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. If these behaviors cause conflict in your life, they could be symptoms of ADHD.
Adults frequently suffer from comorbid mental disorders, such as anxiety and mood disorders that are associated with their ADHD. Clues to ADHD can be discovered through routine questions during the clinical interview.
Signs and symptoms
A person suffering from ADD might have trouble coordinating activities, paying attention to details or keeping commitments. He or she makes careless mistakes at school or at work, forgets important items like appointments and bills and is unable to stay focused on conversations and leisure activities. Furthermore, a person with this kind of ADD is unable to keep their emotions in check and can be easily distracted by other people.
To be diagnosed with ADD they must have had inattention symptoms at least six month prior to. The symptoms must be present on two separate occasions and the patient's difficulties must interfere with social, school or work-related functioning. Teachers and parents should provide feedback, as well as 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 this type of ADD aren't always clear cut and can be difficult for family doctors to recognize. This is a condition that can be identified by primary care doctors.
Diagnosis
Although ADD is among the most prevalent mental health issues but it's not always acknowledged until later in life. Family physicians are an excellent source to diagnose ADD for adults, especially those who have not been diagnosed or have been discharged.
The diagnosis is based on a clinical assessment, which is often aided by self-rating scales, interviews and observation of the patient's behavior in various situations (eg at home, at work, socially) and a thorough medical history, incorporating previous issues and current difficulties and obtaining feedback from a school or employer. It is crucial to rule out other reasons for a person's symptoms, such as sleep problems or learning disabilities, alcohol or drug use or mood disorders, as these 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 can be diagnosed when a clinician observes six or more symptoms of inattention in two of seven subcategories. This includes: difficulty in staying focused or focused, disorganization, forgetfulness, failure to adhere to guidelines or rules, 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.
In order to be diagnosed as having ADD symptoms must be present in at least two areas of a person's life for at least six months. In the majority of people suffering from ADD it is associated with comorbid psychological or psychiatric problems, including mood disorders (depression dysthymia, and bipolar affective disorder) and anxiety disorders, addictions and personality disorders.
Symptoms of ADD are reversible. However, the best approach is to implement strategies that aid people organize their lives and make behavioural changes. Setting goals, creating daily routines and using lists and reminding people are all helpful. It is important to teach people to manage their impulsive behavior and to understand what triggers them. Techniques like waiting before acting or evaluating a scenario and working out alternatives are beneficial. Sometimes, medication is necessary, but it's important to test one medication prior to adding another.
Treatment
Adults with inattention ADD might have trouble at work, at school, or in their relationships. They are more likely to make errors, miss important details and get easily distracted. They are also more likely to experience anxiety, depression or abuse. Many adults are able to are able to find treatment options that help them live more productive lives with ADHD or ADD.
ADD/ADHD, which is among the most common mental disorders, is often neglected by family physicians. This is likely due to the fact that family physicians aren't familiar with the symptom manifestations in adults, or because those who have ADD/ADHD frequently have co-occurring disorders, like mood disorders (depression bipolar affective disorder, dysthymia) and anxiety or alcohol-related disorders.
A diagnosis of inattention ADD is through a thorough evaluation which includes feedback from teachers and other professionals, as and clinical observation. adhd symptoms and treatment must be a problem in multiple settings on an ongoing basis and cause significant impairment. To diagnose inattention ADD children who are under 17 years old must show at least six symptomatic signs that are indicative of inattentional behavior. Adults must have at least five of the eleven inattention-related behaviors.
Management
It is very important that family physicians recognize ADD in adults as the problems can be quite serious. Inattentional ADD is more frequently diagnosed in the adult population than the hyperactive impulsive form of ADHD but it is still not well-understood by family physicians and many patients are not diagnosed. Often, the inattentive form of ADD is misdiagnosed with mood disorders (depression bipolar affective disorder, or substance abuse disorders). Treatment is based on support and education and helps patients create more order in their lives, and improving self-esteem and social skills as well as encouraging the healthy lifestyle and diet and, if necessary, medication. Treatment is beneficial for up to 60% of ADD patients. It is not recommended to use in children because it is not safe for them.