ADHD Symptoms and Treatment in Adults
Many adults find that they are struggling to keep up with their daily activities often expressing frustration and mood swings. If you suspect you have ADHD take a look at your primary care provider or a mental health professional for an assessment.
The criteria for diagnosing adult ADHD is similar to that for children: symptoms must be present over 6 months and not better explained by other medical disorders or mental health issues.
Inattentive symptoms
Many people with ADHD have difficulty keep up with homework, work or household chores. They don't attend appointments, fail to pay their bills on time and have trouble maintaining relationships with their family and friends. They are more likely than other people to lose possessions, or make a mistake which can result in serious consequences.
Speak with your health care provider if are having trouble keeping the track of your work or personal matters. Your primary care provider can assess your situation and recommend you to a mental health professional should it be necessary.
The signs of inattentive ADHD are often misunderstood. People suffering from inattentive ADHD are not always attentive when they are spoken to. They forget easily or are distracted by irrelevant thoughts. They struggle to focus on tasks, may make a mistake or struggle to follow instructions. They also have difficulty keeping their hands off their face or appear shaky or fidgety.
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 problems in relationships with family, friends and colleagues.
Health care providers identify ADHD by conducting a clinical assessment, which includes conducting an interview with the patient and reviewing past behavior. They might ask the person to complete a symptom checklist and conduct tests on the body to determine whether other conditions exhibit similar symptoms. Symptoms of ADHD must occur consistently since before age 12 for the diagnosis to be established.
Adults who suffer from inattentive ADHD might benefit from psychotherapy and lifestyle changes to help manage their symptoms. These treatments include behavioral therapy, medication, and family psychoeducation. Psychotherapy is a kind of therapy that helps patients develop new attitudes, skills and ways of communicating with others. Behavioral therapy can help reduce impulsive, self-destructive behavior, increase the ability to manage and organize, and boost confidence.
It can be beneficial for people with inattentive ADHD to discuss their struggles with a friend or family member, or a therapist. They might also be able to seek accommodations from teachers, supervisors and co-workers. Accommodations are the tools or modifications in the work environment that allow disabled people to do the same tasks as others, like having a step stool for someone who is short.
Hyperactive symptoms
The signs of ADHD might be different in adults as compared to children. While children may fidget, seem agitated and talkative the symptoms of adults tend to be more subtle. They may forget about their tasks, lose the time or location and make a few erroneous mistakes. They may also feel energised and struggle to sit still, even when eating dinner or in class. They may interrupt others or shout out answers before they've had the chance to ask questions, and may struggle to keep their place in games or conversations.
There are several conditions that can cause these symptoms. A comprehensive psychiatric assessment is necessary to determine the root of the symptoms and identify the most effective treatments. These could include psychotherapy, medications and lifestyle changes. This could mean the use of a healthier diet plan along with more exercise, and an improved sleep schedule. They can also involve adjusting work or school assignments and making use of assistive devices like calendars, planners and smartphone apps.
If you suspect you might have ADHD, your first step should be to discuss your concerns with your family doctor or primary care doctor. There are some tips for talking 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 settings and have a significant impact on daily life. They must be present for at least six months 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 medications that can help you manage your ADHD symptoms, in addition to adjustments to your lifestyle and accommodations. These medications are known as stimulants. They work by enhancing signals in your brain that influence your mood, attention and behavior. Your doctor will determine the best dosage of the medication to you and monitor your response to treatment. You might be prescribed non-stimulant medications if you experience side effects or if a stimulant doesn't work. adhd treatment for young adults can also be utilized in conjunction with stimulants to boost effectiveness.
Instinctive Symptoms
Everyone misplaces keys or a cellphone from time to time however for those who suffer from inattentive ADHD the little distractions can become an issue. Whether it's doodling in class or losing track of the time during a meeting, people with inattentive ADHD have a harder time to follow tasks and organize their materials to complete projects. As adults, the result may be a million incomplete projects around the home: unpaid bills, unkempt houses, and the vegetable garden that was started but never watered.
Relationships are among the most frequent areas in which the impulsive ADHD symptoms can lead to issues. People with impulsive ADHD are often anxious and seek instant satisfaction. They may jump into social situations without preparation or risk-taking which could result in negative consequences. People who are easily triggered can also react to stressful or emotional situations. For instance, someone could become extremely annoyed or defensive when arguing with friends or family.
To determine if you have one of the two kinds of ADHD, a healthcare professional who is trained in mental disorders should review the medical history of a patient and conduct an examination. The doctor will inquire about your symptoms and how they affect your relationships at work, in your family, and at home. To be diagnosed with any type of ADHD the patient must show six or more of nine major symptoms. The symptoms must also interfere with everyday functioning and last at minimum six 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 commonly used stimulant is methylphenidate. It was originally developed to treat ADHD in children. The medication might not be suitable for people with other health conditions for example, high blood pressure or depression, so it's essential to discuss your medications with your doctor. Psychotherapy can reduce impulsive symptoms and distracting behaviors in addition to medication. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on helping individuals recognize unintentional or irrational thoughts which may trigger negative behaviors and develop strategies for self-regulation.
Multiple Symptoms
Adults who were diagnosed with ADHD as children may be affected in later life. They may have mild, moderate or severe symptoms that interfere with school, work, and social interactions. They also may have other mental health problems, such as anxiety or depression, that require treatment. Adults may also experience learning issues, which could make it difficult for them to comprehend or follow instructions in classrooms and offices.
Symptoms of the inattentive type of ADHD aren't as obvious in adults however, they can affect how people function at home and work. It's hard for people who suffer from this type of ADHD to sit quietly for classes or business meetings, and they might have trouble keeping up with assignments and work tasks. They may often lose track of their belongings and forget deadlines or appointments. They also have difficulty keeping track of conversations or listening to music. They tend to be more easily distracted by the 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) Fourth edition of the American Psychiatric Association, includes the criteria for diagnosing the disorder. This includes symptoms that start before age 12 and are present in a variety of settings, causing problems in a variety of 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 be present before the age of 12 and continue to manifest at home, at school and in other work and social situations.
Researchers are examining the effects of environmental and genetic factors that might be involved in the development of ADHD. Studies suggest that the brains of individuals with ADHD are unable to regulate certain chemicals, including neurotransmitters that help manage mood, attention and behavior.
Speak to your primary healthcare provider if there are indications of ADHD. Your doctor can do an exam of your body and recommend you to an expert in mental health to conduct an evaluation. Psychotherapy and medicines are commonly employed to treat ADHD with stimulants that raise the levels of certain brain chemicals. These include amphetamines and methylphenidate. Inform your doctor about any other medications you take such as vitamins or supplements. The FDA's medication site has information on approved medications, warnings, and patient information guides.