Getting a Diagnosis of ADHD in Adults
Some adults might not be aware of their ADHD symptoms. A diagnosis as an adult may offer treatment options.
To be diagnosed with ADHD, you must have at least five persistent symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity. These symptoms must affect your daily activities, whether at home, at work, and in social settings. Talk therapy can enhance communication and problem solving skills. Counseling for families and marriage can be beneficial.
Symptoms
If you're suffering from symptoms of ADHD, it may seem that you're not living up to your potential. You might be overwhelmed as an adult due to your obligations. You may be full-time at work as well as caring for your elderly parents or children, or managing household chores.
Your difficulty keeping up can cause embarrassment, anger despair, and the loss of confidence. It's not an issue if you have ADHD. However, it's important to understand that there are solutions to your problems. The first step is to make a diagnosis.
A thorough psychiatric examination can be performed by a medical professional to diagnose ADHD in adults. This includes talking with you about symptoms, requiring you complete standardized behavior rating scales and ADHD list of symptoms and obtaining details on your mental and medical background. The doctor may also ask you about your family history of ADHD.
To qualify for a diagnosis of ADHD, you must have experienced at least five persistent symptoms of inattention and/or hyperactivity/impulsivity. These symptoms must have occurred prior to age 12 and continue to cause problems with your daily activities. You must also have difficulty with these behavior in multiple environments, including at school, work, and in your social interactions.
If your inattention is a serious problem, you might be late for appointments, make impulsive mistakes at work or at home, and fail to fulfill your obligations. You might have difficulty managing your finances and health and may have a difficult time with simple tasks like making sure you take your medication on time or visiting the doctor for checkups.
People with ADHD can make difficult situations more difficult by acting before they think. You could interrupt other people's conversations, blurt out answers to questions before they're finished, or have difficulty waiting your turn in a line. Your impulsiveness can result in risky behavior, such as driving too quickly or spending money in a reckless manner.
According to research the genetics and the environment play a major role in the development of ADHD. The symptoms of ADHD tend to be inherited from the family, and some scientists believe that issues with the central nervous system during critical developmental phases increase the risk of developing.
Diagnosis
A health specialist who is specialized in ADHD can help evaluate adults with symptoms of the disorder. A typical assessment consists of an interview and reviewing medical records, school or workplace records, family medical histories, and a mental screening. A trained professional may also perform a physical exam or tests in the laboratory to determine if there are other conditions that have similar symptoms. For an adolescent or adult to receive a diagnosis of ADHD, symptoms must be present for at minimum six months, and cause significant impairment to daily life functions.
Undiagnosed or untreated ADHD can cause chronic problems that could have been prevented or treated. This can lead to depression, family issues, work-related or financial stress, substance abuse and even serious accidents such as motor vehicle crashes.
Undiagnosed ADHD can result in misinterpretations by family members, friends and colleagues. They could be seen as irresponsible, lazy, a bad employee or just plain crazy. In addition, people who have undiagnosed ADHD are at greater risk of developing depression and anxiety.
Women are more adept at hiding ADHD symptoms than men. This can make it harder for them to receive an accurate diagnosis. They might use distractions or daydreaming in order to hide their inattentiveness and impulsivity. Or they might use tools and techniques to make up for their poor time management and lack of organization. Women who suffer from ADHD also might have trouble diagnosing their own symptoms, as they are more likely to suffer from symptoms of inattention, not the impulsivity or hyperactivity.
It's important to remember that ADHD isn't a metric of intelligence or capability. It's just an alternative behavior and way of thinking that may cause problems in certain settings or situations.
Adults may experience different symptoms than children. However, symptoms of ADHD in adults still meet the criteria set forth in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition (DSM-5)1.
Treatment
People with undiagnosed ADHD might struggle to stay organized, stay on top of school or work tasks and maintain healthy relationships. The symptoms can also affect the daily routine and trigger depression or anxiety. People who are hyperactive or impulsive may appear restless, and may attempt to accomplish a lot at the same time. They might not finish tasks or meet deadlines. They may be unable to pay attention to others, which could cause confusion or relationship issues.
ADHD is usually not acknowledged in childhood and many adults suffering from the disorder are unaware that they have it. Instead of struggling to keep pace in their studies and daily life, they may have been labelled as an overachiever or a dreamer. As responsibilities increase in adulthood however, many who have ADHD notice their symptoms getting worse. They're not able to manage all the balls in the air - pursuing a career and taking care of family members and juggling with errands and housework, and maintaining romantic and social relationships.
A mental health professional or health care provider will determine if a patient has ADHD. The evaluation includes a discussion with family members or friends who are familiar with the person and a physical examination and a review of a person's medical history. The person could be asked to fill out standard ADHD rating scales or a symptom checklist. Psychological tests can be conducted to measure executive function, working memory and spatial and visual skills.
Stimulant drugs are the most frequently used treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. They boost and regulate levels of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. They can help people suffering from ADHD improve their focus and organize their lives, recall important information and tasks and manage their an impulsive behaviour. Other treatments for ADHD include non-stimulant drugs like atomoxetine or antidepressants. They work more slowly than stimulants but still help improve the symptoms of ADHD. Before taking stimulants with certain health conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure should talk to their doctor.
Certain adults suffering from ADHD might benefit from individual therapy, self-help groups or vocational counseling. These interventions can help adults to cope with their ADHD symptoms as well as establish healthy relationships at home, at school, and at work. Some adults with ADHD also will participate in clinical studies. These studies help scientists gain knowledge about how to diagnose, treat and prevent disorders like ADHD.
Follow-up
A thorough evaluation of ADHD in adults using several assessment tools will increase diagnostic accuracy and reduce misdiagnosis. A psychologist or psychiatrist who has experience treating ADHD in adult patients will often conduct an lengthy interview. The evaluation specialist may also inquire about the more info background of your or your child's health issues as well as family dynamics and lifestyle choices. He or she could also review your medical records and perform an examination of your body.
Many people who suffer from ADHD also suffer from other mental or physical disorders, such as anxiety and depression, which need to be treated. It is estimated that those who suffer from ADHD are six-times more likely to be suffering from mood disorders. People who suffer from ADHD are also at a greater risk of consuming alcohol.
Adults who suffer from ADHD typically have difficulty to get and keep jobs. They also have a harder time managing finances and staying on top of household chores. Adults with ADHD are at risk of developing other health problems, like obesity, heart disease, and smoking. Additionally they are more likely to be prone to poor eating habits and are more likely to have difficulty forming and maintaining romantic relationships.
In one study, adults who were diagnosed with ADHD after receiving treatment in minor mental health services when they were children. The sample size was not large. A larger sample could provide more information about the clinical course of ADHD in adulthood and its relationship to other psychiatric disorders.
Research has proven ADHD to be a persistent and persistent disorder among adults. It can have a negative impact on the quality of life and can lead to other issues like mood disorders learning disabilities, and the abuse of alcohol and drugs. People with untreated ADHD are at an increased risk for incarceration, divorce, having a lower socioeconomic status, and more serious mental health issues.
It is advised that all adults with an uncontrolled or new diagnosis of symptoms of ADHD be seen within 30 days and monthly after that until their symptoms are under control. Adults suffering from ADHD might need to continue receiving psychotherapy or pharmacotherapy throughout their lives.