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ADHD Symptoms and Treatment in Adults Many adults struggle to keep up with their daily tasks. adhd in adults symptoms and treatment and mood shifts. If you suspect that you be suffering from ADHD, consult your primary care provider or an expert in mental health for an assessment. Adult ADHD is diagnosed with the same criteria that it is for children. The symptoms must last for at minimum six months and cannot be caused by any other medical condition mood disorders, other medical conditions. Inattentional symptoms Adults suffering from ADHD often have a difficult time to keep up in the workplace, at school or with household chores. They are late for appointments, don't pay bills on time and have difficulty maintaining relationships with family and friends. They are more likely to lose items or make a mistake which can result in serious consequences. If you are having trouble managing your personal or work-related affairs, consider speaking with your health care provider. Your primary care provider can assess your situation and recommend you to a mental health specialist when appropriate. The symptoms of inattentive ADHD are often misunderstood. People with inattentive ADHD don't always listen when they are spoken to and are easily distracted or frequently distracted by irrelevant thoughts. They may have trouble staying focused, make erroneous mistakes or struggle to follow instructions. They may also struggle with keeping their hands from their faces or appear shaky. Inattention to symptoms can result in failing at school or at work and can cause feelings of shame and frustration for the person who is affected. They can also cause issues in relationships with family, friends and co-workers. Health care professionals diagnose ADHD through a medical assessment that involves interviewing the person and analyzing their previous behavior. They may ask the patient to complete the symptom checklist and perform medical tests to rule out other conditions that exhibit similar symptoms. The symptoms of ADHD must be present consistently before 12 years of age for an assessment. Adults suffering from inattention ADHD are often able to benefit from psychotherapy, lifestyle adjustments and other treatments that help to manage their symptoms. These treatments include medication, behavioral therapy and family psychoeducation. Psychotherapy is a kind of counseling that assists patients learn new attitudes, skills and ways of communicating with other people. The practice of behavioral therapy can teach methods that will decrease self-destructive and impulsive behaviors improve organizational skills and increase confidence. People with inattentive ADHD might find it beneficial to talk about their issues with a trusted friend, family member or therapist. Teachers or supervisors as well as coworkers may be able to offer accommodations. Accommodations are tools or changes in the environment that allow a person with a disability to do the same tasks as others, like using a step stool for those who are short. Hyperactive Symptoms Adults can exhibit different symptoms as children. While children can fidget, seem agitated and talkative while adult symptoms tend to be more subtle. They may forget tasks, lose track of or get lost and make a few mistakes. They also may feel overly energised and struggle to sit still, even when eating a meal or in class. They may interrupt others, or give answers before being asked a question. These symptoms can be triggered by a variety of ailments. A full psychiatric evaluation is necessary to determine the root of the symptoms and identify the most effective treatments. These include psychotherapy, medications and lifestyle adjustments. These could include an improved diet, exercise and sleep schedules. They can also involve making adjustments to school or work assignments, and using aidive devices such as calendars, planners and smartphone apps. If you suspect you have ADHD the first step should be to discuss your concerns with your family physician or primary care physician. The How to Talk to Your Provider factsheet from NIMH contains suggestions on how to speak with your doctor about mental issues. To be diagnosed with ADHD the symptoms must be present in at least two different settings and have a significant impact on everyday life. They must have been present for at least six months to be eligible. Your provider will evaluate you to see if you have the inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive symptoms of ADHD. In addition to lifestyle changes and accommodations, there are medications that can ease the symptoms of ADHD. These medications are called stimulants. They work by reorganizing brain signals that affect your mood and attention, as well as your behavior. Your doctor will prescribe the right dosage of the medication to you and monitor your response to treatment. You might be prescribed non-stimulant drugs if you experience side effects or if a stimulant fails to work. They can also be combined with stimulants to increase the effectiveness. Impulsive Symptoms Everyone loses keys or cellphone from time to time, but for people with inattentive ADHD small distractions can become an issue. Whether it's doodling in class or losing track of the time in a meeting, those with inattention ADHD have a harder time to keep track of tasks, organize their materials and complete projects. As adults, the result may be a million unfinished projects around the home: unpaid bills, unkempt houses and the vegetable garden that was started but never watered. The impulsive symptoms of ADHD can create problems in many areas of our lives, but specifically when it comes to relationships. People with hyperactive ADHD are often impatient and need instant gratification. They can be impulsive and jump into social situations with no planning or taking risks, which can have negative consequences. People who are easily triggered can also react to emotional or stressful situations. For example, a person could become extremely annoyed or defensive during arguments with family members or friends. To determine if you have one of the two types of ADHD A healthcare professional who is trained in mental disorders should review the medical history of the patient and conduct an exam. The doctor will also inquire about how the symptoms affect your home, work, and relationships. To be diagnosed with one or the other form of ADHD the patient must show at least six of the nine main symptoms. The symptoms must interfere with daily functioning and last at least six months (American Psychiatric Association 2000). The most effective treatment for ADHD is psychostimulants, which are drugs which target the way that certain chemicals interact with the brain to regulate behavior. The most commonly used stimulant is methylphenidate. It was originally used to treat ADHD in children. It is essential to speak with your doctor regarding your medication if you have other health conditions like depression or high blood pressure. Psychotherapy can help reduce distraction and impulsive symptoms in addition to medications. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is focused on helping individuals recognize the automatic or irrational thoughts that can trigger negative behavior and to develop strategies for self-regulation. Combination of Symptoms Adults who experienced ADHD as children might experience symptoms that resurface during adulthood. They may have mild, moderate or severe symptoms that interfere with work, school and social interactions. Other mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety, may also require treatment. A few adults may also have learning disabilities, which make it difficult to comprehend or follow instructions in offices and classrooms. Symptoms of the inattentive type of ADHD aren't as easy to see in adults, but they can still affect how people function at home and at work. It can be difficult for people with this kind of ADHD to be able to concentrate during college lectures or business meetings, and they may have trouble keeping up with assignments and work tasks. They can often lose the location of their belongings and forget deadlines or appointments. They also have trouble following conversations or listening to music. They are more likely to get distracted by activities or people surrounding them than other people. Hyperactive-impulsive ADHD symptoms are more common in adults than the inattentive type of the disorder, but they can be difficult to diagnose in adults, too. The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV TR) has a criterion for diagnosing the disorder that includes symptoms that start at the age of 12 and occur in a variety of settings and result in impairment in multiple domains like school or in relationships. To qualify for a diagnosis of hyperactive-impulsive ADHD, people must have six or more symptoms that have persisted for at least six months. The symptoms must have begun before the age of 12 and continue to manifest at home, in school and in other social and work environments. Researchers are examining genetic and environmental factors which could be responsible for the development of ADHD. Studies suggest that the brains of individuals who suffer from ADHD have difficulty regulating certain chemicals, such as neurotransmitters that help to regulate mood, attention, and behavior. Consult your primary health care provider if you exhibit indications of ADHD. Your doctor may conduct an exam of your body and refer you to an expert in mental health to conduct an assessment. Treatment for ADHD typically involves psychotherapy and medications including stimulants, which increase the levels of certain chemical in the brain. These include amphetamines and methylphenidate. Inform your doctor of all other medications you are taking including supplements or vitamins. The FDA's medication website contains information on approved medications, warnings, and patient information guides.