Recognizing adult signs of adhd in Adults
You don't remember appointments or tasks? You may interrupt others when they're talking or sneak into rooms without knocking. These behaviors could be ADHD symptoms if they cause you to encounter conflict in your daily life.
Adults frequently suffer from comorbid psychiatric disorders such as mood and anxiety disorders with their ADHD. The routine questions that are asked during the clinical interview may reveal the signs of ADHD.
Signs and symptoms
A person suffering from ADD may have difficulty organizing activities paying attention to specifics or committing to commitments. They make impulsive errors at school or at work, is unable to remember important details like appointments and bills and is unable to stay focussed on conversations and leisure activities. Someone with this kind of personality has difficulty controlling their emotions and can easily be distracted by the activities of others.
In order to be diagnosed with ADD those over 7 must have been afflicted by inattention-related symptoms for at minimum six months. The symptoms should manifest at least twice and affect the patient's school, social or work-related performance. Teachers and parents should provide feedback, along with an examination of the patient's clinical condition and a thorough assessment. 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 recognize by family physicians. However it is a condition that can be diagnosed and treated by primary care doctors.
Diagnosis
Although ADD is among the most prevalent mental health conditions, it's not always recognized when you reach adulthood. Family physicians can play a key role in identifying ADD and refer adults to treatment, especially those who have been relegated to mental health care or do not have a diagnosis at all.
Diagnosis is based on the clinical assessment of a patient, often supported by self-rating scales and interviews and observation of the patient in different situations (eg at home, at work, socially) and a thorough medical background, including the past and current issues, and obtaining feedback from a school or the employer. It is important to rule out any other possible causes for the symptoms of a person, such as sleep problems as well as learning disabilities, alcohol and drug use or mood disorders because they may have similar symptoms to ADD.
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. Inattentional ADD is diagnosed when a doctor observes six or more symptoms of inattention in two of seven subcategories. These include: difficulty paying attention or staying focused, disorganization, forgetfulness, failure to adhere to rules or instructions, and difficulties in staying organized. 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 classified as having ADD symptoms must be present in at least two different areas of a persons life for at least six months. About half of those with ADD have a history of comorbid psychological or psychiatric disorders. These include mood disorders (depressions, bipolar affective disorders and dysthymia), addictions, personality disorders and anxiety disorders.
The symptoms of ADD can be reversed, however the best way to manage it is by applying strategies to help people create structure in their life and alter their behavior. Setting goals, establishing routines for the day and using lists as well as reminding people of their goals are all beneficial. It is crucial to teach people to manage their impulsive behavior and to understand what causes them. Techniques like waiting before acting or evaluating a scenario and coming up with alternatives are beneficial. Sometimes, medication is required however it is important to test a medication prior to adding another.
Treatment
Adults with inattentive ADD often struggle at work, school or in their personal relationships. They tend to miss important details, make careless mistakes and become easily distracted. They are also more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety or substance abuse. There are a variety of 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 conditions, yet it is often ignored in family practices. This could be due to the fact that family physicians aren't familiar with the symptom presentation in adults or because people who suffer from ADD/ADHD are often suffering from comorbid problems, such as mood disorders (depression bipolar affective disorder, dysthymia) and anxiety, or addiction disorders.
A diagnosis of inattention ADD is based on an evaluation that includes feedback from teachers or other professionals, clinical observation and a detailed history. The symptoms must be a problem in multiple settings on an ongoing basis, and cause significant impairment. Children younger than 17 years old need to show at least six symptoms that fall into the inattentive category, and adults must have at least 5 of the 11 symptoms to qualify as a diagnosis of inattentive ADD.
Management
Family physicians must recognize ADD in patients who are adults because the problem can be serious. Inattentional ADD is more frequently recognized in the adult population than the hyperactive impulsive form of ADHD but it is still not widely understood by family physicians and many patients go undiagnosed. Frequently, the inattentive type of ADD is misdiagnosed as mood disorders (depression or bipolar affective disorder), anxiety, or addiction disorders. Treatment is focused on education and support and helps patients create more structure in their lives, and improving self-esteem and social interaction skills and promoting an active lifestyle and healthy diet and taking medication when needed. Up to 60% of ADD sufferers can benefit from medication. It should not be used in children because it is not safe for them.
