Recognizing ADD Symptoms in Adults

You don't remember appointments or tasks? Perhaps you enter rooms without knocking, or interrupt people when they speak. If these actions cause conflicts in your life, they could be symptoms of ADHD.

Adults who suffer from ADHD typically suffer from mental disorders, such as anxiety and mood disorders. Signs of ADHD can be elicited by routine questions in the interview with a clinical psychologist.

Signs and symptoms

A person with ADD is unable to pay close attention to the details, arranging tasks, or executing on commitments. The person with ADD often makes errors at school or work, forgets important things such as appointments and bills, and has trouble staying focused on conversations and leisure activities. Someone with this kind of personality is unable to control their emotions and is easily distracted by the activities of others.

In order to be diagnosed with ADD individuals over the age of 7 must have been affected by inattention-related symptoms for at minimum six months. The symptoms must be present on two separate occasions and the patient's difficulties are affecting the school, social, or work functioning. Teachers and parents should provide feedback, along with clinical observation and a thorough history. 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 physicians to identify. This is a condition that can be diagnosed by primary care physicians.

Diagnosis

ADD is a typical childhood mental disorder however it's often not recognized when you turn an adult. Family physicians are a great source of information for diagnosing ADD in adults, especially those who have not been diagnosed or discharged.

The diagnosis is based on a thorough clinical assessment, which can include self-ratings, interviews and observation of patients in different situations (e.g. at work, home, or socially) as well as an extensive medical history that takes into account the past and present challenges as well as feedback from the school or employer. It is important to exclude 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. Inattentive ADD is diagnosed when the doctor is satisfied that there are six or more inattentive symptoms in two of the following seven subcategories: difficulty in paying attention or staying focused and disorganization, inability to follow instructions or rules, 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.

In adhd in adults symptoms , to be diagnosed with ADD the symptoms must have been present for at least six months and be affecting functioning in two different areas of a person's daily life. In at least half of all people with ADD it is associated with a variety of comorbid mental or psychiatric disorders that include mood disorders (depression, bipolar affective disorder and dysthymia) as well as addictions, anxiety disorders, and personality disorders.

The symptoms of ADD can be reversed but the best way to treat it is applying strategies to help people establish a structure in their lives and alter their behavior. Setting goals, establishing routines for the day and using lists and reminding people are all beneficial. It is essential to teach people to manage their impulsive behavior and to understand what causes them. Techniques such as waiting until making a decision or evaluating the situation and figuring out alternative options are helpful. Medication is sometimes necessary but a test of one drug should be administered prior to adding another to make sure it is effective.

Treatment


Adults who aren't attentive ADD often have trouble at school, work or in their personal relationships. They tend to make careless mistakes, overlook important details and get easily distracted. They are more likely to be suffering from anxiety, depression or addiction issues. Fortunately, there are many treatment options for those suffering from ADD/ADHD, which can help them lead more productive lives.

ADD/ADHD is one of the most common mental health disorders, yet it is often not considered in family practices. This may be because family physicians aren't familiar with the symptom presentation in adults or because people with ADD/ADHD often have multiple disorders, including mood disorders (depression bipolar affective disorder dysthymia, bipolar affective disorder) and anxiety, or addiction disorders.

A diagnosis of inattention ADD is through a thorough evaluation that includes feedback from teachers and other professionals, as and clinical observation. The symptoms have to be persistently difficult to manage and result in significant impairment in multiple situations. Children younger than 17 years old need to have at minimum six signs of inattention in the category, and adults must have at least five of the 11 inattentive symptoms to be diagnosed of inattentive ADD.

Management

Family physicians need to recognize ADD in adult patients since the condition can be serious. Inattentive ADD is more commonly acknowledged in the adult population than the hyperactive impulsive form of ADHD however, it is not well-understood by family doctors and many patients go undiagnosed. In many cases, the inattentive form of ADD is misdiagnosed as mood disorders (depression or bipolar affective disorder) or anxiety substance use disorders. The treatment is based on education and support, assisting patients develop more structure in their lives and improve their self-esteem as well as social skills, encouraging healthy lifestyles and eating habits and taking medication, when needed. Up to 60% of ADD sufferers benefit from treatment. It is not recommended for children.