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ADHD Symptoms and Treatment in Adults Many adults have difficulty keeping up with their daily tasks. They often experience frustration and mood shifts. If you suspect you have ADHD, consult your primary care doctor or an expert in mental health for an assessment. Adult ADHD is diagnosed using the same criteria that it is for children. The symptoms should last at minimum six months, and cannot be caused by any other medical condition mood disorders or other medical conditions. Inattentional symptoms Adults with ADHD often have a difficult time to keep up in school, at work, or with household chores. They are late for appointments, don't pay bills on time, and have trouble maintaining relationships with their family and friends. They are more likely than others to lose things, or make a mistake that can have serious consequences. If you have problems keeping track of your personal or professional affairs, consider talking to your health care provider. Your primary care provider will assess your situation and refer you to a mental specialist if necessary. Inattentive ADHD is often misunderstood. People suffering from inattentive ADHD don't always listen when they are spoken to and tend to forget quickly or are often distracted by irrelevant thoughts. They are unable to stay focused on their tasks, and may make mistakes or fail to follow directions. They may also have difficulty keeping their hands off their faces or appear shaken. Inattention to symptoms can cause a drop in performance at school or at work, which can cause frustration and shame for the affected. They can also cause issues with relationships with family, friends and colleagues. Health care professionals identify ADHD through a medical assessment that involves interviewing the individual and reviewing past behavior. They may ask the individual to fill out an inventory of symptoms and run medical tests to determine if there are other conditions that exhibit similar symptoms. The symptoms of ADHD must be consistent before age 12 for the diagnosis to be established. Adults with inattentive ADHD typically benefit from psychotherapy, lifestyle adjustments and other treatments to manage their symptoms. These treatments include medication such as behavioral therapy, family therapy and psychoeducation. Psychotherapy is a type of therapy that helps patients develop new attitudes, skills and ways of interacting with others. The practice of behavioral therapy can teach methods that will reduce impulsive and self-destructive behaviors as well as improve organizational skills and increase 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 seek accommodations from their teachers, supervisors and co-workers. Accommodations are tools and changes to the environment that allow disabled people to perform tasks as all other people. For example the person who is short can utilize stepstools. Hyperactive symptoms Adults may exhibit different symptoms in comparison to children. Adult symptoms are less obvious. While children might fidget and appear restless while adults tend to be less talkative. They may forget tasks, lose track or get lost and make a few mistakes. They may also feel energised and struggle to sit still, even when eating a meal or in class. They may interrupt other students or mutter answers before they've had the chance to ask a question, and have trouble waiting their turn in games or conversations. These symptoms can be caused by a myriad of conditions. A comprehensive psychiatric assessment is necessary to determine the root of the symptoms and determine the most effective treatment options. These can include psychotherapy, medication and lifestyle adjustments. These could include eating a healthy diet, exercising and sleep schedules. This could include making adjustments to work or school assignments and making use of assistive tools like calendars, planners, and apps for smartphones. If you suspect you may have ADHD The first step is to discuss your concerns with your family physician or primary care provider. 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. To be diagnosed with ADHD, the symptoms must appear in at least two different settings and have an impact on daily life. To be considered a candidate, they must have been present for at least six months. Your provider will evaluate you to see if you have the inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive symptoms of ADHD. Alongside lifestyle adjustments and changes There are also medications that can help you manage the symptoms of ADHD. These medications are known as stimulants. They work by enhancing signals within your brain, which affect your attention, mood and behavior. Your doctor will prescribe the appropriate dose and will observe your response. You may be prescribed non-stimulant drugs if you experience side effects or if a stimulant does not work. They are also used in combination with stimulants to boost effectiveness. Impulsive Symptoms People with inattentive ADHD are more likely to lose their keys or mobile phones. you can find out more with inattentive ADHD have a tougher time following tasks, arranging their materials and completing projects. As adults, the result could be a million unfinished projects around the house: unpaid bills, unkempt houses, and the vegetable garden that was started but never watered. The impulsive symptoms of ADHD can cause issues in a variety of areas of life, but particularly with relationships. People with an impulsive ADHD are often anxious and seek instant satisfaction. They may be impulsive and enter social situations without thinking ahead or take risks that can cause negative consequences. In addition, impulsive people may react too strongly in stressful or emotional situations. For instance, someone could become extremely annoyed or defensive when arguing with friends or family. A health professional with a specialization in mental disorders will review the medical background of a patient and conduct an examination to diagnose ADHD. The doctor will also inquire about how the symptoms affect your home, work and relationships. To be diagnosed with either form of ADHD, a person must display six or more of the nine main symptoms. The symptoms must also affect everyday functioning and last at minimum six months (American Association for Psychiatric Research, 2000). The most effective treatment for ADHD is psychostimulants, which are drugs which target the way that certain chemicals interact with the brain to regulate behavior. The most common stimulant is methylphenidate. It was originally used to treat ADHD in children. It's important to talk with your physician about your medication if you have other health conditions like depression or high blood pressure. In addition to medications psychotherapy can help reduce the symptoms of impulsivity and distraction. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a method of teaching individuals to identify the automatic or irrational thoughts that could trigger negative behaviors, and develop strategies of self-regulation. Combination of Symptoms Adults who had ADHD as children might experience symptoms that come back in adulthood. They may experience mild or moderate symptoms that hinder in their school, work and social interactions. They may also have other mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression, that require treatment. A few adults may also have learning disabilities that make it difficult to comprehend or follow directions in classrooms and offices. Symptoms of the inattentive type of ADHD aren't as evident in adults but they do impact how people function at home and work. It can be difficult for people with this type of ADHD to remain calm during college lectures or business meetings, and they may have trouble keeping up with assignments and work tasks. They may forget deadlines and appointments, and then lose their possessions. They also have trouble following conversations or listening to music. They tend to be more easily distracted by people or activities that are happening around them than the majority of 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) Fourth edition of the American Psychiatric Association, includes an assessment criteria to identify the disorder. This includes symptoms that appear before age 12 and are present in multiple settings and cause 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 person was 12 years old and continue at home, at school and in other social and work environments. There is no cause for ADHD however, researchers are studying genetic and environmental factors that may have a role to play. Studies suggest that the brains of those with ADHD are unable to regulate certain chemicals, such as neurotransmitters that help control attention, mood and behavior. Talk to your primary healthcare provider if there are symptoms of ADHD. Your doctor will conduct a physical examination and refer you for an assessment by a mental health professional. Psychotherapy and medications are usually used to treat ADHD with stimulants that increase the levels of certain brain chemicals. Amphetamines, methylphenidate and other stimulants are commonly used. Inform your doctor about any other medications you take including supplements or vitamins. The FDA's medication website has information about approved medications as well as patient information and warnings guides.