Recognizing ADD Symptoms in Adults
Do you find yourself unable to remember important dates or tasks at work? You might be a nuisance in rooms without knocking or interrupt others when they are speaking. If these actions cause conflict in your life, they could be signs of ADHD.
Adults frequently suffer from comorbid disorders of the psyche, including anxiety and mood disorders that are associated with their ADHD. The routine questions that are asked during the clinical interview can reveal signs of ADHD.
Symptoms
A person suffering from ADD might have trouble coordinating activities, paying attention to specifics or committing to commitments. He or she often makes careless mistakes at school or work, and forgets important details such as appointments and bills and has difficulty staying focused on conversations and leisure activities. Someone with this kind of personality has difficulty controlling their emotions and is easily distracted by the activities of others.
In order to be diagnosed with ADD those over 7 must be afflicted by inattention-related symptoms for at minimum six months. The symptoms must appear on two separate occasions and affect the patient's social, school or work-related performance. A diagnosis of ADD requires feedback from teachers and parents in addition to clinical observation and a careful medical history. Some patients have a combination of symptoms in both the inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive categories. The symptoms of this type of ADD are not as clear cut and can be difficult for family physicians to identify. However, it is a condition that can be diagnosed and treated by primary care providers.
Diagnosis
Although ADD is one of the most frequent mental health issues however, it is not always recognized in adulthood. Family physicians play a significant role in diagnosing ADD and sending adults to treatment, especially those who have been relegated to mental health services or do not have a diagnosis at all.
Diagnosis is based on clinical assessment often assisted by self-rating scales, interview and observation of the patient's behavior in various situations (eg at work, at home or socially), a thorough medical history, taking into account previous issues and current difficulties and getting feedback from a school or employer. It is essential to rule out other reasons for a person's symptoms such as sleep disorders or learning disabilities, as well as mood disorders.
adhd adult symptoms 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 focusing and difficulty staying focused, disorganization, failing to follow directions 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 a person's daily life. A majority of people with ADD have comorbid psychological and mental disorders. These include mood disorders (depressions, bipolar affective disorders and dysthymia) as well as addictions, personality disorders and anxiety disorders.
The signs of ADD are reversible, however the best approach is to implement strategies to help people put structure in their lives and make behavioral changes. Setting goals, creating daily routines and using lists and reminding people of their goals are all beneficial. It 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 figuring out alternative options are helpful. Sometimes medication is necessary, but it's important to test a medication prior to adding another.
Treatment
Adults with inattention ADD typically struggle at work, school or in their relationships with family and friends. They tend to miss important details, make careless mistakes, and are easily distracted. They are more likely to be suffering from depression, anxiety or addiction to drugs. Fortunately, there are many treatment options for adults with ADD/ADHD that can help them lead more productive lives.
ADD/ADHD is one of the most common mental health conditions, yet it is often overlooked in family practice. This is likely due to the fact that family physicians are unfamiliar with the symptoms that manifest for adults or because those who have ADD/ADHD frequently have co-occurring disorders, like mood disorders (depression, bipolar affective disorder, dysthymia) and anxiety or substance use disorders.
A diagnosis of inattentive ADD can be derived based on a thorough evaluation which includes feedback from teachers and other professionals, as and clinical observation. The symptoms must be a problem in different settings on a regular basis and result in significant impairment. Children under the age of 17 have to show at least six symptoms that fall into the inattentive category, and adults must have at least five of the 11 inattentive symptoms to be diagnosed of inattentive ADD.
Management
Family physicians must recognize ADD in patients of all ages because the problem can be serious. Inattentional ADD is more frequently recognized in the adult population than the hyperactive impulsive type of ADHD but it is not well-understood by family physicians, and a lot of patients are not diagnosed. In many cases, the inattentive form of ADD is mistakenly identified as mood disorders (depression or bipolar affective disorder) or anxiety substance use disorders. Treatment is based on support and education to help patients establish more order in their lives, and improving self-esteem and social interactions, encouraging an active lifestyle and healthy diet, and medication if needed. As high as 60 percent of ADD sufferers can benefit from medication. It is not recommended for children.