Recognizing ADD Symptoms in Adults
Do you have a tendency to forget appointments or tasks at work? You may interrupt others when they're talking or sneak into rooms without knocking. If these actions cause conflict in your life, they could be signs of ADHD.
Adults are often diagnosed with mental disorders, such as anxiety and mood disorders that are associated with their ADHD. Routine questions asked during the clinical interview can reveal signs of ADHD.
Symptoms
A person suffering from ADD might have trouble organizing activities paying attention to specifics or committing to commitments. He or she often makes careless mistakes at school or work, and forgets important details such as bills and appointments, and has trouble staying focused on conversations and leisure activities. A person who is this type struggles to control their emotions and can easily be distracted by others.
To be diagnosed with ADD they must have experienced inattentive symptoms for at least six months prior to. symptoms of add must be present on two separate occasions and the patient's issues have to interfere with school, social or work performance. A diagnosis of ADD requires feedback from parents and teachers in addition to clinical observation and a careful medical history. Some patients have a combination of symptoms in both the inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive categories. The symptoms of ADD combined aren't as evident and are often difficult to identify by family doctors. It is a condition that can be diagnosed by primary care physicians.
Diagnosis
ADD is a typical mental disorder that affects children however it's often not recognized as an adult. Family physicians are a good source of information to diagnose ADD in adults, especially those who have not been diagnosed or have been discharged.
The diagnosis is based on a medical assessment, which may include self-ratings and interviews, as well as observation of patients in various situations (e.g. at work, at home, or socially) and a thorough medical history that takes into account both past and current difficulties and the feedback from the school or employer. It is crucial to rule out other causes for the symptoms of a person like sleep issues or learning disabilities, alcohol or drugs or mood disorders since they could have similar presentations 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 six or more inattentive criteria 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.
In order to be diagnosed as having ADD symptoms must have been evident in at least two different areas of the person's life for a minimum of six months. In the majority of people suffering from ADD it is associated with comorbid mental or psychiatric issues 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 adopting strategies that allow people to create structure in their life and alter their behavior. Setting goals, creating daily routines and using lists as well as reminding people are all helpful. It is important to help people learn to control their impulsive behavior and what triggers them. Techniques such as waiting before acting or evaluating a scenario and working out alternatives are helpful. The use of medication is sometimes required, but a test of one medication must be conducted prior to adding another to ensure that it's effective.
Treatment
Adults who aren't attentive ADD typically have trouble at school, work or in their relationships with family and friends. They are more likely to overlook important details, make impulsive mistakes, and are easily distracted. They are also more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety or substance abuse. Fortunately, there are many treatment options for people with ADD/ADHD to aid them in leading more productive lives.
ADD/ADHD, one of the most frequent mental disorders, is frequently neglected by family physicians. This could be because family physicians aren't familiar with adult ADD/ADHD symptoms or because a large number of people with ADD/ADHD have comorbid disorders, like mood disorders or anxiety.
A diagnosis of inattentive ADD is dependent on an assessment that includes feedback from teachers or other professionals, a clinical observation, and a thorough history. The symptoms have to be persistently difficult to manage and result in significant impairment in multiple situations. Children under age 17 need to have at least six signs of inattention in the category, and adults must have at least 5 of the 11 inattentive symptoms to meet a diagnosis of inattentive ADD.
Management
It is crucial that family physicians recognize ADD in adults because the issues can be grave. Inattentive ADD is more frequently acknowledged in the adult population than the hyperactive impulsive type of ADHD but it is still not well understood by family physicians and many patients go undiagnosed. The inattentive kind of ADD is mistakenly identified as mood disorders (depression or bipolar affective disorder) or anxiety, or addiction disorders. The treatment is based on education and support, which helps patients develop more order in the lives they lead and improve their self-esteem as well as social skills, encouraging healthy eating and lifestyles, and medication, when needed. The use of medication can help up to 60% of ADD patients. It should not be used in children as it is not safe for them.