ADHD Symptoms and Treatment in Adults
Many adults have difficulty keeping up with their everyday tasks. They are often frustrated and mood shifts. If you think you might have ADHD consult your primary health care provider or a mental-health professional for an assessment.
The criteria used to diagnose 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 find it difficult to complete homework, work or household chores. They miss appointments, don't pay their bills on time and have trouble maintaining relationships with family and friends. They are more likely than others to lose things, or make careless errors that can have serious consequences.
Talk to your health care provider if are having trouble keeping track of personal or work issues. Your primary care physician can assess your situation and recommend you to a mental health specialist when appropriate.
The symptoms of inattentive ADHD are often misunderstood. People with inattentive ADHD don't always listen when they are spoken to and are easily distracted or often distracted by irrelevant thoughts. They may have trouble staying focused, make careless mistakes, or struggle to follow instructions. They may also have trouble keeping their hands from their faces or appear shaky.
Inattention to the symptoms can lead to failure at work or school and can cause frustration and shame for the person suffering. They can also cause issues in relationships with family, friends and co-workers.
The diagnosis of ADHD is based on the clinical assessment. This involves an interview with the patient and a review of past behavior. They may ask the person to fill out a questionnaire about their symptoms and may also conduct medical tests to exclude mental or physical health conditions that share similar symptoms. The symptoms of ADHD must be evident consistently prior to 12 years old for an assessment.
Adults suffering from inattention ADHD might benefit from psychotherapy and lifestyle modifications to help manage their symptoms. These treatments include medication such as behavioral therapy, family therapy and psychoeducation. Psychotherapy is a type of counseling that assists patients learn new attitudes, skills and ways of communicating with other people. The use of behavioral therapy can help decrease self-destructive, impulsive behavior, improve organizational skills, and increase confidence.
People who have inattention ADHD might find it beneficial to discuss their struggles with a trusted family member or therapist. They might also seek accommodations from their teachers, supervisors and co-workers. Accommodations are tools and changes to the working environment that permit the disabled person to complete tasks just like the rest of us. For instance an individual who is short may use the step stool.
Hyperactive Symptoms
Adults may exhibit different symptoms than children. alternative adhd treatment for adults are more subtle. While children might fidget and appear restless while adults tend to be less talkative. They may forget tasks, lose track or take a wrong turn and make mistakes. They also may feel overly energetic and find it difficult to sit still, even when sitting down to a meal or in class. They may interrupt other students or mutter answers before they've had the chance to ask an answer, or have trouble waiting their turn during games or conversations.
These symptoms can be caused by a variety of conditions. To determine the cause of the symptoms and determine the most efficient treatment, a thorough psychiatric assessment is required. These include psychotherapy, medications and lifestyle adjustments. This could include the use of a healthier diet plan as well as more exercise and a better sleep schedule. This can be done by adjusting school or work assignments, and utilizing aidive tools like calendars, planners, and smartphone apps.
If you suspect you may have ADHD the first step should be to discuss your concerns with your family physician or primary care provider. There are some tips to talk to your health care provider regarding mental health issues on NIMH's How to Talk to Your Health Care Provider fact sheet.
To be diagnosed with ADHD symptoms must be evident in at least two environments and have a significant 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.
In addition to lifestyle modifications and accommodations There are also medications that can help you manage the symptoms of ADHD. These medications are referred to as stimulants. They function by enhancing the signals in your brain that influence your mood, attention and behavior. Your doctor will prescribe the right dose of the medication for you and monitor your reaction to treatment. You could be prescribed a non-stimulant drug when you experience unpleasant side effects, if a stimulant isn't helping or is used in conjunction with stimulants to enhance the effectiveness of treatment.
Instinctive Symptoms
People with inattentive ADHD are more likely to lose their keys or cellphones. People with inattentive ADHD have a difficult managing their tasks, organizing their materials and completing their projects. As adults, this can result in a myriad of tasks that are not completed at the home: unpaid bills, unkempt homes and the vegetable garden that was planted but never tended to.
The symptoms of impulsive ADHD can create problems in many areas of our lives, but specifically with relationships. People who have hyperactive ADHD are often impatient and need immediate satisfaction. They may jump into social situations with no planning or risk taking which could have negative consequences. People who are easily triggered can also react to emotional or stressful situations. For instance, someone might become highly annoyed or defensive in arguments with friends or family.
To be diagnosed with one of the two types of ADHD, a health care professional specializing in mental disorders must review the medical history of a patient and conduct a physical exam. The doctor will inquire about your symptoms and how they affect your interactions with others, work, and your home. In order to be diagnosed with either type of ADHD one must show six or more of the nine symptoms and the symptoms must be interfering with daily functioning for at least six months (American Psychological Association, 2000).
Psychostimulants are the most effective treatment for ADHD. These medications 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 among children. It is essential to speak with your physician about your medication if you suffer from other health issues like depression or high blood pressure. In addition to medications, psychotherapy may help reduce the symptoms of impulsivity and distraction. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is focused on helping people recognize the automatic or irrational thoughts that may trigger negative behavior and devise strategies for self-regulation.
Combination symptoms
Adults who were diagnosed with ADHD as children can experience symptoms in adulthood. They can have mild, moderate or even severe symptoms that interfere with school, work, and social interactions. They also may have other mental health problems like depression or anxiety that require treatment. A few adults may also have difficulties with learning, making it difficult to understand or follow directions in classrooms and offices.
Adults may not be able identify the signs of inattention ADHD, but it can still affect their ability to function at work and home. It's difficult for those with this type of ADHD to remain calm during classes or business meetings, and they may have trouble keeping up with assignments and work-related tasks. They may frequently lose the track of their belongings or forget appointments or deadlines. They also have trouble following conversations or listening to music. They are more susceptible to distraction by the 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 that includes symptoms that start at the age of 12 and occur in a variety of settings and result in impairment in multiple domains including 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. The symptoms must have begun before the age of 12 and continue at school, at home, and in other social and work situations.
Researchers are investigating the effects of environmental and genetic factors that might be involved in the development of ADHD. According to studies, those who suffer from ADHD may have difficulty regulating certain brain chemicals that aid in controlling the mood, attention and behavior.
Speak to your primary healthcare provider if there are signs of ADHD. Your doctor can perform a physical examination and refer you to an assessment by a mental health professional. Treatment for ADHD usually involves psychotherapy and medications like stimulants that increase the levels of certain chemicals in the brain. These include amphetamines and methylphenidate. It is important to inform your health care provider about any other medications you take, including vitamins and supplements. The FDA's medication website contains information on approved medications along with warnings and information guidelines.