ADHD Symptoms and Treatment in Adults
Many adults report that they are struggling to keep up with the demands of daily life often expressing frustration and mood swings. If you suspect that you be suffering from ADHD, consult your primary care physician or an expert in mental health for an evaluation.
The criteria for determining adult ADHD is the same as that for children: symptoms must be present for a period of 6 months and not be more easily explained by medical disorders or conditions.
Inattentive symptoms
Adults with ADHD often find it difficult to keep up with school, at work, or with household chores. They don't attend appointments, fail to pay their bills on time and have difficulty maintaining relationships with their family and friends. They are more likely to lose things or make mistakes that could have grave consequences.
If you are having trouble keeping track of your personal or work-related affairs, consider talking to a health care provider. Your primary care physician will assess your situation and recommend you to a mental health specialist if appropriate.
Inattentive ADHD is often misunderstood. People with inattentive ADHD are not always attentive when spoken to. adhd treatment for adult women forget easily or get distracted by irrelevant thoughts. They struggle to focus on their tasks, and may make a mistake or struggle to follow instructions. They also have trouble keeping their hands off their faces or appear unsteady or fidgety.
Inattention to the symptoms could result in a failure at the workplace or at school, which can cause frustration and shame for the affected. They can also cause problems in relationships with friends, family and co-workers.
Health care providers identify ADHD through a medical assessment, which includes conducting an interview with the patient and reviewing the behavior of the past. They may ask the patient to complete an inventory of symptoms and run medical tests in order to determine if there are other conditions that exhibit similar symptoms. Symptoms of ADHD must be present consistently before age 12 for the diagnosis to be established.
Adults who suffer from inattentive ADHD typically benefit from psychotherapy, lifestyle modifications and other treatments to manage their symptoms. These treatments include medications, behavioral therapy and family psychoeducation. Psychotherapy is a type of counseling which helps patients to develop new attitudes, skills, and ways to interact with other people. Psychotherapy can help to reduce impulsive, self-destructive behavior, increase organizational skills, and increase confidence.
It may be helpful for people suffering from inattention ADHD to discuss their struggles with a friend, family member, or a therapist. Teachers or supervisors, as well as colleagues may be able to offer accommodations. Accommodations are tools and changes to the environment that enable a person with disabilities to carry out tasks like all other people. For example the person who is short can use a step stool.
Hyperactive Symptoms
Adults can exhibit different symptoms as children. Adult symptoms are more subtle. While children might be agitated and tense adults are less talkative. They might forget about tasks and lose track of time or place and make mistakes that aren't their fault. They might also be overly active and find it difficult to sit still during a meal or class. They may interrupt others or mutter answers before they've been asked questions, and may struggle to keep their place in conversations or games.
There are a variety of illnesses that can cause these symptoms. A comprehensive psychiatric assessment is necessary to determine the cause of the symptoms as well as determine the most effective treatments. This includes psychotherapy, medication and lifestyle adjustments. These can include eating a healthy diet, exercising and sleep schedules. This could include making adjustments to work or school assignments and making use of assistive tools like calendars, planners, and smartphone apps.
It is recommended to first discuss your concerns with your family physician or your primary healthcare provider if you suspect that you might have ADHD. 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 considered to have ADHD the symptoms must be present in at least two settings and have an impact on everyday life. To be considered a candidate 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 manage the symptoms of ADHD. These drugs are known as stimulants. They function by reorganizing brain's signals that affect your mood, attention and behavior. Your doctor will prescribe the right dosage of the medication for you and monitor your response to treatment. You may be prescribed non-stimulant medications if you experience side effects or if a stimulant fails to work. They can also be used in combination with stimulants for increased effectiveness.
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, arranging their materials and completing projects. As adults, the result may be a million unfinished projects around the house, such as unpaid bills, messy homes and the garden that was planted but never watered.
The symptoms of impulsive ADHD can cause issues in a variety of areas of our lives, but specifically with relationships. People who suffer from impulsive ADHD tend to be anxious and seek instant gratification. They may jump into social situations with no preparation or risk-taking which could result in negative consequences. Additionally, people who are impulsive may react too strongly in emotional or stressful situations. A person may become very annoyed or defensive when arguing with family or friends.
To determine if you have one of the two kinds of ADHD, a health care professional specializing in mental disorders must examine a person's medical history and conduct an examination. The doctor will also inquire about how the symptoms affect your work, home and personal relationships. In order to be diagnosed with one of the types of ADHD, a person must have six or more of the nine 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 which target the way that certain chemicals communicate in the brain to regulate behavior. The most common type of stimulant is the methylphenidate that was initially used to treat ADHD in children. The medication may not be suitable for certain people suffering from other health conditions like depression or high blood pressure Therefore, it is important to discuss your medication with your doctor. In addition to medication psychotherapy can aid in reducing the symptoms of distraction and impulsivity. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on helping people recognize the automatic or irrational thoughts that can 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 could experience mild or moderate symptoms that cause problems in their school, work and social interactions. They could also be suffering from other mental health issues like depression or anxiety that require treatment. Some adults also have learning issues, which could make it difficult for them to understand or follow instructions in offices and classrooms.
Symptoms of the inattentive type of ADHD aren't as obvious in adults however, they can influence how people perform at home and work. It can be difficult for people with this kind of ADHD to sit quietly for college lectures or business meetings, and they could be unable to keep up with assignments and work tasks. They might forget deadlines or appointments, and may lose the track of their belongings. They also have difficulty keeping track of 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 Fourth Edition (DSM-IV TR) has a criteria for diagnosing the disorder that includes symptoms that start before age 12and can manifest in a variety of settings and result in impairment in multiple domains like school and 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 years old and continue at home, in school and in social and work situations.
There is no cause for ADHD however, researchers are studying environmental and genetic factors that could be a factor. Research suggests that the brains of those with ADHD have difficulty regulating certain chemicals, including neurotransmitters that manage mood, attention and behavior.
If you are experiencing signs of ADHD discuss it with your primary care doctor. Your doctor can do an exam of your body and refer you to an expert in mental health care to conduct an evaluation. Psychotherapy and medications are usually utilized to treat ADHD, including stimulants that increase the levels of certain brain chemicals. These include amphetamines and methylphenidate. Inform your doctor of all other medications you are taking such as vitamins or supplements. The FDA's website for medications contains information on approved medicines as well as patient information and warnings guidelines.