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 significantly interfere with your daily life at work, at home, and socially. Talk therapy can help improve communication and problem solving skills. Counseling for marriage and family can be beneficial.
Symptoms
If you struggle with symptoms of ADHD it might seem that you're not living up to your potential. As an adult, you may be overwhelmed by the responsibilities you have and feel that you can't manage the many responsibilities in front of you. You may be working full-time as well as caring for your elderly parents or children, or managing household chores.
Your inability to keep up with the pace can lead to embarrassment and anger. You might be feeling hopeless or lose confidence, or even feel embarrassed. It's not a problem if you have ADHD. But it's important to know that there are solutions to your struggles. The first step is a diagnosis.
A medical professional can diagnose ADHD in adults by performing a thorough psychiatric evaluation. This involves speaking with you about your symptoms, having you complete standardized behavior rating scales and ADHD symptom lists and obtaining details on your mental health and medical history. The provider may ask about the background 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 been present before the age of 12 and continue to cause problems with your daily life. You should also be having issues with these behaviors at the very least in two different environments such as school, work and social interactions.
If your inattention is a major problem, you might be late for appointments, make impulsive mistakes at work or at home, and fail to follow through on your responsibilities. You might have difficulty managing your finances and health and may have a difficult time with simple tasks, such as remembering to take medication or visiting the doctor for checkups.
People with ADHD are prone to making difficult situations worse by acting before they think. You may interrupt conversations with other people, blurt out answers to questions before you're completed, or struggle to wait your turn in a line. Your impulsivity 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 major role in the development ADHD. The symptoms of ADHD are likely to run in the family, and some researchers believe that issues with your central nervous system during critical developmental stages increase your risk.
Diagnosis
A health care professional with a specialization in ADHD can help those who are suffering from symptoms of the disorder. A typical evaluation includes an interview and a review of medical documents, school or work records and family medical histories and a mental assessment. A specialized professional also may conduct a physical exam and/or tests in the laboratory to rule out other conditions that have similar symptoms. For an adolescent or adult to receive a diagnosis of ADHD, symptoms must be present for at least six months and cause significant impairment to everyday activities.
Undiagnosed or neglected ADHD can lead to long-term problems that could have been avoided or treated. This can cause depression, family issues financial stress, 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 perceived 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 can make it more difficult for them to receive a proper diagnosis. They may use distractions or daydreaming in order to hide their impulsivity and inattention. They may also rely on strategies and tools to help them overcome their lack of time management and disorganization. Women with ADHD may also have difficulty in recognizing their symptoms, since they are more likely than men to suffer from hyperactive or inattention symptoms.
It's important to keep it in mind that ADHD isn't a sign of intelligence. It's merely an alternative way of thinking and behaving that may cause problems in certain settings or situations.
In adults, it can be difficult to determine ADHD because the symptoms may 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
People with undiagnosed ADHD may struggle to get organized, keep track of work or school tasks and maintain healthy relationships. These symptoms can affect daily functioning and cause emotional issues like anxiety, depression or shifts in mood. People who suffer from hyperactivity or impulsive subtypes the disorder may seem agitated and attempt to complete multiple things at once, failing to finish tasks or meet deadlines. They can have trouble paying attention to other people that can cause confusion and relationship problems.
ADHD is usually not acknowledged in the early years and a lot of adults with symptoms are unaware that they have it. Instead of struggling to keep up in school and everyday life, they may be viewed as an overachiever or a dreamer. As the responsibilities grow in adulthood however, many who have ADHD notice their symptoms getting worse. They're unable to handle all the balls they're trying keep on top of - pursuing a career, caring for family members, juggling household chores and errands, as well as working on social and romantic relationships.
A mental health specialist or health care professional will determine if a person is suffering from ADHD. The evaluation involves a discussion with family members, friends, and others who know the person, a physical examination, and a review of a person's medical history. The person could also be asked to complete standard ADHD rating scales or an assessment checklist for symptoms. Psychological tests can be used to test executive function and working memory as in addition to spatial and visual abilities.
Stimulant medications are the most common treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. These medications increase and balance levels of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. They can help people suffering from ADHD focus better, manage their lives and keep track of important information. They also help control impulsive behaviors. Nonstimulant medications, such as antidepressants or atomoxetine, may be used to treat ADHD. They work more slowly than stimulants, but still improve symptoms. People who have particular health issues, such as high blood pressure or diabetes should consult their doctor prior to taking stimulants.
Certain adults suffering from ADHD might benefit from individual therapy, self-help groups or vocational counseling. These programs can help adults learn how to manage their symptoms, and how to build healthy school, family and work relationships. Clinical trials will also be conducted on adults suffering from ADHD. These trials allow scientists to gain knowledge about how to diagnose, treat and prevent disorders like ADHD.
Follow-up
A thorough assessment of adult ADHD utilizing several assessment inventories can improve the accuracy of diagnosis and decrease the risk of misdiagnosis. A psychiatrist or psychologist with expertise in adhd diagnosis adults treating ADHD in adult patients will usually conduct an lengthy interview. The evaluation will also ask you about your or the child's previous health issues as well as family dynamics and lifestyle choices. He or she might also look over your medical records and perform an examination of your physical.
Many people with ADHD also suffer from other psychiatric or medical conditions such as anxiety or depression, that need to be treated. It is estimated that those with ADHD are six-times more likely to experience mood disorders. People with ADHD are also at a higher-than-average risk of using drugs.
Adults with ADHD have a difficult time finding and keeping a job. They also have a difficult managing their finances and staying on top of household chores. Adults with ADHD are at risk of developing other health issues, such as obesity, heart disease, and smoking. In addition they are more likely to have poor eating habits and experience trouble forming and keeping romantic relationships.
In one study, adults who were diagnosed with ADHD after being treated in minor mental health facilities as children. However the sample size was small. A larger sample might 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 problem for adults. It can have a negative effect on living quality and can lead to other issues such as mood disorders, learning disabilities, and addiction to alcohol and other drugs. Untreated ADHD increases the risk of incarceration or divorce, as well as a lower social economic status for people with ADHD.
It is recommended that all adults with a new diagnosis or uncontrolled symptoms of ADHD be evaluated within 30 days, and then every month thereafter until their symptoms are managed. Adults with ADHD may need to continue receiving pharmacotherapy or psychotherapy for the rest of their lives.