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Recognizing ADD Symptoms in Adults

Do you have a tendency to forget important dates or tasks at work? You might interrupt people while they're talking or sneak into rooms without knocking. These actions may be ADHD symptoms if they cause you to encounter conflict in your everyday life.

Adults often experience comorbid mental disorders, such as mood and anxiety disorders with their ADHD. The signs of ADHD can be elicited by routine questions during the clinical interview.

Symptoms

A person suffering from ADD might have trouble organizing activities, paying attention to details or keeping commitments. He or she often makes mistakes in school or at work, or forgets important details like bills and appointments and is unable to stay focused on conversations and leisure activities. In addition, a person with this type of ADD has trouble keeping his or her emotions in check, and can be easily distracted by other people.

For a person to be diagnosed with ADD they must have been afflicted with inattention at least six month prior. The symptoms should manifest on two separate occasions and impact the patient's social, school or work-related performance. A diagnosis of ADD requires feedback from teachers and parents and also medical observation and a thorough medical history. Some patients have a combination of symptoms in both the inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive categories. The symptoms of the combined type of ADD are not as distinct and may be difficult for family physicians to recognize. This is a condition that can be diagnosed by primary care physicians.

Diagnosis

Although ADD is one of the most common childhood mental health disorders but it's not always acknowledged until later in life. Family physicians are an excellent source to diagnose ADD in adults, particularly those who haven't been diagnosed or dismissed.

The diagnosis is based on a medical assessment, which may include self-ratings, an interview and observation of patients in different situations (e.g. at home, work, or socially), as well as an extensive medical history that takes into account both past and current difficulties as well as feedback from the employer or school. It is crucial to rule out other causes for a person's symptoms such as sleep disorders and 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 can be identified when a doctor observes six or more inattentive symptoms within two of the seven subcategories. These include difficulty paying attention or staying on task, disorganization or forgetfulness, failure to adhere to rules or instructions, and difficulties in 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.

In general, to be considered to have ADD, the symptoms must have been present for at least 6 months and have caused impairment in two different areas of one's life. A majority of people suffering from ADD suffer from comorbid psychological and psychiatric disorders. These include mood disorders (depressions and bipolar affective disorders and dysthymia) as well as personality disorders, addictions and anxiety disorders.

The signs of ADD are reversible. However, the best way to treat it is to implement strategies to help people organize their lives and make behavioral changes. Setting goals, making daily routines and using lists and reminding people are all helpful. It is also essential to educate people about their own triggers for impulsive behaviour and offer strategies for controlling them, including taking time before acting, evaluating a situation and determining alternatives to take. Sometimes, medication is necessary however it is essential to test a medication prior to adding another.

Treatment

Adults with inattentive ADD typically have trouble at school, work or in their personal relationships. They tend to make careless mistakes, overlook important details, and are easily distracted. They are also more likely to experience anxiety, depression or substance abuse. There are a variety of treatment options available to those suffering from ADD/ADHD, which can aid them in leading more productive lives.





ADD/ADHD is among the most commonly reported mental health conditions, yet it is often not considered in family practice. This could be due to the fact that family physicians are not familiar with the symptom manifestations in adults, or because those who suffer from ADD/ADHD are often suffering from co-occurring disorders, like mood disorders (depression bipolar affective disorder dysthymia) and anxiety or substance use disorders.

A diagnosis of inattentive ADD can be derived by a thorough assessment which includes feedback from teachers and other professionals as well as clinical observation. The symptoms must be consistently difficult to manage and result in significant impairment in a variety of settings. Children under age 17 need to have at least six symptoms that fall into the inattentive category, while adults require at minimum 5 of the 11 symptoms to meet a diagnosis of inattentive ADD.

Management

It is very important that family physicians recognize ADD in adults, as the symptoms can be grave. female symptoms of adhd 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 are not diagnosed. The inattentive kind of ADD is mistakenly identified as mood disorders (depression or bipolar affective disorder), anxiety, or substance use disorders. The treatment is based on education and support, helping patients to establish more order in their lives by enhancing their self-esteem and social skills, and encouraging healthy lifestyles and eating habits and taking medication when needed. About 60 percent of ADD sufferers can benefit from medication. It is not recommended for children.