Getting a Diagnosis of ADHD in Adults
Some adults may have unrecognized ADHD symptoms. A diagnosis as an adult could open up treatment options.
To be diagnosed with ADHD, you must have at least five persistent symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity. These symptoms should significantly interfere with daily functioning at work, home and socially. Talk therapy can help improve communication and problem-solving skills. Counseling for families and marriage can also be beneficial.
Signs and symptoms
You might feel that you are not doing enough to fulfill your full potential if suffer from ADHD symptoms. As an adult, you could feel overwhelmed by your responsibilities and feel that you can't get a handle on the numerous tasks ahead of you. You may be working full time and caring for your children or an aging parent, and trying to manage household chores and finances.
Your difficulty keeping up can result in embarrassment, frustration, hopelessness and an eroding of confidence. If you suffer from ADHD it's not your fault. It's important to recognize that there are solutions to overcome your issues. The first step to an assessment.
A thorough psychiatric examination can be used by a health specialist to diagnose ADHD in adults. This includes talking to you about your symptoms, having you complete standardized behavior rating scales and ADHD symptom checklists, and collecting information regarding your medical and psychiatric background. The doctor may inquire about the history of ADHD in your family.
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 before the age of 12 and continue to affect your life. You may also have issues with these behavior in multiple settings, such as at work, school, and in your social relationships.
If your inattention is a significant issue, you may miss appointments, make careless mistakes at work or at home and fail to fulfill your responsibilities. You might be struggling with managing your health and finances, and you could also be having difficulties with everyday tasks like remembering to go to the doctor or taking your medication.
People who suffer from ADHD can make difficult situations worse by acting before they think. You might interrupt conversations, respond to questions before people are finished or have trouble waiting in lines. Your impulsiveness could result in risky behavior like driving too fast or spending money in a reckless manner.
According to studies the genetics and the environment play a significant role in the development of ADHD. The symptoms of ADHD are likely to be inherited from the family, and some researchers believe that problems with your central nervous system during crucial developmental stages increase your risk.
Diagnosis
A health care professional with an expertise in ADHD can help adults who are experiencing symptoms of the disorder. A typical assessment includes an interview as well as a review of medical documents, school or work records and family medical histories and a mental screening. A specialist may also perform a physical exam or lab tests to rule out other conditions that may have similar symptoms. For an adolescent or adult to be diagnosed with ADHD, symptoms must be present for at minimum six months, and cause significant impairment in daily life functions.
Undiagnosed or neglected ADHD can lead to chronic issues which could have been prevented or treated. This can lead to depression, family issues financial or work-related stress as well as substance abuse, and even serious accidents like motor vehicle accidents.
Many adults with undiagnosed ADHD are at risk of being misunderstood by friends, relatives and coworkers. They could be seen as a lazy, irresponsible person or a poor employee, or just plain crazy. Undiagnosed ADHD can also increase the chance of depression and anxiety.
Women are more adept at concealing ADHD symptoms than men. This makes it harder to get a proper diagnosis. They might resort to distractions or daydreaming to disguise their inattentiveness and impulsivity. Or they might use tools and techniques to help them overcome their lack of time management and lack of organization. Women with ADHD might also have difficulty in recognizing their own symptoms since they are more likely to experience inattentive symptoms rather than an impulsive or hyperactivity.
It's important to keep in mind that ADHD is not a sign of intelligence. It's simply a different way to think and behave that can create problems in certain situations.
For adults, it can be difficult to determine ADHD because the symptoms may have changed as they became older. However, the signs of ADHD in adults still match the criteria in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition (DSM-5)1.
Treatment
People who have not been diagnosed with ADHD might struggle to stay organized, stay on top of school or work obligations, and maintain healthy relationships. Symptoms also can interfere with daily functioning and cause emotional problems such as anxiety, depression or mood swings. People with hyperactivity or impulsive subtypes the disorder may seem agitated and may try to accomplish several things at once, failing to finish tasks or meet deadlines. They can have trouble paying attention to others, leading to misunderstandings and problems with relationships.
Symptoms of the disorder often go unrecognized in childhood, and many adults who have them do not know they have ADHD. Instead of struggling to keep pace in school and everyday life they might have been labeled an overachiever or a dreamer. Many people who suffer from ADHD suffer from increasing symptoms as their obligations increase. They're not able to manage all the balls in the air working on a job and taking care of family members as well as keeping up with chores at home and errands as well as maintaining romantic and social relationships.
A health care professional or mental health professional will assess whether a person has ADHD. The evaluation includes a discussion with family members, friends, and others who are familiar with the person, a physical examination, and a review a person's medical history. The person could also be asked to complete the standardized ADHD rating scales or an assessment checklist of symptoms. Psychological tests can be conducted to determine working memory, executive function, and visual and spatial abilities.
Adults with ADHD are typically treated with stimulant medications. These medications balance and boost levels of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. They can help people with ADHD focus better, manage their lives and remember important information. They also help control impulsive behaviors. Other treatments for ADHD include non-stimulant drugs such as atomoxetine and antidepressants, which work slowly than stimulants but still improve the symptoms of ADHD. Patients with particular health issues such as high blood pressure or diabetes must consult with their doctor before taking stimulants.
Certain adults suffering from ADHD will benefit from behavioral coaching, individual therapy group, self-help groups or vocational counseling. These interventions can teach adults how to manage their symptoms, and how to build healthy school, family and work relationships. Clinical trials will also be conducted with adults suffering from ADHD. These studies allow scientists to discover more about how to diagnose, treat and prevent disorders like ADHD.
Follow-up
A thorough assessment of ADHD in adults by using a variety of assessment tools will increase diagnostic accuracy and reduce the chance of misdiagnosis. A psychiatrist or psychologist with expertise in treating ADHD in adults will usually conduct an extended interview. learn more may also inquire about the background of your child's or your own health problems, family dynamics and lifestyle choices. He or she will also go through your past medical records and perform a physical exam.
Many people with ADHD also have other medical or psychiatric conditions, such as anxiety and depression, that need to be treated. It is estimated that those with ADHD are six times more likely to be suffering from mood disorders. People who suffer from ADHD are also at a higher risk of substance abuse.
Adults who suffer from ADHD have a difficult to find and keep jobs. They also have a harder managing their finances and keeping track of household tasks. Adults with ADHD are more at risk of developing other health problems, like heart disease, obesity and smoking. Additionally they are more likely to be prone to poor eating habits and experience difficulty forming and maintaining romantic relationships.
In one study, adults who were diagnosed with ADHD after receiving treatment in a minor mental health clinic as children. The sample size was small. A larger sample size would provide additional details about the clinical course and relationships of ADHD in patients with other psychiatric disorders.
Research has revealed that ADHD is a long-lasting permanent disorder that is seen in adults. It can have a negative impact on the quality of life and can cause range of comorbidities, such as mood disorders, learning disabilities and abuse of alcohol and drugs. People with untreated ADHD are at a higher risk of being incarcerated, divorce, having a lower socioeconomic status, and more serious psychiatric issues.
All adults with uncontrolled ADHD symptoms or a new ADHD diagnosis should be evaluated within 30 to 60 days, and then every month until symptoms are under control. Adults who suffer from ADHD might need to continue receiving psychotherapy or pharmacotherapy for the rest their lives.