ADHD Symptoms and Treatment in Adults

Many adults have difficulty keeping up with their everyday tasks. They often experience frustration and mood swings. If you suspect that you might have ADHD consult your primary health care provider or mental health professional for an assessment.

Adult ADHD is diagnosed using the same criteria that it is for children. The symptoms must last at minimum six months, and cannot be caused by other medical conditions mood disorders or other medical conditions.

Attentive Symptoms

Many adults with ADHD have difficulty keep up with schoolwork, work, or household chores. They frequently have trouble keeping appointments and don't pay their bills on time, and have trouble maintaining relationships with their family and friends. They are more likely than others to lose things, or make a mistake which can result in serious consequences.

If you're having difficulty managing your personal or work-related matters, you should talk to a health care provider. Your primary care physician will assess your situation and recommend you to a mental health specialist when appropriate.


The signs of inattentive ADHD are often misunderstood. People suffering from inattentive ADHD do not always listen when spoken to, forget easily or are frequently distracted by irrelevant thoughts. They might have difficulty staying focused, make erroneous mistakes, or struggle with following instructions. They also have trouble keeping their hands off their faces or may seem shaky or fidgety.

Inattentive symptoms can lead to failure at school or work, which can create anger and shame for the person affected. They can also cause issues in relationships with family, friends and colleagues.

Health care providers diagnose ADHD by conducting a clinical assessment that involves interviewing the person and analyzing their previous behavior. They might ask the person to complete a symptom checklist and conduct tests on the body to determine whether other conditions exhibit similar symptoms. The symptoms of ADHD must be present consistently prior to 12 years old for a diagnosis.

Adults with inattentive ADHD can often benefit from psychotherapy, lifestyle changes and other treatments that help to manage their symptoms. These treatments include medication, behavioral therapy and psychoeducation for families. Psychotherapy is a form of therapy that assists patients develop new skills, attitudes and ways of interacting with other people. Behavioral therapy can help reduce impulsive, self-destructive behavior, improve organizational skills, and increase confidence.

People who have inattention ADHD might find it helpful to discuss their struggles with a trusted friend, family member or therapist. Teachers or supervisors, as well as colleagues may be able offer accommodations. Accommodations are tools and changes to the environment that enable the disabled person to complete tasks just like all other people. For instance an individual who is short may use the step stool.

Hyperactive symptoms

Adults may show different symptoms as children. While children may fidget, seem agitated and agitated while adult symptoms tend to be more subtle. They might forget their tasks, get lost or lose get lost and make a few mistakes. They might also feel excessively energetic and find it difficult to sit still during a meal or in class. They may interrupt others, or give answers before being asked to answer a question.

There are a variety of conditions that can cause these symptoms. A comprehensive psychiatric assessment is required to determine the cause of the symptoms and determine the most effective treatments. These include psychotherapy, medications and lifestyle adjustments. This can include the use of a healthier diet plan, more exercise and a better sleep schedule. They may also require adjusting work or school assignments and making use of assistive devices like calendars, planners and smartphone apps.

It is recommended to first discuss your concerns with a family doctor or primary healthcare provider if you suspect that you might be suffering from ADHD. You can find tips for talking with your health care provider about mental health issues on the NIMH's How to Talk to Your Health Care Provider fact sheet.

To be considered to have ADHD symptoms must be evident in at least two different settings and have a significant impact on daily life. For them to qualify, they must have been present at least six month. Your provider will evaluate you to see if you have the inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive symptoms of ADHD.

There are a variety of medications available that can help you manage your ADHD symptoms, as well as adjustments to your lifestyle and accommodations. These are referred to as stimulants. They function by enhancing the signals within your brain, which affect your attention, mood and behavior. Your doctor will prescribe the appropriate dose of the medication for you and track your response to treatment. You might be prescribed a non-stimulant medication in the event of a recurring side effects, if stimulants aren't working or in combination with stimulants to enhance the effectiveness of treatment.

Instinctive Symptoms

Everyone loses keys or cellphone from time to time, but for people with inattention ADHD small distractions can become an issue. People with inattentive ADHD have a difficult task of focusing on tasks, arranging their material and completing projects. As adults, this may lead to a multitude of unfinished projects around the home: unpaid bills, unkempt homes and a vegetable garden that was planted but never watered.

The impulse-driven symptoms of ADHD can create problems in many areas of life, but particularly when it comes to relationships. People who have impulsive ADHD tend to be anxious and require immediate satisfaction. They may jump into social situations without planning or taking risks, which can have negative consequences. Impulsive people may also overreact to stressful or emotional situations. For example, a person may become extremely angry or defensive in arguments with family or friends.

A health care professional who specializes in mental disorders will go over the medical history of a patient and conduct an examination to diagnose ADHD. The doctor will also inquire about how symptoms impact your home, work, and relationships. In order to be diagnosed with either type of ADHD the patient must have at least six of the nine main symptoms and the symptoms must interfere with daily functioning for at least 6 months (American Association for Psychiatric Research 2000).

Psychostimulants are the most effective treatment for ADHD. These medications target the way that certain chemicals communicate with one another in the brain to regulate behavior. The most well-known stimulant is methylphenidate. It was initially used to treat ADHD among children. signs of untreated adhd in adults is important to speak with your physician about your medication if you are suffering from other health issues such as depression or high blood pressure. Psychotherapy can help reduce impulsive symptoms and distracting behaviors in addition to medications. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a method of teaching people to identify Irrational or automatic thinking that triggers negative behaviors and develop strategies for self-regulation.

Multiple symptoms

Adults who were diagnosed with ADHD as children may experience symptoms in adulthood. They may experience mild, moderate, or severe symptoms that hinder school, work and social interactions. They could also be suffering from other mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety, which require treatment. Adults may also suffer from difficulties with learning, making it difficult to understand or follow instructions in offices and classrooms.

The symptoms of the inattentive form of ADHD aren't as easy to see in adults however, they can affect how people function at home and work. This kind of ADHD makes it difficult for people to sit still in meetings at work or during college lectures. They might also have trouble keeping up with their work and assignments. They can often lose track of their belongings and forget deadlines or appointments. They also have difficulty keeping track of conversations or listening to music. They are more prone to being distracted by the activities or people that are going on around them than the majority of people.

Hyperactive-impulsive ADHD symptoms are more common in adults than the inattentive type of the disorder, but they can be difficult to diagnose in adults, too. The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV TR) has a criterion for diagnosing the disorder that includes symptoms that start before age 12and can manifest in a variety of settings and result in impairment in multiple domains like school or in relationships.

To qualify for a diagnosis of hyperactive-impulsive ADHD, people must have six or more symptoms that have persisted for at least six months. The symptoms must be present before the age of 12 and persist at school, at home as well as in other work and social settings.

There's no reason for ADHD however, researchers are studying environmental and genetic factors that may be a factor. Research suggests that the brains of individuals with ADHD have difficulty regulating certain chemicals, such as neurotransmitters which help manage mood, attention and behavior.

Consult your primary healthcare provider if you show signs of ADHD. Your doctor can conduct an examination of your body and refer you for an assessment by a mental health professional. Treatment for ADHD usually involves psychotherapy and medications like stimulants that boost levels of certain chemicals in the brain. Amphetamines and methylphenidate as well as other stimulants are commonly used. Inform your doctor about any other medications you are taking such as vitamins or supplements. The FDA's website for medications contains information on approved medications as well as patient information and warnings guides.