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7 Things You've Always Don't Know About ADD Symptoms In Adults
Recognizing ADD Symptoms in Adults

Do you forget appointments or responsibilities? You may interrupt people when they're talking or sneak into rooms without knocking. If these behaviors cause conflict in your life, they may be signs of ADHD.

Adults with ADHD typically suffer from mental health conditions like anxiety and mood disorders. Questions that are routinely asked during a clinical interview can reveal signs of ADHD.

Signs and symptoms

A person with ADD might have trouble organizing activities paying attention to details or keeping commitments. They make impulsive mistakes at school or at work, forgets important items such as bills and appointments, and has difficulty staying focused on conversations and leisure activities. A person with this type is unable to control their emotions and is easily distracted by others.

In order to be diagnosed with ADD, people over age 7 must have been affected by inattention symptoms for at least six months. The symptoms must appear on two separate occasions and interfere with the patient's social, school or work performance. A diagnosis of ADD requires feedback from parents and teachers in addition to clinical observation and a careful background. Some patients have a combination of symptoms in both the inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive categories. The symptoms of the combined type of ADD aren't always evident and can be difficult for family doctors to identify. However, it is an illness that can be diagnosed and treated by primary care providers.

Diagnosis

ADD is a typical mental disorder in children however it's often not recognized when you turn an adult. Family physicians can be a crucial factor in identifying ADD and refer adults to treatment, especially those who have been dismissed from mental health care or do not have a diagnosis.

The diagnosis is based on a clinical assessment often assisted by self-rating scales, interviews and observation of the patient in various situations (eg at home, at work, socially) as well as a thorough medical background, including the past and current issues and getting feedback from school or the employer. It is essential to rule out other causes of the symptoms a person experiences, like sleep disorders, learning disabilities or 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 is diagnosed when the clinician is satisfied that there are six or more inattentive criteria in two of the following seven subcategories: difficulty paying attention, trouble staying on task or in a state of disorganization, failure to follow directions or rules, forgetfulness and easily distracted. 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.

Generally, in order to be able to identify ADD the symptoms must be present for at minimum 6 months and have impaired functioning in two areas of a person's daily life. About half of those who suffer from ADD suffer from comorbid psychological and mental disorders. These include mood disorders (depressions bipolar affective disorder and dysthymia) and personality disorders, addictions, and anxiety disorders.


The symptoms of ADD can be reversed however the best way to treat it is implementing strategies that help people organize their lives and alter their behavior. Setting goals, making daily routines and using lists and reminding people of their goals are all beneficial. It is also essential to teach people about their triggers for impulsive behaviour and to provide methods for reducing them, including waiting before acting, evaluating a situation and working out different options for action. Sometimes, medication is required, but it's important to test one medication prior to adding another.

Treatment

Adults with inattentive ADD can have difficulty at work, in school, or in their relationships. They are more likely to overlook important details, make careless mistakes and get distracted easily. They are more likely to suffer from anxiety, depression or addiction to drugs. Fortunately, there are many treatment options for those suffering from ADD/ADHD, which can assist them in living more productive lives.

ADD/ADHD, one of the most common mental disorders, is often ignored by family doctors. This may be because family physicians aren't familiar with the symptom manifestations for adults or because those with ADD/ADHD often have multiple disorders, including mood disorders (depression bipolar affective disorder, depression dysthymia, bipolar affective disorder) and anxiety, or addiction disorders.

A diagnosis of inattention ADD can be made based on a thorough evaluation, which includes feedback from teachers and other professionals, as in addition to clinical observations. The symptoms must be problematic in multiple settings on an ongoing basis and cause significant impairment. Children under age 17 need to show at least 6 symptoms in the inattentive category, while adults require at least five of the 11 inattentive symptoms to qualify as a diagnosis of inattentive ADD.

Management

Family physicians must be aware of ADD in patients of all ages since the condition can be serious. Inattentional ADD is more commonly diagnosed 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. In many cases, the inattentive form of ADD is mistakenly identified as mood disorders (depression or bipolar affective disorder) or anxiety, or addiction disorders. The treatment is based on education and support, assisting patients develop more structure in the lives they lead and improve their self-esteem as well as social skills, and encouraging healthy lifestyles and eating habits, and medication, if necessary. adult add symptoms is helpful in up to 60% of ADD patients. It is not recommended to use in children because it is not safe for them.

Read More: https://www.iampsychiatry.uk/adhd-symptoms-in-adults/