ADHD Symptoms and Treatment in Adults
Many adults discover that they have trouble keeping up with the demands of daily life frequently experiencing anger and mood swings. If you suspect that you be suffering from ADHD you should consult your primary care provider or a mental health professional to conduct an evaluation.
The criteria used to diagnose adult ADHD is similar to that for children ADHD: symptoms must be evident for a period of 6 months and not better explained by other medical disorders or conditions.
Inattentive symptoms
Adults suffering from ADHD typically have difficulty to keep up in school, at work or with household chores. They miss appointments, don't pay bills on time and have trouble maintaining relationships with their family and friends. They are more likely than others to lose their possessions or make a mistake which can result in serious consequences.
Talk to your health care provider if you are having difficulty keeping track of personal or work matters. Your primary care provider will assess your situation and refer you to a mental professional when needed.
Inattentive ADHD is often misunderstood. People with inattentive ADHD aren't always attentive when they are spoken to. They are easily distracted or get distracted by irrelevant thoughts. They are unable to stay focused on their tasks, and may make careless errors or struggle to follow instructions. They also have difficulty keeping their hands off their faces or appearing unsteady or fidgety.
Inattention to symptoms can result in failure at work or school which can lead to feelings of shame and frustration for the person suffering. They can also cause issues in relationships with friends, family members and co-workers.
Health care professionals identify ADHD based on a clinical assessment, which includes conducting an interview with the patient and reviewing previous behavior. They will often request that the person fill out a questionnaire about their symptoms and may also conduct tests for medical reasons to exclude mental or physical health conditions that share similar symptoms. Symptoms of ADHD must be present consistently before age 12 for the diagnosis to be established.
Adults with inattentive ADHD are often able to benefit from psychotherapy, lifestyle changes and other treatments that help to manage their symptoms. These treatments include medications as well as behavioral therapy and family psychoeducation. Psychotherapy is a type of counseling which helps patients develop new skills, attitudes and ways of interacting with others. Psychotherapy can help to reduce impulsive, self-destructive behavior, increase the ability to manage and organize, and boost confidence.
People with inattentive ADHD may find it helpful to talk about their issues with a trusted friend, family member or therapist. Teachers or supervisors, as well as colleagues might be able to provide accommodations. Accommodations are a way of making changes in the work environment that allow a person with a disability to do the same tasks as others, like using a step stool to help someone who is short.
Hyperactive Symptoms
The symptoms of this type of ADHD can be different in adults than children. While children might fidget, appear restless and talkative, adult symptoms tend to be more subtle. They may forget tasks, lose track of or take a wrong turn and make mistakes. They might also feel stimulated and have trouble sitting still, even when sitting down to a meal or in class. They might interrupt other students or provide answers prior to being asked an inquiry.
These symptoms can be caused by a variety of ailments. A full psychiatric evaluation is required to determine the cause of the symptoms and determine the most effective treatments. This could include psychotherapy, medication and lifestyle adjustments. This could mean an improved diet along with more exercise, and better sleeping schedules. They could also include adjusting work or school assignments, and using assistive devices like calendars, planners, and smartphone apps.
It is important to discuss your concerns with a family doctor or your primary healthcare provider if you suspect that you may have ADHD. You can find helpful 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 important to know that to be considered diagnosed with ADHD symptoms must manifest in at least two or more environments and have a significant impact on everyday life. They must have been 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.
There are alternative adhd treatment for adults to aid in managing your ADHD symptoms, as well as adjustments to your lifestyle and accommodations. These are known as stimulants. They work by enhancing signals within your brain, which affect your attention, mood and behavior. Your doctor will prescribe the right dosage of the medication for you and will monitor your reaction to treatment. You may be prescribed non-stimulant medications in the event of side effects or if a stimulant does not work. They can also be used in combination with stimulants for increased effectiveness.
Impulsive Symptoms
Everyone misplaces keys or a phone from time to time, but for people with inattentive ADHD, these little distractions are a bigger issue. If it's a case of doodles in class or losing track of time during a meeting, people with inattention ADHD have a harder time to follow tasks and organize their materials to complete their projects. As adults, the result may be a million incomplete projects around the house: unpaid bills, dirty houses and the vegetable garden that was planted but never watered.
The symptoms of impulsive ADHD can cause problems in many areas of life, but especially when it comes to relationships. People with an impulsive ADHD tend to be impatient and need immediate gratification. They can be impulsive and jump into social situations with little planning or risk taking, which can have negative consequences. Additionally, people who are impulsive might overreact in stressful or emotional situations. A person may become very annoyed or defensive when arguing with family members or friends.
To determine if you have one of the two forms of ADHD the healthcare professional who is trained in mental disorders must examine the medical history of the patient and conduct a physical exam. The doctor will also inquire about how the symptoms affect your home, work and family relationships. To be diagnosed with one or the other form of ADHD, a patient must display at least six of the nine major symptoms. The symptoms must interfere with everyday functioning and last at minimum six months (American Association for Psychiatric Research, 2000).
Psychostimulants are the most effective treatment for ADHD. These medications target the way that certain chemicals communicate with each other in the brain to regulate behavior. The most popular kind of stimulant is the methylphenidate that was initially used to treat ADHD in children. It's possible that the medication is not suitable for people with other health conditions, for example, depression or high blood pressure Therefore, it is important to discuss your medications with your health care provider. 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 thinking that can trigger negative behaviors and develop strategies for self-regulation.
Combination of symptoms
Adults who suffered from ADHD as children could experience symptoms that resurface during adulthood. They may have mild, moderate or even severe symptoms that affect work, school and social interactions. They may also have other mental health issues like depression or anxiety that require treatment. Some adults also have learning difficulties, which can make it difficult for them to comprehend or follow directions in classrooms and offices.
The signs of the inattentive kind of ADHD aren't as obvious in adults, but they can still impact how people function at home and at work. This kind of ADHD makes it difficult for people to stay focused in meetings at work or during college lectures. They might also have difficulty keeping up with their assignments and work. They frequently lose the location of their belongings and forget deadlines or appointments. They may also have trouble keeping track of conversations or listening to music. They are more susceptible to distraction by the activities or people that are going on 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 criteria for diagnosing the disorder that includes symptoms that start before age 12, occur in multiple settings and lead to impairment across 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. Symptoms must have started before the person was 12 years old and continue at home, in school, as well as in other work and social situations.
Researchers are investigating genetic and environmental factors which might be responsible for the development of ADHD. Studies suggest that the brains of individuals with ADHD have difficulty regulating certain chemicals, such as neurotransmitters which help manage mood, attention and behavior.
Speak to your primary healthcare provider if you show indications of ADHD. Your doctor may conduct an examination and refer you to an expert in mental health care to conduct an assessment. Psychotherapy and medicines are commonly utilized to treat ADHD and other disorders, such as stimulants that raise the levels of certain brain chemicals. Amphetamines, methylphenidate and other stimulants are used. Inform your doctor about any other medications you are taking, including vitamins or supplements. The FDA's medication website contains information on approved medications along with warnings and patient guidelines.