Recognizing ADD Symptoms in Adults
You forget appointments or tasks? You might interrupt people while they're talking or sneak into rooms without knocking. If these behaviors cause conflict in your life, they could be symptoms of ADHD.
Adults with ADHD typically suffer from psychiatric conditions such as anxiety and mood disorders. The routine questions that are asked during the clinical interview may reveal the signs of ADHD.
Signs and symptoms
A person suffering from ADD might have trouble organizing activities paying attention to particulars or keeping commitments. The person with ADD often makes mistakes in school or at work, forgets important things like appointments and bills, and has trouble staying focused on conversations and leisure activities. Furthermore, a person with this kind of ADD has trouble keeping his or her emotions in check and can be easily distracted by others.
To be diagnosed with ADD they must have experienced inattentive symptoms at least six months prior. Several of the symptoms must be present on two separate occasions, and the patient's problems are affecting school, social or work-related functioning. Teachers and parents must provide feedback, in addition to clinical observation and a thorough medical 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 always 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 often not recognized as an adult. Family physicians are a good resource for diagnosing ADD in adults, particularly those who have not been diagnosed or discharged.
The diagnosis is based on a medical assessment, which can include self-ratings, an interview and observation of patients in various situations (e.g. at work, home, or socially), as well as a thorough medical history that includes both past and current difficulties and feedback from the employer or school. It is essential to rule out other causes of the symptoms of a person, like 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. Inattentive ADD can be identified when the clinician finds six or more symptoms of inattention within two of the seven subcategories. These include difficulties in paying attention or staying on track, disorganization or forgetfulness, failure to follow the rules or instructions, or trouble 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 ADD symptoms must be present in at least two aspects of a person's life for at least six months. In the majority of people with ADD, the disorder is accompanied by a comorbid psychological or psychiatric problems that include mood disorders (depression dysthymia and bipolar affective disorder) as well as anxiety disorders, addictions and personality disorders.
The signs of ADD are reversible. However, the best way to treat it is to implement strategies that help people to organize their lives and make behavioural changes. Setting goals, creating daily routines, and using lists and reminding people are all beneficial. It is also important to help people understand their own triggers for impulsive behavior and offer strategies for controlling them, like waiting before acting, evaluating a situation and coming up with alternatives to take. Medication is sometimes necessary but a trial of one medication should be given before adding another to ensure that it's effective.
Treatment
Adults with inattentive ADD may have difficulties at work, in the classroom or in their relationships. They tend to make careless errors, miss important details and get easily distracted. They are more likely to be suffering from anxiety, depression, or substance abuse. Fortunately, many adults find treatment options that can help them live more productive lives with ADD/ADHD.
ADD/ADHD is one of the most commonly reported mental health disorders, but it is often not considered in family practice. This could be because family doctors are unfamiliar with symptoms of adult ADD/ADHD or because a lot of people suffering from ADD/ADHD also suffer from other disorders, including mood disorders or anxiety.
A diagnosis of inattention ADD is based on a thorough evaluation, which includes feedback from teachers and other professionals as well as clinical observation. The symptoms must be persistently problematic and cause significant impairment in a variety of situations. To be able to identify inattention ADD children younger than 17 years old must show at least six symptomatic signs that are indicative of inattentional behavior. Adults must have at minimum five of the 11 inattentional behaviors.
Management
Family physicians need to recognize ADD in adult patients since the condition can be serious. Inattentional ADD in adults is more prevalent than hyperactive impulsive ADHD, but doctors of the family don't know how to recognize it. A lot of patients are undiagnosed. The inattentive kind of ADD is misdiagnosed as mood disorders (depression or bipolar affective disorder), anxiety, or substance use disorders. Iam Psychiatry UK is focused on education and support to help patients establish more order in their lives, enhancing self-esteem and social interaction skills as well as encouraging an active lifestyle and healthy diet and, if necessary, medication. About 60% of ADD sufferers get relief from treatment. It is not recommended for children.