Recognizing ADD Symptoms in Adults
You forget appointments or tasks? You may interrupt people when they are talking or slam into rooms without knocking. These behaviors could be ADHD symptoms if they cause you to be in conflict with your everyday life.
Adults often experience comorbid psychiatric disorders such as mood and anxiety disorders with their ADHD. The signs of ADHD can be discovered through routine questions that are asked during the clinical interview.
Symptoms
A person suffering from ADD isn't able to pay focus on details, organising tasks, or executing on commitments. They often make errors at school or work, and forgets important details like bills and appointments, and has trouble staying focused on conversations and leisure activities. Someone with this kind of personality struggles to control their emotions and can easily be distracted by other people.
To be diagnosed with ADD those over 7 must be afflicted by inattentive symptoms for at minimum six months. The symptoms must appear on two separate occasions and interfere with the patient's social, school, or work functioning. Teachers and parents should provide feedback, as well as medical observation and a thorough assessment. Some patients have a combination of symptoms in both the inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive categories. The symptoms of ADD combined aren't as obvious and can be difficult to identify by family physicians. It is a condition that can be diagnosed by primary care providers.
Diagnosis
ADD is a typical childhood mental disorder however it's often not recognized when you turn an adult. Family physicians play a significant role in identifying ADD and refer adults to treatment, specifically those who have been relegated to mental health services or don't have a diagnosis.
Diagnosis is based upon clinical assessment often assisted by self-rating scales, interviews and observation of the patient in various situations (eg at home, at work, socially) as well as an extensive medical background, including previous issues and current difficulties and obtaining feedback from a school or the employer. It is crucial to rule out other causes for the symptoms of a person that could be related to sleep issues or learning disabilities, alcohol and drug use or mood disorders because they 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 clinician is satisfied that there are at least six inattentive criteria in two of the following seven subcategories: difficulty in paying attention and difficulty staying focused or in a state of disorganization, failure to follow directions 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 be present in at least two different areas of the person's life for at least six months. In at least half of all people with ADD it is associated with comorbid mental or psychiatric disorders, including mood disorders (depression, bipolar affective disorder and dysthymia) and anxiety disorders, addictions and personality disorders.
The symptoms of ADD can be reversed but the best way to manage it is by adopting strategies that allow people to create structure in their life and alter their habits. Setting goals, creating daily routines and using lists as well as reminding people are all helpful. It is also essential to teach people about their triggers for impulsive behaviour and offer strategies for controlling them, including taking time before making a decision, evaluating a situation and coming up with alternatives to take. Sometimes medication is necessary however it is essential to test one medication before adding another.
Treatment
Adults with inattentive ADD can have difficulty at work, at the classroom or in their relationships. They tend to make impulsive errors, miss important details, and are easily distracted. adhd symptoms and treatment are more likely to be suffering from anxiety, depression or addiction issues. There are many adults who have treatment options to help them live more successful lives with ADHD or ADD.
ADD/ADHD is among the most commonly reported mental health disorders, yet it is often not considered in family practice. This could be due to the fact that family physicians are not familiar with the symptoms that manifest in adults or because people who suffer from ADD/ADHD are often suffering from multiple disorders, including mood disorders (depression bipolar affective disorder, depression dysthymia, bipolar affective disorder) and anxiety, or alcohol-related disorders.
A diagnosis of inattention ADD can be derived through a thorough evaluation which includes feedback from teachers and other professionals, as well as clinical observation. The symptoms must be consistently problematic and cause significant impairment in a variety of environments. To be able to identify inattention ADD children younger than 17 years of age must display at least six signs in the category of inattentional behavior. Adults need at minimum five of the 11 inattentive behaviors.
Management
Family physicians need to recognize ADD in patients of all ages because the problem can be serious. Inattentional ADD in adults is more prevalent than hyperactive impulsive ADHD, but doctors of the family do not understand it well. Many patients are left undiagnosed. In many cases, the inattentive type of ADD is misdiagnosed with mood disorders (depression bipolar affective disorder, or addiction disorders). Treatment is focused on education and support to help patients establish more order in their lives, enhancing self-esteem and social skills and promoting an active lifestyle and healthy diet and taking medication when needed. Treatment is beneficial for up to 60% of ADD patients. It is not recommended for children.