Recognizing ADD Symptoms in Adults
Do you find yourself forgetting important dates or tasks at work? You might be a nuisance in rooms without knocking or interrupt others when they speak. If these actions cause conflicts in your life, they may be signs of ADHD.
Adults suffering from ADHD typically suffer from mental disorders, such as anxiety and mood disorders. Clues to ADHD can be discovered through routine questions that are asked during the interview with a clinical psychologist.
adhd symptoms and symptoms
A person with ADD might have trouble coordinating activities and paying attention to the particulars or keeping commitments. He or she makes impulsive mistakes at school or work, forgets important items like appointments and bills and is unable to stay focused on conversations and leisure activities. Someone with this kind of personality is unable to control their emotions and can easily be distracted by others.
In order to be diagnosed with ADD, people over age 7 must have been affected by inattention symptoms for at least six months. A number of symptoms have to be present on two different occasions and the patient's issues must interfere with school, social or work functioning. Parents and teachers must provide feedback, in addition to an examination of the patient's clinical condition and a thorough medical 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 recognize. It is a condition that can be identified by primary care doctors.
Diagnosis
ADD is a typical childhood mental disorder however, it's not always recognized when you turn an adult. Family physicians are a good resource for diagnosing ADD in adults, particularly those who have not been diagnosed or discharged.
Diagnosis is based upon clinical assessment, which is often aided by self-rating scales, interviews and observation of the patient's behavior in various situations (eg at home, at work or socially) and an extensive medical background, including past problems and present difficulties and obtaining feedback from a school or employer. It is important to exclude other causes of a person's symptoms like 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 a doctor is satisfied that there are six or more indicators of inattention in two of the following seven subcategories: difficulty in paying attention, trouble staying on task or in a state of disorganization, failure 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.
To be recognized as having ADD, symptoms must be present in at least two areas of a person's life for a minimum of six months. In at least half of all people suffering from ADD, the disorder is associated with a variety of comorbid mental or psychiatric issues that include mood disorders (depression, bipolar affective disorder and dysthymia) and anxiety disorders, addictions and personality disorders.
The symptoms of ADD can be reversed, however the best way to treat it is adopting strategies that allow people to organize their lives and change their behaviour. Setting goals, establishing routines for the day, and using lists and reminding people are all helpful. It is also essential to help people understand their own triggers for impulsive behaviour and provide techniques for controlling them, such as taking time before making a decision, evaluating a situation and coming up with alternative courses of action. Sometimes, medication is required however it is essential to test one medication prior to adding another.
Treatment
Adults with inattentive ADD often have trouble at school, work or in their personal relationships. They tend to make careless mistakes, overlook important details, and are easily distracted. They are more likely to suffer from anxiety, depression or addiction to drugs. There are many treatment options for those suffering from ADD/ADHD, which can assist them in living more productive lives.
ADD/ADHD, one of the most prevalent mental disorders, is often overlooked by family physicians. This could be because doctors in the family are not familiar with symptoms of adult ADD/ADHD or because many people with ADD/ADHD have comorbid disorders, such as mood disorders or anxiety.
A diagnosis of inattentive ADD can be derived based on a thorough evaluation, which includes feedback from teachers and other professionals, as well as clinical observation. The symptoms must be persistently problematic and cause significant impairment in a variety of situations. Children younger than 17 years old need to show at least six signs of inattention in the category and adults need at least 5 of the 11 inattentive symptoms to be diagnosed of inattentive ADD.
Management
It is crucial that family doctors are aware of ADD in adults, as the problems can be quite grave. Inattentional ADD in adults is more common than hyperactive impulsive ADHD, but 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) or anxiety addiction disorders. The treatment is based on education and support, which helps patients to develop more structure in their lives and improve their self-esteem as well as social skills, encouraging healthy eating and lifestyles, and medication, when needed. As high as 60 percent of ADD sufferers get relief from treatment. It is not recommended for children.