Recognizing ADD Symptoms in Adults
You forget appointments or tasks? Maybe you barge into rooms without knocking or interrupting others when they speak. If these behaviors cause conflict in your life, they may be signs of ADHD.
Adults suffering from ADHD often have comorbid psychiatric conditions such as anxiety and mood disorders. The routine questions that are asked during the clinical interview may reveal the signs of ADHD.
Symptoms
A person with ADD is unable to pay close focus on details, organising tasks, or executing on commitments. They make impulsive errors at school or at work, is unable to remember important details such as bills and appointments, and has difficulty staying focussed on conversations and leisure activities. A person with this type is unable to control their emotions and can easily be distracted by other people.
To be diagnosed with ADD individuals over the age of 7 must have been affected by inattention-related symptoms for at minimum six months. The symptoms must appear on two separate occasions and impact the patient's social, school, or work functioning. A diagnosis of ADD requires feedback from teachers and parents and also clinical observation and a careful medical history. Some patients have a combination of symptoms in both the inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive categories. The symptoms of ADD combined aren't always apparent and may be difficult to diagnose by family physicians. It is a condition which can be diagnosed by primary care physicians.
Diagnosis
Although ADD is one of the most prevalent mental health issues but it's not always acknowledged in adulthood. Family physicians are a good source to diagnose ADD for adults, especially those who have not been diagnosed or have been dismissed.
The diagnosis is based on a medical evaluation, which could include self-ratings, interviews and observation of patients in different situations (e.g. at home, work or socially) as well as a detailed medical history that takes into account both past and current difficulties and feedback from the school or employer. It is crucial to rule out other causes for a person's symptoms that could be related to sleep issues, learning disabilities, alcohol and mood disorders or drug use, as these may 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 for two of the seven subcategories: difficulty focusing or staying focused and disorganization, inability to follow directions or rules, forgetfulness and easily distracted. add symptoms adults -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 general, to be able to identify ADD the symptoms must have been present for at least 6 months and have impaired functioning in two areas of a person's life. At least half of people suffering from ADD have a history of comorbid psychological or psychiatric disorders. These include mood disorders (depressions and bipolar affective disorders and dysthymia), 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 organize their lives and change their behaviour. Setting goals, routines for the day and using lists and reminders are helpful. It is also important to help people understand their triggers for impulsive behavior and to provide methods for reducing them, including taking time before taking action, evaluating the situation and coming up with alternative courses of action. Sometimes, medication is necessary however it is essential to test one medication prior to adding another.
Treatment
Adults with inattentive ADD typically have trouble at school, at work or in their personal relationships. They tend to miss important details, make impulsive mistakes and get distracted easily. They are more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety, or substance abuse. There are many adults who are able to find treatment options that assist them in living more successful lives with ADHD or ADD.
ADD/ADHD is among the most common mental health conditions, yet it is often overlooked in family practices. This may be because family physicians are unfamiliar with the symptoms that manifest for adults or because those who have ADD/ADHD frequently 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 through a thorough evaluation that includes feedback from teachers and other professionals, as well as clinical observation. The symptoms must be persistently challenging and cause significant impairment in multiple settings. To be able to identify inattentive ADD children who are under 17 years old must show at least six symptomatic signs that are indicative of inattentive behavior. Adults need at minimum five of the 11 inattentive behaviors.
Management
It is very important that family doctors recognize ADD in adults, as the issues can be serious. Inattentional ADD is more frequently recognized in the adult population than the hyperactive impulsive type of ADHD however, it is not well-understood by family physicians and many patients are not diagnosed. The inattentive version of ADD is mistakenly categorized as mood disorders (depression bipolar affective disorder, or addiction disorders). Treatment is based on education and support to help patients establish more discipline in their lives, improving self-esteem and social skills as well as encouraging an active lifestyle and healthy diet and taking medication when needed. Up to 60 percent of ADD sufferers benefit from treatment. It is not recommended to use for children since it is not safe for them.