The Little-Known Benefits Of ADD Symptoms In Adults

Recognizing ADD Symptoms in Adults

Do you forget appointments or responsibilities? You may interrupt people when they are talking or barge into rooms without knocking. These actions may be ADHD symptoms when they cause you encounter conflict in your everyday life.

Adults are often diagnosed with disorders of the psyche, including anxiety and mood disorders that are associated with their ADHD. Clues to ADHD can be elicited by routine questions in the clinical interview.

Symptoms

A person suffering from ADD might have trouble organizing activities paying attention to particulars or keeping commitments. They make impulsive mistakes at school or work, and forgets important things like appointments and bills and is unable to stay focused on conversation and leisure activities. Someone with this kind of personality has difficulty controlling their emotions and is easily distracted by the activities of others.

In order to be diagnosed with ADD individuals over the age of 7 must have been affected by inattention-related symptoms for at least six months. Several of the symptoms must be present on two separate occasions, and the patient's problems must interfere with school, social or work functioning. Parents and teachers must provide feedback, along with 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 identify. However, it is an illness that can be diagnosed and treated by primary care providers.

Diagnosis

Although ADD is one of the most prevalent mental health issues but it's not always acknowledged in adulthood. Family physicians can be a crucial factor in diagnosing ADD and sending adults to treatment, especially those who have been discharged from mental health care or do not have a diagnosis.

Diagnosis is based on clinical assessment often assisted by self-rating scales and interviews and observation of the patient in various situations (eg at work, at home and socially), an extensive medical background, including previous issues and current difficulties, and obtaining feedback from school or employer. It is essential to rule out other reasons for the symptoms of a person that could be related to sleep issues, learning disabilities, alcohol or mood disorders or drug use since they could be similar 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 is diagnosed when the doctor is satisfied that there are six or more indicators of inattention within two of the following seven subcategories: difficulty paying attention or staying focused and disorganization, inability to follow directions or rules, forgetfulness 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.

In order to be diagnosed as having ADD symptoms must have been evident in at least two aspects of the person's life for at least six months. In at least half of all people suffering from ADD, the disorder is accompanied by a comorbid psychological or psychiatric problems, including mood disorders (depression bipolar affective disorder and dysthymia), addictions, anxiety disorders and personality disorders.

The symptoms of ADD can be reversed, however the best way to treat it is by adopting strategies that allow people to organize their lives and alter their habits. Setting goals, making daily routines and using lists and reminding people of their goals are all beneficial. It is also essential to teach people about their triggers for impulsive behavior and to provide methods for reducing them, such as taking time before acting, evaluating a situation and coming up with different options for action. The use of medication is sometimes required, but a test of one drug should be given before adding another one to ensure it is effective.

Treatment

Adults who aren't attentive ADD often find they have trouble at work, school or in their personal relationships. adhd symptoms for women tend to miss important details, make careless mistakes and become easily distracted. They are more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety or addiction issues. Many adults are able to find treatment options that can help them live more successful lives with ADHD or ADD.

ADD/ADHD is among the most commonly reported mental health disorders, yet it is often not considered in family practices. This may be because family physicians are not familiar with the symptoms that manifest for adults or because those with ADD/ADHD often have multiple disorders, including mood disorders (depression bipolar affective disorder dysthymia) and anxiety or alcohol-related disorders.

A diagnosis of inattentive ADD is dependent on an assessment that includes feedback from teachers or other professionals, a clinical observation and a detailed history. The symptoms have to be persistently challenging and cause significant impairment in multiple environments. To be able to identify inattentive ADD children who are under 17 years old must show at least six signs in the category of inattentive behavior. Adults need at least five of the 11 inattention-related behaviors.

Management

It is vital that family physicians recognize ADD in adults, as the symptoms can be grave. Inattentive ADD is more often recognized in the adult population than the hyperactive impulsive type of ADHD but it is still not well-understood by family physicians, and a lot of patients go undiagnosed. In many cases, the inattentive form of ADD is misdiagnosed as mood disorders (depression or bipolar affective disorder) or anxiety, or substance use disorders. Treatment is based on support and education and helps patients create more discipline in their lives, and improving self-esteem and social interactions and promoting a healthy diet and lifestyle and taking medication when needed. Up to 60% of ADD sufferers benefit from medication. It is not recommended to use for children since it is not safe for them.