviors and develop strategies for self-regulation.
Multiple symptoms
Adults who were diagnosed with ADHD as children may develop symptoms into adulthood. adhd treatment for adults without medication may experience mild or moderate symptoms that cause problems in their school, work and social interactions. Other mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety, may also require treatment. Many adults also suffer from learning issues, which could make it difficult for them to comprehend or follow directions in offices and classrooms.
Symptoms of the inattentive type of ADHD aren't as easy to see in adults however, they can affect how people function at home and at work. This kind of ADHD can make it difficult for people to sit still during business meetings or classes at college. They may also have trouble keeping up with their work and assignments. They may forget deadlines or appointments, and may lose their possessions. They may also have trouble listening to music or following conversations. They are more susceptible to distraction by the activities or people in the vicinity than most 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) 4th edition of the American Psychiatric Association, includes an assessment criteria to identify the disorder. This includes symptoms that begin at the age of 12 and can be seen in a variety of settings and can cause problems 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 age of 12 years old and continue at home, in school and in other work and social environments.
Researchers are studying environmental and genetic factors that might be at play in the development of ADHD. According to research, people with ADHD may have difficulty regulating certain brain chemicals that aid in controlling the way they behave, their mood and attention.
Talk to your primary healthcare provider if you show symptoms of ADHD. Your doctor can perform an examination and refer you to an evaluation by a mental health professional. Treatment for ADHD usually involves psychotherapy and medications including stimulants, which boost levels of certain chemicals in the brain. These include amphetamines and methylphenidate. Tell your doctor about all other medications you are taking including supplements or vitamins. The FDA's medication website contains information on approved medicines, warnings and patient information guides.