Recognizing ADD Symptoms in Adults<br /><br />Do you forget appointments or responsibilities? You may interrupt people when they are talking or slam into rooms without knocking. If these actions cause conflict in your life, they may be signs of ADHD.<br /><br />Adults with ADHD frequently suffer from mental health conditions like anxiety and mood disorders. The signs of ADHD can be elicited by routine questions that are asked during the clinical interview.<br /><br />Signs and symptoms<br /><br />A person suffering from ADD isn't able to pay attention to details, organizing activities, or following through on commitments. He or she makes impulsive mistakes at school or at work, and forgets important things like appointments and bills and is unable to stay focused on conversations and leisure activities. In <a href="https://notes.io/w3xKH">adhd in men symptoms</a> , a person who suffers from this type of ADD is unable to keep his or her emotions in check, and can be easily distracted by other people.<br /><br />To be diagnosed with ADD they must have had inattention symptoms at least six months prior to. The symptoms should manifest at least twice and impact the patient's social, educational or work-related 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 ADD combined are not as obvious and can be difficult to recognize by family physicians. However, it is a condition that is diagnosed and treated by primary care providers.<br /><br />Diagnosis<br /><br />ADD is a typical mental disorder that affects children however, it's not always recognized when you turn an adult. Family physicians can play a key role in identifying ADD and sending adults to treatment, especially those who have been relegated to mental health services or do not have a diagnosis at all.<br /><br />The diagnosis is based on a the clinical assessment of a patient, often supported by self-rating scales, interview and observation of the patient in different situations (eg at work, at home, socially) and a thorough medical background, including previous issues and current difficulties and getting feedback from school or employer. It is important to exclude other reasons for a person's symptoms such as sleep disorders or learning disabilities, as well as mood disorders.<br /><br />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. Inattentional ADD is diagnosed when a clinician observes six or more inattentive symptoms within two of the seven subcategories. These include difficulty paying attention or staying focused, disorganization, forgetfulness, inability to follow the rules or instructions, or difficulty staying organized. 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.<br /><br />To be recognized as having ADD, symptoms must be present in at least two different areas of the person's life for a minimum of six months. In at least half of all people with ADD, the disorder is associated with a variety of comorbid mental or psychiatric issues such as mood disorders (depression, bipolar affective disorder and dysthymia), addictions, anxiety disorders and personality disorders.<br /><br />The symptoms of ADD can be reversed but the best way to treat it is implementing strategies that help people create structure in their life and change their behaviour. Setting goals, establishing routines for the day and using lists as well as reminding people are all beneficial. It is crucial to teach people to manage their impulsive behavior as well as what causes them. Techniques such as waiting until acting or evaluating a scenario and figuring out alternative options are helpful. The use of medication is sometimes required, but a trial of one medication must be conducted prior to adding another one to ensure it's effective.<br /><br />Treatment<br /><br />Adults with inattention ADD often find they struggle at school, work or in their personal relationships. They tend to make careless mistakes, overlook important details and get easily distracted. They are also more likely to suffer from anxiety, depression or substance abuse. Fortunately, many adults have treatment options to aid them in living more successful lives with ADHD or ADD.<br /><br />ADD/ADHD is among the most common mental health conditions, yet it is often ignored in family practice. This is likely due to the fact that family doctors are unfamiliar with symptoms of adult ADD/ADHD or because many people with ADD/ADHD suffer from comorbid disorders, like mood disorders or anxiety.<br /><br />A diagnosis of inattentive 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 consistently difficult to manage and result in significant impairment in multiple environments. Children under the age of 17 have to show at least six symptoms that fall into the inattentive category and adults need at least five of the 11 inattentive symptoms to meet a diagnosis of inattentive ADD.<br /><br />Management<br /><br />It is very important that family physicians recognize ADD in adults, as the problems can be quite grave. Inattentive ADD is more frequently acknowledged in the adult population than the hyperactive impulsive form of ADHD but it is not widely understood by family physicians and many patients are left undiagnosed. The inattentive kind of ADD is misdiagnosed as mood disorders (depression or bipolar affective disorder) or anxiety, or substance use disorders. Treatment is focused on education and support to help patients establish more discipline in their lives, improving self-esteem and social interaction skills and promoting a healthy diet and lifestyle, and medication if needed. The use of medication can help up to 60% of ADD patients. It should not be used for children since it is not safe for children.<br /><br />