ADHD Symptoms and Treatment in Adults
Many adults find that they have trouble keeping up with daily tasks often expressing frustration and mood swings. If you suspect that you have ADHD, consult your primary care physician or a mental health professional to conduct an evaluation.
The criteria for determining adult ADHD is similar to the criteria used for children: symptoms must be present over 6 months and not be better explained by medical disorders or mental health issues.
Inattentional symptoms
Adults with ADHD typically have difficulty to keep up with the workplace, at school or with household chores. They frequently have trouble keeping appointments and don't pay their bills on time, and have trouble maintaining relationships with friends and family. They are more likely to lose items or make careless mistakes which can result in serious consequences.
If you are having trouble managing your personal or professional affairs, consider talking to your health care provider. Your primary care physician will assess your situation and possibly refer you to a mental professional if necessary.
Inattentive ADHD is often misunderstood. People with inattentive ADHD are not always attentive when spoken to and tend to forget quickly or are often distracted by thoughts that are not relevant to their. They struggle to focus on tasks, may make mistakes or fail to follow instructions. They also have difficulty keeping their hands from their face or appearing shaky or fidgety.
Inattentive symptoms may lead to failure in school or at work and can result in anger and shame for the affected. They can also cause problems in relationships with family, friends and colleagues.
Health care professionals identify ADHD by conducting a clinical assessment, which involves interviewing the person and analyzing their past behavior. They may ask the patient to complete an inventory of symptoms and run tests on the body to determine whether other conditions exhibit similar symptoms. The symptoms of ADHD must be evident consistently prior to the age of 12 to be able to determine if it is an assessment.
Adults suffering from inattention ADHD might benefit from psychotherapy and lifestyle changes to manage their symptoms. These treatments include medication, behavioral therapy and family psychoeducation. Psychotherapy is a kind of counseling which helps patients develop new skills, attitudes and ways of communicating with others. The practice of behavioral therapy can teach methods that will reduce impulsive and self-destructive behaviors improve organizational skills and boost confidence.
People with inattentive ADHD might find it beneficial to discuss their struggles with a trusted friend, family member or therapist. They may also seek accommodations from their teachers, supervisors and co-workers. Accommodations are the tools or modifications in the work environment that allow the disabled person to carry out tasks just like the rest of us, for example, using a step stool to help people who are small.
Hyperactive symptoms
Adults can exhibit different symptoms in comparison to children. While children can fidget, seem agitated and talkative the symptoms of adults tend to be more subtle. They may forget tasks, lose track or get lost and make a few mistakes. They might also feel excessively active and struggle to sit still during a meal or class. They might interrupt other students or respond to questions prior to being asked an inquiry.
There are several illnesses that can cause these symptoms. To determine the cause of symptoms and the most effective treatment, a full psycho-psychiatric evaluation is required. These include psychotherapy, medications and lifestyle adjustments. This can include the use of a healthier diet plan as well as more exercise, and better sleeping schedules. This can be done by making adjustments to work or school assignments and using aidive tools such as calendars, planners, and smartphone apps.
It is recommended to first discuss your concerns with your family physician or primary healthcare provider if you suspect that you may have ADHD. There are some tips for speaking with your health care provider regarding mental health issues in the NIMH's How to Talk to Your Health Care Provider fact sheet.
To be considered to have ADHD the symptoms must be present in at least two different settings and have a significant impact on everyday life. They must be 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 available to aid in managing your ADHD symptoms, as well as adjustments to your lifestyle and accommodations. These medications are referred to as stimulants. They work by streamlining the signals in your brain that affect your attention, mood and behavior. Your doctor will prescribe the appropriate dose and will monitor your response. You may be prescribed non-stimulant medication in the event of side effects or if a stimulant fails to work. They are also used in combination with stimulants to boost effectiveness.
Instinctive Symptoms
People who are inattentive ADHD are more likely to lose their keys or mobile phones. Whether it's doodling in class or losing track of time during a meeting, people with inattention ADHD are more difficult to stay on task, organize their materials and complete their projects. As adults, this may lead to a multitude of tasks that are not completed at the house: houses that are not cleaned and bills not paid and the vegetable garden that was started but never tended to.
Relationships are one of the most common areas where the impulsive ADHD symptoms can create issues. People with an impulsive ADHD tend to be fast-paced and crave instant satisfaction. They may be prone to rushing into social situations with little planning or taking risks which could have negative consequences. In addition, impulsive people might overreact in emotional or stressful situations. For example, a person could become extremely annoyed or defensive when arguing with friends or family.
adhd in adults untreated who specializes in mental disorders will examine the medical history of a patient and conduct an examination to determine ADHD. The doctor will ask you about your symptoms and how they affect your relationships at work, in your family, and at home. In order to be diagnosed with either type of ADHD the patient must exhibit at least six of the nine major symptoms and the symptoms must be interfering with daily functioning for at least six months (American Association for Psychiatric Research 2000).
Psychostimulants are the most effective treatment for ADHD. They target the way that certain chemicals communicate with one another in the brain to regulate behavior. The most well-known stimulant is methylphenidate. It was initially used to treat ADHD in children. It is important to speak with your physician about your medication if you have other health conditions such as depression or high blood pressure. Psychotherapy can help decrease distraction and impulsive symptoms in addition to medications. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is focused on teaching people to recognize automatic or irrational thinking that triggers negative behaviors and devise strategies for self-regulation.
Combination of Symptoms
Adults who had ADHD as children might experience symptoms that come back in adulthood. They may have mild, moderate or severe symptoms that hinder school, work, and social interactions. Other mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression, might also require treatment. A few adults may also have difficulties with learning, making it difficult to understand or follow instructions in classrooms and offices.
The symptoms of the inattentive form of ADHD aren't as evident in adults, but they can still influence how people perform at home and at work. It's hard for people who suffer from this type of ADHD to sit quietly for college lectures or business meetings, and they may have trouble keeping up with assignments and work tasks. They may forget deadlines and appointments, and may lose their possessions. They may also have difficulty following conversations or listening to music. They are more susceptible to distraction by people or activities 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 4th 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 lead to impairment in 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 have begun before the age of 12 and continue at school, at home as well as in other work and social environments.
There's no reason for ADHD, but researchers are studying genetic and environmental factors that may be a factor. Research suggests that the brains of individuals who suffer from ADHD have trouble regulating certain chemicals, including neurotransmitters that manage mood, attention and behavior.
If you're experiencing symptoms of ADHD, talk to your primary care doctor. Your doctor will conduct a physical exam and recommend you to an expert in mental health care to conduct an assessment. Treatment for ADHD usually involves psychotherapy as well as medications including stimulants, which increase the levels of certain chemicals in the brain. These include amphetamines and methylphenidate. Inform your doctor of all other medications you are taking, including vitamins or supplements. The FDA's medication website contains information about approved medications as well as warnings and information guidelines.