Recognizing ADD Symptoms in Adults
Do you have a tendency to forget the dates or tasks you have to complete at work? You might interrupt people while they are talking or slam into rooms without knocking. These actions may be ADHD symptoms if they cause you to have conflict in your everyday life.
Adults suffering from ADHD typically suffer from psychiatric conditions such as anxiety and mood disorders. Questions that are routinely asked during a clinical interview may reveal the signs of ADHD.
Signs and symptoms
A person suffering from ADD might have trouble organizing activities paying attention to particulars or keeping commitments. They make impulsive errors at school or at work, forgets important items such as bills and appointments and is unable to stay focused on conversations and leisure activities. Additionally, someone with this kind of ADD has trouble keeping their 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 least six months. The symptoms must be present on two separate occasions and the patient's difficulties must interfere with school, social or work performance. Parents and teachers must provide feedback, along with medical observation and a thorough assessment. 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 identify. It is a condition that can be diagnosed by primary care providers.
Diagnosis
ADD is a typical childhood mental disorder however, it's not always recognized as an adult. Family physicians are a great resource for diagnosing ADD in adults, particularly those who haven't been diagnosed or have been discharged.
The diagnosis is based on a medical evaluation, which could include self-ratings, interviews and observation of patients in different situations (e.g. at work, at home or socially) as well as a detailed medical history that considers both current and past difficulties and the feedback from the school or employer. It is important to rule out other causes for the symptoms of a person like sleep issues, learning disabilities, alcohol and 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 inattentive symptoms within two of the seven subcategories. These include: difficulty in staying focused or on track, disorganization or forgetfulness, inability to follow guidelines or rules, and trouble 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.
To be recognized as having ADD symptoms must have been present in at least two areas of a persons life for a minimum of six months. In at least half of all people suffering from ADD it is accompanied by a comorbid mental or psychiatric issues, including mood disorders (depression, dysthymia and bipolar affective disorder), addictions, anxiety disorders and personality disorders.
symptoms of adult add of ADD can be reversed, however the best way to treat it is by implementing strategies that help people organize their lives and alter their habits. Goal setting, daily routines and making lists and reminders are useful. It is also important to educate people about their own 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, but a trial of one medication must be conducted prior to adding another one to ensure it's effective.
Treatment
Adults with inattention ADD often struggle at work, school or in their personal relationships. They are more likely to overlook important details, make impulsive mistakes and get distracted easily. They are also more likely to suffer from anxiety, depression or abuse. Fortunately, many adults have treatment options to help them live more successful lives with ADHD or ADD.
ADD/ADHD, one of the most prevalent mental disorders, is often ignored by family doctors. This could be because family physicians aren't familiar with symptoms of adult ADD/ADHD or because a lot of people suffering from ADD/ADHD suffer from comorbid disorders, such as mood disorders or anxiety.
A diagnosis of inattentive ADD can be made based on a thorough evaluation, which includes feedback from teachers and other professionals, as well as clinical observation. The symptoms must be a problem in different settings on a regular basis, and cause significant impairment. In order to diagnose inattentive ADD children younger than 17 years of age must display at least six symptoms that are indicative of inattentional behavior. Adults should have at least five of the 11 inattentional behaviors.
Management
It is crucial that family physicians recognize ADD in adults because the problems can be quite serious. Inattentive ADD is more frequently acknowledged in the adult population than the hyperactive impulsive form of ADHD however, it is not well understood by family doctors and many patients are not diagnosed. The inattentive version of ADD is mistakenly categorized as mood disorders (depression, bipolar affective disorder, or addiction disorders). The treatment is based on education and support, which helps patients to develop more structure in the lives they lead, improving their self-esteem and social skills, promoting healthy eating and lifestyles, and medication, if necessary. Medication is helpful in up to 60% of ADD patients. It should not be used in children because it is not safe for them.