Recognizing ADD Symptoms in Adults
Do you find yourself forgetting the dates or tasks you have to complete at work? Maybe you barge into rooms without knocking, or interrupt people when they are speaking. These actions may be ADHD symptoms when they cause you encounter conflict in your everyday life.
iampsychiatry with ADHD typically suffer from mental health conditions like anxiety and mood disorders. Clues to ADHD can be elicited by routine questions during the interview with a clinical psychologist.
Signs and symptoms
A person suffering from ADD might have trouble organizing activities, paying attention to details or keeping commitments. They often make careless mistakes at school or work, forgets important things such as bills and appointments and is unable to stay focused on conversations and leisure activities. A person who is this type is unable to control their emotions and is easily distracted by other people.
To be diagnosed with ADD individuals over the age of 7 must have been afflicted by inattention symptoms for at least six months. The symptoms must manifest at least twice and affect the patient's school, social, or work functioning. Parents and teachers must 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 the combined type of ADD aren't always clear cut and can be difficult for family doctors to recognize. However, it is a condition that is diagnosed and treated by primary care physicians.
Diagnosis
ADD is a common mental disorder in children, but it's not always recognized as an adult. Family physicians be a crucial factor in diagnosing ADD and refer adults to treatment, specifically those who have been discharged from mental health care or do not have a diagnosis.
Diagnosis is based on clinical assessment often assisted by self-rating scales, interview and observation of the patient in various situations (eg at work, at home, socially) and an extensive medical background, including past problems and present difficulties, and obtaining feedback from a school or the employer. It is important to exclude other causes for the symptoms a person experiences, such as sleep disorders, learning disabilities or 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 the doctor is satisfied that there are at least six inattentive symptoms within two of the following seven subcategories: difficulty focusing, trouble staying on task, disorganization, failing 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.
Generally, in order to be able to identify ADD the symptoms must be present for at least 6 months and be affecting functioning in two areas of a person's daily life. A majority of people with ADD have comorbid psychological and mental disorders. These include mood disorders (depressions and bipolar affective disorders and dysthymia), personality disorders, addictions, and anxiety disorders.
The signs of ADD are reversible. However, the best way to treat it is to implement strategies that help people put structure in their lives and make behavioral changes. Setting goals, making daily routines, and using lists and reminding people of their goals are all beneficial. It is also important to educate people about their triggers for impulsive behaviour and to provide methods for reducing them, like waiting before acting, evaluating a situation and determining different options for action. Sometimes medication is necessary however it is essential to test a medication prior to adding another.
Treatment
Adults with inattentive ADD typically struggle at school, at work or in their relationships with family and friends. They tend to make impulsive mistakes, forget important details and get easily distracted. They are also more likely to suffer from anxiety, depression or substance abuse. There are many treatment options available to adults with ADD/ADHD that can aid them in leading more productive lives.
ADD/ADHD, which is among the most common mental disorders, is often neglected by family physicians. This could be due to the fact that family physicians are not familiar with the symptoms that manifest in adults, or because those with ADD/ADHD often have co-occurring disorders, like mood disorders (depression, bipolar affective disorder dysthymia) and anxiety or substance use disorders.
A diagnosis of inattention ADD is based on an evaluation that includes feedback from teachers or other professionals, as well as clinical observation and a detailed background. The symptoms have to be problematic in different settings on a regular basis and result in significant impairment. To be able to identify inattentive ADD children younger than 17 years old must show at least six signs in the category of inattentive behavior. Adults need at least five of the 11 inattentional behaviors.
Management
Family physicians need to recognize ADD in adult patients since the condition can be serious. Inattentive ADD in adults is more common than hyperactive impulsive ADHD, but doctors of the family don't know how to recognize it. A lot of patients are undiagnosed. The inattentive version of ADD is mistakenly categorized as mood disorders (depression or bipolar affective disorders or addiction disorders). Treatment is based on education and support, helping patients develop more structure in their lives, enhancing self-esteem and social interactions as well as encouraging an active lifestyle and healthy diet and, if necessary, medication. Up to 60% of ADD sufferers benefit from treatment. It is not recommended for children.