ADHD Symptoms and Treatment in Adults
Many adults struggle to keep up with their everyday tasks. They are often frustrated and mood swings. If you suspect that you have ADHD, consult your primary care provider or a mental health professional for an evaluation.
Adult ADHD is diagnosed with the same criteria as it is for children. The symptoms should last at least six months and cannot be caused by any other medical condition, mood disorders or other medical conditions.
Inattentive Signs and symptoms
Adults suffering from ADHD often find it difficult to keep up in school, at work, or with household chores. They frequently 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 items or make a mistake that could have grave consequences.
Talk to your health care provider if are having trouble keeping track of personal or work matters. Your primary care provider will evaluate your situation and possibly refer you to a mental specialist when needed.
Inattentive ADHD is often misunderstood. non medication treatment for adhd adults who suffer from inattentive ADHD are not always attentive when spoken to. They forget easily or are distracted by irrelevant thoughts. They might have difficulty staying on task, make mistakes or struggle to follow instructions. They also have trouble keeping their hands from their face or may seem shaky or fidgety.
Inattention to the symptoms could cause a drop in performance at school or at work and can result in anger and shame for the affected. They can also cause problems in relationships with friends, family members and co-workers.
Health care professionals determine ADHD by conducting a clinical assessment, which involves interviewing the individual and reviewing the behavior of the past. They will often request that the person answer a symptom questionnaire, and may also conduct medical tests 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 inattention ADHD might benefit from psychotherapy and lifestyle modifications to manage their symptoms. These treatments include therapy with medication, behavioral therapy and family psychoeducation. Psychotherapy is a kind of therapy that helps patients learn new skills, attitudes and ways of interacting with others. Behavioral therapy can help reduce self-destructive, impulsive behavior, increase the ability to manage and organize, and boost confidence.
It may be helpful for people suffering from inattention ADHD to talk about their struggles with a family member or family member, or therapist. They might also be able to request accommodations from their teachers or supervisors as well as colleagues. Accommodations are tools and changes to the environment that allow a person with disabilities to carry out tasks like everyone else. For instance, a short person can use a step stool.
Hyperactive symptoms
The signs and symptoms of ADHD might be different in adults as compared to children. While children might fidget, appear restless and talkative the symptoms of adults tend to be more subtle. They may forget their assignments, lose the track of time or location and make a few erroneous mistakes. They might also feel stimulated and have trouble sitting still, even while sitting down to a meal or in class. They may interrupt other students or mutter answers before being asked an answer, or aren't able to wait their turn in games or conversations.
These symptoms could be caused by a variety of conditions. A thorough psychiatric examination is needed to determine the root of the symptoms and identify the most effective treatments. These include psychotherapy, medication and lifestyle changes. This could mean an improved diet, more exercise, and a better sleep schedule. They may also require adjusting work or school assignments and making use of aidive devices such as calendars, planners, and smartphone apps.
If you suspect that you might have ADHD The first step should be to discuss your concerns with your family physician or primary care physician. The How to Talk to Your Provider factsheet from NIMH provides suggestions on how to speak with your provider about mental health issues.
To be diagnosed with ADHD the symptoms must be evident in at least two settings and have an impact on daily life. For them to qualify, they must have been present for at least six months. Your provider will evaluate you to see if you have the inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive symptoms of ADHD.
There are a variety of medications available to assist you in managing your ADHD symptoms, as well as adaptations to your lifestyle and accommodation. These are referred to as stimulants. They function by reorganizing brain signals that affect your mood and attention, as well as your behavior. Your doctor will prescribe the right dosage of the medication to you and monitor your response to treatment. You may be prescribed non-stimulant medication if you experience side effects or if a stimulant doesn't work. They can also be used in combination with stimulants to boost effectiveness.
Impulsive Symptoms
Everybody loses keys or a phone from time to time, but for people with inattention ADHD small distractions can become an issue. People with inattentive ADHD have a difficult managing their tasks, arranging their materials and completing their projects. As adults, the result may be a million incomplete projects around the house, such as unpaid bills, messy homes and the vegetable garden that was planted but never watered.
The impulsive symptoms of ADHD can create problems in many areas of life, but especially in relationships. People who have impulsive ADHD tend to be overwhelmed and want immediate satisfaction. They can be impulsive and jump into social situations with no planning or taking risks which could have negative consequences. In addition, impulsive individuals may react too strongly in emotional or stressful situations. A person may become very frustrated or defensive in a dispute with family or friends.
A health professional with a specialization in mental disorders will review the medical history of a patient, and conduct an examination to determine ADHD. The doctor will ask you about the symptoms and how they affect your relationships, work, and your home. In order to be diagnosed with any type of ADHD the patient must have at least six of the nine major symptoms and the symptoms must interfere with daily functioning for at least 6 months (American Psychiatric Association 2000).
The most effective treatment for ADHD is psychostimulants, which are medications that affect the way certain chemicals interact in the brain to regulate behavior. The most popular type of stimulant is the methylphenidate that was initially used to treat ADHD in children. It is important to speak with your doctor about your medication if suffer from other health issues like depression or high blood pressure. In addition to medicines, psychotherapy may help reduce impulsive and distracting symptoms. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is focused on helping individuals recognize unintentional or irrational thoughts which can trigger negative behavior, and develop strategies of self-regulation.
Combination of symptoms
Adults who were diagnosed with ADHD as children may experience symptoms in adulthood. They may experience mild, moderate or severe symptoms that hinder work, school and social interactions. They may also have other mental health problems, such as depression or anxiety that require treatment. A few adults may also have difficulties with learning, making it difficult to understand or follow instructions in offices and classrooms.
The symptoms of the inattentive form of ADHD aren't as easy to see in adults but they do affect how people function at home and work. It's difficult for those with this type of ADHD to sit quietly for classes or business meetings, and they could struggle to keep track of assignments and work tasks. They may forget deadlines or appointments, and may lose the track of their belongings. They may also have difficulty following conversations or listening to music. They are more likely to get distracted by 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 American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition (DSM-IV TR) has a criterion for diagnosing the disorder that includes symptoms that begin before age 12, occur in multiple settings and cause impairment in a variety of areas, such as at 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 age of 12 years old. They must persist at home, in school, and in other work and social settings.
There's no known cause of ADHD however, researchers are studying environmental and genetic factors that could have a role to play. According to research, people with ADHD might have trouble regulating certain chemicals in their brains that aid in controlling mood, attention and behavior.
If you're experiencing symptoms of ADHD, talk to your primary care provider. Your doctor can conduct an examination of your body and refer you to an evaluation by an expert in mental health. Psychotherapy and medication are typically employed to treat ADHD with stimulants that raise the levels of certain brain chemicals. Amphetamines, methylphenidate and other stimulants are used. Inform your doctor about any other medications you take including supplements or vitamins. The FDA's website for medication contains information about approved medicines along with warnings and information guides.