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ADHD Symptoms and Treatment in Adults Many adults find that they struggle to keep up with their daily activities, often experiencing frustration and mood swings. If you suspect that you have ADHD you should consult your primary care doctor or a mental health professional for an assessment. The criteria used to diagnose adult ADHD is similar to that for children ADHD: symptoms must be evident over 6 months and not be more easily explained by medical conditions or mood disorders. Inattentive Signs and symptoms Many adults with ADHD struggle to complete homework, work or household chores. They often miss appointments and fail to pay their bills on time, and have trouble maintaining relationships with family and friends. They are more likely to lose things or make careless mistakes that can have serious consequences. If you're having difficulty managing your personal or professional affairs, consider talking to your health care provider. Your primary care doctor will assess your situation and refer you to a mental health professional if necessary. Inattentive ADHD is often misunderstood. People with inattentive ADHD do not always listen when spoken to and are easily distracted or frequently distracted by irrelevant thoughts. They have difficulty staying focused on tasks, may make careless errors or struggle to follow directions. They may also struggle with keeping their hands away from their faces or appear shaken. Inattention to the symptoms could cause a drop in performance at school or at work which can lead to frustration and shame for the affected. They can also cause issues in relationships with friends, family members and colleagues. Health care providers determine ADHD by conducting a clinical assessment, which involves conducting an interview with the patient and reviewing the behavior of the past. They will often request that the person complete a symptom questionnaire and may conduct medical tests to rule out physical or mental health conditions that may have similar symptoms. The symptoms of ADHD should be present continuously prior to 12 years old to make a diagnosis. Adults with inattention ADHD can often benefit from psychotherapy, lifestyle changes and other treatments to manage their symptoms. These treatments include medication as well as behavioral therapy and family psychoeducation. Psychotherapy is a form of therapy that helps patients develop new attitudes, skills and ways of interacting with others. Behavioral therapy can help reduce impulsive, self-destructive behavior, increase organizational skills, and increase confidence. People with inattention ADHD might find it beneficial to discuss their struggles with a trusted family member or therapist. Teachers or supervisors, as well as colleagues might be able to provide accommodations. Accommodations are tools and changes to the environment that enable the disabled person to carry out tasks like everyone else. For instance, a short person can utilize a step stool. Hyperactive Symptoms Adults may exhibit different symptoms as children. Adult symptoms are less obvious. While children can fidget and appear restless adults are less talkative. They may forget their assignments and lose track of time or place and make careless mistakes. They may also feel energetic and find it difficult to sit still, even while sitting down to a meal or in class. They might interrupt other students or respond to questions prior to being asked to answer a question. These symptoms can be caused by a variety of conditions. To determine the underlying cause of the symptoms and determine the most efficient treatment, a thorough psychiatric assessment is required. This includes psychotherapy, medication and lifestyle adjustments. These can include a healthier diet, exercise and sleeping schedules. This could include adjusting school or work assignments and using assistive tools like calendars or planners, as well as apps for smartphones. If you suspect that you may have ADHD the first step is to discuss your concerns with your family physician or primary care provider. The How to Talk to Your Provider factsheet from NIMH provides suggestions on how to speak with your physician about mental issues. To be diagnosed with ADHD symptoms must appear in at least two settings and have a significant impact on everyday life. To be eligible they must have been present at least six month. Your provider will evaluate you to see if you have the inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive symptoms of ADHD. There are medications available that can aid in managing your ADHD symptoms, in addition to lifestyle modifications and accommodations. These medications are referred to as stimulants. They function by enhancing the signals within your brain, which affect your mood, attention and behavior. Your doctor will prescribe the appropriate dosage of the medication to you and will monitor your response to treatment. You may be prescribed non-stimulant drugs when you experience adverse reactions or if a stimulant fails to work. They can also be utilized in conjunction with stimulants to increase the effectiveness. Impulsive Symptoms People with inattentive ADHD are more likely to lose their keys or mobile phones. People with inattentive ADHD have a difficult managing their tasks, arranging their materials and completing their projects. As adults, this may cause a variety of tasks that are not completed at the house: houses that are not cleaned and bills not paid and the vegetable garden that's been started but never watered. The symptoms of impulsive ADHD can create problems in many areas of life, but particularly in relationships. People who have hyperactive ADHD are often anxious and require instant gratification. They may jump into social situations without preparation or risk-taking which could result in negative consequences. In addition, impulsive individuals might overreact in emotional or stressful situations. Someone could become annoyed or defensive when arguing with family members or friends. To determine if you have one of the two kinds of ADHD the health care professional specializing in mental disorders must review the medical history of a patient and conduct an examination. The doctor will ask you about the symptoms and how they impact your relationships at work, in your family, and at your home. To be diagnosed with one of the types of ADHD one must exhibit six or more of the nine symptoms and the symptoms must be interfering with daily functioning for at least 6 months (American Association for Psychiatric Research 2000). Psychostimulants are the most effective treatment for ADHD. They affect the way that certain chemicals interact with each other in the brain to regulate behavior. The most common type of stimulants is the methylphenidate that was initially used to treat ADHD in children. It is essential to speak with your physician regarding your medication if you suffer from other health issues such as depression or high blood pressure. In addition to medications psychotherapy can aid in reducing the symptoms of impulsivity and distraction. adult adhd diagnosis and treatment (CBT) is focused on teaching people to identify Irrational or automatic thinking that can trigger negative behaviors and to develop strategies for self-regulation. Combination of symptoms Adults who were diagnosed with ADHD as children may experience symptoms in adulthood. They can have mild, moderate or severe symptoms that interfere with work, school and social interactions. They may also have other mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety that require treatment. Adults may also experience problems with learning, which may make it difficult for them to comprehend or follow instructions in classrooms and offices. Adults may not be able identify the signs of inattention ADHD however, it can be a problem for them to perform at home and work. It's hard for people with this type of ADHD to sit quietly for college lectures or business meetings, and they could be unable to keep up with assignments and work tasks. They might forget deadlines or appointments, and lose track of their belongings. They also have difficulty keeping track of conversations or listening to music. They are more susceptible to distraction by people or activities in the vicinity than most 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 begin before age 12and can manifest in a variety of settings and result in impairment across multiple domains including school and 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 manifested before the age of 12 years old and persist at home, at school, and in other work and social settings. There's no known cause of ADHD however, researchers are studying genetic and environmental factors that may be a factor. Studies suggest that the brains of people who suffer from ADHD have trouble regulating certain chemicals, such as neurotransmitters that help control attention, mood and behavior. Speak to your primary healthcare provider if you show signs of ADHD. Your doctor can conduct an examination and refer you to an evaluation by a mental health professional. Psychotherapy and medication are typically employed to treat ADHD with stimulants that boost the levels of certain brain chemicals. These include amphetamines and methylphenidate. It is important to inform your health professional about any other medicines you take, including supplements and vitamins. The FDA's medication website has information about approved medications as well as patient information and warnings guides.