Getting a Diagnosis of ADHD in Adults
Some adults might not be aware of their ADHD symptoms. A diagnosis as an adult may provide treatment options.
To be diagnosed with ADHD, you must have at least five persistent symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity. These symptoms must affect everyday functioning at home, at work, and socially. Talk therapy can help improve the communication skills and problem solving abilities. Counseling for families and marriage can be beneficial as well.
Signs and symptoms
You may feel like you're not living up to your full potential when you have ADHD symptoms. As an adult, you could be overwhelmed by the demands of your job and feel that you can't get a handle on the many tasks in front of you. You might be working full time and caring for your children or an elderly parent, and trying to manage household chores and finances.
Your inability to keep up with the pace can cause embarrassment, anger, hopelessness and an eroding of confidence. It's not your problem if you have ADHD. It's important to understand that there are solutions to overcome your difficulties. The first step to a diagnosis.
A thorough psychiatric evaluation can be utilized by a health care professional to diagnose ADHD in adults. This includes talking with you about symptoms, having you fill out standardized behavior ratings scales and ADHD symptom lists and obtaining information about your mental and medical background. The doctor might also inquire 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 prior to age 12 and continue to interfere with your life. You may also have issues with these behaviors in two or more environments, including at school, work as well as in your social interactions.
You may miss appointments, make erroneous mistakes at home or at work, and fail to fulfill your obligations if your inattention is an issue. You might be struggling with managing your health and finances and you could also be having problems with tasks that are simple like remembering to go to the doctor or taking your medication.
People who suffer from ADHD are prone to making difficult situations more difficult by acting before they think. You may interrupt conversations, respond to questions before others are done or have difficulty waiting in the line. Your impulsiveness could result in risky behavior like driving too fast or spending money in a reckless manner.
Studies suggest that genetics and environmental factors play a role in the development of ADHD. The symptoms of ADHD tend to be inherited from the family, and some scientists believe that problems with the central nervous system during crucial developmental stages increase the risk of developing.
Diagnosis
A health professional who specializes in ADHD can assist in evaluating adults who exhibit symptoms of the disorder. A typical evaluation includes an interview as well as an examination of medical documents, school or work records as well as family medical histories and a mental assessment. A trained professional can conduct physical examinations and/or laboratory tests to rule out other conditions that have 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 to everyday life activities.
People who have not been diagnosed or treated for ADHD can struggle for the rest of their lives with chronic difficulties which could have been avoided or treated. This can cause depression, family problems and financial stress as well as work-related stress, addiction to drugs and even serious accidents, such as motor vehicle crashes.
Undiagnosed ADHD can lead to misinterpretations by family members, friends and colleagues. They could be seen by others as irresponsible, lazy or even a poor employee. Undiagnosed ADHD can also increase the risk of anxiety and depression.
Women are more adept at concealing ADHD symptoms than men. This makes it harder for them to receive a proper diagnosis. They might use distractions or daydreaming in order to hide their inattentiveness and impulsivity. Sometimes, they rely on methods and tools to make up for their poor time management and disorganization. Women suffering from ADHD might also have difficulty diagnosing their own symptoms, as they are more likely to suffer from symptoms of inattention rather than hyperactivity or impulsivity.
It's important to understand that ADHD isn't an indicator of intelligence or capacity. It's simply an altered way of thinking and behaving that could cause difficulties in certain situations or environments.
Adults may exhibit different symptoms than children. However, symptoms of ADHD in adults still meet the criteria listed 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 work or school tasks and maintain healthy relationships. Symptoms also can interfere with the daily routine and trigger emotional issues like depression, anxiety or mood swings. People who suffer from hyperactivity or impulsive subtypes of the condition may appear restless and may try to accomplish several things at once, and fail to complete tasks or meet deadlines. They may have difficulty paying attention to others, which could cause confusion or relationship issues.
ADHD is usually not acknowledged in childhood and many adults with the symptoms are unaware that they have it. Instead of struggling to keep pace in their studies and daily life they may have been labelled as a dreamer or a slacker. Many people with ADHD suffer from worsening symptoms as their obligations increase. They can't manage all the balls at once - pursuing a career and caring for family and juggling with chores at home and errands and maintaining romantic and social relationships.
A health care professional or mental health professional will determine whether a person is suffering from ADHD. The assessment usually involves discussions with family or friends who are familiar with the person and a physical examination, and a review of the person's medical and psychiatric background. The patient may be asked to complete the standardized ADHD ratings scales or a list of symptoms. Psychological tests are used to measure working memory and executive function as well as visual and spatial abilities.
Adults suffering from ADHD are typically treated by stimulant medications. These medications balance and boost levels of brain chemicals, known as neurotransmitters. They can help people suffering from ADHD improve their focus and organize their lives, remember important information and tasks and manage an impulsive behaviour. Other treatments for ADHD include non-stimulant drugs like atomoxetine or antidepressants. They work more slowly than stimulants, but they can improve the symptoms of ADHD. Before taking stimulants, those who suffer from certain health issues, such as diabetes or high blood pressure should talk to their doctor.
Some adults with ADHD might benefit from individual therapy, self-help groups, or vocational counseling. These interventions can help adults to manage their ADHD symptoms as well as build healthy relationships at home, at school and at work. Certain adults suffering from ADHD will also be part of clinical studies. These studies help scientists learn more about new methods to prevent, diagnose and treat disorders like ADHD.
Follow-up
A thorough assessment of adult ADHD utilizing several assessment inventories can improve the accuracy of diagnosis and reduce the chance of a misdiagnosis. A psychiatrist or more info psychologist with expertise in treating ADHD in adults will often conduct an extended interview. The evaluator will also ask you about your or your child’s past health problems as well as family dynamics and lifestyle choices. The evaluator will also go through your past medical records and perform physical examination.
Many people who suffer from ADHD also suffer from other psychiatric disorders or medical conditions, such depression and anxiety, which require treatment. It is estimated that those with ADHD are six-times more likely to experience mood disorders. People who suffer from ADHD also are at a higher risk of substance abuse.
Adults with ADHD have a difficult finding and keeping a job. They also have a tougher managing their finances and juggling household chores. Adults with ADHD are more at risk of developing health issues, such as heart disease, obesity, and smoking. They are also more likely to be prone to bad eating habits and to have difficulty forming and maintaining relationships with their partners.
In one study, adults who were diagnosed with ADHD after being treated in minor mental health services when they were children. However, the size of the sample was small. An enlargement of the sample might have provided more details about the clinical course of ADHD in adulthood and its relationship to other psychiatric disorders.
Research has proven ADHD to be a chronic and persistent disorder in adults. It can have a negative impact on quality of life and can cause range of comorbidities, like mood disorders, learning disabilities and alcohol and drug abuse. If left untreated, ADHD increases the risk of incarceration and divorce as well as a lower social economic status for those suffering from ADHD.
Adults with uncontrolled ADHD symptoms or a new ADHD diagnosis should be seen within 30 to 60 days, and then every month until symptoms are under control. Adults with ADHD may require receiving psychotherapy or therapy with pharmacotherapy for the remainder of their lives.