Recognizing ADD Symptoms in Adults
Do you find yourself forgetting important dates or tasks at work? You might interrupt people while they are talking or barge into rooms without knocking. These actions may be ADHD symptoms if they cause you to have conflict in your everyday life.
Adults suffering from ADHD often have comorbid psychiatric conditions such as anxiety and mood disorders. Signs of ADHD can be identified through routine questions during the interview with a clinical psychologist.
Symptoms
A person suffering from ADD isn't able to pay focus on details, organising activities, or executing on commitments. He or she makes impulsive errors at school or at work, is unable to remember important details like appointments and bills, and has difficulty staying focused on conversation and leisure activities. A person with this type has difficulty controlling their emotions and is easily distracted by others.
In symptoms of adult add to be diagnosed with ADD individuals over the age of 7 must be afflicted by inattention symptoms for at minimum six months. The symptoms must be present on two distinct occasions and the patient's issues are affecting the school, social, or work-related functioning. Teachers and parents should provide feedback, along with clinical 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 are not as apparent and may be difficult to identify by family physicians. This is a condition that can be identified by primary care doctors.
Diagnosis
ADD is a typical childhood mental disorder however, it's not always recognized when you turn an adult. Family physicians are a good source of information for diagnosing ADD for adults, especially those who haven't been diagnosed or have been dismissed.
Diagnosis is based upon the clinical assessment of a patient, often supported by self-rating scales and interviews and observation of the patient's behavior in various situations (eg at work, at home or socially), complete medical history, taking into account past problems and present difficulties, and obtaining feedback from school or employer. It is important to exclude other causes for a person's symptoms like sleep disorders, learning disabilities or mood disorders.
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 six or more indicators of inattention within two of the following seven subcategories: difficulty focusing and difficulty staying focused and disorganization, inability to follow directions or rules, apathy 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 aspects of a persons life for at least six months. In at least half of all people suffering from ADD it is associated with a variety of comorbid mental or psychiatric disorders such as mood disorders (depression, dysthymia, and bipolar affective disorder) and addictions, anxiety disorders and personality disorders.
Symptoms of ADD are reversible. However, the best approach is to implement strategies that help people to organize their lives and make behavioural changes. Goal setting, daily routines and using lists and reminders can be beneficial. It is important to teach people to control their impulsive behavior and what triggers them. Techniques such as waiting before acting or evaluating a scenario and working out alternatives are beneficial. Sometimes medication is necessary however it is essential to test one medication prior to adding another.
Treatment
Adults with inattentive ADD typically have trouble at school, work or in their relationships with family and friends. They tend to make impulsive errors, miss crucial details and become easily distracted. They are more likely to suffer from anxiety, depression or addiction issues. Fortunately, there are many treatment options for adults with ADD/ADHD that can assist them in living more productive lives.
ADD/ADHD is among the most commonly reported mental health disorders, yet it is often overlooked in family practice. This is likely due to the fact that family doctors are unfamiliar with the symptoms of ADD/ADHD in adults or because many people with ADD/ADHD also suffer from other disorders, like mood disorders or anxiety.
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 difficult to manage and result in significant impairment in a variety of environments. Children under the age of 17 have to have at minimum six signs of inattention in the category, while adults require at minimum 5 of the 11 inattentive symptoms to meet a diagnosis of inattentive ADD.
Management
It is very important that family physicians recognize ADD in adults as the symptoms can be serious. Inattentive ADD is more frequently acknowledged in the adult population than the hyperactive impulsive form of ADHD however, it is not well understood by family doctors and many patients are left undiagnosed. Often, the inattentive form of ADD is mistakenly categorized as mood disorders (depression or bipolar affective disorders, or addiction disorders). Treatment is focused on education and support, helping patients develop more discipline in their lives, improving self-esteem and social interaction skills, encouraging the healthy lifestyle and diet and, if necessary, medication. symptoms of adult attention deficit disorder is beneficial for up to 60% of ADD patients. It should not be used in children as it is not safe for them.