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ADHD Symptoms and Treatment in Adults Many adults find that they are struggling to keep up with daily tasks frequently experiencing anger and mood swings. If you suspect that you be suffering from ADHD you should consult your primary care physician or an expert in mental health to conduct an evaluation. Adult ADHD is diagnosed with the same criteria as it is for children. The symptoms should last at minimum six months and cannot be caused by any other medical condition, mood disorders or other medical conditions. Inattentional symptoms Adults with ADHD often find it difficult to keep up with the workplace, at school or with household chores. They don't attend appointments, fail to pay their bills on time and have difficulty maintaining relationships with their family and friends. They are more likely to lose things or make mistakes which can result in serious consequences. Speak to your health care provider if have difficulty keeping track of personal or work matters. Your primary care doctor will assess your situation and possibly refer you to a mental professional when needed. The signs of inattention ADHD are often misunderstood. great post to read suffering from inattentive ADHD are not always attentive when spoken to and tend to forget quickly or are frequently distracted by irrelevant thoughts. They may struggle to stay focused, make careless mistakes, or struggle with following instructions. They also have trouble keeping their hands off their face or appearing unsteady or fidgety. Inattention to the symptoms could result in a failure at school or at work, which can cause anxiety and guilt for those affected. They can also cause problems in relationships with family, friends and co-workers. The diagnosis of ADHD is based on a evaluation of the clinical. This includes an interview with the patient and an examination of their past behavior. They may ask the patient to complete the symptom checklist and perform medical tests to determine if there are other conditions that exhibit similar symptoms. The symptoms of ADHD must be present consistently prior to 12 years of age for an diagnosis. Adults with inattentive ADHD might benefit from psychotherapy and lifestyle modifications to manage their symptoms. These treatments include medications as well as behavioral therapy and family psychoeducation. Psychotherapy is a form of counseling that helps patients develop new skills, attitudes and ways of engaging with other people. Psychotherapy can teach strategies that reduce impulsive and self-destructive behaviors as well as improve organizational skills and build confidence. People who have inattention ADHD might find it beneficial to discuss their struggles with a trusted friend, family member or therapist. Teachers, supervisors, and co-workers might be able to provide accommodations. Accommodations are tools and changes to the working environment that permit disabled people to carry out tasks like everyone else. For example the person who is short can utilize stepstools. Hyperactive Symptoms The symptoms of this type of ADHD might be different in adults as compared to children. While children can fidget, appear restless and talkative, adult symptoms tend to be more subtle. They may forget about their tasks and lose the time or location and make mistakes that aren't their fault. They might also feel excessively active and have difficulty sitting still during a meal or in class. They might interrupt other students or provide answers prior to being asked to answer a question. These symptoms could be caused by a myriad of conditions. To determine the root of the symptoms and determine the most effective treatment, a complete psychiatric assessment is required. These include psychotherapy, medication and lifestyle modifications. This can include an improved diet, more exercise and better sleeping schedules. This could include changing work or school assignments and using assistive tools like calendars and planners, as well as apps for smartphones. If you suspect you might have ADHD, your first step should be to discuss your concerns with your family physician or primary care provider. The How to Talk to Your Provider factsheet from NIMH contains tips on how to talk with your doctor regarding mental health issues. To be diagnosed with ADHD the symptoms must be present in at least two different settings and have an impact on everyday life. They must have been present for at least six months in order to be considered to be diagnosed. Your provider will evaluate you to see if you have the inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive symptoms of ADHD. Alongside lifestyle adjustments and changes There are also medications that can help manage the symptoms of ADHD. These medications are referred to as stimulants. They work by reorganizing the brain's signals that influence your mood, attention and behavior. Your doctor will give you the right dosage and will be able to monitor your response. You may be prescribed non-stimulant drugs if you experience side effects or if a stimulant does not work. They are also combined with stimulants to increase the effectiveness. Impulsive Symptoms People with inattentive ADHD are more likely to lose their keys or mobile phones. People with inattentive ADHD have a difficult task of focusing on tasks, organizing their materials, and completing projects. As adults, this may lead to a multitude of half-finished tasks around the home: unpaid bills and unkempt homes and the vegetable garden that's been planted but never watered. Relationships are one of the most common areas where impulsive ADHD symptoms can cause problems. People who suffer from impulsive ADHD are often anxious and seek instant gratification. They may jump into social situations with little planning or taking risks which could result in negative consequences. Impulsive people may also overreact to emotional or stressful situations. For instance, a person may become extremely angry or defensive during arguments with family members or friends. A medical professional with a specialization in mental disorders will go over the medical history of a patient, and perform an exam to diagnose ADHD. The doctor will ask you about your symptoms and how they impact your interactions with others, work, and home. In order to be diagnosed with any type of ADHD one must show six or more of the nine main symptoms and the symptoms must interfere with daily functioning for at least 6 months (American Psychological Association, 2000). The most effective treatment for ADHD is psychostimulants, which are medications that target how certain chemicals communicate in the brain to regulate behavior. The most well-known stimulant is methylphenidate. It was originally used to treat ADHD among children. It is important to speak with your physician regarding your medication if you have other health conditions such as depression or high blood pressure. In addition to medicines psychotherapy can aid in reducing impulsive and distracting symptoms. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on helping people recognize unintentional or irrational thoughts which can trigger negative behavior and to develop strategies for self-regulation. Combination of symptoms Adults who were diagnosed with ADHD as children can be affected in later life. They may experience mild, moderate, or severe symptoms that interfere with school, work, and social interactions. They could also be suffering from other mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety that require treatment. Some adults may also have learning disabilities, which make it difficult to understand or follow directions in offices and classrooms. Adults may not be able to identify the signs of inattention ADHD however, it can be affecting their ability to function at work and home. It's difficult for those with this kind of ADHD to sit quietly for classes or business meetings, and they might struggle to keep track of assignments and work tasks. They may forget deadlines and appointments, and may lose track of their belongings. They may also have difficulty following conversations or listening to music. They are more likely to be distracted by people or activities around them than most other people. Hyperactive-impulsive ADHD symptoms are more common in adults than the inattentive type of the disorder, but they can be difficult to diagnose in adults, too. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV TR) 4th edition of the American Psychiatric Association, includes an assessment criteria to identify the disorder. This includes symptoms that begin before age 12 and are present in multiple settings and cause issues in a variety of domains. To qualify for a diagnosis of hyperactive-impulsive ADHD, people must have six or more symptoms that have persisted for at least six months. Symptoms must have started before the person was 12 years old and continue at home, at school, as well as in other social and work settings. Researchers are studying environmental and genetic factors that might be responsible for the development of ADHD. According to research, people who suffer from ADHD may have difficulty regulating certain chemicals in their brains that can regulate the way they behave, their mood and attention. If you have signs of ADHD, talk to your primary care physician. Your doctor will conduct an examination and refer you to an expert in mental health care to conduct an assessment. Psychotherapy and medicines are commonly utilized to treat ADHD with stimulants that boost the levels of certain brain chemicals. These include amphetamines and methylphenidate. Tell your doctor about all other medications you take including supplements or vitamins. The FDA's medication website contains information on approved medications as well as warnings and information guidelines.