Recognizing ADD Symptoms in Adults
Do you find yourself forgetting the dates or tasks you have to complete at work? You might interrupt people while they are talking or slam into rooms without knocking. If these actions cause conflicts in your life, they could be signs of ADHD.
Adults often experience comorbid mental disorders, such as anxiety and mood disorders as well as their ADHD. The signs of ADHD can be discovered through routine questions during the clinical interview.
Symptoms
A person suffering from ADD might have trouble coordinating activities paying attention to specifics or committing to commitments. He or she makes impulsive mistakes at school or at work, is unable to remember important details such as bills and appointments and has trouble staying focused on conversation and leisure activities. A person who is this type has difficulty controlling their emotions and can easily be distracted by others.
To be diagnosed with ADD they must have been afflicted with inattention at least six month prior to. The symptoms must appear at least twice and affect the patient's social, school, or work functioning. Parents and teachers must provide feedback, in addition to medical observation and a thorough 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 doctors to identify. However, it is a condition that can be diagnosed and treated by primary care physicians.
Diagnosis
Although ADD is among the most prevalent mental health disorders, it's not always recognized when you reach adulthood. Family physicians play a key role in identifying ADD and referring adults to treatment, particularly those who have been discharged from mental health services or don't have a diagnosis at all.
The diagnosis is based on a clinical assessment, which is often aided by self-rating scales and interviews and observation of the patient's behavior in various situations (eg at home, at work or socially) as well as an extensive medical history, taking into account previous issues and current difficulties and obtaining feedback from a school or employer. It is important to rule out other causes for a person's symptoms like sleep issues as well as learning disabilities, alcohol and drugs or mood disorders since they could 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 a doctor is satisfied that there are six or more indicators of inattention within two of the following seven subcategories: difficulty focusing, trouble staying on task and disorganization, inability to follow directions or rules, and easily distracted. adhd symptoms -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 considered to have ADD the symptoms must have been present for at minimum 6 months and have caused impairment in two areas of a person's life. In the majority of 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 addictions, anxiety disorders, and personality disorders.
The symptoms of ADD can be reversed but the best way to manage it is by implementing strategies that help people organize their lives and alter their habits. Goal setting, daily routines and using lists and reminders can be beneficial. It is important to help people learn to manage their impulsive behavior and what causes them. Techniques like waiting before making a decision or evaluating the situation and coming up with alternatives are useful. Sometimes medication is necessary however it is important to test one medication before adding another.
Treatment
Adults with inattention ADD might have trouble working, at school, or in their relationships. They tend to forget important details, make impulsive mistakes and get distracted easily. They are more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety, or substance abuse. There are a variety of treatment options available to adults with ADD/ADHD that can help them lead more productive lives.
ADD/ADHD, which is among the most frequent mental disorders, is frequently neglected by family physicians. This may be because family physicians are unfamiliar with the symptom manifestations in adults, or because those with ADD/ADHD often have multiple disorders, including mood disorders (depression bipolar affective disorder dysthymia, bipolar affective disorder) and anxiety or addiction disorders.
A diagnosis of inattentive ADD can be derived through a thorough evaluation, which includes feedback from teachers and other professionals, as in addition to clinical observations. The symptoms must be consistently problematic and cause significant impairment in a variety of environments. To diagnose inattentive ADD children younger than 17 years of age must display at least six symptomatic signs in the category of inattentive behavior. Adults must have at least five of the 11 inattentive behaviors.
Management
Family physicians must be aware of ADD in patients of all ages because the problem can be serious. Inattentive ADD in adults is more common than hyperactive impulsive ADHD, but doctors of the family don't know how to recognize it. A lot of patients are 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, assisting patients to establish more structure in their lives by enhancing their self-esteem and social skills, promoting healthy eating and lifestyles and taking medication, should it be required. Treatment is beneficial for up to 60% of ADD patients. It is not recommended for children.