Recognizing ADD Symptoms in Adults
Do you find yourself unable to remember appointments or tasks at work? You may interrupt people when they're talking or sneak into rooms without knocking. If these actions cause conflict in your life, they could be symptoms of ADHD.
Adults frequently suffer from comorbid psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and mood disorders as well as their ADHD. Signs of ADHD can be discovered through routine questions during the interview with a clinical psychologist.
Symptoms
A person suffering from ADD might have trouble coordinating activities paying attention to specifics or committing to commitments. They make 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. Someone with this kind of personality has difficulty controlling their emotions and is easily distracted by the activities of others.
To be diagnosed with ADD, people over age 7 must have been afflicted by inattentive symptoms for at least six months. The symptoms must manifest on two separate occasions and affect the patient's school, social or work-related performance. A diagnosis of ADD requires feedback from teachers and parents and also clinical observation and a careful 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 evident and can be difficult for family physicians to identify. However, it is a condition that is diagnosed and treated by primary care providers.
Diagnosis
Although ADD is one of the most prevalent mental health disorders but it's not always acknowledged in adulthood. Family physicians play a key role in identifying ADD and refer adults to treatment, specifically those who have been dismissed from mental health care or do not have a diagnosis.
The diagnosis is based on a the clinical assessment of a patient, often supported by self-rating scales, interviews and observation of the patient in various situations (eg at work, at home, socially), complete medical background, including past problems and present difficulties and obtaining feedback from the school or the employer. It is crucial to rule out other causes of the symptoms a person experiences, such as 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 a doctor is satisfied that there are at least six indicators of inattention for two of the seven subcategories: difficulty in paying attention, trouble staying on task, disorganization, failing to follow instructions or rules, and being 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.
In general, to be diagnosed with ADD the symptoms must have been present for at minimum 6 months and have impaired functioning in two different areas of one's life. At what are symptoms of adhd in adults of people with ADD have a history of comorbid psychological or psychiatric disorders. These include mood disorders (depressions bipolar affective disorder and dysthymia) as well as personality disorders, addictions and anxiety disorders.
The symptoms of ADD are reversible, but the best treatment is to implement strategies that help people organize their lives and make behavioural changes. Setting goals, creating daily routines, and using lists and reminding people of their goals are all beneficial. It is also important to teach people about their triggers for impulsive behavior and to provide methods for reducing them, such as waiting before taking action, evaluating the situation and working out different options for action. The use of medication is sometimes required, but a test of one medication should be administered prior to adding another to make sure it's effective.
Treatment
Adults who aren't attentive ADD might have trouble working, at school or in their relationships. They are more likely to overlook important details, make impulsive mistakes and get distracted easily. They are more likely to be suffering from anxiety, depression or addiction to drugs. Many adults are able to are able to find treatment options that assist them in living more productive lives with ADHD or ADD.
ADD/ADHD is among the most prevalent mental health disorders, yet it is often ignored in family practices. This is likely due to the fact that family physicians are not familiar with the symptoms that manifest for adults or because those who suffer from ADD/ADHD are often suffering from co-occurring disorders, like mood disorders (depression bipolar affective disorder, depression, dysthymia) and anxiety, or addiction disorders.
A diagnosis of inattentive ADD is dependent on an assessment that includes feedback from teachers or other professionals, as well as clinical observation and a detailed background. The symptoms must be a problem in various settings on a continuous basis and cause significant impairment. In order to diagnose inattentive ADD children who are under 17 years of age must display at least six symptomatic signs in the category of inattentive behavior. Adults need at least five of the eleven inattention-related behaviors.
Management
It is very important that family doctors are aware of ADD in adults, as the issues can be serious. Inattentional ADD is more often acknowledged in the adult population than the hyperactive impulsive form of ADHD but it is not well understood by family physicians and many patients are left undiagnosed. The inattentive kind of ADD is misdiagnosed as mood disorders (depression or bipolar affective disorder) or anxiety, or substance use disorders. The treatment is based on education and support, helping patients develop more structure in their lives by enhancing their self-esteem and social skills, promoting healthy eating and lifestyles, and medication, if necessary. Up to 60% of ADD sufferers can benefit from medication. It is not recommended for children.