Recognizing ADD Symptoms in Adults
Do you have a tendency to forget appointments or tasks at work? You might interrupt people while they are talking or barge into rooms without knocking. These actions may be ADHD symptoms when they cause you to encounter conflict in your everyday life.
Adults frequently suffer from comorbid mental disorders, such as anxiety and mood disorders as well as their ADHD. The routine questions that are asked during the clinical interview can reveal the symptoms of ADHD.
Symptoms
A person suffering from ADD may have difficulty organizing activities, paying attention to details or keeping commitments. He or she makes impulsive errors at school or at work, forgets important items such as bills and appointments, and has difficulty staying focussed on conversations and leisure activities. Additionally, someone with this kind of ADD struggles to keep their emotions in check, and is easily distracted by people around them.
In order to be diagnosed with ADD individuals over the age of 7 must be afflicted by inattentive symptoms for at least six months. The symptoms should manifest on two separate occasions and impact the patient's school, social or work performance. A diagnosis of ADD requires feedback from parents and teachers, as well as an examination of the patient's clinical condition and a thorough background. Some patients have a combination of symptoms in both the inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive categories. The symptoms of ADD combined aren't always evident and are often difficult to recognize by family physicians. This is a condition that can be diagnosed by primary care providers.
Diagnosis
Although ADD is one of the most prevalent mental health conditions but it's not always acknowledged until later in life. Family physicians are an excellent source of information for diagnosing ADD in adults, especially those who have not been diagnosed or discharged.
The diagnosis is based on a medical assessment, which can include self-ratings, an interview and observation of patients in different situations (e.g. at home, work or socially) as well as a detailed medical history that considers the past and present challenges as well as feedback from the school or employer. It is important to exclude other reasons for the symptoms a person experiences, such as 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 the clinician is satisfied that there are six or more inattentive criteria for two of the seven subcategories: difficulty focusing and difficulty staying focused or in a state of disorganization, failure to follow instructions or rules, apathy 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.
In general, to be able to identify ADD the symptoms must have been present for at least six months and have caused impairment in two different areas of one'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, however the best way to manage it is by implementing strategies that help people organize their lives and alter their behavior. Setting goals, routines for the day and making lists and reminders are helpful. signs adhd is crucial to help people learn to manage their impulsive behavior and to understand what triggers them. Techniques such as waiting before acting or evaluating a scenario and coming up with alternatives are useful. Sometimes medication is necessary however it is essential to test a medication prior to adding another.
Treatment
Adults who aren't attentive ADD can have difficulty at work, at school or in their relationships. They tend to make impulsive errors, miss important details and get easily distracted. They are more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety or addiction issues. Many adults are able to are able to find treatment options that help them live more successful lives with ADHD or ADD.
ADD/ADHD, which is among the most prevalent mental disorders, is frequently neglected by family physicians. This could be because doctors in the family are not familiar with the symptoms of ADD/ADHD in adults or because a lot of people suffering from ADD/ADHD suffer from comorbid disorders, such as mood disorders or anxiety.
A diagnosis of inattention ADD is based on an evaluation that includes feedback from teachers or other professionals, clinical observation and a detailed history. The symptoms must be consistently challenging and cause significant impairment in a variety of settings. To be able to identify inattention ADD children who are under 17 years old must have at least six symptomatic signs that are indicative of inattentional behavior. Adults must have at least five of the 11 inattentional behaviors.
Management
It is crucial that family physicians recognize ADD in adults because the problems can be quite serious. Inattentive ADD is more often acknowledged in the adult population than the hyperactive impulsive type of ADHD however, it is not well understood by family physicians, and a lot of patients are not diagnosed. In many cases, the inattentive type of ADD is misdiagnosed as mood disorders (depression, bipolar affective disorder or substance abuse disorders). The treatment is based on education and support, helping patients to establish more structure in their lives by enhancing their self-esteem and social skills, and encouraging healthy lifestyles and eating habits and taking medication, if necessary. The use of medication can help up to 60% of ADD patients. It is not recommended for children.