Recognizing ADD Symptoms in Adults
Do you forget appointments or responsibilities? You might interrupt people while they are talking or barge into rooms without knocking. These actions may be ADHD symptoms if they cause you to encounter conflict in your everyday life.
Adults are often diagnosed with mental disorders, such as mood and anxiety disorders with their ADHD. inattentive adhd symptoms that are routinely asked during a clinical interview may reveal the signs of ADHD.
Signs and symptoms
A person with ADD might have trouble coordinating activities, paying attention to details or keeping commitments. He or she makes impulsive errors at school or at work, and forgets important things such as bills and appointments, and has difficulty staying focussed on conversations and leisure activities. In addition, a person with this type of ADD struggles to keep their emotions in check and is easily distracted by other people.
For a person to be diagnosed with ADD they must have experienced inattentive symptoms for at least six months prior to. The symptoms must appear on two separate occasions and impact the patient's social, educational or work-related performance. Teachers and parents should 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 ADD combined are not as evident and are often difficult to diagnose by family doctors. However it is a condition that is diagnosed and treated by primary care providers.
Diagnosis
Although ADD is among the most prevalent mental health disorders however, it is not always recognized in adulthood. Family physicians play a significant role in identifying ADD and referring adults to treatment, especially those who have been relegated to mental health services or do not have a diagnosis at all.
Diagnosis is based on clinical assessment often assisted by self-rating scales, interview and observation of the patient in different situations (eg at work, at home or socially) and a thorough medical background, including previous issues and current difficulties and obtaining feedback from the school or the employer. It is crucial to rule out 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 a doctor is satisfied that there are at least six inattentive criteria within two of the following seven subcategories: difficulty focusing or staying focused and disorganization, inability to follow instructions or rules, 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 general, to be able to identify ADD, the symptoms must have been present for at least 6 months and be affecting functioning in two areas of a person's life. In at least half of all people suffering from ADD the disorder is associated with comorbid mental or psychiatric disorders, including mood disorders (depression, dysthymia and bipolar affective disorder) and anxiety disorders, addictions and personality disorders.
The symptoms of ADD can be reversed however the best way to treat it is applying strategies to help people establish a structure in their lives and alter their behavior. Setting goals, establishing routines for the day, and using lists and reminding people are all helpful. It is crucial to teach people to manage their impulsive behavior as well as what triggers them. Techniques such as waiting before taking action, or evaluating a situation and figuring out alternative options are beneficial. Medication is sometimes necessary but a trial of one medication should be administered prior to adding another to ensure that it is effective.
Treatment
Adults with inattention ADD often find they have trouble at school, at work or in their relationships with family and friends. They are more likely to overlook important details, make impulsive mistakes and get distracted easily. They are more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety or addiction to drugs. There are a variety of treatment options available to people with ADD/ADHD to help them lead more productive lives.
ADD/ADHD is among the most commonly reported mental health conditions, yet it is often overlooked in family practice. This could be due to the fact that family physicians are unfamiliar with the symptom manifestations in adults or because people who suffer from ADD/ADHD are often suffering from comorbid problems, such as mood disorders (depression, bipolar affective disorder dysthymia) and anxiety or addiction disorders.
A diagnosis of inattention ADD is dependent on an assessment that includes feedback from teachers or other professionals, a clinical observation and a detailed background. The symptoms must be a problem in multiple settings on an ongoing basis and result in significant impairment. Children younger than 17 years old need to have at least 6 symptoms in the inattentive category, and adults must have at minimum 5 of the 11 inattentive symptoms to meet a diagnosis of inattentive ADD.
Management
It is very important that family doctors recognize ADD in adults, as the issues can be grave. Inattentional ADD is more commonly 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 go undiagnosed. The inattentive version of ADD is mistakenly categorized as mood disorders (depression or bipolar affective disorders or substance abuse disorders). Treatment is based on support and education, helping patients develop more discipline in their lives, improving self-esteem and social interactions, encouraging the healthy lifestyle and diet and taking medication when needed. Up to 60 percent of ADD sufferers get relief from medication. It is not recommended for children.