Recognizing signs of adhd in adults in Adults

You don't remember appointments or tasks? You may interrupt others when they are talking or barge into rooms without knocking. These behaviors could be ADHD symptoms if they cause you to be in conflict with your daily life.

Adults often experience comorbid mental disorders, such as anxiety and mood disorders that are associated with their ADHD. The signs of ADHD can be discovered through routine questions during the clinical interview.

Signs and symptoms

A person with ADD is unable to pay close attention to details, organizing activities, or following through on commitments. He or she makes impulsive errors at school or at work, is unable to remember important details such as bills and appointments and has trouble staying focused on conversation and leisure activities. A person who is this type has difficulty controlling their emotions and can easily be distracted by the activities of others.

In order to be diagnosed with ADD those over 7 must have been affected by inattention symptoms for at minimum six months. The symptoms must be present on two different occasions and the patient's issues have to interfere with the school, social, or work functioning. Parents and teachers must provide feedback, along with an examination of the patient's clinical condition 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 clear cut and can be difficult for family doctors to recognize. It is a condition that can be identified by primary care doctors.

Diagnosis

ADD is a common childhood mental disorder however, it's not always recognized as an adult. Family physicians are a good source to diagnose ADD in adults, particularly those who have not been diagnosed or have been discharged.

Diagnosis is based upon the clinical assessment of a patient, often supported by self-rating scales and interviews and observation of the patient in various situations (eg at home, at work and socially), a thorough 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 reasons for the symptoms of a person that could be related to sleep issues or learning disabilities, alcohol or mood disorders or drug use since they could have similar symptoms 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 is diagnosed when the clinician is satisfied that there are at least six inattentive symptoms in two of the following seven subcategories: difficulty in paying attention or staying focused, disorganization, failing to follow instructions or rules, apathy and being 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.

To be recognized as having ADD symptoms must have been evident in at least two areas of a persons life for at least six months. In the majority of people suffering from ADD, the disorder is accompanied by a comorbid mental or psychiatric issues such as mood disorders (depression, dysthymia and bipolar affective disorder) and addictions, anxiety disorders, and personality disorders.

The symptoms of ADD can be reversed, but the best way to treat it is adopting strategies that allow people to establish a structure in their lives and change their behaviour. Goal setting, daily routines and using lists and reminders are useful. It is also crucial to help people understand their triggers for impulsive behavior and provide techniques for controlling them, including waiting before making a decision, evaluating a situation and coming up with alternative courses of action. Medication is sometimes necessary but a test of one drug should be administered prior to adding another one to ensure it's effective.


Treatment

Adults with inattentive ADD often have trouble at work, school or in their relationships with family and friends. They tend to make impulsive errors, miss important details, and are easily distracted. They are also more likely to suffer from anxiety, depression or abuse. There are a variety of treatment options available to adults with ADD/ADHD that can help them lead more productive lives.

ADD/ADHD, which is among the most common mental disorders, is often overlooked by family physicians. 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 also suffer from other disorders, such as mood disorders or anxiety.

A diagnosis of inattentive ADD is based on an evaluation that includes feedback from teachers or other professionals, clinical observation, and a thorough medical history. The symptoms must be persistently difficult to manage and result in significant impairment in a variety of environments. Children younger than 17 years old need to have at minimum six symptoms that fall into the inattentive category and adults need at least 5 of the 11 inattentive symptoms to qualify as a diagnosis of inattentive ADD.

Management

Family physicians must be aware of ADD in patients who are adults because the problem can be serious. Inattentional ADD is more frequently recognized in the adult population than the hyperactive impulsive type of ADHD but it is still not well-understood by family doctors and many patients go undiagnosed. In many cases, the inattentive form of ADD is mistakenly identified as mood disorders (depression or bipolar affective disorder) or anxiety substance use disorders. Treatment is based on support and education, helping patients develop more discipline in their lives, improving self-esteem and social interaction skills, encouraging the healthy lifestyle and diet and taking medication when needed. Medication is helpful in up to 60% of ADD patients. It is not recommended for children.