Recognizing ADD Symptoms in Adults

Do you forget appointments or responsibilities? You may interrupt people when they're talking or sneak into rooms without knocking. If these actions cause conflicts in your life, they may be signs of ADHD.

Adults are often diagnosed with mental disorders, such as anxiety and mood disorders as well as their ADHD. The signs of ADHD can be discovered through routine questions in the interview with a clinical psychologist.

Signs and symptoms

A person with ADD isn't able to pay attention to the details, arranging activities, or executing on commitments. He or she makes careless mistakes at school or at work, forgets important items like appointments and bills and has trouble staying focused on conversations and leisure activities. A person with this type struggles to control their emotions and can easily be distracted by others.

To be diagnosed with ADD, people over age 7 must have been affected by inattention symptoms for at minimum six months. A number of symptoms have to be present on two distinct occasions and the patient's issues have to interfere with school, social or work functioning. Teachers and parents should provide feedback, in addition to medical observation and a thorough history. Some patients have a combination of symptoms in both the inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive categories. The symptoms of adhd in an adult of the combined type of ADD are not as distinct and may be difficult for family doctors to identify. However, it is an illness that can be diagnosed and treated by primary care providers.

Diagnosis

Although ADD is one of the most common childhood mental health disorders but it's not always acknowledged until later in life. Family physicians can play a key role in identifying ADD and referring adults to treatment, particularly those who have been relegated to mental health services or do not have a diagnosis at all.

Diagnosis is based on the clinical assessment of a patient, often supported by self-rating scales and interviews and observation of the patient in various situations (eg at work, at home, socially), an extensive medical history, taking into account previous issues and current difficulties and obtaining feedback from school or the employer. It is crucial to rule out other causes for the symptoms a person experiences, such as sleep disorders and 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 a doctor observes six or more signs of inattention within two of the seven subcategories. These include: difficulty in staying focused or on track, disorganization or forgetfulness, failure to adhere to guidelines or rules, and 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.

In order to be diagnosed as having ADD symptoms must have been evident in at least two areas of a persons life for at least six months. In at least half of all people suffering from ADD, the disorder is associated with comorbid mental or psychiatric disorders that include mood disorders (depression dysthymia and bipolar affective disorder), Adult Adhd Symptoms list addictions, anxiety disorders and personality disorders.

Symptoms of ADD are reversible, but the best approach is to implement strategies that aid people organize their lives and make behavioral changes. Goal setting, daily routines and using lists and reminders are useful. It is important to teach people how to control their impulsive behavior as well as what triggers them. Techniques like waiting before acting or evaluating a scenario and working out alternatives are useful. Medication is sometimes necessary but a trial of one medication should be administered prior to adding another to make sure it's effective.

Treatment

Adults who aren't attentive ADD often find they have trouble at school, work or in their personal relationships. They tend to forget important details, make careless mistakes and become easily distracted. They are also more likely to suffer from anxiety, depression or substance abuse. Fortunately, there are many treatment options for those suffering from ADD/adhd in adults symptoms women, which can assist them in living more productive lives.

ADD/ADHD is one of the most prevalent mental health disorders, yet it is often not considered in family practices. This could be because family physicians aren't familiar with adult adhd symptoms list ADD/adhd types and symptoms symptoms or because a large number of people with ADD/ADHD also suffer from other disorders, including anxiety or mood disorders.

A diagnosis of inattention ADD is based on a thorough evaluation that includes feedback from teachers and other professionals as and clinical observation. The symptoms must be persistently problematic and cause significant impairment in multiple situations. Children under age 17 need to show at least six signs of inattention in the category and adult adhd symptoms list adults need at least five of the 11 inattentive nhs symptoms of adhd to be diagnosed of inattentive ADD.

Management

Family physicians need to recognize ADD in patients who are adults because the problem can be serious. Inattentive ADD is more commonly diagnosed in the adult population than the hyperactive impulsive form of ADHD but it is not widely understood by family physicians and many patients are left undiagnosed. The inattentive version of ADD is mistakenly categorized as mood disorders (depression or bipolar affective disorders, or substance abuse disorders). Treatment is focused on education and support, helping patients develop more structure in their lives, enhancing self-esteem and social interactions and promoting a healthy diet and lifestyle and taking medication when needed. Treatment is beneficial for up to 60 percent of ADD patients. It is not recommended for children.