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ADHD Symptoms and Treatment in Adults Many adults have difficulty keeping up with their daily tasks. They may experience stress and mood swings. If Recommended Web site suspect you have ADHD you should consult your primary care doctor or an expert in mental health for an assessment. Adult ADHD is diagnosed with the same criteria as it is for children. The symptoms should last at least six months and cannot be caused by any other medical condition mood disorders or other medical conditions. Attentive Signs Adults with ADHD often have a difficult time to keep up in school, at work or with household chores. They often skip appointments, fail to pay bills on time, and have trouble maintaining relationships with family and friends. They are more likely than others to lose possessions, or make a mistake which can result in serious consequences. Speak to your health care provider if are having difficulty keeping track of work or personal matters. Your primary care physician can assess your situation and refer you to a mental health specialist when appropriate. Inattentive ADHD is often misunderstood. People with inattentive ADHD do not always listen when they are spoken to, forget easily or are often distracted by irrelevant thoughts. They have difficulty staying focused on their work, and can make a mistake or struggle to follow directions. They may also have trouble keeping their hands off their faces or appear shaky. Inattention to symptoms can result in failing at school or at work and can cause frustration and shame for the person suffering. They can also cause problems in relationships with family, friends and co-workers. Health care professionals determine ADHD by conducting a clinical assessment, which includes interviewing the person and analyzing their the behavior of the past. They often ask the person to complete a symptom questionnaire and may perform medical tests to determine if there are mental or physical illnesses that have similar symptoms. The symptoms of ADHD must be evident consistently prior to 12 years old for an diagnosis. Adults who suffer from inattention ADHD can often benefit from psychotherapy, lifestyle adjustments and other treatments to manage their symptoms. These treatments include therapy with medication, behavioral therapy, and family psychoeducation. Psychotherapy is a type of counseling that helps patients develop new skills, attitudes and ways of communicating with others. Behavioral therapy can teach techniques that can decrease self-destructive and impulsive behaviors, improve organizational skills and boost confidence. It may be helpful for those with inattention ADHD to talk about their issues with a friend or family member a therapist. They may also be able to request accommodations from teachers or supervisors, as well as coworkers. Accommodations are tools and changes to the environment that allow the disabled person to perform tasks as all other people. For example, a short person can use the step stool. Hyperactive symptoms Adults can exhibit different symptoms than children. Adult symptoms are more subtle. While children may seem to be restless and fidget adults are less and less talkative. They may forget tasks, get lost or lose get lost and make a few mistakes. They also may feel overly energetic and find it difficult to sit still, even when eating a meal or in class. They might interrupt other students, or give answers before being asked to answer a question. There are a variety of illnesses that can cause these symptoms. To determine the root of symptoms and the most effective treatment, a complete mental health assessment is needed. These include psychotherapy, medications and lifestyle modifications. This could include a healthier eating plan, more exercise, and a better sleep schedule. These can include adjusting school or work assignments, and utilizing assistive tools like calendars or planners, as well as smartphone apps. It is important to discuss your concerns with your family physician or primary healthcare provider if you suspect you may have ADHD. You can find helpful tips for talking with 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 in order to be diagnosed with ADHD symptoms must manifest in two or more settings and seriously interfere with everyday life. They must have been present for at least six months in order to be eligible. Your provider will evaluate you to see if you have the inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive symptoms of ADHD. There are medications available that can assist you in managing your ADHD symptoms, in addition to lifestyle modifications and accommodations. These medications are called stimulants. They work by enhancing signals in your brain that affect your attention, mood and behavior. Your doctor will prescribe the right dosage of the medication for you and monitor your reaction to treatment. You might be prescribed non-stimulant medication when you experience adverse reactions or if a stimulant doesn't work. They are also used in combination with stimulants to boost effectiveness. Impulsive Symptoms People who are inattentive ADHD are more likely to lose their keys or cellphones. Whether it's doodling in class or losing track of the time in a meeting, those with inattentive ADHD find it harder to follow tasks, organize their materials and complete projects. As adults, the result can be a million unfinished projects around the home: unpaid bills, messy homes and the vegetable garden that was started but never watered. Relationships are one of the most frequent areas in which an impulsive ADHD symptoms can lead to problems. People who suffer from an impulsive ADHD are usually impatient and want immediate gratification. They might be quick to enter social situations without thinking ahead or take risks that can result in negative consequences. People who are impulsive may also react to stressful or emotional situations. One can become frustrated or defensive in a dispute with family or friends. A health care specialist who is specialized in mental disorders will examine the medical history of a patient, and conduct an examination to determine ADHD. The doctor will also inquire about how symptoms affect your home, work and relationships. To be diagnosed with any type of ADHD the patient must display at least six of nine major symptoms. The symptoms must also interfere with everyday functioning and last at least six months (American Psychological Association 2000). Psychostimulants are the most effective treatment for ADHD. They target the way that certain chemicals interact with each other in the brain to regulate behavior. The most well-known stimulant is methylphenidate. It was originally used to treat ADHD among children. It's important to talk with your physician regarding your medication if you are suffering from other health issues such as depression or high blood pressure. In addition to medications, psychotherapy may help reduce the symptoms of distraction and impulsivity. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a method of teaching people to identify the automatic or irrational thoughts that may trigger negative behavior and develop strategies for self-regulation. Combination symptoms Adults who experienced ADHD as children could experience symptoms that come back in adulthood. They can have mild, moderate, or severe symptoms that affect school, work, and social interactions. They may also have other mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety, which require treatment. Adults may also suffer from difficulties with learning, making it difficult to comprehend or follow instructions in classrooms and offices. Adults may not be able to recognize the symptoms of inattentive ADHD, but it can be a problem for them to perform at work and home. It can be difficult for people with this kind of ADHD to sit quietly for classes or business meetings, and they could have trouble keeping up with assignments and work-related tasks. They may forget deadlines and appointments, and lose their possessions. They may also have difficulty listening to music or following conversations. They tend to be more easily distracted by activities or people around them than most other 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 which includes symptoms that manifest at the age of 12 and occur in multiple settings and cause impairment in multiple domains like school or 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. Symptoms must have started before the person was 12 years old and continue at home, at school and in other work and social environments. There is no cause for ADHD however, researchers are studying genetic and environmental factors that may be a factor. According to research, people with ADHD may have difficulty regulating certain chemicals in their brains, including neurotransmitters which aid in controlling the way they behave, their mood and attention. Speak to your primary healthcare provider if there are indications of ADHD. Your doctor can conduct an examination and refer you for an assessment by a mental health professional. Psychotherapy and medications are usually utilized to treat ADHD with stimulants that raise the levels of certain brain chemicals. Amphetamines, methylphenidate and other stimulants are commonly used. You should inform your health care provider about any other medication you take, such as supplements and vitamins. The FDA's website for medications contains information on approved medicines along with warnings and patient guidelines.