Recognizing ADD Symptoms in Adults
You forget appointments or tasks? You might be a nuisance in rooms without knocking or interrupt others when they are speaking. These actions may be ADHD symptoms if they cause you to encounter conflict in your daily life.
Adults who suffer from ADHD typically suffer from mental disorders, such as anxiety and mood disorders. Routine questions asked during the clinical interview may reveal the signs of ADHD.
Symptoms
A person with ADD might have trouble coordinating activities paying attention to specifics or committing to commitments. He or she makes careless mistakes at school or work, is unable to remember important details like appointments and bills, and has difficulty staying focused on conversations and leisure activities. Additionally, someone with this type of ADD struggles to keep his or her emotions in check and may be easily distracted by people around them.
To be diagnosed with ADD individuals over the age of 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 functioning. Parents and teachers must provide feedback, in addition to an examination of the patient's clinical condition and a thorough medical history. Some patients have a combination of symptoms in both the inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive categories. The symptoms of the combined type of ADD aren't always evident and can be difficult for family doctors to recognize. However it is a condition that is diagnosed and treated by primary care providers.
Diagnosis
ADD is a common mental disorder that affects children, but it's not always recognized when you turn an adult. Family physicians play a key role in identifying ADD and referring adults to treatment, especially those who have been relegated to mental health care or do not have a diagnosis at all.
The diagnosis is based on a clinical evaluation, which could include self-ratings and interviews, as well as observation of patients in various situations (e.g. at home, work or socially) as well as a thorough medical history that considers the past and present challenges and the feedback from the school or employer. It is important to rule out other reasons for the person's symptoms like sleep issues as well as learning disabilities, alcohol and drug use or mood disorders, as these may be similar 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 the doctor is satisfied that there are six or more inattentive criteria within two of the following seven subcategories: difficulty focusing and difficulty staying focused, disorganization, failing to follow instructions or rules, and 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.
To be classified as having ADD, symptoms must have been present in at least two areas of a person's life for a minimum of six months. At least half of people suffering from ADD suffer from comorbid psychological and mental disorders. These include mood disorders (depressions, bipolar affective disorders and dysthymia) and personality disorders, addictions and anxiety disorders.
Symptoms of ADD are reversible, however the best way to treat it is to implement strategies to help people to organize their lives and make behavioral changes. Setting goals, routines for the day and using lists and reminders are useful. It is also essential to teach people about their triggers for impulsive behaviour and provide techniques for controlling them, such as waiting before acting, evaluating a situation and coming up with alternatives to take. Sometimes medication is necessary however it is important to test a medication prior to adding another.
Treatment
Adults with inattentive ADD typically have trouble at school, at work or in their relationships with family and friends. attention deficit disorder symptoms adults tend to forget important details, make careless mistakes and get distracted easily. They are also more likely to experience anxiety, depression or abuse. There are many adults who have treatment options to help them live more productive lives with ADD/ADHD.
ADD/ADHD is among the most commonly reported mental health disorders, but it is often not considered in family practices. This may be because family physicians are unfamiliar with the symptom manifestations in adults or because people with ADD/ADHD often have comorbid problems, such as mood disorders (depression bipolar affective disorder, dysthymia) and anxiety or substance use disorders.
A diagnosis of inattention ADD can be made through a thorough evaluation, which includes feedback from teachers and other professionals as and clinical observation. The symptoms have to be problematic in various settings on a continuous basis and cause significant impairment. To diagnose inattention ADD, children under 17 years old must have at least six symptoms that are indicative of inattentional behavior. Adults should have at minimum five of the 11 inattentive behaviors.
attention deficit disorder symptoms adults is crucial that family doctors are aware of ADD in adults because the problems can be quite grave. Inattentive ADD in adults is more common than hyperactive impulsive ADHD however, doctors of the family do not understand it well. Many patients are left undiagnosed. Often, the inattentive form of ADD is misdiagnosed as mood disorders (depression or bipolar affective disorders or addiction disorders). The treatment is based on education and support, helping patients to establish more structure in the lives they lead by enhancing their self-esteem and social skills, promoting healthy eating and lifestyles and taking medication if necessary. Up to 60 percent of ADD sufferers get relief from medication. It should not be used in children because it is not safe for children.