Recognizing ADD Symptoms in Adults
Do you find yourself forgetting the dates or tasks you have to complete at work? Perhaps you enter rooms without knocking, or interrupt people when they speak. If these actions cause conflict in your life, they may be symptoms of ADHD.
Adults are often diagnosed with mental disorders, such as mood and anxiety disorders with their ADHD. Clues to ADHD can be identified through routine questions that are asked during the clinical interview.
Signs and symptoms
A person suffering from ADD is unable to pay close attention to the details, arranging activities, or executing on commitments. symptoms of adhd adults or she makes careless errors at school or at work, is unable to remember important details like appointments and bills and is unable to stay focussed on conversations and leisure activities. Additionally, someone with this type of ADD has trouble keeping his or her emotions in check and can be easily distracted by other people.
To be diagnosed with ADD they must have had inattention symptoms for at least six months prior. The symptoms should manifest at least twice and affect the patient's social, school or work-related performance. A diagnosis of ADD requires feedback from teachers and parents in addition to an examination of the patient's clinical condition and a thorough history. Some patients have a combination of symptoms in both the inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive categories. The symptoms of this type of ADD are not as distinct and may be difficult for family doctors to identify. This is a condition that can be diagnosed by primary care physicians.
Diagnosis
Although ADD is among the most frequent mental health disorders, it's not always recognized when you reach adulthood. Family physicians are a good source to diagnose ADD in adults, especially those who haven't been diagnosed or have been discharged.
Diagnosis is based upon clinical assessment often assisted by self-rating scales and interviews and observation of the patient's behavior in various situations (eg at work, at home, socially) and a thorough medical background, including the past and current issues and obtaining feedback from a school or employer. It is important to exclude other reasons for the symptoms a person experiences, like sleep disorders and learning disabilities as well as 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. Inattentional ADD can be diagnosed when the clinician finds six or more inattentive symptoms in two of seven subcategories. This includes: difficulty paying attention or staying focused, disorganization, forgetfulness, inability to follow rules or instructions, and difficulty 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.
Generally, in order to be considered to have ADD, the symptoms must be present for at least 6 months and have impaired functioning in two areas of a person's daily life. In the majority of people with ADD the disorder is associated with comorbid psychological or psychiatric problems such as mood disorders (depression, dysthymia, and bipolar affective disorder) and addictions, anxiety disorders, and personality disorders.
The symptoms of ADD can be reversed, however the best way to manage it is by implementing strategies that help people organize their lives and alter their behavior. Setting goals, making daily routines and using lists and reminding people of their goals are all beneficial. It is also important to educate people about their triggers for impulsive behavior and provide techniques for controlling them, including taking time before making a decision, evaluating a situation and coming up with alternatives to take. Medication is sometimes necessary but a trial of one drug should be given before adding another to ensure that it's effective.
Treatment
Adults with inattentive ADD typically struggle at work, school or in their personal relationships. They tend to miss important details, make impulsive mistakes and become easily distracted. They are more likely to be suffering from depression, anxiety or addiction to drugs. Fortunately, there are many treatment options for adults with ADD/ADHD that can help them lead more productive lives.
ADD/ADHD is one of the most common mental health disorders, but it is often ignored in family practices. This is likely due to the fact that family physicians aren't familiar with the symptom presentation for adults or because those who suffer from ADD/ADHD are often suffering from co-occurring disorders, like mood disorders (depression bipolar affective disorder, depression dysthymia) and anxiety or addiction disorders.
A diagnosis of inattentive ADD can be derived by a thorough assessment that includes feedback from teachers and other professionals as in addition to clinical observations. The symptoms must be consistently challenging and cause significant impairment in multiple environments. To be able to identify inattentive ADD, children under 17 years of age must display at least six symptomatic signs in the category of inattentive behavior. Adults should have at minimum five of the 11 inattention-related behaviors.
Management
Family physicians must be aware of ADD in patients who are adults since the condition can be serious. Inattentional ADD in adults is more common than hyperactive impulsive ADHD however, family physicians aren't aware of it. Many patients are left undiagnosed. In many cases, the inattentive type of ADD is misdiagnosed as mood disorders (depression or bipolar affective disorders, or addiction disorders). Treatment is focused on education and support, helping patients develop more structure in their lives, improving self-esteem and social interactions, encouraging the healthy lifestyle and diet, and medication if needed. Treatment is beneficial for up to 60% of ADD patients. It should not be used in children because it is not safe for them.