ADHD Symptoms | Causes And Best Treatment Options

ADHD means attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (a mental disorder that involves how you pay attention and control your emotions).

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ADHD Symptoms initiate in childhood and stay till adulthood. In some patients, ADHD is not identified or diagnosed until the patient is mature. Adult ADHD signs may not be as obvious as in kids. In adults, hyperactivity may be reduced but struggles with impulsiveness and difficulty maintaining focus may continue. With this course you can easily diagnose and treat your ADHD.

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Key Points:

What are common adult ADHD symptoms?

• Inattention
• Impulsivity

ADHD diagnosis and testing

How to treat ADHD?

• Medication
• Lifestyle changes
• Therapy for ADHD

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What are Common Adult ADHD Symptoms?

Some ADHD patients have just a few symptoms, but some people continue to have significant symptoms that influence daily routine. In adults, the main symptoms of ADHD may include trouble paying attention, restlessness, and impulsiveness. Symptoms can vary from mild to intense.

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Many adults with ADHD don't know they have it — they feel that everyday duties can be a challenge. People with ADHD may find it challenging to focus and prioritise and forget meetings or social projects. The inability to control senses can vary from impatience staying in line or going in traffic to mood changes and outbursts of anger.

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Inattention

• Poor attention to work
• Problem getting started and ending tasks
• Difficulty concentrating and maintaining attention
• Forgetfulness
• Talking excessively
• Lacking time management, administrative skills

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Impulsivity

• Low anger tolerance
• Restlessness
• Hyperfocus
• Fidgeting
• Interrupting frequently
• Emotional dysregulation

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ADHD Diagnosis and Testing

It can be difficult to diagnose ADHD, particularly in children. No one test will analyse it. Doctors diagnose ADHD in children and adults after examining symptoms at length with the parents, kids, and trainers and then observing the child's actions. 

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Psychiatrists use several policies based on how many signs you or your child have had and for how long. Doctors will also help diagnose other things that may induce the symptoms, such as cognitive health conditions like stress and anxiety. Diseases like thyroid disorders can also cause similar symptoms. 

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Your healthcare provider might suggest that your child take tests to see how their mind works and to identify problems with eyesight, hearing, or other issues linked to the senses that can induce symptoms identical to ADHD.

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The tests must be given by a paediatrician or a psychologist with experience in analysing and treating ADHD. The examinations may include:

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• An assessment of intelligence, skill, personality characteristics, or processing skills
• A physical exam and neurological evaluation that provides screenings of eyesight, hearing, and oral and motor skills

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How to treat ADHD?

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Medication

• Stimulants

Stimulants are the most familiar medications for ADHD, including methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine. They assist in improving focus and awareness and lower impulsiveness. 

• Non-stimulants

These may be recommended when stimulants don't perform well or cause bad results. Examples include clonidine, guanfacine, and atomoxetine. They need longer to show results, but some can work up to 24 hours. 

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Lifestyle changes

Regular exercise: Physical exercise helps lower impulsiveness, improve focus, and boost your mood. 

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Stress management: Stress can cause ADHD symptoms to worsen. You need to manage stress to improve your ADHD symptoms.

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Sleep: Sleep issues are common in adults with ADHD. Sufficient sleep of at least 7 to 9 hours each night positively affects the functioning of the ADHD brain and helps with symptom management.

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Diet: A healthy diet helps to keep everyone fit, and adults with ADHD can manage their symptoms better by eating a balanced diet.

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Therapy for ADHD

Several therapies are available to treat ADHD. You should consult a healthcare professional about which therapy would be an excellent option. 

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Psychotherapy

Different types of psychotherapy are available to help you to manage ADHD symptoms better. Psychotherapy can boost your confidence to talk openly about your feelings and cope with ADHD.

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This disorder may cause issues with your mates and authority status. Psychotherapy is beneficial to handle these relationships. 

Psychotherapy may help you explore your behaviour and know how to include healthier choices in your future life. 

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Behaviour therapy

The main objective of behaviour therapy is to educate someone on how to monitor their behaviours and make changes appropriately. Behaviour therapy will also help you develop strategies for reacting to specific conditions.

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Cognitive behavioural therapy

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is a goal-focused and short-term psychotherapy that trains to change negative thinking and behaviour and replace them with a regenerated framing of your feelings about yourself and ADHD symptoms. 

Cognitive behavioural therapy helps people with ADHD and with the life impairments patients can face, like time management and procrastination.

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It helps them handle irrational thoughts  that prevent them from focusing on tasks, such as, “This must be good, or else it’s not fine.”

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Conclusion

ADHD is a neurological disorder that is often observable in childhood. It usually involves difficulty with planning, attention, focusing, emotions, impulsivity, and hyperactivity.

ADHD symptoms affect each person differently, depending on different factors, but not limited to gender, age, and type of ADHD.

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References:

1. Diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Karceski S. Neurology. 2016;87:0–4.
2. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in adults: what the non-specialist needs to know. Johnson J, Morris S, George S. Br J Hosp Med (Lond) 2020;81:1–11. - PubMed
3. Assessment and management of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in adults. Weiss M, Murray C. Can Med Assoc J. 2003;168:715–722. - PMC - PubMed
4. American Academy of Sleep Medicine. International Classification of Sleep Disorders. 3rd ed. Darien, IL: American Academy of Sleep Medicine; 2014.
5. Inocente CO, Gustin M-P, Lavault S, et al. Depressive feelings in children with narcolepsy. Sleep Med. 2014;15:309–14. - PubMed
6. Kessler RC, Adler L, Barkley R, Biederman J, Conners CK, Demler O, Faraone SV, Greenhill LL, Howes MJ, Secnik K, Spencer T, et al. The prevalence and correlates of adult ADHD in the United States: results from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Am J Psychiatry. 2006;163(4):716–23. - PMC - PubMed
7. Nigg JT. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and adverse health outcomes. Clin Psychol Rev. 2013;33(2):215–28. doi: 10.1016/j.cpr.2012.11.005. Epub 2012 Dec 7. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

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