ADHD Symptoms and Treatment in Adults
Many adults have difficulty keeping up with their daily tasks. They are often frustrated and mood swings. If you think you may have ADHD, consult your primary care doctor 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 for at least 6 months and are not be more easily explained by medical disorders or conditions.
Inattentional symptoms
Many people with ADHD find it difficult to keep up with homework, work or household chores. adhd treatment for adults online have trouble keeping appointments and fail to pay their bills on time, and have difficulty maintaining relationships with friends and family. They are more likely to lose things or make a mistake which can result in serious consequences.
If you are having trouble keeping track of your personal or work-related affairs, consider speaking with your health care provider. Your primary care provider can assess your situation and recommend you to a mental health specialist when appropriate.
Inattentive ADHD is often misunderstood. People with inattentive ADHD are not always attentive when they are spoken to, forget easily or are often distracted by irrelevant thoughts. They may have trouble staying focused, make careless mistakes or struggle to follow instructions. They may also struggle with keeping their hands away from their faces or appear shaky.
Inattention to the symptoms can lead to failure at work or school and can cause anger and shame for the person affected. They can also cause issues in relationships with friends, family and co-workers.
The diagnosis of ADHD is based on the evaluation of the clinical. This involves an interview with the patient as well as an assessment of the past behavior. They may require the patient to fill out a questionnaire about their symptoms and may perform tests to exclude mental or physical health conditions that share similar symptoms. The symptoms of ADHD must be evident consistently prior to the age of 12 for an assessment.
Adults suffering from inattention ADHD typically 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 form of counseling that assists patients develop new attitudes, skills and ways of engaging with other people. The practice of behavioral therapy can teach methods that can decrease self-destructive and impulsive behaviors improve organizational skills and increase confidence.
It could be helpful for those with inattention ADHD to talk about their issues with a friend or family member, or a therapist. They may also be able to request accommodations from teachers or supervisors, as well as coworkers. Accommodations are the tools and modifications to the environment that allow the disabled person to perform tasks as everyone else. For example an individual who is short may use stepstools.
Hyperactive Signs and symptoms
The signs of ADHD can be different in adults compared to children. Adult symptoms are less obvious. While children can fidget and appear restless, adults tend to be less active. They may forget about their tasks, lose the track of time or location and make a few erroneous mistakes. They might also feel excessively active and struggle to sit still in a class or meal. They might interrupt others or mutter answers before they've had the chance to ask a question, and struggle to keep their place in conversations or games.
There are several conditions that can cause these symptoms. A thorough psychiatric examination is needed to determine the root of the symptoms and identify the most effective treatment options. These include psychotherapy, medication and lifestyle adjustments. They can be an improved diet, exercise and sleeping schedules. They may also require making adjustments to school or work assignments and using assistive devices like calendars, planners and smartphone apps.
It is important to discuss your concerns with your family doctor or your primary healthcare provider if you suspect you might be suffering from ADHD. The How to Talk to Your Provider factsheet from NIMH provides suggestions on how to speak with your physician about mental health issues.
It's important to know that in order to be considered diagnosed with ADHD, symptoms must occur in two or more settings and significantly interfere with everyday life. They must have been present for at least six months to be eligible. Your provider will evaluate you to see if you have the inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive symptoms of ADHD.
Alongside lifestyle changes and accommodations, there are medications that can help manage your symptoms of ADHD. These medications are referred to as stimulants. They work by enhancing signals within your brain, which affect your attention, mood and behavior. Your doctor will prescribe you the right dosage and will be able to observe your response. You could be prescribed a non-stimulant medication when you have bothersome side effects, if a stimulant isn't helping or in combination with stimulants to enhance the effectiveness of treatment.
Impulsive 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 the time during a meeting, people with inattentive ADHD have a harder time to stay on task and organize their materials to complete their projects. As adults, this may cause a variety of half-finished tasks around the house: unpaid bills and unkempt homes and a vegetable garden that has been started but not watered.
Relationships are among the most prevalent areas where impulsive ADHD symptoms can cause issues. People who suffer from ADHD who are impulsive ADHD are often anxious and seek instant satisfaction. They can be impulsive and jump into social situations without planning or risk taking which could have negative effects. Additionally, people who are impulsive might overreact in stressful or emotional situations. One can become annoyed or defensive when arguing with family members or friends.
To determine if you have one of the two kinds of ADHD, a health care professional specializing in mental disorders must examine the medical history of a patient and conduct a physical exam. The doctor will also inquire about how symptoms affect your work, home and personal relationships. To be diagnosed with one or the other form of ADHD, a person must exhibit at least six of nine major symptoms. The symptoms must hinder daily functioning and last for at minimum six months (American Psychological Association 2000).
The most effective treatment for ADHD is psychostimulants, which are medications that target how certain chemicals interact in the brain to regulate behavior. The most commonly used type of stimulant is methylphenidate, which was first used to treat ADHD in children. It is important to speak with your doctor about your medication if you suffer from other health issues such as depression or high blood pressure. In addition to medicines psychotherapy can help reduce the symptoms of impulsivity and distraction. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a method of teaching people to recognize Irrational or automatic thinking that may trigger negative behavior and develop strategies for self-regulation.
Combined Symptoms
Adults who were diagnosed with ADHD as children can be affected in later life. They may have mild, moderate, or severe symptoms that affect school, work and social interactions. Other mental health issues, like depression or anxiety, may also require treatment. Some adults also have learning issues, which could make it difficult for them to comprehend or follow directions in offices and classrooms.
Adults may not be able detect the signs of inattention ADHD, but it can be affecting their ability to perform 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 may be unable to keep up with assignments and work assignments. They may forget deadlines and appointments, and lose track of their belongings. They might also have trouble keeping track of conversations or listening to music. They are more prone to being distracted 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 Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV TR) Fourth edition of the American Psychiatric Association, includes an assessment criteria to identify 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. Symptoms must have started before the person was 12 years old and continue at home, at school, as well as in other work and social situations.
There's no known cause of ADHD, but researchers are studying environmental and genetic factors that could be a factor. Research suggests that the brains of individuals with ADHD have difficulty regulating certain chemicals, such as neurotransmitters which help control attention, mood and behavior.
If you're experiencing symptoms of ADHD, talk to your primary care doctor. Your doctor will conduct an examination and refer you to an evaluation by an expert in mental health. Treatment for ADHD usually involves psychotherapy as well as medications, such as stimulants that increase the levels of certain chemicals in the brain. These include amphetamines and methylphenidate. It is important to inform your health professional about any other medicines you take, such as supplements and vitamins. The FDA's medication website has information on approved medications, warnings and patient information guidelines.