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ADHD Symptoms and Treatment in Adults Many adults struggle to keep up with their everyday tasks. They are often frustrated and mood shifts. If you think you may have ADHD you should consult your primary care physician or an expert in mental health to conduct an evaluation. Adult ADHD is diagnosed with the same criteria as it is for children. The symptoms must last at minimum six months, and cannot be explained by other medical conditions, mood disorders or other medical conditions. Attention-deficit Signs Many adults with ADHD struggle to complete schoolwork, work or household chores. They are late for appointments, don't pay bills on time and struggle to maintain relationships with family and friends. They are more likely to lose items or make a mistake that can have serious consequences. If you have problems keeping track of your work or personal affairs, consider speaking with an expert in health care. Your primary care doctor can assess your situation and refer you to a mental health professional if appropriate. The signs of inattention ADHD are often misunderstood. People who suffer from inattentive ADHD are not always attentive when spoken to. They forget easily or get distracted by irrelevant thoughts. They are unable to stay focused on tasks, may make a mistake or struggle to follow directions. They may also struggle with keeping their hands away from their faces, or appear to be shaken. Inattention to symptoms can lead to failure in school or at work, which can cause frustration and shame for the affected. They can also cause problems with relationships with friends, family and co-workers. Health care providers diagnose ADHD by conducting a clinical assessment, which involves interviewing the person and analyzing their previous behavior. They might ask the person to fill out the symptom checklist and perform medical tests to determine if there are other conditions that have similar symptoms. The symptoms of ADHD must be consistent before the age of 12 for a diagnosis to be established. Adults with inattentive ADHD can often benefit from psychotherapy, lifestyle modifications and other treatments that help to manage their symptoms. These treatments include medications, behavioral therapy and family psychoeducation. Psychotherapy is a form of counseling that helps patients develop new skills, attitudes and ways of engaging with others. The practice of behavioral therapy can teach methods that reduce self-destructive and impulsive behavior, improve organizational skills and build confidence. People with inattentive ADHD might find it helpful to talk about their issues with a trusted friend, family member or therapist. They may also be able to seek accommodations from teachers or supervisors, as well as coworkers. Accommodations are a way of making changes in the workplace that permit the disabled person to do the same tasks as the rest of us, for example, using a step stool to help people who are small. Hyperactive symptoms Adults may show different symptoms as children. While children might be agitated, irritable and talkative the symptoms of adults tend to be more subtle. They might forget their tasks, lose track or get lost and make a few mistakes. They may also feel stimulated and have trouble sitting still, even when eating a meal or in class. They might interrupt others or mutter answers before being asked an answer, or aren't able to wait their turn in conversations or games. There are many ailments that can trigger these symptoms. To determine the cause of symptoms and the most effective treatment, a full mental health assessment is needed. This could include psychotherapy, medication and lifestyle adjustments. They can be an improved diet, exercise and sleep schedules. This could include adjusting school or work assignments, and utilizing aidive tools such as calendars and planners, as well as apps for smartphones. If you suspect that you might have ADHD, your first step should be to discuss your concerns with your family physician or primary care physician. You can find helpful tips to talk to your health care provider regarding mental health issues on NIMH's How to Talk to Your Health Care Provider fact sheet. It is important to understand that to be diagnosed with ADHD symptoms must manifest in at least two or more environments and seriously interfere with daily life. doctors who treat adhd in adults must have been present for at least six months in order to qualify. Your provider will evaluate you to see if you have the inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive symptoms of ADHD. Alongside lifestyle changes and accommodations There are also medications that can ease the symptoms of ADHD. These are referred to as stimulants. They function by reorganizing brain signals that affect your mood, attention and behavior. Your doctor will prescribe the right dose and keep track of your response. You may be prescribed a non-stimulant medicine in the event of a recurring side effects, if the stimulant isn't working, or in combination with stimulants to boost the effectiveness of treatment. Instinctive Symptoms People who are inattentive ADHD are more likely to lose their keys or mobile phones. It doesn't matter if it's drawing in class or losing track of the time during a meeting, people with inattention ADHD have a harder time to stay on task or organize their materials. They also find it difficult to complete projects. As adults, the result may be a million half-finished projects around the house, such as unpaid bills, unkempt houses and the garden that was planted but never watered. Relationships are one of the most prevalent areas where the impulsive ADHD symptoms can cause problems. People who have an impulsive ADHD are often overwhelmed and want instant satisfaction. They may be prone to rushing into social situations with little planning or taking risks which could have negative effects. In addition, impulsive people might react in a stressful or emotional situations. A person may become very angry or defensive when fighting with family or friends. To be diagnosed with one of the two types of ADHD A health professional who specializes in mental disorders should review the medical history of the patient and conduct an exam. The doctor will also ask questions about how the symptoms impact your home, work and personal relationships. To be diagnosed with one or the other form of ADHD, a person must display six or more of the nine main symptoms. The symptoms must also affect daily functioning and last at minimum six months (American Psychological Association 2000). The most effective treatment for ADHD is psychostimulants. These are drugs which target the way that certain chemicals communicate in the brain to regulate behavior. The most popular type of stimulants is the methylphenidate drug, which was originally used to treat ADHD in children. It's possible that the medication is not appropriate for some people with other health conditions like depression or high blood pressure Therefore, it is important to discuss your medications with your physician. Psychotherapy can help reduce the symptoms of impulsivity and distracting behavior in addition to medications. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a method of teaching individuals to identify unintentional or irrational thoughts which can trigger negative behavior, and develop strategies of self-regulation. Combined symptoms Adults who were diagnosed with ADHD as children may develop symptoms into adulthood. They can have mild or moderate symptoms that interfere in their school, work as well as social interactions. Other mental health issues, like anxiety or depression, could also require treatment. A few adults may also have learning disabilities, which make it difficult to understand or follow directions in offices and classrooms. Symptoms of the inattentive type of ADHD aren't as easy to see in adults, but they can still influence how people perform at home and at work. This kind of ADHD makes it difficult for people to stay focused during business meetings or college lectures. They may also be unable to keep up with their assignments and work. They may forget deadlines and appointments, and then lose the track of their belongings. They might also have trouble following conversations or listening music. They are more prone to being distracted by the activities or people around 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 Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV TR) 4th edition of the American Psychiatric Association, includes a criterion to diagnose the disorder. This includes symptoms that appear before age 12 and are present in a variety of settings, causing problems in multiple domains. 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, at school, and in other work and social settings. There's no known cause of ADHD, but researchers are studying genetic and environmental factors that may be a factor. Research suggests that the brains of individuals who suffer from ADHD are unable to regulate certain chemicals, including neurotransmitters which help control attention, mood and behavior. Speak to your primary healthcare provider if you show indications of ADHD. Your doctor will conduct an exam of your body and recommend you to an expert in mental health to conduct an evaluation. doctors who treat adhd in adults and medicines are commonly employed to treat ADHD with stimulants that raise the levels of certain brain chemicals. These include amphetamines and methylphenidate. You should tell your health professional about any other medication you take, including vitamins and supplements. The FDA's medication website has information on approved medicines, warnings and patient information guidelines.