Attention Deficit Disorder in Adults
Adults with attention deficit disorder are difficult to diagnose and treat. Therapists can assist by examining the symptoms and their reasons, and educating patients on how to structure their lives and alter their behaviour, and offering medication when required.
People with ADD/ADHD may have issues with hyperactivity, inattention and an impulsive nature. Symptoms may include problems with forgetfulness, difficulty waiting for their turn and trouble concentrating on work or playing games.
Signs of Inattentive Type
The most prominent symptoms of this ADHD subtype are high distractibility and difficulty paying attention details. Adults with inattention ADHD struggle to complete tasks or projects that require continuous mental efforts, such as reading and writing. They may struggle to remember appointments or paying bills and are prone to making careless mistakes in their work or home life.
While the symptoms of inattentive ADHD may have first appeared during childhood, they tend to go undiagnosed because adults are expected to manage their impulsive and hyperactive/impulsive symptoms on their own. This means that their issues can persist throughout their adult lives and cause problems with relationships, school performance, and career advancement.
Inattentive ADHD symptoms include fidgeting, having trouble engaging in leisure activities, issues waiting for their turn, and blurting out answers before the questions are finished. They also struggle to stay organized at home and work and are often late for classes or meetings. People with inattention ADHD are often unable to stay focused at school or work are bored at meetings and require chewing gum or sip coffee to get through them.
A health care provider will examine the person for potential mental health issues or medical conditions that may cause similar symptoms and then analyze their behavior history to determine if they suffer from ADD. This could involve speaking to the person's family, colleagues and teachers and asking about their behavior in various settings. The health professional will also inquire about the person's mood as well as recent medical background.
Most commonly, psychostimulants are used to enhance alertness and streamline brain signals. Adderall, Ritalin, Concerta and methylphenidates such as Strattera (atomoxetine), Qelbree and Ritalin are just a few examples of these drugs. Antidepressants, which affect neurotransmitters in the brain, are sometimes prescribed for people with inattentive ADHD to help improve their mood and concentration. They can include Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine). Other medications that aren't stimulants are also available. These are less likely to cause side effects and include guanfacine (Intuniv), bupropion/atomoxetine, and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors such as Strattera.
Symptoms of Hyperactive/Impulsive Type
People with the hyperactive/impulsive type of ADHD struggle to sit still and remain focused. This is a problem for them to concentrate on work or school assignments and can lead to careless mistakes. In addition, they typically struggle to follow instructions or completing complicated tasks. They also have trouble staying focused when playing games or engaging in leisure activities. They often interrupt or intrude on conversations, games or other activities and are eagerly awaiting their turn. They may fiddle with their hands or feet or squirm in their seats, or pace while they're talking or listening.
Children with the hyperactive/impulsive type of ADD often have trouble waiting for their turn to speak or play, and they may blurt out their answers before other people have finished speaking. ADHD symptoms female adults struggle with self-control, and often be on the go, unable to stop or slow down, even when they are at events that are organized like fairs or theme parks. They may have trouble with managing tasks, completing long-term tasks or committing to homework or other planned activities.
They have a lack of a sense of responsibility and often have a difficult time forming and maintaining friendships. They may also have issues regulating their emotions, which can result in mood swings and severe depression. They may also have trouble managing their finances and time, which can make it easier for them to fall prey to scams in the financial industry.
Many people who suffer from ADHD do not receive a diagnosis until adulthood, when their problems become more obvious. As children, they might have been overlooked by teachers or other adults who weren't aware of their problems. They could have reacted to their symptoms in a supportive environment and flourished until they were faced with the stress of pursuing an occupation or raising a child, which is when their issues became evident. In childhood, the male-to-female* ADHD ratio is higher. However, it becomes more equal when they reach adulthood.
People with ADHD typically find that certain dietary supplements, like multiple vitamin, NeurOmega fish oil, GABA or taurine and Brain Vitale or NeuroMemory can help to reduce anxiety and improve memory. They can also benefit from stress management techniques, such as regular exercises and deep breathing. They should discuss all treatment options with their physician, including stimulants and non-stimulants like atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree) and antidepressants like bupropion (Wellbutrin).
Signs of Mixed Type
People with combined type ADHD exhibit symptoms of both inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive presentations. They are unable to focus on tasks that require a lot of mental effort for long periods of time or causing things to stay in their mind like schoolwork, chores, homework, or work. They also make mistakes in school, in the workplace, and in their personal lives. The issues with attention and impulse control can result in a lot of stress and tension in relationships.
Symptoms of this presentation often manifest at various times throughout the day and can range from mild to severe. They can be characterized by daydreaming and being easily distracted from their thoughts, which can lead to the tendency to lose things, like homework or keys and having trouble focusing on tasks. They also have a difficult time sitting still, and they may interrupt or take over games or other activities.
Someone with a mixed presentation of ADHD might find that certain medication helps while others don't. Therefore, it's wise to try one at an time and then evaluate the outcomes carefully. Adults who have this presentation and have been taking medication since they were teens should get a review of their treatment every six months, and particularly when they make any changes to their lifestyle that could affect the amount of medication needed.
It is important to know that ADD and ADHD do not affect race or gender, ethnicity, or age. However ADHD in adults symptoms uk does appear to be more prevalent in those who were deemed male at birth. Adults who present with various symptoms and cannot explain them are usually diagnosed.
There are several ways to deal with ADD in adults, which include lifestyle changes, medication, and behavior therapy. A combination of treatments is usually the best option, and medication can be prescribed in various forms, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin), dextroamphetamine/amphetamine salts (Adderall), lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse), and atomoxetine (Strattera). These medications assist in increasing concentration by increasing the supply of dopamine and norepinephrine within the brain. Non-stimulants are also used by adults who don't want to use stimulants, or who only require them in a lower dosage.
Symptoms of Combined Type
For people with combined type ADHD, the symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity appear together. Inattention symptoms can include forgetfulness, difficulty completing tasks, or having trouble sitting still. Hyperactivity and impulsivity can manifest as a lack of concentration, fidgeting or squirming. They find it hard to stand in line or follow directions. This leads to frustration and a tendency to break the rules.
Adults with a combination ADHD symptoms are often having trouble reading social boundaries in a given situation and can cause them to interfere with conversations or activities. They do this without thinking about how others may feel. They are more likely to have a difficult working with organizational strategies and tend to get overwhelmed easily by complex projects. In many cases, those with this ADHD display may also be suffering from depression or other mood disorders.
Making sure you have a clear diagnosis of ADHD is key to identifying the most effective treatment strategy. Many adults with ADHD are hesitant to seek assistance. However an accurate diagnosis can empower them and provide them the tools needed to manage their symptoms.
To receive a diagnosis, doctors must identify at least six symptoms of inattention and at least five symptoms of hyperactivity/impulsivity to a degree that interferes with daily functioning. These symptoms must be present before age 12 and persist for at least six months to be eligible for an ADHD diagnosis. The symptoms must be severe enough to negatively impact a person's performance in school, at work or at home.
Experts aren't entirely sure why ADHD occurs, but they do know that it can be genetic and that certain genes can increase the likelihood of developing the disorder. They also know that brain structure and brain chemistry play a part in the development of the disorder, and that some individuals are born with the disorder and have no family history.
There are various behavioral treatments for adult ADHD, including structured routines and organizational strategies, talk therapy (Cognitive-behavioral therapy or Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), exercise and healthy sleep habits. These treatments are typically more effective than medications.