Recognizing ADD Symptoms in Adults
Do you have a tendency to forget important dates or tasks at work? Perhaps you enter rooms without knocking or interrupting others when they are speaking. If these behaviors cause conflict in your life, they could be signs of ADHD.
Adults who suffer from ADHD often have comorbid mental health conditions like anxiety and mood disorders. The signs of ADHD can be discovered through routine questions that are asked during the interview with a clinical psychologist.
Symptoms
A person suffering from ADD might have trouble organizing activities paying attention to particulars or keeping commitments. They make impulsive mistakes at school or at work, is unable to remember important details such as bills and appointments and is unable to stay focussed on conversations and leisure activities. Someone with this kind of personality is unable to control their emotions and is easily 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 least six months. The symptoms should manifest on two separate occasions and interfere with the patient's social, educational or work performance. Teachers and parents should provide feedback, along with an examination of the patient's clinical condition and a thorough history. Some patients have a combination of symptoms in both the inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive categories. The symptoms of this type of ADD aren't always clear cut and can be difficult for family physicians to recognize. adhd symptoms in adults is a condition which can be diagnosed by primary care providers.
Diagnosis
Although ADD is among the most frequent mental health conditions however, it is not always recognized when you reach adulthood. Family physicians are a good resource for diagnosing ADD for adults, especially those who haven't been diagnosed or have been dismissed.
The diagnosis is based on a thorough clinical assessment, which can include self-ratings, interviews and observation of patients in various situations (e.g. at work, home or socially) as well as a detailed medical history that considers the past and present challenges and feedback from the employer or school. It is important to exclude other causes for a person's symptoms such as sleep disorders, learning disabilities or 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 inattentive symptoms in two of the following seven subcategories: difficulty in paying attention or staying focused 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.
Generally, in order to be diagnosed with ADD, the symptoms must have been present for at least 6 months and be affecting functioning in two different areas of one's life. A majority of people suffering from ADD suffer from comorbid psychological and mental disorders. These include mood disorders (depressions, bipolar affective disorders and dysthymia) as well as personality disorders, addictions and anxiety disorders.
The symptoms of ADD can be reversed however the best way to treat it is applying strategies to help people organize their lives and change their behaviour. Setting goals, establishing routines for the day and using lists as well as reminding people are all helpful. It is also important to help people understand their own triggers for impulsive behaviour and to provide methods for reducing them, including waiting before taking action, evaluating the situation and working out alternatives to take. Sometimes medication is necessary however it is essential to test one medication before adding another.
Treatment
Adults who aren't attentive ADD typically struggle at school, at work or in their personal relationships. They tend to miss important details, make careless mistakes and get distracted easily. They are more likely to suffer from anxiety, depression, or substance abuse. There are many treatment options for those suffering from ADD/ADHD, which can aid them in leading more productive lives.
ADD/ADHD, which is among the most frequent mental disorders, is often overlooked by family physicians. This could be due to the fact that family physicians aren't familiar with the symptom presentation in adults, or because those with ADD/ADHD often have comorbid problems, such as mood disorders (depression, bipolar affective disorder dysthymia) and anxiety or alcohol-related disorders.
A diagnosis of inattentive ADD is dependent on an assessment that includes feedback from teachers or other professionals, clinical observation, and a thorough medical background. The symptoms have to be problematic in various settings on a continuous basis and cause significant impairment. To diagnose inattention ADD, children under 17 years of age must display at least six symptomatic signs in the category of inattentive behavior. Adults should have at least five of the 11 inattention-related behaviors.
Management
Family physicians must recognize ADD in adult patients because the problem can be serious. Inattentive ADD is more often recognized in the adult population than the hyperactive impulsive type of ADHD but it is not well understood by family physicians and many patients are left undiagnosed. In many cases, the inattentive form of ADD is mistakenly identified as mood disorders (depression or bipolar affective disorder), anxiety, or substance use disorders. The treatment is based on education and support, helping patients to establish more order in their lives and improve their self-esteem as well as social skills, and encouraging healthy eating and lifestyles, and medication, when needed. As high as 60 percent of ADD sufferers benefit from medication. It should not be used in children because it is not safe for them.