Recognizing ADD Symptoms in Adults
Do you have a tendency to forget the dates or tasks you have to complete at work? You might be a nuisance in rooms without knocking, or interrupt people when they're speaking. If these actions cause conflicts in your life, they may be symptoms of ADHD.
Adults often experience comorbid mental disorders, such as anxiety and mood disorders that are associated with their ADHD. Clues to ADHD can be identified through routine questions in the interview.
Symptoms
A person with ADD has difficulty paying close attention to the details, arranging activities, or executing on commitments. He or she makes impulsive mistakes at school or at work, and forgets important things like appointments and bills and has trouble staying focused on conversation and leisure activities. Someone with this kind of personality struggles to control their emotions and can easily be distracted by other people.
For a person to be diagnosed with ADD they must have been afflicted with inattention for at least six months prior to. Several of the symptoms must be present on two different occasions and the patient's issues have to interfere with social, school or work functioning. Teachers and parents must provide feedback, as well as clinical observation and a thorough assessment. Some patients have a combination of symptoms in both the inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive categories. The symptoms of the combined type of ADD aren't always clear cut and can be difficult for family doctors to identify. It is a condition which can be diagnosed by primary care physicians.
the advantage
Although ADD is one of the most common childhood mental health conditions but it's not always acknowledged when you reach adulthood. Family physicians can be a crucial factor 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 thorough clinical assessment, which can include self-ratings and interviews, as well as observation of patients in different situations (e.g. at work, at home, or socially) and an extensive medical history that includes the past and present challenges as well as feedback from the school or employer. It is important to rule out other reasons for the person's symptoms like sleep issues as well as learning disabilities, alcohol or mood disorders or drug use 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. Inattentive ADD is diagnosed when a doctor observes six or more symptoms of inattention within two of the seven subcategories. These include difficulties in paying attention or staying on task, disorganization or forgetfulness, failure to adhere to the rules or instructions, or difficulty 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.
Generally, in order to be diagnosed with ADD, the symptoms must be present for at least six months and be affecting functioning in two different areas of a person's life. A majority of people who suffer from ADD have a history of comorbid psychological or mental disorders. These include mood disorders (depressions bipolar affective disorder and dysthymia) and 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 habits. Setting goals, routines for the day and using lists and reminders are useful. It is also crucial to help people understand their own triggers for impulsive behavior and provide techniques for controlling them, including waiting before acting, evaluating a situation and working out different options for action. Sometimes, medication is necessary however it is important to test a medication prior to adding another.
Treatment
Adults who aren't attentive ADD might have trouble at work, at the classroom or in their relationships. They tend to make careless mistakes, overlook crucial details and become easily distracted. They are also more likely to be suffering from depression, anxiety or substance abuse. There are a variety of treatment options for those suffering from ADD/ADHD, which can help them lead more productive lives.
ADD/ADHD is one of the most commonly reported mental health disorders, yet it is often overlooked in family practice. This could be due to the fact that family physicians aren't familiar with the symptoms of ADD/ADHD in adults or because a large number of people with ADD/ADHD suffer from comorbid disorders, like 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 in addition to clinical observations. The symptoms must be problematic in various settings on a continuous basis and result in significant impairment. Children under age 17 need to have at minimum six signs of inattention in the category, and adults must have at minimum five of the 11 inattentive symptoms to qualify as a diagnosis of inattentive ADD.
Management
It is vital that family doctors are aware of ADD in adults because the issues can be grave. Inattentional ADD is more commonly acknowledged in the adult population than the hyperactive impulsive form of ADHD however, it is not well understood by family physicians and many patients are not diagnosed. The inattentive version of ADD is misdiagnosed with mood disorders (depression bipolar affective disorder or addiction disorders). adhd symptoms adults is based on support and education to help patients establish more order in their lives, improving self-esteem and social skills and promoting an active lifestyle and healthy diet, and medication if needed. About 60% of ADD sufferers can benefit from medication. It is not recommended to use in children because it is not safe for children.