Recognizing ADD Symptoms in Adults
Do you forget appointments or responsibilities? Perhaps you enter rooms without knocking or interrupting others when they are speaking. These actions may be ADHD symptoms if they cause you to encounter conflict in your daily life.
Adults frequently suffer from comorbid disorders of the psyche, including mood and anxiety disorders with their ADHD. The signs of ADHD can be elicited by routine questions that are asked during the interview.
Symptoms
A person suffering from ADD isn't able to pay attention to details, organizing activities, or executing on commitments. They make impulsive mistakes at school or work, is unable to remember important details like appointments and bills, and has difficulty staying focussed on conversations and leisure activities. Additionally, someone with this type of ADD is unable to keep their emotions in check and can be easily distracted by others.
To be diagnosed with ADD they must have been afflicted with inattention for at least six months prior to. The symptoms must appear on two separate occasions and impact the patient's social, educational, or work functioning. A diagnosis of ADD requires feedback from teachers and parents in addition to an examination of the patient's clinical condition and a thorough background. Some patients have a combination of symptoms in both the inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive categories. The symptoms of ADD combined are not as apparent and may be difficult to recognize by family doctors. However it is an illness that can be diagnosed and treated by primary care providers.
Diagnosis
ADD is a common childhood mental disorder, but it's not always recognized as an adult. Family physicians can be a crucial factor in diagnosing ADD and referring adults to treatment, specifically those who have been dismissed from mental health services or don't have a diagnosis.
Diagnosis is based on clinical assessment often assisted by self-rating scales, interviews and observation of the patient in different situations (eg at home, at work and socially) and an extensive medical background, including past problems and present difficulties and obtaining feedback from the school or the employer. It is essential to rule out other causes for 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 is diagnosed when the clinician is satisfied that there are six or more inattentive symptoms in two of the following seven subcategories: difficulty focusing, trouble staying on task and disorganization, inability 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.
Generally, in order to be diagnosed with ADD, the symptoms must have been present for at least six months and have impaired functioning in two areas of one's life. In the majority of people suffering from ADD the disorder is associated with a variety of comorbid mental or psychiatric issues such as mood disorders (depression, dysthymia, and bipolar affective disorder) and addictions, anxiety disorders, and personality disorders.
The signs of ADD are reversible. However, the best treatment is to implement strategies that aid people to organize their lives and implement behavioural changes. Setting goals, making daily routines, and using lists and reminding people are all helpful. It is essential to teach people to control their impulsive behavior and what causes them. Techniques such as waiting until taking action, or evaluating a situation and working out alternatives are helpful. Sometimes medication is necessary, but it's important to test one medication prior to adding another.
Treatment
Adults with inattentive ADD often find they have trouble at work, school or in their personal relationships. They tend to make impulsive errors, miss important details and get easily distracted. They are more likely to suffer from anxiety, depression or addiction issues. There are many adults who have treatment options to aid them in living more productive lives with ADHD or ADD.
ADD/ADHD is one of the most commonly reported mental health disorders, yet it is often overlooked in family practice. This is likely due to the fact that family physicians are unfamiliar with the symptom presentation for adults or because those who suffer from ADD/ADHD are often suffering from multiple disorders, including mood disorders (depression bipolar affective disorder, depression, dysthymia) and anxiety, or alcohol-related disorders.
A diagnosis of inattentive ADD is through a thorough evaluation which includes feedback from teachers and other professionals, as well as clinical observation. The symptoms must be a problem in various settings on a continuous basis and cause significant impairment. Children under age 17 need to have at least six signs of inattention in the category and adults need at minimum 5 of the 11 inattentive symptoms to qualify as a diagnosis of inattentive ADD.
signs of adult add must be aware of ADD in patients of all ages because the issue could be serious. Inattentional ADD in adults is more common than hyperactive impulsive ADHD, but family physicians still aren't aware of it. A lot of patients are undiagnosed. In many cases, the inattentive type of ADD is mistakenly categorized as mood disorders (depression, bipolar affective disorder, or addiction disorders). The treatment is based on education and support, assisting patients to establish more order in the lives they lead by enhancing their self-esteem and social skills, and encouraging healthy lifestyles and eating habits and taking medication, should it be required. About 60% of ADD sufferers benefit from treatment. It is not recommended for children.