Recognizing ADD Symptoms in Adults
Do you have a tendency to forget important dates or tasks at work? You may interrupt people when they are talking or barge into rooms without knocking. If these actions cause conflicts in your life, they may be signs of ADHD.
Adults often experience comorbid psychiatric 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 and paying attention to the specifics or committing to commitments. He or she often makes errors at school or work, and forgets important details like bills and appointments and is unable to stay focused on conversations and leisure activities. A person with this type is unable to control their emotions and can easily be distracted by the activities of others.
To be diagnosed with ADD those over 7 must have been afflicted by inattention-related symptoms for at least six months. A number of symptoms have to be present on two different occasions, and the patient's problems are affecting the school, social, or work functioning. Teachers and parents should provide feedback, as well as medical observation and a thorough medical history. Some patients have a combination of symptoms in both the inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive categories. The symptoms of ADD combined aren't always obvious and can be difficult to diagnose by family doctors. This is a condition that can be identified by primary care doctors.
Diagnosis
Although ADD is among the most common childhood mental health disorders but it's not always acknowledged until later in life. Family physicians play a key role in diagnosing ADD and refer adults to treatment, especially those who have been relegated to mental health services or do not have a diagnosis at all.
Diagnosis is based upon clinical assessment, which is often aided by self-rating scales, interview and observation of the patient's behavior in various situations (eg at work, at home, socially) as well as an extensive medical history, taking into account past problems and present difficulties and obtaining feedback from a school or employer. It is important to rule out any other possible causes for a person's symptoms, such as sleep problems as well as learning disabilities, alcohol and drugs or mood disorders because they 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. Inattentive ADD is diagnosed when a doctor is satisfied that there are at least six indicators of inattention within two of the following seven subcategories: difficulty in paying attention and difficulty staying focused and disorganization, inability 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 diagnosed with ADD the symptoms must be present for at least six months and be affecting functioning in two different 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, including mood disorders (depression dysthymia, and bipolar affective disorder), anxiety disorders, addictions and personality disorders.
The symptoms of ADD can be reversed but the best way to treat it is by implementing strategies that help people establish a structure in their lives and alter their habits. Setting goals, establishing routines for the day and using lists as well as reminding people are all helpful. It is important to teach people how to control their impulsive behavior and what triggers them. Techniques such as waiting before acting or evaluating a scenario and coming up with alternatives are beneficial. Medication is sometimes necessary but a test of one medication must be conducted prior to adding another one to ensure it's effective.
Treatment
Adults who aren't attentive ADD might have trouble working, at the classroom or in their relationships. They tend to forget important details, make careless mistakes and become easily distracted. They are also more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety or substance abuse. There are many treatment options available to those suffering from ADD/ADHD, which can assist them in living more productive lives.
ADD/ADHD, which is among the most frequent mental disorders, is often neglected by family physicians. This may be because family physicians are unfamiliar with the symptom presentation in adults, or because those with ADD/ADHD often have co-occurring disorders, like mood disorders (depression bipolar affective disorder, depression dysthymia, bipolar affective disorder) and anxiety, or addiction disorders.
A diagnosis of inattentive ADD is through a thorough evaluation, which includes feedback from teachers and other professionals as and clinical observation. The symptoms have to be persistently problematic and cause significant impairment in a variety of settings. In sign of adhd in adults to diagnose inattention ADD children who are under 17 years old must show at least six signs that are indicative of inattentional behavior. Adults should have at least five of the eleven inattentional behaviors.
Management
It is crucial that family doctors recognize ADD in adults because the issues can be grave. Inattentional ADD in adults is more prevalent than hyperactive impulsive ADHD, but doctors of the family do not understand it well. Many patients remain undiagnosed. In many cases, the inattentive form of ADD is mistakenly identified as mood disorders (depression or bipolar affective disorder) or anxiety, or substance use disorders. Treatment is based on education and support, helping patients develop more structure in their lives, and improving self-esteem and social skills and promoting an active lifestyle and healthy diet and taking medication when needed. About 60 percent of ADD sufferers benefit from medication. It should not be used in children as it is not safe for them.