Recognizing ADD Symptoms in Adults
Do you forget appointments or responsibilities? You may interrupt others when they're talking or sneak into rooms without knocking. If these actions cause conflicts in your life, they may be symptoms of ADHD.
Adults who suffer from ADHD frequently suffer from mental disorders, such as anxiety and mood disorders. The routine questions that are asked during the clinical interview may reveal the signs of ADHD.
Signs and symptoms
A person with ADD might have trouble organizing activities paying attention to specifics or committing to commitments. They make impulsive mistakes at school or at work, forgets important items such as bills and appointments, and has difficulty staying focused on conversation and leisure activities. In addition, a person with this type of ADD has trouble keeping their emotions in check and can be easily distracted by people around them.
For a person to be diagnosed with ADD they must have had inattention symptoms at least six months prior to. The symptoms must appear on two separate occasions and impact the patient's social, school or work-related performance. Parents and teachers must provide feedback, as well as medical observation and a thorough history. Some patients have a combination of symptoms in both the inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive categories. The symptoms of ADD combined aren't as obvious and can be difficult to diagnose by family doctors. However, it is a condition that is diagnosed and treated by primary care physicians.
Diagnosis
Although ADD is one of the most prevalent mental health issues, it's not always recognized when you reach adulthood. Family physicians are a good source of information for diagnosing ADD in adults, particularly those who haven't been diagnosed or discharged.
Diagnosis is based upon clinical assessment, which is often aided by self-rating scales, interview and observation of the patient's behavior in various situations (eg at home, at work and socially) as well as a thorough medical background, including the past and current issues and obtaining feedback from the school or employer. It is essential to rule out any other possible causes for a person's symptoms that could be related to sleep issues or learning disabilities, alcohol or mood disorders or drug use, as these may be similar 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 the doctor is satisfied that there are six or more inattentive symptoms in two of the following seven subcategories: difficulty in paying attention, trouble staying on task, disorganization, failing to follow directions or rules, forgetfulness 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.
Generally, in order to be diagnosed with ADD, the symptoms must have been present for at minimum 6 months and be affecting functioning in two areas of a person's life. In at least half of all people with ADD it is accompanied by a comorbid psychological or psychiatric problems such as mood disorders (depression dysthymia and bipolar affective disorder) as well as addictions, anxiety disorders, and personality disorders.
The symptoms of ADD can be reversed but the best method to treat it is implementing strategies that help people create structure in their life and alter their habits. Setting goals, creating daily routines and using lists as well as reminding people of their goals are all beneficial. It is important to help people learn to control their impulsive behavior and to understand what causes them. Techniques like waiting before acting or evaluating a scenario and figuring out alternative options are beneficial. Sometimes medication is necessary however it is important to test one medication before adding another.
Treatment
Adults who aren't attentive ADD often have trouble at work, school or in their relationships with family and friends. They are more likely to overlook important details, make impulsive mistakes and become easily distracted. They are also more likely to experience anxiety, depression or substance abuse. Fortunately, there are many treatment options available to adults with ADD/ADHD that can help them lead more productive lives.
ADD/ADHD, one of the most prevalent mental disorders, is frequently overlooked by family physicians. This could be due to the fact that family physicians are not familiar with the symptom presentation 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 alcohol-related disorders.
A diagnosis of inattention ADD is determined by an evaluation that includes feedback from teachers or other professionals, as well as clinical observation, and a thorough medical background. The symptoms have to be persistently difficult to manage and result in significant impairment in a variety of situations. adults adhd symptoms than 17 years old need to have at least six signs of inattention in the category, while adults require at least five of the 11 inattentive symptoms to meet a diagnosis of inattentive ADD.
Management
It is vital that family doctors recognize ADD in adults as the problems can be quite serious. Inattentional ADD is more commonly acknowledged in the adult population than the hyperactive impulsive type of ADHD but it is still not widely understood by family physicians and many patients are not diagnosed. Often, the inattentive form of ADD is misdiagnosed with mood disorders (depression bipolar affective disorder or substance abuse disorders). Treatment is focused on education and support and helps patients create more discipline in their lives, improving self-esteem and social interaction skills as well as encouraging the healthy lifestyle and diet and taking medication when needed. Medication is helpful in up to 60% of ADD patients. It should not be used in children because it is not safe for them.