Recognizing ADD Symptoms in Adults
Do you forget appointments or responsibilities? Maybe you barge into rooms without knocking or interrupt others when they speak. If these actions cause conflicts in your life, they may be signs of ADHD.
Adults are often diagnosed with psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and mood disorders as well as their ADHD. Signs of ADHD can be elicited by routine questions that are asked during the interview.
Signs and symptoms
A person suffering from ADD isn't able to pay attention to the details, arranging activities, or following through on commitments. The person with ADD often makes careless mistakes at school or work, or forgets important details such as appointments and bills and is unable to stay focused on conversations and leisure activities. A person with this type has difficulty controlling their emotions and can easily be 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 minimum six months. Several of the symptoms must be present on two separate occasions and the patient's difficulties must interfere with school, social or work performance. add symptoms in adults and parents must provide feedback, along with an examination of the patient's clinical condition and a thorough 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 evident and can be difficult for family physicians to identify. It is a condition which can be diagnosed by primary care physicians.
Diagnosis
Although ADD is one of the most frequent mental health issues, it's not always recognized in adulthood. Family physicians are a good source to diagnose ADD for adults, especially those who haven't been diagnosed or have been discharged.
Diagnosis is based upon clinical assessment, which is often aided by self-rating scales, interviews and observation of the patient's behavior in various situations (eg at work, at home, socially), a thorough medical history, incorporating the past and current issues and getting feedback from the school or employer. It is essential to rule out other causes for the symptoms a person experiences, such as 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 clinician is satisfied that there are at least six inattentive criteria for two of the seven subcategories: difficulty paying attention and difficulty staying focused or in a state of disorganization, failure to follow directions or rules, 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 general, to be considered to have ADD the symptoms must have been present for at least six months and have impaired functioning in two areas of a person's daily life. In the majority of people with ADD the disorder is associated with a variety of comorbid mental or psychiatric disorders that include mood disorders (depression bipolar affective disorder and dysthymia) as well as addictions, anxiety disorders, and personality disorders.
The symptoms of ADD can be reversed, however the best way to treat it is implementing strategies that help people establish a structure in their lives and change their behaviour. Goal setting, daily routines and making lists and reminders are useful. It is also essential to educate people about their own triggers for impulsive behaviour and to provide methods for reducing them, including taking time before making a decision, evaluating a situation and determining alternatives to take. Sometimes medication is necessary however it is important to test a medication prior to adding another.
Treatment
Adults with inattention ADD often struggle at school, work or in their relationships with family and friends. They are more likely to overlook important details, make careless mistakes and get distracted easily. They are more likely to suffer from anxiety, depression, or substance abuse. Fortunately, many adults have treatment options to help them live more successful lives with ADHD or ADD.
ADD/ADHD is one of the most commonly reported mental health disorders, but 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 who have ADD/ADHD frequently have co-occurring disorders, like mood disorders (depression bipolar affective disorder, depression dysthymia, bipolar affective disorder) and anxiety, or alcohol-related disorders.
A diagnosis of inattentive ADD is determined by an evaluation that includes feedback from teachers or other professionals, as well as clinical observation, and a thorough medical history. The symptoms have to be persistently difficult to manage and result in significant impairment in multiple settings. Children younger than 17 years old need to have at minimum six symptoms that fall into the inattentive category, while adults require at least five of the 11 inattentive symptoms to be diagnosed of inattentive ADD.
Management
It is very important that family doctors recognize ADD in adults because the problems can be quite serious. Inattentional ADD is more frequently diagnosed in the adult population than the hyperactive impulsive form of ADHD but it is not widely understood by family physicians and many patients go undiagnosed. Often, the inattentive form of ADD is mistakenly categorized as mood disorders (depression bipolar affective disorder or substance abuse disorders). Treatment is focused on education and support to help patients establish more discipline in their lives, improving self-esteem and social interactions, encouraging an active lifestyle and healthy diet and taking medication when needed. Medication is helpful in up to 60 percent of ADD patients. It should not be used in children because it is not safe for children.