Attention Deficit Disorder in Adults
Adults suffering from attention deficit disorder can be difficult to diagnose and treat. A therapist can help by examining symptoms and their causes, teaching patients ways to structure their lives and make behavioural changes and provide medication if required.
People suffering from ADD/ADHD have issues with hyperactivity, inattention, and the tendency to be impulsive. The symptoms could include forgetfulness, difficulty waiting for their turn and trouble concentrating on work or playing games.
Inattentive Type symptoms
The most prominent symptoms of this ADHD subtype are high levels of distraction and difficulty paying attention details. Adults with inattention ADHD typically have difficulty to complete tasks or projects that require constant mental effort, like writing, reading and completing homework. They may struggle to remember appointments or paying their bills and are more likely to make careless errors in the workplace or at home.
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. Their problems can persist into adulthood and affect their relationships, school performance, and their career progression.
The symptoms of inattention ADHD include the habit of fidgeting with your hands or feet, difficulty engaging in leisure activities quietly and unable to wait for their turn and blurting out answers before questions are finished. They also have trouble staying well-organized at home and at work and often arrive late for classes or meetings. Inattention ADHD sufferers often have trouble staying focused at work or school. They dislike boring meetings and chew gum or drink coffee to get them through.
A medical professional will evaluate the person for possible mental health or medical conditions that could cause similar symptoms. Then, they will examine their behavior to identify if they have ADD. This may involve speaking with the person's parents, colleagues and teachers and asking them to observe their behavior in different settings. The health professional will also inquire about the person's mood and recent medical history.
Most often, psychostimulants are used to boost alertness and improve brain signals. Adderall, Ritalin, Concerta and methylphenidates like Strattera (atomoxetine), Qelbree and Ritalin are just a few examples of these medications. Antidepressants, which affect neurotransmitters in the brain, are often prescribed to people suffering from inattention ADHD to improve their mood and concentration. They could include Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine). Non-stimulant drugs may also be utilized. 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 their work or schoolwork and could lead to unintentional errors. In addition, they often struggle to follow instructions or completing complex tasks. They also have trouble staying focused when playing games or participating in leisure activities. They often disrupt and interrupt others during games, conversations or other activities. They may fiddle with their feet or hands or even squirm their seat or walk around while 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. They struggle with self-control and may often be on the go, unable to stop or slow down, even when they are at events that are organized such as fairs or theme parks. They may have difficulty managing tasks, completing long-term tasks or committing to schoolwork or other structured activities.
They have a low sense of accountability and often have difficulty making and keeping friendships. They may also have difficulty controlling their emotions, which can lead to mood swings and severe depression. They may also have difficulty managing their finances and time and this can make it easier for them to fall prey to frauds in the financial sector.
Many people suffering from ADHD are not diagnosed until adulthood when their symptoms become more obvious. Teachers or other adults might have missed their symptoms throughout the early years of their lives. They could have reacted to their problems in a safe environment and flourished until they were faced with the stress of pursuing an occupation or raising a child when their problems became apparent. In ADHD symptoms in women adults , the male-to female* ADHD ratio is higher. However it is more even in adulthood.
People suffering from ADHD often discover that certain dietary supplements, like multiple vitamin, NeurOmega fish oil, GABA or taurine, and Brain Vitale or NeuroMemory can help to reduce the irritability and improve memory. They may also benefit from stress management strategies that include regular exercises and deep breathing. They should talk to their doctor about all options for treatment that include stimulants (Strattera) as well as non-stimulants (Viloxazine) (Qelbree), and antidepressants (Wellbutrin).
The symptoms of mixed type
People with combined type ADHD exhibit symptoms of both inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive presentations. They are unable to focus on long-term mental tasks, or remembering things, such as chores, schoolwork, homework or work. They tend to make impulsive mistakes in school, at work as well as in their personal lives. Attention and control of impulses can cause a lot of stress and trouble in relationships.
The signs of this condition can be varied in severity and can manifest at various stages of life. They include daydreaming and being easily distracted by their own thoughts, which may lead to an inability to remember things; a tendency lose things like homework or keys and having trouble focusing on their tasks. They may also have a difficult time staying still and may interrupt or take over leisure activities or games.
It is crucial to analyze the effects of each medication carefully in the event of an unbalanced presentation. Adults with this type of presentation who 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 may alter the dosage of medication required.
It is important to remember that ADD and ADHD are not influenced by race, gender, ethnicity or age. However it is believed that it will affect people who were deemed male at birth. The diagnosis is typically identified when adults exhibit various of the typical symptoms in various areas of their lives and are unable to explain them in a satisfactory manner.
There are many methods to treat 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 aid in increasing concentration by increasing the amount of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. ADHD symptoms in women adults -stimulants are also used by adults who do not wish to use stimulants, or who only need them in a low dosage.
Symptoms of Combined Type
For people with combined type ADHD, the symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity appear together. Symptoms of inattention may be evident as difficulty sitting still, forgetfulness or trouble finishing tasks and impulsivity, hyperactivity can show up as a lack of concentration, fidgeting and squirming. They may also be able to blurt out answers without waiting for a complete question. They have a difficult time learning to wait in lines or follow instructions. This can lead to frustration and rule-breaking behaviors.
Adults who have a combination of ADHD symptoms usually have trouble understanding the social boundaries of a given situation and can cause them to interfere with conversations or activities. They do this without thinking about how others may feel. They often have trouble organizing their thoughts and are overwhelmed by complex projects. Many people who suffer from this ADHD also have a history of depression or mood disorders.
A proper diagnosis of ADHD is key to identifying the most effective treatment plan. Although many adults with ADHD struggle to seek assistance, obtaining an accurate diagnosis can be a positive experience that provides them with the tools needed to manage their symptoms and live productive, satisfying lives.
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 have been present before the age of 12 and continue for at least six month to be considered ADHD. The symptoms must be severe enough to negatively impact the performance of a child at school, at work or at home.
Experts don't fully understand the reasons ADHD occurs but they are aware that it could be inherited and that certain genes can increase the risk of developing the condition. They also know that differences in brain structure and brain chemistry play a part in the development of ADHD, and that some people get the disorder on their own, with 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. In many cases, these treatments are more effective than medication.