A Delightful Rant About Symptoms Of ADD And ADHD In Adults
Attention Deficit Disorder in Adults
Adults suffering from attention deficit disorder can be difficult to diagnose and treat. Therapists can assist by examining the signs and causes, educating the patient on how to build structure and behavioural changes and offer medication if needed.
People with ADD/ADHD have problems with hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity. ADHD symptoms in adults males may include problems with memory loss, trouble waiting for their turn and difficulties concentrating on tasks or playing games.
The Signs of Inattention Type
This subtype of ADHD is characterized by a high level of distraction, and a difficulty in paying attention to small details. Adults who are inattentive ADHD struggle to complete tasks or projects that require constant mental effort, such as writing and reading. They may struggle to remember appointments or paying their bills and are susceptible to making impulsive errors in the workplace or at home.
While the symptoms of inattentive ADHD may have first appeared during childhood, they tend to go undiagnosed because adults are expected to manage their impulsive and hyperactive/impulsive symptoms on their own. As a result, the symptoms of inattentive ADHD can last throughout their adult lives and cause problems with relationships as well as school performance and career advancement.
Symptoms of inattentive ADHD include the habit of fidgeting with your hands or feet, difficulties taking part in leisure activities without interruption as well as difficulty waiting for their turn, and blurting out answers before questions are answered. They also struggle to stay well-organized at home and at work and are often late for classes or meetings. People with inattention ADHD often have trouble staying focused at school or at work dislike boring meetings and have to chew gum or sip coffee to make it through them.
A medical professional will assess the patient for possible mental health or medical conditions that could cause similar symptoms. They will then examine their behavior to identify if they have ADD. You can inquire about the person's behavior in different situations by speaking to their family as well as teachers and colleagues. The health care provider will also ask about the person's mood and recent medical history.
Psychostimulants are used to increase alertness and streamline brain signals. They include amphetamines, such as Adderall, Ritalin and Concerta and methylphenidates such as Strattera (atomoxetine) and Qelbree (viloxazine). Antidepressants that affect neurotransmitters in the brain are sometimes prescribed to people with inattentive ADHD in order to enhance their mood and improve their concentration. Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor, (venlafaxine) are two examples. Non-stimulant drugs can also be utilized. These are less likely to cause side effects and include guanfacine (Intuniv), bupropion/atomoxetine, and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors such as Strattera.
Symptoms of Hyperactive/Impulsive Type
People with the hyperactive/impulsive type of ADHD struggle to sit still and remain focused. This is a problem to focus on work or school assignments and may result in careless mistakes. In addition, they often have trouble following instructions or performing complex tasks. They also have difficulty staying on track when playing games or in activities of leisure with others. They are often disruptive and interrupt others during games, conversations or other activities. They may fiddle with their feet or hands or even squirm their seat, or pace while they're talking or listening.
Children with the hyperactive/impulsive type of ADD often have trouble waiting for their turn to speak or play, and they may blurt out their answers before other people have finished speaking. They may be unable to control their own behavior and be constantly on the move and unable to slow down or stop, even during events such as fairs or a theme parks. They may have difficulties organizing tasks, completing long-term tasks or committing to homework or other structured activities.
They often have a poor sense of personal responsibility and have trouble making and keeping friends. They may also have difficulty controlling their emotions, which can cause mood swings and severe depression. They may also have difficulty managing their time and finances and can make them more prone to financial scams or other frauds.
Many people with ADHD are not diagnosed until adulthood when their symptoms become more apparent. Teachers or other adults might have missed their symptoms during the early years of their lives. They may have sought to alleviate their issues in a supportive atmosphere and flourished until they had to face the pressure of pursuing the job of their dreams or raising a child when their issues became apparent. The ratio of males to females in diagnosed ADHD is higher in the early years, but the ratio becomes more comparable as they reach adulthood.
Certain dietary supplements can reduce the irritability of people suffering from ADHD. These include GABA, taurine, GABA fish oil and Brain Vitale. They can also benefit from stress management techniques like regular exercise and deep breathing. They must discuss with their physician all treatments options that include stimulants (Strattera) and non-stimulants (Viloxazine) (Qelbree), and antidepressants (Wellbutrin).
Signs of Mixed Type
People with combined type ADHD exhibit symptoms of both inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive presentations. They have trouble staying focused on tasks that require mental effort for long periods of time or causing things to stay in their heads like schoolwork, chores, homework or even work. They also make careless mistakes at school, at work, and in their personal lives. These issues with attention and impulse can cause stress and can lead to problems in relationships.
The symptoms of this condition can be varied in severity and can manifest at different stages of life. They include daydreaming and being easily distracted by their own thoughts, which can cause the tendency to lose things like homework or keys; and difficulties following through on tasks. They may also have difficulty staying still and may interfere with the activities of leisure or games.
It is important to assess the effects of each medication carefully when you have a mixed presentation. Adults with this type of presentation who have been taking medication since the age of a teenager should get a review of their treatment every six months, and in particular after any changes in lifestyle that could affect the amount of medication needed.
It is important to remember that ADD or ADHD doesn't affect race, ethnicity, or gender, although it is believed to affect more people who are assigned male at birth (AMAB). The diagnosis is usually identified when adults exhibit several of the typical symptoms in several areas of their lives, but are unable to explain them in a satisfactory manner.
There are several methods to treat ADD in adults, which include lifestyle changes, medication and behavior therapy. A combination of treatments is usually the best option, and medication can be prescribed in various forms, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin), dextroamphetamine/amphetamine salts (Adderall), lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse), and atomoxetine (Strattera). These medications assist in increasing concentration by increasing the supply of dopamine and norepinephrine within the brain. Non-stimulants can also be utilized by adults who don't want to use stimulants, or who only need them in a low dose.
Signs and symptoms of Combined Type
For people with combined type ADHD, the symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity appear together. Inattention symptoms include forgetfulness, difficulty completing tasks or having difficulty staying still. Impulsivity and hyperactivity can manifest as a lack of concentration, fidgeting or squirming. They have a difficult time learning to stand in line or follow instructions. This leads to frustration and rule-breaking behaviors.
Adults with a mix of ADHD symptoms often also experience difficulties reading situational social boundaries which can lead them to encroach into conversations or activities without thinking about how others feel about it. They often have trouble with organizing strategies and get overwhelmed by complex projects. In many cases, people who exhibit this ADHD presentation may also be suffering from depression or other mood disorders.
Making sure you have a clear diagnosis of ADHD is crucial to determining the most effective treatment strategy. Many people suffering from ADHD are reluctant to seek help. However, a diagnosis can empower them and give them the tools needed to manage their symptoms.
To receive a diagnosis, doctors must identify at least six symptoms of inattention and at least five symptoms of hyperactivity/impulsivity to a degree that interferes with daily functioning. These symptoms must be present prior to the age of 12 and continue for a minimum of six months to be considered ADHD. The symptoms must be severe enough to negatively impact a person's performance in school, at work or at home.
Experts do not fully understand why ADHD is a common occurrence. However, they do know that it is inherited and certain genes increase the chance of a person becoming affected. They also know that brain chemistry and differences in brain structure are a factor and that some people get the disorder without an ancestry history.
There are various behavioral treatments for adult ADHD, including structured routines and organizational strategies, talk therapy (Cognitive-behavioral therapy or Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), exercise and healthy sleep habits. In many instances, these treatments can be more effective than medication.