Recognizing ADD Symptoms in Adults
You don't remember appointments or tasks? You might be a nuisance in rooms without knocking or interrupt others when they speak. These behaviors could be ADHD symptoms when they cause you to be in conflict with your everyday life.
Adults suffering from ADHD frequently suffer from mental health conditions like anxiety and mood disorders. Clues to ADHD can be discovered through routine questions in the interview.
Symptoms
A person suffering from ADD may have difficulty organizing activities, paying attention to particulars or keeping commitments. He or she makes impulsive errors at school or at work, forgets important items such as bills and appointments and is unable to stay focused on conversation and leisure activities. In addition, a person who suffers from this type of ADD has trouble keeping their emotions in check, and may be easily distracted by others.
For a person to be diagnosed with ADD they must have had inattention symptoms at least six months prior to. The symptoms should manifest on two separate occasions and affect the patient's social, educational or work-related performance. Teachers and parents must provide feedback, as well as clinical observation and a thorough history. Some patients have a combination of symptoms in both the inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive categories. The symptoms of the combined type of ADD are not as distinct and may be difficult for family doctors to identify. However, it is a condition that can be diagnosed and treated by primary care physicians.
Diagnosis
ADD is a common mental disorder that affects children however, it's not always recognized as an adult. Family physicians be a crucial factor in identifying ADD and refer adults to treatment, especially those who have been relegated to mental health services or do not have a diagnosis at all.
The diagnosis is based on a thorough clinical evaluation, which could include self-ratings, an interview and observation of patients in various situations (e.g. at work, at home, or socially) as well as a detailed medical history that includes the past and present challenges and feedback from the school or employer. It is important to exclude other causes for the symptoms of a person, such as sleep disorders, learning disabilities or mood disorders.
signs of adhd in adults 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 clinician is satisfied that there are six or more inattentive criteria in two of the following seven subcategories: difficulty in paying attention, trouble staying on task or in a state of disorganization, failure to follow directions or rules, 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 classified as having ADD symptoms must be present in at least two different areas of a persons life for at least six months. In the majority of people with ADD it is accompanied by a comorbid mental or psychiatric disorders, including mood disorders (depression bipolar affective disorder and dysthymia) and anxiety disorders, addictions and personality disorders.
adult signs of adhd of ADD are reversible. However, the best way to treat it is to implement strategies that help people organize their lives and make behavioral changes. Setting goals, creating daily routines and using lists as well as reminding people are all beneficial. It is also important to teach people about their own triggers for impulsive behavior and offer strategies for controlling them, including taking time before acting, evaluating a situation and working out different options for action. Sometimes medication is necessary, but it's important to test a medication prior to adding another.
Treatment
Adults with inattention ADD often find they struggle at work, school or in their personal relationships. They are more likely to overlook important details, make impulsive mistakes and become easily distracted. They are also more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety or substance abuse. Many adults are able to have treatment options to aid them in living more productive lives with ADD/ADHD.
ADD/ADHD, one of the most common mental disorders, is frequently ignored by family doctors. This is likely due to the fact that family physicians aren't familiar with the symptoms of ADD/ADHD in adults or because a lot of people suffering from ADD/ADHD suffer from comorbid disorders, including 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 medical background. The symptoms must be problematic in multiple settings on an ongoing basis and result in significant impairment. In order to diagnose inattentive ADD, children under 17 years of age must display at least six signs that are indicative of inattentional behavior. Adults need at minimum five of the 11 inattentional behaviors.
Management
It is very important that family doctors are aware of ADD in adults, as the symptoms can be serious. Inattentional ADD in adults is more prevalent than hyperactive impulsive ADHD however, family physicians do not understand it well. Many patients are left undiagnosed. The inattentive kind of ADD is misdiagnosed as mood disorders (depression or bipolar affective disorder), anxiety, or substance use disorders. The treatment is based on education and support, helping patients to develop more structure in the lives they lead by enhancing their self-esteem and social skills, encouraging healthy lifestyles and eating habits, and medication, when needed. Up to 60 percent of ADD sufferers can benefit from medication. It is not recommended for children.