Recognizing ADD Symptoms in Adults
You forget appointments or tasks? Maybe you barge into rooms without knocking or interrupt others when they are speaking. If these actions cause conflict in your life, they could be symptoms of ADHD.
Adults with ADHD typically suffer from psychiatric conditions such as anxiety and mood disorders. Signs of ADHD can be identified through routine questions during the interview.
Symptoms
A person suffering from ADD may have difficulty organizing activities and paying attention to the particulars or keeping commitments. adhd adult symptoms make impulsive errors at school or at work, is unable to remember important details like appointments and bills and is unable to stay focused on conversation and leisure activities. Furthermore, a person who suffers from this type of ADD is unable to keep their emotions in check, and can be easily distracted by others.
For a person to be diagnosed with ADD they must have had inattention symptoms for at least six months prior. Several of the symptoms must be present on two separate occasions, and the patient's problems must interfere with social, school or work functioning. A diagnosis of ADD requires feedback from teachers and parents, as well as medical observation and a thorough history. Some patients have a combination of symptoms in both the inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive categories. The symptoms of ADD combined aren't as apparent and may be difficult to identify by family physicians. However, it is a condition that is diagnosed and treated by primary care providers.
Diagnosis
Although ADD is one of the most common childhood mental health conditions however, it is not always recognized until later in life. Family physicians are a great resource for diagnosing ADD for adults, especially those who have not been diagnosed or dismissed.
The diagnosis is based on a clinical assessment, which can include self-ratings and interviews, as well as observation of patients in various situations (e.g. at home, work, or socially), as well as an extensive medical history that includes both past and current difficulties and feedback from the employer or school. It is essential to rule out other causes of the symptoms a person experiences, like sleep disorders and learning disabilities as well as mood disorders.
The earliest definition of ADD included only inattentive problems, but recent studies have shown that people with ADD are equally likely to present with hyperactive-impulsive or combined presentations, and they can have both types of symptoms at different times. Inattentive ADD is diagnosed when the doctor is satisfied that there are six or more indicators of inattention within two of the following seven subcategories: difficulty in paying attention or staying focused, disorganization, failing to follow instructions or rules, forgetfulness and easily distracted. Hyperactive-impulsive ADD is diagnosed when the clinician is satisfied there are six or more symptoms in four of the following six categories: fidgeting, excessive talking or interrupting others, being restless, unable to wait for their turn or impulsively leaving their seat.
To be recognized as having ADD, symptoms must be present in at least two different areas of a person's life for a minimum of six months. At least half of people with ADD have comorbid psychological and mental disorders. These include mood disorders (depressions and bipolar affective disorders and dysthymia) and personality disorders, addictions and anxiety disorders.
Symptoms of ADD are reversible. However, the best treatment is to implement strategies that help people organize their lives and make behavioral changes. Setting goals, making daily routines and using lists and reminding people are all helpful. It is essential to teach people how to control their impulsive behavior and what triggers them. Techniques like waiting before acting or evaluating a scenario and working out alternatives are useful. The use of medication is sometimes required, but a trial of one medication should be administered prior to adding another to ensure that it's effective.
Treatment
Adults with inattention ADD can have difficulty at work, at school, or in their relationships. They tend to miss important details, make impulsive mistakes and become easily distracted. They are more likely to be suffering from depression, anxiety or addiction issues. Fortunately, there are many treatment options available to people with ADD/ADHD to help them lead more productive lives.
ADD/ADHD is one of the most prevalent mental health disorders, yet it is often overlooked in family practices. This is likely due to the fact that doctors in the family are not familiar with the symptoms of ADD/ADHD in adults or because a large number of people with ADD/ADHD also suffer from other disorders, such as anxiety or mood disorders.
A diagnosis of inattention ADD is determined by an evaluation that includes feedback from teachers or other professionals, clinical observation, and a thorough history. The symptoms must be persistently problematic and cause significant impairment in a variety of situations. To diagnose inattention ADD children who are under 17 years old must show at least six symptoms in the category of inattentive behavior. Adults should have at least five of the 11 inattentional behaviors.
Management
It is very important that family physicians recognize ADD in adults because the problems can be quite grave. Inattentional ADD is more commonly acknowledged in the adult population than the hyperactive impulsive form of ADHD however, it is not widely understood by family doctors and many patients are left undiagnosed. The inattentive kind of ADD is mistakenly identified as mood disorders (depression or bipolar affective disorder) or anxiety, or substance use disorders. Treatment is focused on education and support, helping patients develop more structure in their lives, enhancing self-esteem and social interactions, encouraging a healthy diet and lifestyle and, if necessary, medication. The use of medication can help up to 60 percent of ADD patients. It should not be used in children as it is not safe for them.