Recognizing ADD Symptoms in Adults
You don't remember appointments or tasks? You might be a nuisance in rooms without knocking, or interrupt people when they're speaking. If these actions cause conflict in your life, they may be signs of ADHD.
Adults suffering from ADHD often have comorbid mental health conditions like anxiety and mood disorders. Clues to ADHD can be identified through routine questions in the clinical interview.
Symptoms
A person with ADD is unable to pay close attention to the details, arranging activities, or executing on commitments. They make impulsive mistakes at school or work, is unable to remember important details like appointments and bills and has trouble staying focused on conversation and leisure activities. A person who is this type struggles to control their emotions and is easily distracted by the activities of others.
For a person to be diagnosed with ADD they must have had inattention symptoms at least six month prior. The symptoms must appear at least twice and interfere with the patient's social, educational, or work functioning. A diagnosis of ADD requires feedback from teachers and parents in addition to an examination of the patient's clinical condition and a thorough background. 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 recognize. However, it is an illness that can be diagnosed and treated by primary care providers.
Diagnosis
ADD is a common childhood mental disorder however it's often not recognized when you turn an adult. Family physicians play a significant role in diagnosing ADD and refer adults to treatment, especially those who have been relegated to mental health care or do not have a diagnosis at all.
Diagnosis is based on clinical assessment, which is often aided by self-rating scales, interview and observation of the patient's behavior in various situations (eg at home, at work or socially) and complete medical background, including the past and current issues and obtaining feedback from a school or the employer. It is crucial to rule out other causes of a person's symptoms 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. Inattentional ADD can be identified when a clinician observes six or more inattentive symptoms in two of seven subcategories. This includes: difficulty in staying focused or on task, disorganization or forgetfulness, failure to adhere to the rules or instructions, or trouble 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.
To be classified as having ADD symptoms must have been present in at least two aspects of the person's life for a minimum of six months. In the majority of people suffering from ADD the disorder is associated with a variety of comorbid psychological or psychiatric problems that include mood disorders (depression, dysthymia and bipolar affective disorder) as well as addictions, anxiety disorders, and personality disorders.
The signs of ADD are reversible, but the best treatment is to implement strategies that aid people to organize their lives and make behavioral changes. Goal setting, daily routines and making lists and reminders are beneficial. It is also essential to educate people about their triggers for impulsive behavior and offer strategies for controlling them, such as waiting before acting, evaluating a situation and working out alternative courses of action. The use of medication is sometimes required, but a test of one medication should be administered prior to adding another to make sure it is effective.
Treatment
Adults with inattention ADD can have difficulty at work, in the classroom or in their relationships. They are more likely to overlook important details, make careless mistakes and become easily distracted. They are also more likely to suffer from anxiety, depression or substance abuse. There are many treatment options for people with ADD/ADHD to assist them in living more productive lives.
ADD/ADHD, which is among the most prevalent mental disorders, is often overlooked by family physicians. This could be because family doctors are unfamiliar with the symptoms of ADD/ADHD in adults or because many people with ADD/ADHD also suffer from other disorders, including anxiety or mood disorders.
A diagnosis of inattentive ADD is based on an evaluation that includes feedback from teachers or other professionals, a clinical observation and a detailed background. The symptoms have to be persistently challenging and cause significant impairment in multiple environments. Children younger than 17 years old need to show at least six signs of inattention in the category, and adults must have at least 5 of the 11 inattentive symptoms to be diagnosed of inattentive ADD.
adult female add symptoms is crucial that family physicians recognize ADD in adults because the issues can be grave. Inattentional ADD in adults is more common than hyperactive impulsive ADHD, but family physicians still don't know how to recognize it. A lot of patients are undiagnosed. The inattentive version of ADD is misdiagnosed with mood disorders (depression, bipolar affective disorder or addiction disorders). Treatment is based on support and education, helping patients develop more structure in their lives, enhancing self-esteem and social interactions, encouraging the healthy lifestyle and diet, and medication if needed. Up to 60 percent of ADD sufferers benefit from treatment. It is not recommended for children.