ADHD Symptoms and Treatment in Adults
Many adults have difficulty keeping up with their daily tasks. They are often frustrated and mood shifts. If you suspect that you may have ADHD contact your primary health care provider or a mental health professional for an assessment.
Adult ADHD is diagnosed using the same criteria that it is for children. The symptoms must last at least six months and cannot be caused by any other medical condition mood disorders or other medical conditions.
Attention-deficit Symptoms
Many people with ADHD struggle to complete homework, work or household chores. They are late for appointments, don't pay bills on time and have trouble maintaining relationships with their family and friends. They are more likely to lose things or make careless mistakes that can have serious consequences.
Speak to your health care provider if are having trouble keeping track of work or personal matters. Your primary care physician will examine your situation and refer you to a mental health professional if necessary.
The signs of inattentive ADHD are often misunderstood. People with inattentive ADHD do not always listen when they are questioned, forget easily or are often distracted by thoughts that are not relevant to their. They are unable to stay focused on tasks, may make mistakes or fail to follow instructions. They may also struggle with keeping their hands away from their faces or appear shaky.
Inattention to symptoms can result in failure at school or work, which can create frustration and shame for the person affected. They can also cause issues in relationships with friends, family and colleagues.
Health care professionals identify ADHD by conducting a clinical assessment, which includes interviewing the individual and reviewing past behavior. They will often ask the person to fill out a questionnaire about their symptoms and may perform medical tests to determine if there are mental or physical health conditions that may have similar symptoms. The symptoms of ADHD should be present continuously prior to 12 years of age to make a diagnosis.
Adults who suffer from inattentive ADHD may benefit from psychotherapy and lifestyle changes to help manage their symptoms. These treatments include medication such as behavioral therapy, family therapy and psychoeducation. Psychotherapy is a type of therapy that assists patients develop new attitudes, skills, and ways to interact with other people. Behavioral therapy can help reduce impulsive, self-destructive behavior, improve organizational skills, and increase confidence.
It may be helpful for people suffering from inattention ADHD to discuss their struggles with a friend or family member therapist. Teachers, supervisors, and co-workers may be able to offer accommodations. Accommodations are tools or changes in the environment that allow a person with a disability to do the same tasks as others, like using a step stool to help people who are small.
Hyperactive symptoms
Adults can exhibit different symptoms in comparison to children. Adult symptoms are more subtle. While children may be agitated and tense, adults tend to be less and less talkative. They may forget about their tasks and lose track of time or place and make a few erroneous mistakes. They also may feel overly energised and struggle to sit still, even while eating a meal or in class. They might interrupt others or blurt out answers before being asked an answer, or struggle to keep their place during games or conversations.
There are several conditions that can cause these symptoms. To determine the root of the symptoms and determine the most effective treatment, a complete mental health assessment is needed. This could include psychotherapy, medications and lifestyle adjustments. They can be eating a healthy diet, exercising and sleep schedules. They may also require changing school or work assignments, and using aidive devices such as planners, calendars, and smartphones apps.
It is recommended to first discuss your concerns with a family doctor or your primary healthcare provider if you suspect that you may have ADHD. The How to Talk to Your Provider factsheet from NIMH contains suggestions on how to speak with your doctor regarding mental health issues.
It's important to know that to be diagnosed with ADHD symptoms must manifest in two or more settings and have a significant impact on daily life. To be eligible 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 medications to assist you in managing your ADHD symptoms, as well as adjustments to your lifestyle and accommodations. These are known as stimulants. They function by reorganizing brain signals that affect your mood, attention and behavior. Your doctor will prescribe the appropriate dose of the medication for you and track your response to treatment. You may be prescribed non-stimulant drugs when you experience adverse reactions or if a stimulant does not work. They can also be utilized in conjunction with stimulants for increased effectiveness.
Impulsive Symptoms
People with inattention ADHD are more likely to lose their keys or phones. People with inattentive ADHD have a tougher managing their tasks, arranging their materials and completing their projects. As adults, the result can be a million incomplete projects around the house: unpaid bills, unkempt houses and the garden that was started but never watered.
Relationships are one of the most prevalent areas where an impulsive ADHD symptoms can cause difficulties. People who suffer from ADHD who are impulsive ADHD are often anxious and seek instant gratification. They may jump into social situations with no planning or risk taking, which can result in negative consequences. In addition, impulsive individuals may react too strongly in emotionally or stressful situations. Someone could become angry or defensive when fighting with family members or friends.
To get diagnosed with one of the two forms of ADHD, a health care professional specializing in mental disorders should review the medical history of a patient and conduct a physical exam. The doctor will ask you about your symptoms and how they affect your relationships, work, and your home. To be diagnosed with one of the types of ADHD, a person must exhibit 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. These are drugs that target how certain chemicals interact with the brain to regulate behavior. The most common kind of stimulant is the methylphenidate drug, which was originally used to treat ADHD in children. It is essential to speak with your doctor regarding your medication if you have other health conditions like depression or high blood pressure. Psychotherapy can reduce impulsive symptoms and distracting behaviors in addition to medications. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is focused on helping people recognize the automatic or irrational thoughts that triggers negative behaviors and devise strategies for self-regulation.
Combined Symptoms
Adults who experienced ADHD as children may have symptoms that come back in adulthood. They could experience mild or moderate symptoms that interfere with their schoolwork, work and social interactions. They could also be suffering from other mental health problems like depression or anxiety that require treatment. Many adults also suffer from learning difficulties, which can make it difficult for them to understand or follow directions in classrooms and offices.
Symptoms of the inattentive type of ADHD aren't as obvious in adults but they do impact how people function at home and work. It's difficult for those with this kind of ADHD to sit quietly for classes or business meetings, and they may have trouble keeping up with assignments and work-related tasks. They frequently lose the location of their belongings and forget deadlines or appointments. They may also have difficulty following conversations or listening music. They are more prone to being distracted by the people or activities in the vicinity than most 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 a criterion to diagnose the disorder. This includes symptoms that appear before age 12 and are present in a variety of settings, causing problems across multiple 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, in school, and in other work and social situations.
There's no known cause of ADHD, but researchers are studying genetic and environmental factors that could have a role to play. Research suggests that the brains of those with ADHD have trouble regulating certain chemicals, including neurotransmitters which help control attention, mood and behavior.
If you are experiencing signs of ADHD discuss it with your primary care provider. Your doctor will conduct a physical exam and refer you to an expert in mental health care to conduct an assessment. Psychotherapy and medication are typically used to treat ADHD and other disorders, such as stimulants that boost the levels of certain brain chemicals. Amphetamines and methylphenidate as well as other stimulants are utilized. Tell your doctor about all other medications you are taking such as vitamins or supplements. adhd symptoms in adults treatment has information about approved medications along with warnings and information guides.