ADHD Symptoms and Treatment in Adults
Many adults discover that they struggle to keep up with daily tasks frequently experiencing anger and mood swings. If you suspect you be suffering from ADHD take a look at your primary care physician or an expert in mental health for an assessment.
The criteria used to diagnose adult ADHD is similar to that for children: symptoms must be present for at least 6 months and are not be more easily explained by other medical conditions or mood disorders.
Inattentional symptoms
Many adults suffering from ADHD find it difficult to complete schoolwork, work or household chores. They often have trouble keeping appointments and fail to pay their bills on time, and have difficulty maintaining relationships with friends and family. Click On this page are more likely than other people to lose possessions, or make careless errors that could have grave consequences.
Speak to your health care provider if are having difficulty keeping track of work or personal issues. Your primary care provider can evaluate your situation and recommend you to a mental health professional should it be necessary.
Inattentive ADHD is often misunderstood. People with inattentive ADHD don't always listen when they are spoken to and tend to forget quickly or are frequently distracted by irrelevant thoughts. They have difficulty staying focused on their tasks, and may make careless errors or struggle to follow instructions. They may also have trouble keeping their hands away from their faces or appear shaky.
Inattentive symptoms can lead to failing at school or at work which can lead to feelings of shame and frustration for the person suffering. They can also cause issues in relationships with friends, family and co-workers.
Health professionals diagnose ADHD by conducting a clinical assessment that involves interviewing the person and analyzing their the behavior of the past. They might ask the person to fill out an inventory of symptoms and run medical tests in order to determine whether other conditions exhibit similar symptoms. The symptoms of ADHD must be evident consistently before 12 years old to make an assessment.
Adults who suffer from inattention ADHD might benefit from psychotherapy and lifestyle modifications to ease their symptoms. These treatments include medication, behavioral therapy and family psychoeducation. Psychotherapy is a form of therapy that assists patients develop new skills, attitudes, and ways to interact with other people. Behavioral therapy can help reduce self-destructive, impulsive behavior, increase the ability to manage and organize, and boost confidence.
It may be helpful for people with inattentive ADHD to discuss their issues with a friend or family member, or a therapist. Teachers or supervisors as well as coworkers may be able to offer accommodations. Accommodations are modifications and tools to the environment that allow disabled people to complete tasks just like all other people. For instance, a short person can utilize the step stool.
Hyperactive Symptoms
The symptoms of this type of ADHD may look different in adults as compared to children. Adult symptoms are more subtle. While children can fidget and appear restless adults are less talkative. They might forget their tasks, lose track of or get lost and make a few mistakes. They might also be overly active and struggle to sit still during a meal or in class. They may interrupt other students or blurt out answers before they've had the chance to ask a question, and struggle to keep their place in games or conversations.
There are several illnesses that can cause these symptoms. A thorough psychiatric examination is needed to determine the cause of the symptoms as well as determine the most effective treatment options. This could include psychotherapy, medications and lifestyle changes. These can include an improved diet, exercise and sleeping schedules. They may also require changing school or work assignments and using assistive devices like calendars, planners, and smartphone apps.
It is important to discuss your concerns with your family physician or primary healthcare provider if you suspect that you may have ADHD. You can find 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.
It is important to understand that in order to be diagnosed with ADHD symptoms must be present in two or more settings and seriously interfere with daily life. They must have been present for at least six months to qualify. Your provider will evaluate you to see if you have the inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive symptoms of ADHD.
There are medications that can aid in managing your ADHD symptoms, in addition to adjustments to your lifestyle and accommodations. These are referred to as stimulants. They function by reorganizing brain's signals that influence your mood and attention, as well as your behavior. Your doctor will give you the appropriate dose and will keep track of your response. You might be prescribed non-stimulant drugs when you experience adverse reactions or if a stimulant fails to work. They are also combined with stimulants to boost effectiveness.
Impulsive Symptoms
People with inattentive ADHD are more likely to lose their keys or cellphones. Whether it's doodling in class or losing track of the time in a meeting, those with inattention ADHD have a harder time to keep track of tasks or organize their materials. They also find it difficult to complete their projects. As adults, this may result in a myriad of unfinished projects around the house, including houses that are not cleaned and bills not paid, as well as the vegetable garden that's been started but not watered.
The symptoms of impulsive ADHD can cause issues in a variety of areas of life, but especially when it comes to relationships. People with impulsive ADHD tend to be anxious and require immediate gratification. They might jump into social situations without planning ahead or take risks that could lead to negative consequences. In addition, impulsive people might overreact in emotionally or stressful situations. Click On this page could become annoyed or defensive when arguing with family members or friends.
To get diagnosed with one of the two forms of ADHD the health care professional specializing in mental disorders must review the medical history of the patient and conduct an examination. The doctor will ask you about the symptoms and how they affect your relationships at work, in your family, and at home. To be diagnosed with one or the other form of ADHD, a patient must exhibit at least six of nine major symptoms. The symptoms must also affect everyday functioning and last at minimum six months (American Association for Psychiatric Research, 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 commonly used stimulant is methylphenidate. It was originally developed to treat ADHD among children. It's possible that the medication is not appropriate for some people with other health conditions, such as high blood pressure or depression, so it's important to discuss your medications with your doctor. In addition to medications psychotherapy can help reduce the symptoms of impulsivity and distraction. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on helping people recognize automatic or irrational thoughts that may trigger negative behaviors and develop strategies for self-regulation.
Combination of symptoms
Adults who suffered from ADHD as children might experience symptoms that return in adulthood. They may have mild, moderate or even severe symptoms that affect work, school and social interactions. Other mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression, could also require treatment. Some adults may also have difficulties with learning, making it difficult to understand or follow instructions in offices and classrooms.
The symptoms of the inattentive form of ADHD aren't as easy to see in adults, but they can still impact how people function at home and work. It can be difficult for people with this kind of ADHD to sit quietly for classes or business meetings, and they might have trouble keeping up with assignments and work-related tasks. They might forget deadlines or appointments, and lose the track of their belongings. They may also have trouble listening to music or following conversations. They are more likely to be distracted by activities or people 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 Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV TR) 4th edition of the American Psychiatric Association, includes a criterion to diagnose the disorder. This includes symptoms that start before age 12 and are present in multiple settings and cause problems in 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 manifested before the age of 12 years old. They must persist at home, in school, and in other work and social settings.
Researchers are examining the effects of environmental and genetic factors that might be at play in the development of ADHD. Research suggests that the brains of those with ADHD have difficulty regulating certain chemicals, including neurotransmitters that control attention, mood and behavior.
If you have signs of ADHD discuss it with your primary care provider. Your doctor can perform a physical examination and refer you for an evaluation by a mental health professional. Psychotherapy and medication are typically utilized to treat ADHD, including stimulants that boost the levels of certain brain chemicals. Amphetamines and methylphenidate as well as other stimulants are utilized. It is important to inform your health professional about any other medications you take, such as supplements and vitamins. The FDA's medication website contains information about approved medications along with warnings and information guidelines.