Recognizing ADD Symptoms in Adults
You forget appointments or tasks? Maybe you barge into rooms without knocking, or interrupt people when they speak. These actions may be ADHD symptoms if they cause you to be in conflict with your everyday life.
Adults with ADHD typically suffer from mental disorders, such as anxiety and mood disorders. Clues to ADHD can be elicited by routine questions that are asked during the interview.
Symptoms
A person with ADD is unable to pay close attention to details, organizing tasks, or executing on commitments. He or she makes impulsive errors at school or at work, is unable to remember important details such as bills and appointments, and has difficulty staying focused on conversations and leisure activities. Someone with this kind of personality struggles to control their emotions and can easily be distracted by the activities of others.
To be diagnosed with adult female add symptoms , people over age 7 must have been affected by inattention-related symptoms for at minimum six months. The symptoms must be present on two different occasions and the patient's issues must interfere with social, school or work performance. A diagnosis of ADD requires feedback from teachers and parents in addition to 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 obvious and can be difficult to diagnose by family physicians. However it is a condition that is diagnosed and treated by primary care physicians.
Diagnosis
ADD is a common mental disorder in children however it's often not recognized as an adult. Family physicians are a great source of information for diagnosing ADD in adults, especially those who have not been diagnosed or have been discharged.
The diagnosis is based on a clinical assessment, which may include self-ratings, an interview and observation of patients in various situations (e.g. at work, home, or socially) and a thorough medical history that considers both current and past difficulties as well as feedback from the employer or school. It is important to exclude other causes for the symptoms a person experiences, such as 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. Inattentional ADD is diagnosed when a doctor observes six or more signs of inattention in two of seven subcategories. These include difficulties in paying attention or staying on track, 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.
In general, to be considered to have ADD, the symptoms must be present for at least six months and have caused impairment in two areas of a person's life. In the majority of people suffering from ADD, the disorder is accompanied by a comorbid psychological or psychiatric problems that include mood disorders (depression dysthymia and bipolar affective disorder) as well as addictions, anxiety disorders and personality disorders.
Symptoms of ADD are reversible, however the best way to treat it is to implement strategies to help people put structure in their lives and implement behavioural changes. Setting goals, creating daily routines and using lists and reminding people are all beneficial. It is also essential to help people understand their triggers for impulsive behavior and offer strategies for controlling them, like taking time before acting, evaluating a situation and coming up with alternative courses of action. Sometimes, medication is necessary, 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 may have difficulties at work, in the classroom or in their relationships. They are more likely to make mistakes, forget crucial details and become easily distracted. They are more likely to suffer from anxiety, depression or addiction to drugs. There are many treatment options for adults with ADD/ADHD that can help them lead more productive lives.
ADD/ADHD is one of the most prevalent mental health disorders, yet it is often not considered in family practice. This could be due to the fact that family physicians are not familiar with the symptom presentation in adults or because people who have ADD/ADHD frequently have co-occurring disorders, like mood disorders (depression, bipolar affective disorder, dysthymia) and anxiety, or substance use disorders.
A diagnosis of inattention ADD is dependent on an assessment that includes feedback from teachers or other professionals, clinical observation, and a thorough history. The symptoms have to be problematic in multiple settings on an ongoing basis, and cause significant impairment. To diagnose inattention ADD, children under 17 years old must have at least six symptomatic signs that are indicative of inattentive behavior. Adults should have at minimum five of the 11 inattentive behaviors.
Management
Family physicians must be aware of ADD in patients of all ages because the issue could be serious. Inattentive ADD is more frequently recognized in the adult population than the hyperactive impulsive form of ADHD but it is not widely understood by family doctors and many patients are left undiagnosed. In many cases, the inattentive type of ADD is misdiagnosed with mood disorders (depression, bipolar affective disorder, or substance abuse disorders). Treatment is based on education and support and helps patients create more structure in their lives, and improving self-esteem and social interaction skills as well as encouraging an active lifestyle and healthy diet and taking medication when needed. Medication is helpful in up to 60% of ADD patients. It is not recommended for children.