Recognizing ADD Symptoms in Adults
Do you find yourself forgetting important dates or tasks at work? You may interrupt people when they are talking or slam into rooms without knocking. If these actions cause conflicts in your life, they may be symptoms of ADHD.
Adults who suffer from ADHD often have comorbid mental disorders, such as anxiety and mood disorders. Clues to ADHD can be identified through routine questions during the clinical interview.
Symptoms
A person with ADD isn't able to pay focus on details, organising activities, or executing on commitments. The person with ADD often makes mistakes in school or at work, forgets important things such as appointments and bills, and has trouble staying focused on conversations and leisure activities. Additionally, someone who suffers from this type of ADD has trouble keeping his or her emotions in check, and may be easily distracted by people around them.
In order to be diagnosed with ADD individuals over the age of 7 must be afflicted by inattention-related symptoms for at minimum six months. The symptoms must be present on two separate occasions and the patient's issues must interfere with school, social or work functioning. Parents and teachers must provide feedback, as well as clinical 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 as distinct and may be difficult for family doctors to identify. However it is a condition that is diagnosed and treated by primary care providers.
Diagnosis
Although ADD is one of the most prevalent mental health disorders but it's not always acknowledged when you reach adulthood. Family physicians can play a significant role in identifying ADD and sending adults to treatment, specifically those who have been relegated to mental health services or do not have a diagnosis at all.
Diagnosis is based upon clinical assessment often assisted by self-rating scales and interviews and observation of the patient in different situations (eg at work, at home or socially) as well as complete medical history, taking into account the past and current issues and obtaining feedback from a school or employer. It is essential to rule out other causes for the symptoms of a person, such as 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. Inattentional ADD is diagnosed when the clinician finds six or more inattentive symptoms within two of the seven subcategories. These include difficulty paying attention or staying focused, disorganization, forgetfulness, inability to follow the rules or instructions, or difficulty 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 visit their website must have been present in at least two aspects of the person's life for at least six months. In at least half of all people with ADD, the disorder is accompanied by a comorbid mental or psychiatric issues that include mood disorders (depression dysthymia, and bipolar affective disorder), addictions, anxiety disorders, and personality disorders.
The signs of ADD are reversible, however the best way to treat it is to implement strategies that aid people put structure in their lives and make behavioral changes. Setting goals, routines for the day and making lists and reminders are helpful. It is also crucial to teach people about their triggers for impulsive behavior and to provide methods for reducing them, like taking time before making a decision, evaluating a situation and working out different options for action. The use of medication is sometimes required, but a trial of one medication must be conducted prior to adding another one to ensure it's effective.
Treatment
Adults with inattention ADD typically struggle at school, at work or in their relationships with family and friends. They are more likely to make errors, miss important details and get easily distracted. They are more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety or addiction issues. Many adults are able to find treatment options that can help them live more productive lives with ADD/ADHD.
ADD/ADHD, one of the most prevalent mental disorders, is frequently overlooked by family physicians. This may be because family physicians are not familiar with the symptom presentation in adults, or because those 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 inattentive ADD is determined by an evaluation that includes feedback from teachers or other professionals, as well as clinical observation, and a thorough medical background. The symptoms must be consistently challenging and cause significant impairment in a variety of environments. Children younger than 17 years old need to have at least 6 symptoms in the inattentive category and adults need at minimum 5 of the 11 symptoms to meet a diagnosis of inattentive ADD.
Management
Family physicians must recognize ADD in adult patients because the issue could be serious. Inattentive ADD in adults is more prevalent than hyperactive impulsive ADHD however, doctors of the family do not understand it well. Many patients are left undiagnosed. The inattentive kind of ADD is misdiagnosed as mood disorders (depression or bipolar affective disorder), anxiety, or substance use disorders. Treatment is based on support and education, helping patients develop more structure in their lives, enhancing self-esteem and social interaction skills and promoting an active lifestyle and healthy diet, and medication if needed. The use of medication can help up to 60 percent of ADD patients. It should not be used in children as it is not safe for them.