What's The Fuss About ADD Symptoms In Adults?

What's The Fuss About ADD Symptoms In Adults?

Recognizing ADD Symptoms in Adults

You forget appointments or tasks? You may interrupt others when they are talking or barge into rooms without knocking. If these behaviors cause conflict in your life, they may be symptoms of ADHD.

Adults frequently suffer from comorbid psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and mood disorders as well as their ADHD. Signs of ADHD can be discovered through routine questions in the interview.

Symptoms

A person with ADD might have trouble coordinating activities and paying attention to the details or keeping commitments. He or she often makes errors at school or work, forgets important things such as bills and appointments, and has trouble staying focused on conversations and leisure activities. Additionally, someone with this kind of ADD has trouble keeping his or her emotions in check, and may be easily distracted by others.

In order to be diagnosed with ADD individuals over the age of 7 must have been afflicted by inattention symptoms for at least six months. A number of symptoms have to be present on two separate occasions, and the patient's problems are affecting social, school or work functioning. Teachers and parents must provide feedback, in addition to clinical observation and a thorough assessment. Some patients have a combination of symptoms in both the inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive categories. The symptoms of ADD combined aren't always apparent and may be difficult to diagnose by family physicians. However it is a condition that is diagnosed and treated by primary care physicians.

Diagnosis

Although ADD is among the most common childhood mental health conditions however, it is not always recognized in adulthood. Family physicians can play a key role in diagnosing ADD and refer adults to treatment, particularly those who have been dismissed from mental health care or do not have a diagnosis at all.

The diagnosis is based on a clinical assessment often assisted by self-rating scales, interview and observation of the patient's behavior in various situations (eg at work, at home or socially), complete medical history, incorporating past problems and present difficulties and obtaining feedback from school or employer. It is crucial to rule out other reasons for the symptoms of a person, such as sleep problems as well as learning disabilities, alcohol or drug use or mood disorders because they may be similar to ADD.

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 indicators of inattention within two of the following seven subcategories: difficulty in paying attention or staying focused, disorganization, failing 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.

To be classified as having ADD symptoms must have been evident in at least two aspects of a person's life for at least six months. In the majority of people with ADD it is accompanied by a comorbid mental or psychiatric disorders that include mood disorders (depression bipolar affective disorder and dysthymia) as well as anxiety disorders, addictions and personality disorders.


Symptoms of ADD are reversible. However, the best approach is to implement strategies to help people to organize their lives and make behavioural changes. Setting goals, establishing routines for the day and using lists as well as reminding people are all helpful. It is also crucial to help people understand their triggers for impulsive behaviour and provide techniques for controlling them, including waiting before acting, evaluating a situation and determining alternative courses of action. Sometimes, medication is necessary, but a test of one medication must be administered prior to adding another one to ensure it's effective.

Treatment

Adults with inattentive ADD may have difficulties working, at school or in their relationships. They tend to make careless mistakes, overlook crucial details and become easily distracted. They are also more likely to be suffering from anxiety, depression or abuse. Many adults are able to are able to find treatment options that help them live more successful lives with ADHD or ADD.

ADD/ADHD, one of the most frequent mental disorders, is frequently neglected by family physicians. This could be due to the fact that family physicians are unfamiliar with the symptom presentation for adults or because those who have ADD/ADHD frequently have comorbid problems, such as mood disorders (depression bipolar affective disorder, depression dysthymia) and anxiety, or substance use disorders.

signs of adult adhd  of inattentive ADD can be made through a thorough evaluation that includes feedback from teachers and other professionals as in addition to clinical observations. The symptoms must be persistently problematic and cause significant impairment in a variety of environments. To be able to identify inattention ADD children younger than 17 years old must have at least six signs in the category of inattentive behavior. Adults need at minimum five of the 11 inattentive behaviors.

Management

It is crucial that family doctors are aware of ADD in adults as the problems can be quite serious. Inattentive ADD is more frequently recognized in the adult population than the hyperactive impulsive form of ADHD however, it is not well understood by family doctors and many patients go undiagnosed. In many cases, the inattentive type of ADD is misdiagnosed as mood disorders (depression or bipolar affective disorders, or addiction disorders). Treatment is based on support and education to help patients establish more structure in their lives, improving self-esteem and social skills, encouraging a healthy diet and lifestyle and taking medication when needed. Medication is helpful in up to 60% of ADD patients. It is not recommended for children.