Getting a Diagnosis of ADHD in Adults
Many adults aren't aware of their ADHD symptoms. A diagnosis as an adult could offer treatment options.
To be diagnosed with ADHD, you must have at least five persistent symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity. These symptoms must significantly interfere with your daily life at home, work and socially. Talk therapy can help improve communication and problem-solving skills. Counseling for family and marriage can be beneficial.
Signs and symptoms
If you're suffering from symptoms of ADHD, it may seem as if you're not living up to your potential. You might be overwhelmed as an adult by your responsibilities. You might be working full time and caring for your children or an elderly parent and trying to handle household chores and finances.
Your difficulty keeping up can result in embarrassment, frustration despair and a loss of confidence. It's not a problem when you suffer from ADHD. It's important to recognize that there are ways to overcome your issues. The first step is to make a diagnosis.
A health care professional can detect ADHD in adults by performing an exhaustive psychiatric assessment. This includes talking with you about symptoms, having you fill out standardized behavior ratings scales and ADHD symptom lists, and gathering information on your mental health and medical background. The doctor may also ask you to provide information 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 been present before the age of 12 and have continued to impact your life. You should also be having issues with these behaviors at least in two different environments such as school, work and social relationships.
If your inattention is a serious issue, you could miss appointments, make careless mistakes at work or at home and fail to fulfill your obligations. You might be struggling with managing your health and finances and you may also have difficulty with simple tasks like remembering to go to the doctor or take your medication.
For those with ADHD the tendency to think before acting can make stressful situations worse. You could interrupt other people's conversations and spit out answers to questions before you're finished or have trouble waiting your turn in a line. Your impulsiveness could cause risky actions like driving too fast or spending money in a reckless manner.
Research suggests that genetics and environmental factors play a role in the development of ADHD. The symptoms of ADHD typically be passed down through the family, and some researchers believe that problems with your central nervous system at crucial developmental stages increase your risk.
Diagnosis
A health specialist who specializes in ADHD can assist in evaluating adults with symptoms of the disorder. An assessment typically consists of an interview and review of medical background, school or work records along with family medical history and an examination for mental health. A trained professional can also conduct a physical examination or lab tests to rule out other conditions with similar symptoms. For an adult or adolescent to receive a diagnosis of ADHD, symptoms must be present for at minimum six months, and cause significant impairment in everyday activities.
Undiagnosed or untreated ADHD can lead to long-term problems that could have been prevented or treated. This can lead depression, family issues and financial stress as well as work-related stress, substance abuse, and even serious accidents, such as motor vehicle accidents.
Undiagnosed ADHD can cause misinterpretations by family members, friends, and coworkers. They could be seen as irresponsible, lazy or a poor employee, or simply crazy. In addition, people with undiagnosed ADHD are at greater risk for anxiety and depression.
Women are more adept at concealing ADHD symptoms than men. This can make it harder to get the correct diagnosis. They may employ strategies to hide their inattentiveness or impulsivity, like constant distractions and daydreaming or use tools to help them cope with their lack of organization and ineffective more info time management. Women suffering from ADHD also might have trouble diagnosing their own symptoms, as they tend to have symptoms of inattention rather than the impulsivity or hyperactivity.
It is important to keep in mind that ADHD is not an indicator of intelligence. It's just a different behavior and way of thinking that may cause problems in certain settings or situations.
For adults, it can be difficult to identify ADHD because the symptoms could have changed over time as they became older. Adults who suffer from ADHD still meet 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, complete their work and school assignments and maintain healthy interpersonal relationships. The symptoms can also affect the daily routine and trigger emotional problems such as depression, anxiety, or changes in mood. Hyperactive or impulsive people can appear agitated, and they may try to accomplish a lot simultaneously. They may not be able to complete tasks or meet deadlines. They may have difficulty paying attention to others, which can result in miscommunications or relationship issues.
ADHD is not often recognized in the early years and a lot of adults with the symptoms aren't aware that they have it. They might have been viewed as a dreamer, a snob or a slacker, instead of struggling to stay on top in school and everyday life. As the demands of adulthood increase However, many people who suffer from ADHD find their symptoms grow worse. They're not able to handle all the balls they're trying keep up-to-date with: pursuing an occupation, caring for family members, keeping up with household chores and errands, as well as working on social and romantic relationships.
A mental health healthcare professional or health care provider will determine if a person has ADHD. The assessment usually involves discussions with family and friends, as well as other people who know the person well as well as a physical exam and a review of a person's medical and mental health background. The patient could be asked to fill out standard ADHD ratings scales or a list of symptoms. Psychological tests can be used to assess working memory and executive function as in addition to spatial and visual abilities.
Adults suffering from ADHD are typically treated with stimulant medications. They boost and regulate levels of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. They can help those with ADHD concentrate better, organize their lives, and retain important information. They can also manage the impulsive behavior. Other treatments for ADHD include non-stimulant drugs like atomoxetine or antidepressants. They work more slow than stimulants, yet help improve the symptoms of ADHD. Patients with certain health issues such as diabetes or high blood pressure, should talk to their doctor before taking stimulants.
Some adults with ADHD may benefit from behavioral coaching, individual therapy self-help groups, or vocational counseling. These interventions can teach adults how to manage their ADHD symptoms as well as build healthy relationships at home, at school, and at work. Clinical trials will also be conducted with adults suffering from ADHD. These trials allow scientists to gain knowledge about how to treat, diagnose and prevent disorders such as ADHD.
Follow-up
A thorough evaluation of adult ADHD utilizing several assessment inventories can help improve the accuracy of diagnosis and decrease the risk of a misdiagnosis. The process typically involves an extended conversation with a psychiatrist or psychologist who has experience in treating ADHD in adults. The evaluation will also ask you questions about the child's previous health issues, family dynamics, and lifestyle choices. They might also look over your medical records and perform a physical examination.
Many people who suffer from ADHD also suffer from other psychiatric or medical conditions, such as anxiety and depression, that need to be treated. In fact, it is believed that those who suffer from ADHD are six times more likely to suffer from mood disorders than the rest of us. People who suffer from ADHD are also at a higher-than-average risk of using drugs.
Adults with ADHD typically have difficulty to find and keep jobs. They also have a harder managing finances and juggling household chores. Adults with ADHD are at a higher chance of developing other health problems, like obesity, heart disease, and smoking. They are also more likely to develop bad eating habits and struggle to maintain and form romantic relationships.
In one study, people were diagnosed with ADHD after receiving treatment in minor mental health facilities when they were children. The sample size was not large. A larger sample would provide more information about the clinical course of ADHD in adulthood and its connection with other psychiatric disorders.
Research has proven that ADHD is a long-lasting, persistent disorder in adults. It can have a negative impact on living quality and can lead to other issues such as mood disorders, learning disabilities, the abuse of alcohol and drugs. People who do not treat ADHD are at a higher risk of being incarcerated or divorce, as well as having a lower socioeconomic status, and more serious psychiatric problems.
It is advised that all adults with an uncontrolled or new diagnosis of symptoms of ADHD be evaluated within 30 days and monthly thereafter until their symptoms are controlled. Adults who suffer from ADHD may need to continue to receive psychotherapy and/or therapy with pharmacotherapy for the remainder of their lives.