7 Things You Never Knew About ADD Symptoms In Adults

Recognizing ADD Symptoms in Adults

Do you find yourself unable to remember important dates or tasks at work? You might interrupt people while they're talking or sneak into rooms without knocking. If these behaviors cause conflict in your life, they could be signs of ADHD.

Adults who suffer from ADHD frequently suffer from mental health conditions like anxiety and mood disorders. Routine questions asked during the clinical interview can reveal the symptoms of ADHD.

Symptoms

A person suffering from ADD might have trouble coordinating activities, paying attention to particulars or keeping commitments. He or she makes careless mistakes at school or work, forgets important items such as bills and appointments and is unable to stay focussed on conversations and leisure activities. In addition, a person who suffers from this type of ADD has trouble keeping their emotions in check and is easily distracted by other people.

For a person to be diagnosed with ADD they must have had inattention symptoms at least six months prior to. The symptoms should manifest on two separate occasions and impact the patient's social, educational 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 evident and are often difficult to recognize by family doctors. It is a condition that can be identified by primary care doctors.

Diagnosis

Although ADD is one of the most prevalent mental health issues, it's not always recognized until later in life. Family physicians are an excellent resource for diagnosing ADD in adults, especially those who have not been diagnosed or have been dismissed.

Diagnosis is based on clinical assessment, which is often aided by self-rating scales, interviews and observation of the patient in various situations (eg at work, at home or socially) and a thorough medical history, taking into account past problems and present difficulties and obtaining feedback from the school or the employer.  adults with adhd symptoms  is crucial to rule out other reasons for a person's symptoms like sleep disorders or 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. Inattentive ADD is diagnosed when the doctor is satisfied that there are six or more inattentive symptoms in two of the following seven subcategories: difficulty in paying attention and difficulty staying focused, disorganization, failing to follow instructions or rules, forgetfulness and 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.

Generally, in order to be considered to have ADD the symptoms must be present for at least six months and have impaired functioning in two areas of a person's daily life. In the majority of people suffering from ADD, the disorder is accompanied by a comorbid mental or psychiatric disorders that include mood disorders (depression, dysthymia, and bipolar affective disorder), addictions, anxiety disorders, and personality disorders.

The symptoms of ADD can be reversed but the best way to treat it is by implementing strategies that help people organize their lives and alter their behavior. Setting goals, routines for the day and using lists and reminders are useful. It is crucial to help people learn to control their impulsive behavior as well as what triggers them. Techniques such as waiting before taking action, or evaluating a situation and coming up with alternatives are useful. Medication is sometimes necessary but a trial of one drug should be administered prior to adding another to ensure that it's effective.

Treatment

Adults with inattentive ADD typically have trouble at school, at work or in their personal relationships. They are more likely to overlook important details, make careless mistakes and become easily distracted. They are also more likely to be suffering from anxiety, depression or substance abuse. There are many treatment options for adults with ADD/ADHD that can assist them in living more productive lives.

ADD/ADHD, which is among the most common mental disorders, is frequently overlooked by family physicians. This may be because family physicians are unfamiliar with the symptom presentation for adults or because those with ADD/ADHD often have co-occurring disorders, like mood disorders (depression bipolar affective disorder, depression dysthymia) and anxiety, or substance use disorders.

A diagnosis of inattention ADD is based on an evaluation that includes feedback from teachers or other professionals, a clinical observation and a detailed history. The symptoms must be persistently challenging and cause significant impairment in multiple settings. Children under the age of 17 have to have at minimum six signs of inattention in the category, while adults require at minimum 5 of the 11 inattentive symptoms to qualify as a diagnosis of inattentive ADD.

Management

Family physicians need to recognize ADD in adult patients since the condition can be serious. Inattentional ADD is more frequently diagnosed in the adult population than the hyperactive impulsive type of ADHD but it is still not well understood by family doctors and many patients are left undiagnosed. Frequently, the inattentive type of ADD is mistakenly identified as mood disorders (depression or bipolar affective disorder) or anxiety substance use disorders. Treatment is focused on education and support to help patients establish more order in their lives, and improving self-esteem and social interactions and promoting an active lifestyle and healthy diet and taking medication when needed. Treatment is beneficial for up to 60% of ADD patients. It is not recommended for children.