Recognizing ADD Symptoms in Adults
You forget appointments or tasks? You may interrupt others when they're talking or sneak into rooms without knocking. If these behaviors cause conflict in your life, they may be symptoms of ADHD.
Adults frequently suffer from comorbid psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and mood disorders as well as their ADHD. Signs of ADHD can be discovered through routine questions that are asked during the interview with a clinical psychologist.
Symptoms
A person suffering from ADD might have trouble coordinating activities and paying attention to the particulars or keeping commitments. They often make careless mistakes at school or work, or forgets important details such as bills and appointments and has difficulty staying focused on conversations and leisure activities. Someone with this kind of personality has difficulty controlling their emotions and can easily be distracted by others.
To be diagnosed with ADD those over 7 must have been afflicted by inattentive symptoms for at least six months. The symptoms must manifest at least twice and interfere with the patient's social, educational or work-related performance. Parents and teachers must provide feedback, 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 ADD combined aren't as apparent and may be difficult to diagnose by family doctors. It is a condition which can be identified by primary care doctors.
Diagnosis
Although ADD is among the most common childhood mental health issues but it's not always acknowledged in adulthood. Family physicians can play a key role in diagnosing ADD and referring adults to treatment, specifically those who have been discharged from mental health care or do not have a diagnosis at all.
The diagnosis is based on a medical evaluation, which could include self-ratings, interviews and observation of patients in various situations (e.g. at work, at home, or socially) as well as a detailed medical history that considers both past and current difficulties as well as feedback from the employer or school. It is crucial to rule out other reasons for the symptoms of a person, such as sleep disorders or learning disabilities, as well as mood disorders.
signs of adhd 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 a doctor observes six or more signs of inattention within two of the seven subcategories. These include: difficulty paying attention or staying on track, disorganization or forgetfulness, failure to follow the rules or instructions, or 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 able to identify ADD, the symptoms must have been present for at minimum 6 months and have caused impairment in two areas of a person's life. In at least half of all people suffering from ADD the disorder is associated with a variety of comorbid psychological or psychiatric problems such as mood disorders (depression, dysthymia and bipolar affective disorder) and addictions, anxiety disorders and personality disorders.
Symptoms of ADD are reversible, however the best approach is to implement strategies that aid people put structure in their lives and implement behavioural changes. Goal setting, daily routines and using lists and reminders can be beneficial. It is also essential to teach people about their own triggers for impulsive behavior and provide techniques for controlling them, including taking time before taking action, evaluating the situation and coming up with different options for action. Sometimes medication is necessary, but it's important to test one medication prior to adding another.
Treatment
Adults with inattentive ADD often find they struggle at school, work or in their relationships with family and friends. They tend to make impulsive mistakes, forget crucial details and become easily distracted. They are more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety, or substance abuse. Fortunately, many adults find treatment options that can help them live more productive lives with ADD/ADHD.
ADD/ADHD, one of the most common mental disorders, is frequently overlooked by family physicians. This could be due to the fact that family doctors are unfamiliar with adult ADD/ADHD symptoms or because many people with ADD/ADHD also suffer from other disorders, such as anxiety or mood disorders.
A diagnosis of inattentive ADD is based on a thorough evaluation, which includes feedback from teachers and other professionals, as and clinical observation. The symptoms have to be problematic in multiple settings on an ongoing basis and result in significant impairment. To diagnose inattentive ADD children who are under 17 years old must have at least six symptomatic signs in the category of inattentional behavior. Adults should have at minimum five of the 11 inattentive behaviors.
Management
Family physicians must recognize ADD in patients of all ages because the problem can be serious. Inattentive ADD is more frequently diagnosed in the adult population than the hyperactive impulsive form of ADHD however, it is not widely understood by family physicians, and a lot of patients go undiagnosed. Frequently, the inattentive type of ADD is misdiagnosed as mood disorders (depression or bipolar affective disorder) or anxiety addiction disorders. The treatment is based on education and support, helping patients to establish more order in the lives they lead, improving their self-esteem and social skills, encouraging healthy lifestyles and eating habits and taking medication, should it be required. Medication is helpful in up to 60% of ADD patients. It is not recommended to use in children as it is not safe for children.