ADHD In Adults: Am I ADHD? Interactive Questions For ADHD Assessment - Jason Newman

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of people associated with him or her. It is quite likely that an ADHD person will not approach a doctor, psychiatrist or psychologist to get self-treatment, but these health personnel might be approached by people who are associated with the person suffering from ADHD.

      Nevertheless, if one's life is continuously disrupted by hyperactivity, impulsive behavior, hyperactivity or inattention, it is better to consult a doctor for suggestions and help.

      Doctor may find out the triggering causes that worsens or alleviates the ADHD (e.g. stress, any particular diet or environment), suggest

      supplements, medications, or alternate treatment so that the ADHD

      patient can live a better life, with more peaceful social interactions with other people.

      MAKING A DIAGNOSIS OF ADULT ADHD

      Diagnosis of ADHD in adults can be difficult because its symptoms

      may also be similar to other conditions. The mental health care

      provider attempts to diagnose ADHD in adults by ruling out other

      similar conditions.

      CONDITIONS SIMILAR TO ADHD

      There can be conditions or illnesses that might have caused symptoms similar to ADHD to arise.

      1.

      Medications and drugs. Drugs, alcohol or medications can

      cause neurological changes in brain can make a person exhibit

      ADHD-like symptoms.

      2.

      Similar mental disorders. ADHD symptoms can resemble

      symptoms of other mental health issues such as psychotic disorders

      like mood, anxiety and adjustment disorders (unable to cope with

      stress), and language and learning deficits.

      3.

      Additional health issues. Symptoms similar to that of ADHD

      can arise with developmental disorders, seizures, sleep apnea, low

      blood sugar, thyroid disorder, lead poisoning, and vision or hearing problems. In such cases, the doctor usually directs the patient to the appropriate specialist or suggests adequate diagnosis for the condition.

      EVALUATING CHILDHOOD ADHD SYMPTOMS

      Signs and symptoms of ADHD typically arise before the age of 7 that

      may continue to adulthood in the same or indefinable form. The

      doctor diagnosing ADHD in an adult would go over his or her

      childhood experiences, and analyze the old school records, and get

      information from teachers, spouse, siblings, parents and friends.

      DIAGNOSTIC CRITERION FOR ADHD

      There is no one-symptom that can explicitly distinguish a person

      affected with ADHD. Doctors follow the standards outlined in the

      DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical manual of Mental Disorders)

      published by the American psychiatric Association. The assessment

      criteria was originally intended for diagnosis of ADHD in children,

      but later on, the same was also followed for adults.

      At least 6 of following symptoms need to be present to consider an adult of ADHD:

      •

      Hyperactivity and/or impulsiveness

      •

      Forgetfulness

      •

      Easily distracted or improper attention

      •

      Inattentiveness

      •

      Frequent mistakes

      •

      Lack of concentration or focus

      •

      Inattentiveness towards a person in direct conversation

      •

      Cannot properly or timely complete tasks

      •

      Cannot follow instructions

      •

      Cannot properly organize activities or tasks

      •

      Avoid tasks requiring substantial thought

      •

      Misplace important things

      •

      Tendency to fidget with the hands or feet, or squirm while

      seated

      •

      Leave room when expected to sit

      •

      Act inappropriately in certain situations

      •

      Problems doing activities silently

      •

      Seems to be full of energy, and tends to be moving all the

      time.

      •

      Speaks excessively

      •

      Tendency to utter answers before a question is complete

      •

      Cannot wait patiently in relaxed manner, tends to show

      irritation

      •

      Tendency to interfere or interrupt in other people's

      conversations

      Besides the 6 symptoms from the above list, an individual adult with ADHD can show additional characteristics or symptoms that include:

      •

      Hyperactive, impulsive or inattentive symptoms present

      before the age of seven that might have caused injury in the past

      •

      Different behavior at childhood compared to other children of

      the same age without ADHD

      •

      Have had the symptoms for at least 6 months

      •

      Symptoms may have jeopardized relationships, life at school,

      home and/or work

      The doctor may look carefully about relationships with family and

      performance at school or work, and may consider other symptoms,

      that are best visualized by the doctor's experience.

      DRUGS AND TREATMENTS

      There is no single treatment that can cure a person of ADHD.

      Treatments commonly administered include psychological counseling

      and/or medication. Depending upon the patient, therapy and

      medication are usually provided together to get the best outcome.

      MEDICATIONS

      Psycho-stimulants are the most typical medications prescribed for

      ADHD. These stimulant medications appear to balance and boost the

      neurotransmitters levels in the brain.

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