
Adults, Symptoms, Rating Scales & Treatment
Adults, particularly those experiencing mental health issues, can sometimes be difficult to diagnose and treat. The complexities of symptoms and rating scales can often be challenging to understand, but it is important to understand them in order to get the right diagnosis and treatment.
Symptoms displayed by adults may look different than in children. Adults may be more likely to present with feelings of sadness, low self-esteem, or feelings of worthlessness. They may have difficulty concentrating, lack energy, and have problems with appetite or sleep. Other symptoms of mental health disorders in adults can include difficulty finding pleasure in activities, social isolation, uncontrollable anger, and substance use.
In evaluating adults for mental health disorders, it is important to take into account rating scales. Because the symptoms of mental health disorders can be unique for each individual, rating scales provide an objective way to measure various aspects of mental health functioning. Rating scales can measure a variety of areas such as global functioning, depression, anxiety, and/or aggression. They can also measure a person’s overall quality of life and self-esteem.
Treatment for mental health disorders in adults can vary depending on the individual’s needs and preferences. In some cases, therapy may be an effective way to help an adult cope with their symptoms. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one type of therapy that has been proven to be effective in helping adults manage their symptoms. Other treatments, such as medications and lifestyle changes, can also provide relief for adults with mental health issues.
Adults can often benefit from a combination of treatment approaches, including therapy, medications, and lifestyle changes. It is important to find a mental health professional who can work with the individual to create a tailored treatment plan that addresses their specific needs.
It is important to understand the complexities of mental health symptoms and rating scales in adults in order to ensure that they receive proper diagnosis and treatment. Treatment for adults should focus on the individual’s unique needs and preferences, with the goal of helping them to cope with the challenges of mental health disorders and lead a healthier, happier life.
How to Find a Specialist Who Can Diagnose ADHD
All pediatricians are trained to screen for ADHD using readily available screening tools mentioned above. In addition to the screening, there are also developmental specialists, psychiatrists, psychologists, and other behavioral specialists who are trained to evaluate for other learning differences and associated mental-health problems. The pediatrician can refer the child to a specialist if needed.
Screening for ADHD in Adults
Although the hyperactive and impulsive symptoms usually improve as children age, at least one-third of all children with ADHD continue to exhibit some symptoms into adulthood. Often adults can also be diagnosed with ADHD and ADD. That means that there are probably quite a few adults who haven’t yet been diagnosed with ADHD who might benefit from evaluation and treatment.
The evaluation of adults with ADHD is not as well established as it is in children but has matured over the last 10 years. In general, it involves a complete developmental history, symptom review, objective assessment of intentional deficits, medication review, and evaluation of other mental health disorders. Some of these tools include
- the Childhood Symptom Scale,
- the Wender Utah Rating Scale,
- the Adult ADHD Rating Scale and Symptom Checklist, and
- the Connors Adult ADHD Rating Scale.
If this initial evaluation is unclear, patients should be referred to a psychiatrist or psychologist for a more complete study.
There are a number of medical conditions that can mimic ADHD symptoms in adults, including
- thyroid disease,
- liver disease, and
- some drug interactions, each of which is considered when evaluating an adult for ADHD.
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