Recognizing ADD Symptoms in Adults
Do you have a tendency to forget appointments or tasks at work? Perhaps you enter rooms without knocking or interrupting others when they're speaking. These behaviors could be ADHD symptoms if they cause you to encounter conflict in your daily life.
Adults with ADHD often have comorbid mental disorders, such as anxiety and mood disorders. Signs of ADHD can be identified through routine questions in the interview.
Symptoms
A person with ADD isn't able to pay attention to the details, arranging tasks, or executing on commitments. The person with ADD often makes careless mistakes at school or work, or forgets important details like bills and appointments, and has trouble staying focused on conversations and leisure activities. In addition, a person who suffers from this type of ADD struggles to keep their emotions in check, and may be easily distracted by others.
In order to be diagnosed with ADD those over 7 must have been affected by inattention symptoms for at least six months. The symptoms should manifest on two separate occasions and impact the patient's social, educational or work performance. Parents and teachers must provide feedback, as well as an examination of the patient's clinical condition 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. This is a condition that can be identified by primary care doctors.
Diagnosis
ADD is a typical mental disorder that affects children however, it's not always recognized as an adult. Family physicians can play a significant role in identifying ADD and refer adults to treatment, especially those who have been relegated to mental health care or do not have a diagnosis at all.
The diagnosis is based on a the clinical assessment of a patient, often supported by self-rating scales, interviews and observation of the patient in different situations (eg at home, at work or socially) and an extensive medical background, including previous issues and current difficulties, and obtaining feedback from school or employer. Suggested Online site is important to exclude other reasons for the symptoms a person experiences, such as sleep disorders, learning disabilities or 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 a doctor is satisfied that there are at least six indicators of inattention for two of the seven subcategories: difficulty paying attention, trouble staying on task and disorganization, inability to follow directions 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.
To be classified as having ADD symptoms must have been evident in at least two different areas of a person's life for at least six months. A majority of people suffering from ADD have comorbid psychological and mental disorders. These include mood disorders (depressions bipolar affective disorder and dysthymia), personality disorders, addictions and anxiety disorders.
The symptoms of ADD are reversible. However, the best way to treat it is to implement strategies that aid people put structure in their lives and make behavioural changes. Goal setting, daily routines and making lists and reminders are beneficial. It is essential to teach people to manage their impulsive behavior as well as what triggers them. Techniques such as waiting before making a decision or evaluating the situation and working out alternatives are beneficial. Sometimes, medication is necessary however it is important to test a medication prior to adding another.
Treatment
Adults with inattention ADD often have trouble at work, school or in their personal relationships. They tend to make careless errors, miss important details and get easily distracted. They are also more likely to suffer from anxiety, depression or substance abuse. There are many treatment options for adults with ADD/ADHD that can help them lead more productive lives.
ADD/ADHD, one of the most frequent mental disorders, is frequently overlooked by family physicians. This could be because family physicians aren't familiar with symptoms of adult ADD/ADHD or because a lot of people suffering from ADD/ADHD suffer from comorbid disorders, including mood disorders or anxiety.
A diagnosis of inattention ADD is by a thorough assessment that includes feedback from teachers and other professionals as and clinical observation. The symptoms have to be problematic in different settings on a regular basis and cause significant impairment. To diagnose inattentive ADD, children under 17 years old must show at least six symptomatic signs in the category of inattentional behavior. Adults need at least five of the eleven inattentional behaviors.
Management
Family physicians must recognize ADD in patients of all ages because the issue could be serious. Inattentive ADD in adults is more prevalent than hyperactive impulsive ADHD, but doctors of the family do not understand it well. A lot of patients are undiagnosed. The inattentive kind of ADD is misdiagnosed as mood disorders (depression or bipolar affective disorder), anxiety, or addiction disorders. The treatment is based on education and support, which helps patients to develop more order in the lives they lead and improve their self-esteem as well as social skills, encouraging healthy lifestyles and eating habits, and medication, should it be required. The use of medication can help up to 60 percent of ADD patients. It should not be used in children as it is not safe for children.