Recognizing ADD Symptoms in Adults
Do you find yourself forgetting appointments or tasks at work? You may interrupt people when they are talking or slam into rooms without knocking. If these actions cause conflict in your life, they could be symptoms of ADHD.
Adults often experience comorbid psychiatric disorders such as mood and anxiety disorders with their ADHD. The signs of ADHD can be identified through routine questions in the interview.
Signs and symptoms
A person suffering from ADD is unable to pay close attention to the details, arranging tasks, or executing on commitments. The person with ADD often makes careless mistakes at school or work, and forgets important details such as appointments and bills and is unable to stay focused on conversations and leisure activities. In addition, a person with this kind of ADD is unable to keep his or her emotions in check, and may be easily distracted by others.
For a person to be diagnosed with ADD they must have had inattention symptoms at least six month prior. The symptoms must be present on two separate occasions and the patient's issues must interfere with the school, social, or work performance. Teachers and parents must provide feedback, in addition to medical observation and a thorough medical history. add symptoms have a combination of symptoms in both the inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive categories. The symptoms of ADD combined aren't always apparent and may be difficult to diagnose by family physicians. It is a condition that can be diagnosed by primary care physicians.
Diagnosis
ADD is a typical mental disorder that affects children however, it's not always recognized as an adult. Family physicians be a crucial factor in identifying ADD and refer adults to treatment, especially those who have been dismissed from mental health care or do not have a diagnosis at all.
The diagnosis is based on a clinical assessment, which is often aided by self-rating scales, interviews and observation of the patient in different situations (eg at work, at home, socially) as well as complete medical background, including previous issues and current difficulties, and obtaining feedback from school or employer. It is essential to rule out other causes for a person's symptoms that could be related to sleep issues or learning disabilities, alcohol and mood disorders or drug use, as these may have similar presentations 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. Inattentional ADD is diagnosed when the clinician finds six or more inattentive symptoms within two of the seven subcategories. This includes: difficulty paying attention or staying on task, disorganization or forgetfulness, failure to follow the rules or instructions, or trouble staying organized. 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 order to be diagnosed as having ADD symptoms must have been evident in at least two different areas of a person's life for a minimum of six months. A majority of people who suffer from ADD have comorbid psychological and mental disorders. These include mood disorders (depressions bipolar affective disorder and dysthymia) and personality disorders, addictions, and anxiety disorders.
The symptoms of ADD can be reversed, but the best way to treat it is adopting strategies that allow people to establish a structure in their lives and alter their behavior. Goal setting, daily routines and using lists and reminders are helpful. It is essential to help people learn to control their impulsive behavior and to understand what causes them. Techniques such as waiting until making a decision or evaluating the situation and coming up with alternatives are beneficial. Sometimes, medication is necessary, but a test of one drug should be administered prior to adding another one to ensure it's effective.
adhd adult symptoms with inattentive ADD typically struggle at school, work or in their relationships with family and friends. They are more likely to overlook important details, make careless mistakes, and are easily distracted. They are also more likely to be suffering from depression, anxiety or substance abuse. There are many adults who find treatment options that can help them live more successful lives with ADHD or ADD.
ADD/ADHD is among the most commonly reported mental health conditions, yet it is often not considered in family practice. This could be because family physicians aren't familiar with adult ADD/ADHD symptoms or because many people with ADD/ADHD have comorbid disorders, including mood disorders or anxiety.
A diagnosis of inattentive ADD is through a thorough evaluation that includes feedback from teachers and other professionals, as well as clinical observation. The symptoms must be persistently challenging and cause significant impairment in a variety of settings. To diagnose inattention ADD, children under 17 years of age must display at least six signs that are indicative of inattentional behavior. Adults need at minimum five of the 11 inattentive behaviors.
Management
It is very important that family physicians recognize ADD in adults, as the problems can be quite serious. Inattentional ADD in adults is more common than hyperactive impulsive ADHD however, family physicians still do not understand it well. Many patients remain undiagnosed. In many cases, the inattentive type of ADD is misdiagnosed as mood disorders (depression, bipolar affective disorder, or addiction disorders). The treatment is based on education and support, which helps patients to develop more structure in their lives by enhancing their self-esteem and social skills, and encouraging healthy eating and lifestyles and taking medication, if necessary. Treatment is beneficial for up to 60 percent of ADD patients. It is not recommended for children.