ADHD Symptoms and Treatment in Adults
Many adults report that they are struggling to keep up with their daily activities frequently experiencing anger and mood swings. If you think you might be suffering from ADHD consult your primary health care provider or a mental-health professional for an assessment.
The criteria for diagnosing adult ADHD is the same as that for children ADHD: symptoms must be evident over 6 months and not better explained by other medical disorders or conditions.
Inattentive symptoms
Adults with ADHD typically have difficulty to keep up in the workplace, at school or with household chores. They often have trouble keeping appointments, fail to pay bills on time, and have trouble maintaining relationships with friends and family. They are more likely than others to lose possessions, or make a mistake which can result in serious consequences.
Speak to your health care provider if have difficulty keeping track of personal or work matters. Your primary care doctor will assess your situation and refer you to a mental health specialist when appropriate.
The symptoms of inattentive ADHD are often misunderstood. People who suffer from inattentive ADHD are not always attentive when speaking to. They forget easily or get distracted by unrelated thoughts. They might have difficulty staying on task, make mistakes, or struggle to follow directions. They may also have trouble keeping their hands away from their faces or appear shaky.
Inattentive symptoms may cause a drop in performance at school or at work, which can cause frustration and shame for those affected. They can also cause problems with relationships with family, friends and co-workers.
Health care professionals diagnose ADHD through a medical assessment, which includes interviewing the person and analyzing their previous behavior. They may ask the patient to fill out an inventory of symptoms and run medical tests in order to determine if there are other conditions that exhibit similar symptoms. Symptoms of ADHD must occur consistently since before age 12 in order for the diagnosis to be established.
Adults suffering from inattention ADHD may benefit from a psychotherapy session and lifestyle changes to manage their symptoms. These treatments include medications, behavioral therapy and family psychoeducation. Psychotherapy is a type of counseling that assists patients learn new skills, attitudes and ways of interacting with others. Psychotherapy can teach strategies that reduce self-destructive and impulsive behavior as well as improve organizational skills and build confidence.
People with inattentive ADHD might find it helpful to talk about their issues with a trusted family member or therapist. Teachers or supervisors as well as coworkers may be able to offer accommodations. Accommodations are modifications and tools to the working environment that permit disabled people to complete tasks just like everyone else. For instance the person who is short can utilize the step stool.
Hyperactive symptoms
Adults can exhibit different symptoms than children. Adult symptoms are more subtle. While children may fidget and appear restless 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 other students, or give answers before being asked to answer a question.
There are a variety of ailments that can trigger these symptoms. A comprehensive psychiatric assessment is needed to determine the root of the symptoms and determine the most effective treatment options. This includes psychotherapy, medication and lifestyle changes. This could mean an improved diet along with more exercise, and better sleeping schedules. They may also require changing school or work assignments, and using assistive devices like planners, calendars, and smartphones apps.
If you suspect that you have ADHD, your first step is to discuss your concerns with your family physician or primary care provider. You can find tips for speaking with your health care provider about mental health issues on NIMH's How to Talk to Your Health Care Provider fact sheet.
To be considered to have ADHD the symptoms must be evident in at least two different settings and have an impact on your daily life. For them to qualify they must have been present at least six month. Your provider will evaluate you to see if you have the inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive symptoms of ADHD.
Alongside lifestyle adjustments and changes There are also medications that can ease your symptoms of ADHD. These medications are known as stimulants. iampsychiatry.com function by enhancing the signals in your brain that affect your attention, mood and behavior. Your doctor will give you the right dose and monitor your response. You might be prescribed non-stimulant medications when you experience adverse reactions or if a stimulant fails to work. They are also used in combination with stimulants to increase the effectiveness.
Instinctive Symptoms
Everyone misplaces keys or a cellphone from time to time, but for people with inattentive ADHD, these little distractions can become an issue. People with inattentive ADHD have a tougher time following tasks, arranging their materials and completing projects. As adults, the result can be a million unfinished projects around the home: unpaid bills, messy homes and the garden that was started but never watered.
Relationships are among the most frequent areas in which impulsive ADHD symptoms can create issues. People who suffer from impulsive ADHD tend to be fast-paced and crave instant gratification. They might be quick to enter social situations without planning ahead or take risks that could cause negative consequences. People who are impulsive may also react to stressful or emotional situations. For example, a person may become extremely angry or defensive during arguments with family or friends.
A health professional with a specialization in mental disorders will go over the medical background of a patient and conduct an examination to diagnose ADHD. The doctor will ask you about the symptoms and how they impact your relationships, work, and home. In order to be diagnosed with either type of ADHD, a person must exhibit at least six of the nine major symptoms and the symptoms must be interfering with daily functioning for at least 6 months (American Psychological Association, 2000).
Psychostimulants are the most effective treatment for ADHD. They target the way certain chemicals interact with each other in the brain to regulate behavior. The most common type of stimulant is the methylphenidate drug, which was originally used to treat ADHD in children. It's possible that the medication is not appropriate for some people with other health conditions for example, high blood pressure or depression It is therefore essential to discuss your medications with your physician. In addition to medication psychotherapy can aid in reducing the symptoms of distraction and impulsivity. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a method of teaching individuals to identify automatic or irrational thoughts that can trigger negative behavior and develop strategies for self-regulation.
Multiple symptoms
Adults who experienced ADHD as children could experience symptoms that return in adulthood. They can have mild or moderate symptoms that interfere in their school, work, and social interactions. Other mental health issues, like anxiety or depression, might also require treatment. Adults may also suffer from learning disabilities that make it difficult to comprehend or follow instructions in offices and classrooms.
The symptoms of the inattentive form of ADHD aren't as obvious in adults, but they can still impact how people function at home and at work. It's difficult for those with this kind of ADHD to remain calm during college lectures or business meetings, and they could be unable to keep up with assignments and work-related tasks. They may forget deadlines and appointments, and lose their possessions. They also have difficulty keeping track of conversations or listening to music. They are more likely to be distracted by the 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 4th edition (DSM-IV TR) has a diagnostic criteria that includes symptoms that start at the age of 12 and occur in multiple settings and lead to impairment in multiple domains 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 started before the age of 12 and continue at home, in school, and in other work and social situations.
Researchers are investigating genetic and environmental factors which could be responsible for the development of ADHD. According to research, people with ADHD may have difficulty regulating certain brain chemicals, including neurotransmitters which can regulate the mood, attention and behavior.
Talk to your primary healthcare provider if you show symptoms of ADHD. Your doctor may conduct an examination and refer you to a mental health professional to conduct an assessment. Treatment for ADHD typically involves psychotherapy and medications including stimulants, which increase the levels of certain chemical in the brain. Amphetamines, methylphenidate, and other stimulants are utilized. You should tell your health care provider about any other medications you take, such as supplements and vitamins. The FDA's medication website contains information on approved medicines, warnings and patient information guides.