ADHD Symptoms and Treatment in Adults
Many adults struggle to keep up with their everyday tasks. They may experience stress and mood shifts. If you suspect that you may have ADHD contact your primary healthcare provider or a mental-health professional for an assessment.
The criteria for determining adult ADHD is similar to that for children ADHD: symptoms must be evident for at least 6 months and are not better explained by medical conditions or mood disorders.
Attention-deficit Signs
Adults suffering from ADHD often find it difficult to keep up in school, at work, or with household chores. They don't attend appointments, fail to pay bills on time, and have difficulty maintaining relationships with their family and friends. They are more likely to lose items or make a mistake which can result in serious consequences.
Speak with your health care provider if have difficulty keeping track of work or personal issues. Your primary care physician can assess your situation and refer you to a mental health specialist when appropriate.
The symptoms of inattentive ADHD are often misunderstood. People who suffer from inattentive ADHD aren't always attentive when spoken to. They forget easily or get distracted by unrelated thoughts. They are unable to stay focused on tasks, may make a mistake or struggle to follow directions. They may also have trouble keeping their hands from their faces, or appear to be shaken.
Inattention to symptoms can result in failure at work or school, which can create anger and shame for the person suffering. They can also cause issues with relationships with family, friends and co-workers.
Health professionals identify ADHD through a medical assessment, which includes interviewing the person and analyzing their past behavior. They often ask the person to complete a symptom questionnaire and may conduct medical tests to rule out physical or mental illnesses that have similar symptoms. The symptoms of ADHD must be evident consistently prior to 12 years of age to be able to determine if it is an diagnosis.
adhd treatment for adults medication suffering from inattentive ADHD are often able to benefit from psychotherapy, lifestyle changes and other treatments that help to manage their symptoms. These treatments include medication, behavioral therapy and family psychoeducation. Psychotherapy is a kind of counseling that helps patients develop new attitudes, skills and ways of communicating with other people. Behavioral therapy can teach techniques that reduce self-destructive and impulsive behavior, improve organizational skills and build confidence.
It could be helpful for people suffering from inattention ADHD to talk about their struggles with a friend or family member, or therapist. They may also seek accommodations from teachers or supervisors, as well as coworkers. Accommodations are the tools and modifications to the environment that allow disabled people to perform tasks as the rest of us. For instance the person who is short can use a step stool.
Hyperactive Signs and symptoms
Adults may exhibit different symptoms than children. Adult symptoms are less obvious. While children may fidget and appear restless while adults tend to be less talkative. They might forget about tasks and lose the time or location and make careless mistakes. They may also feel energetic and find it difficult to sit still, even when eating dinner or in class. They may interrupt other students, or give answers before being asked an inquiry.
These symptoms can be caused by a myriad of conditions. A comprehensive psychiatric assessment is needed to determine the root of the symptoms and determine the most effective treatment options. These include psychotherapy, medication and lifestyle modifications. These can include a healthier diet, exercise and sleeping schedules. They may also require making adjustments to school or work assignments, and using aidive devices such as planners, calendars, and smartphones apps.
You should first discuss your concerns with your family physician or your primary healthcare provider if you suspect you may have ADHD. There are some tips to talk to your health care provider regarding mental health issues in the NIMH's How to Talk to Your Health Care Provider fact sheet.
It is important to understand that in order to be diagnosed with ADHD, symptoms must occur in more than one setting and significantly interfere with 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.
Alongside lifestyle modifications and accommodations There are also medications that can help you manage your symptoms of ADHD. These are known as stimulants. They function by enhancing the signals in your brain that influence your mood, attention and behavior. Your doctor will prescribe you the right dosage and will be able to monitor your response. You could be prescribed a non-stimulant medication when you experience unpleasant side effects, if stimulants aren't working or in combination with stimulants to boost the effectiveness of treatment.
The symptoms of an impulse
People who are inattentive ADHD are more likely to lose their keys or cellphones. People with inattentive ADHD have a difficult managing their tasks, arranging their material and completing their projects. As adults, this can lead to a multitude of tasks that are not completed at the house, including unpaid bills, unkempt homes and a vegetable garden that was planted but not watered.
The impulse-driven symptoms of ADHD can create problems in many areas of our lives, but specifically in relationships. People with impulsive ADHD tend to be anxious and seek immediate gratification. They might jump into social situations without planning ahead, or take risks that can result in negative consequences. Additionally, people who are impulsive might react in a stressful or emotional situations. For adhd symptoms adults treatment , a person may become extremely angry or defensive during arguments with family or friends.
To determine if you have one of the two kinds of ADHD the healthcare professional who is trained in mental disorders should review a person's medical history and conduct an exam. The doctor will ask you about the symptoms and how they affect your relationships, work, and home. To be diagnosed with adhd symptoms adults treatment of ADHD, a person must exhibit six or more of the nine main symptoms. The symptoms must hinder daily functioning and last for at least 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 behaviour. The most well-known stimulant is methylphenidate. It was initially used to treat ADHD in children. It's important to talk with your physician about your medication if you are suffering from other health issues like depression or high blood pressure. In addition to medicines, psychotherapy may help reduce the symptoms of distraction and impulsivity. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is focused on teaching individuals to identify unintentional or irrational thoughts which can trigger negative behavior and to develop strategies for self-regulation.
Combined Symptoms
Adults who were diagnosed with ADHD as children can be affected in later life. They may experience mild, moderate, or severe symptoms that affect school, work and social interactions. Other mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression, could also require treatment. Many adults also suffer from problems with learning, which may make it difficult for them to understand or follow directions in offices and classrooms.
Adults might not be able to detect the signs of inattention ADHD, but it can be affecting their ability to function at home and work. This kind of ADHD can make it difficult for people to sit still in business meetings or classes at college. They may also have trouble keeping up with their assignments and work. They often lose track of their belongings and forget appointments or deadlines. They may also have trouble following conversations or listening music. They are more susceptible to distraction by people or activities around 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) 4th edition of the American Psychiatric Association, includes the criteria for diagnosing the disorder. This includes symptoms that start before age 12 and occur in multiple settings and cause issues in 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, at school and in other work and social environments.
There's no known cause of ADHD, but researchers are studying environmental and genetic factors that may be a factor. According to studies, those with ADHD may have difficulty regulating certain brain chemicals and brains, such as neurotransmitters that can regulate the way they behave, their mood and attention.
If you are experiencing signs of ADHD discuss it with your primary care doctor. Your doctor will conduct an examination and refer you for an assessment by a mental health professional. Treatment for ADHD typically involves psychotherapy and medications, such as stimulants that increase the levels of certain chemicals in the brain. These include amphetamines and methylphenidate. Tell your doctor about all other medications you are taking including supplements or vitamins. The FDA's website for medications contains information on approved medications along with warnings and patient guides.