Recognizing ADD Symptoms in Adults
You don't remember appointments or tasks? You may interrupt people when they are talking or barge into rooms without knocking. These actions may be ADHD symptoms when they cause you have conflict in your daily life.
Adults are often diagnosed with mental disorders, such as mood and anxiety disorders with their ADHD. Routine questions asked during the clinical interview can reveal signs of ADHD.
Signs and symptoms
A person suffering from ADD isn't able to pay attention to the details, arranging activities, or executing on commitments. He or she often makes errors at school or work, or forgets important details like appointments and bills, and has trouble staying focused on conversations and leisure activities. In addition, a person with this kind of ADD is unable to keep their emotions in check and can be easily distracted by other people.
For a person 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 interfere with the patient's school, social or work-related performance. Teachers and parents must provide feedback, along with 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 the combined type of ADD are not as clear cut and can be difficult for family doctors to identify. However, it is a condition that is diagnosed and treated by primary care physicians.
Diagnosis
Although ADD is among the most prevalent mental health conditions however, it is not always recognized when you reach adulthood. Family physicians be a crucial factor in diagnosing ADD and refer adults to treatment, particularly those who have been relegated to mental health services or do not have a diagnosis.
add symptoms adults is based on clinical assessment often assisted by self-rating scales, interviews and observation of the patient in different situations (eg at home, at work, socially), an extensive medical history, incorporating the past and current issues and obtaining feedback from a school or the employer. adult add symptoms is important to exclude other causes of a person's symptoms like sleep disorders or 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. Inattentive ADD is diagnosed when the clinician is satisfied that there are at least six inattentive criteria for two of the seven subcategories: difficulty focusing, trouble staying on task, disorganization, failing to follow directions or rules, 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.
To be recognized as having ADD symptoms must be present in at least two aspects of the person's life for a minimum of six months. At least half of people suffering from ADD have comorbid psychological and psychiatric disorders. These include mood disorders (depressions, bipolar affective disorders and dysthymia) and addictions, personality disorders and anxiety disorders.
Symptoms of ADD are reversible, but the best way to treat it is to implement strategies to help people organize their lives and implement behavioural changes. Setting goals, routines for the day and using lists and reminders are helpful. It is also important to teach people about their triggers for impulsive behavior and offer strategies for controlling them, such as waiting before making a decision, evaluating a situation and determining different options for action. Medication is sometimes necessary but a test of one medication should be administered prior to adding another to ensure that it is effective.
Treatment
Adults with inattention ADD often have trouble at school, at work or in their relationships with family and friends. They tend to miss important details, make impulsive mistakes and get distracted easily. They are also more likely to experience anxiety, depression or abuse. Fortunately, many adults have treatment options to assist them in living more successful lives with ADD/ADHD.
ADD/ADHD, which is among the most frequent mental disorders, is frequently ignored by family doctors. This may be because family physicians are not familiar with the symptoms that manifest in adults or because people with ADD/ADHD often have comorbid problems, such as mood disorders (depression bipolar affective disorder dysthymia, bipolar affective disorder) and anxiety, or addiction disorders.
A diagnosis of inattention ADD is based on an evaluation that includes feedback from teachers or other professionals, a clinical observation and a detailed background. The symptoms have to be persistently difficult to manage and result in significant impairment in a variety of environments. Children under the age of 17 have to show at least six signs of inattention in the category and adults need at least five of the 11 inattentive symptoms to be diagnosed of inattentive ADD.
Management
It is vital that family physicians recognize ADD in adults because the problems can be quite grave. Inattentive ADD is more often diagnosed in the adult population than the hyperactive impulsive type of ADHD but it is not widely understood by family doctors and many patients are not diagnosed. In many cases, the inattentive form of ADD is misdiagnosed as mood disorders (depression or bipolar affective disorder) or anxiety, or addiction disorders. Treatment is focused on education and support and helps patients create more structure in their lives, improving self-esteem and social interactions, encouraging a healthy diet and lifestyle and, if necessary, medication. The use of medication can help up to 60% of ADD patients. It is not recommended for children.