Getting a Diagnosis of ADHD in Adults
Some adults may not be aware of their ADHD symptoms. A diagnosis as an adult could provide treatment options.
To be diagnosed with ADHD, you must have at least five persistent symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity. These symptoms must interfere with daily functioning, at home, work and in social settings. Talk therapy can improve communication and problem solving skills. Counseling for families and marriage can be beneficial.
Symptoms
It could be that you feel that you are not performing to your full potential when you have ADHD symptoms. You might be overwhelmed as an adult with your obligations. You might be working full-time or caring for elderly parents or children, as well as taking care of household chores.
Inability to keep up can cause frustration and embarrassment. You might also feel hopeless or lose confidence, or even be embarrassed. If you have ADHD, it's not your fault. It's important to realize that there are solutions to overcome your difficulties. The first step is to make a diagnosis.
A health professional can detect ADHD in adults through an exhaustive psychiatric assessment. This involves talking to you about your symptoms, having you fill out standardized behavior ratings scales and ADHD list of symptoms and obtaining information about your medical and mental health background. The doctor may also ask you to provide information about your family's 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 been present prior to age 12 and have continued to impact your life. You must also be experiencing difficulty with these behaviors at the very least in two different situations which include work, school and social interactions.
If your inattention is a significant issue, you may skip appointments, make careless mistakes at work or at home, and fail to fulfill your obligations. You might have difficulty managing your health and finances and may have a difficult time with simple tasks, like remembering to take medication or visiting the doctor for checkups.
In people with ADHD the tendency to act before thinking can make difficult situations more difficult. You may interrupt conversations with other people or utter answers to questions before they're completed, or struggle to wait your turn in a line. Your impulsivity might result in reckless actions, like driving too quickly or spending money in a reckless manner.
Research suggests that genetics as well as environmental factors play a role in the development of ADHD. The symptoms of ADHD are likely to be passed down through the family, and some researchers believe that problems with your central nervous system during critical developmental phases increase the risk of developing.
Diagnosis
A health professional with an expertise in ADHD can assist adults who are experiencing symptoms of the disorder. An assessment typically consists of an interview and review of medical history, school or work records along with family medical history and an examination for mental health. A specialist may also conduct a physical exam and/or laboratory tests 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 in everyday activities.
People who have not been diagnosed or treated for ADHD can struggle for the rest of their lives with persistent issues that could have been prevented or treated. This can cause depression, family issues, work-related or financial stress, addiction to drugs and even serious accidents such as motor vehicle accidents.
Many adults who have not been diagnosed with ADHD are at risk of being misunderstood and criticized by family members, friends and coworkers. They might be viewed as lazy, irresponsible or a poor employee, or simply crazy. In addition, people who have undiagnosed ADHD are more at risk of developing depression and anxiety.
Women tend to be better at hiding their ADHD symptoms than men, which could make it difficult for them to receive a proper diagnosis. They may resort to strategies to hide their inattentiveness or impulsivity, for example the frequent distractions and daydreaming or rely on tools to compensate for their disorganization and lack of time management skills. Women who suffer from ADHD might also have trouble in recognizing their symptoms, since they are more likely than men to experience hyperactive or inattentive symptoms.
It is important to keep in mind that ADHD is not an indicator of intelligence. It's just an altered way of thinking and behave that can create challenges in certain situations.
In adults, it may be difficult to identify ADHD because the symptoms could have changed as people developed. Adults who suffer from ADHD still fit the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) of the American Psychiatric Association.
Treatment
Undiagnosed ADHD can cause people to struggle to stay organized and complete their work or school assignments and maintain healthy relationships with others. These symptoms can affect the daily routine and trigger anxiety or depression. People who suffer from hyperactivity or impulsive subtypes the condition may appear restless and attempt to complete multiple things at once, and fail to finish tasks or meet deadlines. They can have trouble paying attention to other people which can lead to miscommunications and relationship problems.
ADHD is not often recognized in childhood and many adults with the symptoms are not aware of it. They might have been viewed as a dreamer, a snob, slacker or troublemaker instead of struggling to keep up in school and everyday life. As the demands of adulthood increase, however, many people who suffer from ADHD experience their symptoms becoming worse. They're not able to manage all the balls in the air working on a job and taking care of family members, while also keeping up with housework and errands, and maintaining romantic and social relationships.
A health care provider or mental health professional will determine whether a person has ADHD. The assessment includes a conversation with family members, friends, and others who know the person, a physical examination, and a review a person's medical history. The patient could be asked to complete standard ADHD ratings scales or a list of symptoms. Psychological testing can be used to assess executive function, working memory, and visual and spatial abilities.
how is adhd diagnosed in adults with ADHD are typically treated by stimulant medications. They balance and increase levels of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. They can help people suffering from ADHD better focus and manage their lives, keep track of important information and tasks, and control an impulsive behaviour. Other treatments for ADHD include nonstimulant medicines like atomoxetine or antidepressants, which work more slowly than stimulants but still improve the symptoms of ADHD. Before taking stimulants, people with certain health conditions such as 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 programs can help adults to cope with their ADHD symptoms and build healthy relationships at home, at school and at work. Clinical trials will also be conducted on adults who suffer from ADHD. These studies allow scientists to learn more about new ways to diagnose, treat and prevent disorders such as ADHD.
Follow-up
A thorough assessment of adult ADHD using a variety of assessment tools can help improve diagnostic accuracy and decrease the risk of misdiagnosis. A psychologist or psychiatrist with experience in treating ADHD in adults will usually conduct an lengthy interview. The examiner may also inquire about the history of your or your child's health problems, family dynamics, and lifestyle choices. He or she will also review your past medical records and perform physical examination.
Many people who suffer from ADHD have other psychiatric disorders or medical conditions, such as depression and anxiety, which must be treated. It is estimated that people with ADHD are six-times more likely to experience mood disorders. People who suffer from ADHD are also at a higher risk of substance abuse.
Adults with ADHD have a tough time finding and keeping a job. They also have a tougher managing their finances and staying on top of household tasks. Adults with ADHD are at increased risk of developing health problems, like heart disease, obesity, and smoking. They are also more likely to be prone to bad eating habits and have difficulty forming and maintaining relationships with their partners.
In one study, people with ADHD who were treated in minor mental health services as young children were diagnosed with ADHD into adulthood. However the sample size was very small. An expansion of the sample could provide more information about the pathology of ADHD in adulthood and its connection to other psychiatric disorders.
Research has proven that ADHD is a chronic permanent disorder that is seen in adults. It has a negative effect on the quality of life, and can cause variety of comorbid conditions, such as learning disabilities, mood disorders and abuse of alcohol and drugs. People with untreated ADHD are at a higher risk of being incarcerated, divorce, a lower socioeconomic status and more serious psychiatric issues.
It is recommended that all adults with an uncontrolled or new diagnosis of symptoms of ADHD be seen within 30 days, and then every month after that until the symptoms are controlled. Adults with ADHD may need to continue receiving psychotherapy or pharmacotherapy for the rest their lives.