Many Americans struggle to recognize and treat ADHD. There are many symptoms and in today’s distracting world, it’s easy to mistake restlessness for ADHD.
When a someone is diagnosed with ADHD regardless of the age, the treatment is somewhat similar to the treatment administered to children. However, some ADHD drugs approved for children and teens are not recommended or approved for adults to use.
Let’s take a closer look at how to recognize and treat ADHD.
common symptoms of adhd
The symptoms and signs of ADHD in adults may be difficult to pinpoint. Therefore, if a person has experienced symptoms in their childhood and teens, chances are those signals will have continued into adulthood.
Adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder can look different person to person. Some common indications are:
- lack of focus
- poor time management skills
- disorganization
- forgetfulness
- fatigue
- lack of motivation
- anxiety & depression
- low self-esteem
Adults suffering from ADHD often find themselves faced with these types of persistent problems. Unfortunately, due to the stigma attached to mental disorders many adults are hesitant to reach out for help.
How to recognize and treat Adhd
There are several ways to recognize and treat ADHD. However, everyone is different so what may work for one person may not work for another.
Recognizing ADHD
While there is no single test that confirms a diagnosis of ADHD in adults, some tools that physicians use to make a diagnosis include:
- a physical examination (to rule out other physical causes for symptoms)
- conversing and information gathering (asking questions about personal and family history, including the history of mental health symptoms)
- psychological tests
It is important to remember that adults with ADHD tend to be less hyperactive than children. On the other hand, these adults will still struggle with things like restlessness, focus and impulsiveness.
In almost all instances of adult ADHD, an individual experiences symptoms in his or her early childhood, which persist into adulthood. In many cases, a person with ADHD goes undiagnosed as a child and it is only recognized during adulthood. Moreover, adult ADHD symptoms are not as clearly defined as those experienced by children.
Treatment of ADHD
The most common course of treatment prescribed to people suffering from ADHD is actually a combination of medications, psychotherapy (counseling) and treatment for any additional mental health conditions that accompany ADHD.
Also incorporated into this treatment is an education about the disorder and how to effectively deal with the symptoms. One major aspect of counseling and education is the introduction of healthy coping skills.
Final Thoughts on how to recognize and treat ADHD
In addition to mental health disorders, certain brain-related issues such as trauma and tumours, thyroid conditions and abuse of alcohol/drugs all present similar symptoms to those of ADHD.
With all the distractions and stimulation in today’s society it is difficult to say if we have ADHD or these are just symptoms of our culture.
furthermore, if you experience any of these symptoms and are concerned, talk to a licensed physician. They will give you help treat and recognize ADHD that you may experiencing.
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