Recognizing ADD Symptoms in Adults
Do you have a tendency to forget the dates or tasks you have to complete at work? Maybe you barge into rooms without knocking or interrupt others when they speak. If these actions cause conflicts in your life, they could be symptoms of ADHD.
Adults frequently suffer from comorbid psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and mood disorders that are associated with their ADHD. The signs of ADHD can be elicited by routine questions during the interview.
Signs and symptoms
A person suffering from ADD might have trouble coordinating activities, paying attention to details or keeping commitments. They often make careless mistakes at school or work, forgets important things like bills and appointments and is unable to stay focused on conversations and leisure activities. Additionally, someone with this kind of ADD is unable to keep his or her emotions in check and is easily distracted by people around them.
In order to be diagnosed with ADD, people over age 7 must have been affected by inattentive symptoms for at minimum six months. The symptoms must be present on two different occasions and the patient's issues are affecting the school, social, or work functioning. Parents and teachers must provide feedback, in addition to an examination of the patient's clinical condition and a thorough assessment. 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 doctors. adhd symptoms for women is a condition that can be diagnosed by primary care physicians.
Diagnosis
ADD is a typical mental disorder that affects children, but it's not always recognized when you turn an adult. Family physicians can be a crucial factor in identifying ADD and referring adults to treatment, particularly those who have been discharged from mental health services or don't have a diagnosis.
The diagnosis is based on a clinical assessment, which is often aided by self-rating scales, interview and observation of the patient's behavior in various situations (eg at home, at work, socially) as well as a thorough medical history, incorporating the past and current issues, and obtaining feedback from school or employer. It is crucial to rule out other reasons for the symptoms of a person, such as 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 is diagnosed when the clinician finds six or more signs of inattention in two of seven subcategories. These include difficulty paying attention or staying on task, disorganization or forgetfulness, inability to follow rules or instructions, and difficulties in 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 general, to be considered to have ADD, the symptoms must have been present for at minimum 6 months and have impaired functioning in two different areas of one's life. In the majority of people with ADD the disorder is associated with comorbid psychological or psychiatric problems such as mood disorders (depression, bipolar affective disorder and dysthymia), addictions, anxiety disorders, and personality disorders.
The symptoms of ADD can be reversed however the best way to treat it is by applying strategies to help people create structure in their life and alter their behavior. Goal setting, daily routines and using lists and reminders are useful. It is essential to teach people how to control their impulsive behavior and to understand what triggers them. Techniques such as waiting before acting or evaluating a scenario and working out alternatives are beneficial. Medication is sometimes necessary but a test of one medication must be administered prior to adding another to ensure that it's effective.
Treatment
Adults with inattentive ADD can have difficulty at work, at the classroom or in their relationships. They are more likely to make errors, miss important details, and are easily distracted. They are more likely to suffer from anxiety, depression or addiction issues. Many adults are able to find treatment options that can help them live more productive lives with ADHD or ADD.
ADD/ADHD is one of the most common mental health conditions, yet it is often overlooked in family practices. This may be because family physicians are not familiar with the symptom presentation in adults or because people with ADD/ADHD often have multiple disorders, including mood disorders (depression bipolar affective disorder, dysthymia) and anxiety, or substance use disorders.
A diagnosis of inattention ADD can be made through a thorough evaluation, which includes feedback from teachers and other professionals as and clinical observation. The symptoms must be consistently challenging and cause significant impairment in multiple settings. Children under age 17 need to show at least six signs of inattention in the category and adults need at minimum 5 of the 11 symptoms to be diagnosed of inattentive ADD.
Management
Family physicians must recognize ADD in patients who are adults because the problem can be serious. Inattentional ADD is more commonly recognized in the adult population than the hyperactive impulsive type of ADHD however, it is not widely understood by family physicians, and a lot of patients are not diagnosed. The inattentive kind of ADD is misdiagnosed as mood disorders (depression or bipolar affective disorder) or anxiety, or addiction disorders. The treatment is based on education and support, helping patients to develop more order in the lives they lead by enhancing their self-esteem and social skills, encouraging healthy eating and lifestyles and taking medication, if necessary. Treatment is beneficial for up to 60% of ADD patients. It should not be used for children since it is not safe for them.