Recognizing ADD Symptoms in Adults
Do you find yourself unable to remember the dates or tasks you have to complete at work? You may interrupt others when they are talking or slam into rooms without knocking. These actions may be ADHD symptoms if they cause you to encounter conflict in your daily life.
Adults often experience comorbid psychiatric disorders such as mood and anxiety disorders with their ADHD. The routine questions that are asked during the clinical interview can reveal signs of ADHD.
Signs and symptoms
A person with ADD isn't able to pay attention to details, organizing tasks, or executing on commitments. navigate here or she makes careless errors at school or at work, and forgets important things such as bills and appointments and is unable to stay focussed on conversations and leisure activities. In addition, a person who suffers from this type of ADD has trouble keeping his or her emotions in check and can be easily distracted by other people.
To be diagnosed with ADD they must have had inattention symptoms at least six month prior to. The symptoms must manifest on two separate occasions and interfere with the patient's school, social, or work functioning. A diagnosis of ADD requires feedback from teachers and parents, as well as clinical observation and a careful history. Some patients have a combination of symptoms in both the inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive categories. The symptoms of ADD combined aren't always obvious and can be difficult to recognize by family physicians. This is a condition that can be identified by primary care doctors.
Diagnosis
Although ADD is among the most prevalent mental health disorders but it's not always acknowledged until later in life. Family physicians can be a crucial factor in diagnosing ADD and sending adults to treatment, especially those who have been dismissed from mental health services or don't have a diagnosis at all.
Diagnosis is based on clinical assessment often assisted by self-rating scales, interviews and observation of the patient's behavior in various situations (eg at home, at work or socially), complete medical history, taking into account previous issues and current difficulties and getting feedback from the school or employer. It is essential to rule out other causes for the symptoms of a person like sleep issues, learning disabilities, alcohol or mood disorders or drug use, as these may have similar presentations 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 can be identified when the clinician finds six or more signs of inattention in two of seven subcategories. This includes: difficulties in paying attention or staying on task, disorganization or forgetfulness, failure to follow the rules or instructions, or difficulties in 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 classified as having ADD, symptoms must have been present in at least two aspects of a person's life for a minimum of six months. A majority of people suffering from ADD suffer from comorbid psychological and mental disorders. These include mood disorders (depressions and bipolar affective disorders and dysthymia) and personality disorders, addictions, and anxiety disorders.
The symptoms of ADD can be reversed, however the best way to manage it is by implementing strategies that help people create structure in their life and alter their habits. Setting goals, creating daily routines and using lists and reminding people of their goals are all beneficial. It is also essential to help people understand their own triggers for impulsive behavior and provide techniques for controlling them, like waiting before acting, evaluating a situation and determining alternative courses of action. Sometimes, medication is necessary, but a test of one drug should be administered prior to adding another to make sure it's effective.
Treatment
Adults who aren't attentive ADD often struggle at school, at work or in their relationships with family and friends. They tend to make careless mistakes, forget important details, and are easily distracted. They are more likely to be suffering from anxiety, depression or addiction to drugs. Many adults are able to have treatment options to aid them in living more productive lives with ADHD or ADD.
ADD/ADHD is one of the most prevalent mental health disorders, but it is often overlooked in family practices. This is likely due to the fact that family physicians are not familiar with the symptom presentation for adults or because those with ADD/ADHD often have co-occurring disorders, like mood disorders (depression, bipolar affective disorder dysthymia, bipolar affective disorder) and anxiety or addiction disorders.
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 have to be problematic in multiple settings on an ongoing basis, and cause significant impairment. Children under the age of 17 have to have at least six symptoms that fall into the inattentive category, while adults require at minimum five of the 11 inattentive symptoms to qualify as a diagnosis of inattentive ADD.
Management
It is vital that family physicians recognize ADD in adults, as the issues can be grave. Inattentive ADD in adults is more prevalent than hyperactive impulsive ADHD, but family physicians aren't aware of it. Many patients remain undiagnosed. The inattentive version of ADD is misdiagnosed as mood disorders (depression bipolar affective disorder or substance abuse disorders). The treatment is based on education and support, assisting patients to establish more structure in their lives, improving their self-esteem and social skills, and encouraging healthy eating and lifestyles and taking medication, should it be required. About 60 percent of ADD sufferers get relief from medication. It is not recommended for children.