Getting a Diagnosis of ADHD in Adults
Many adults aren't aware of ADHD symptoms. Being diagnosed as an adult can give possibilities for treatment.
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, work and socially. Talk therapy can improve the communication skills and problem solving abilities. Family and marital counseling can also be helpful.
Symptoms
It could be that you feel that you're not performing to your full potential if suffer from ADHD symptoms. You may be overwhelmed as an adult with your responsibilities. You might be working full-time as well as caring for your elderly parents or children, or taking care of household chores.
Your difficulty in keeping up may lead to embarrassment, frustration despair and the loss of confidence. It's not an issue if you have ADHD. It's important to recognize that there are solutions to overcome your challenges. The first step is to make a diagnosis.
A thorough psychiatric assessment can be used by a health care professional to diagnose ADHD in adults. This may include speaking to you about your symptoms, having you complete standardized behavior rating scales and ADHD symptoms checklists, as well as gathering information regarding your medical and mental health history. The provider may also ask you to provide information about the history of your family members with 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 cause problems with your life. You should also be having issues with these behavior issues at least in two different environments, including school, work and social interactions.
If your inattention is a significant issue, you could skip appointments, make careless mistakes at work or at home, and fail to fulfill your responsibilities. You might have difficulty managing your finances and health and may have a hard to complete simple tasks like remembering to take medication or going to the doctor for checkups.
People who suffer from ADHD can make difficult situations more difficult by acting before they think. You may disrupt conversations with others, 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 quickly or spending money in a reckless manner.
According to studies the genetics and the environment play a significant role in the development ADHD. The symptoms of ADHD are likely to be passed down through the family, and some scientists believe that problems with the central nervous system during critical developmental stages increase your risk.
Diagnosis
A health 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 reviewing medical records, school or workplace records as well as family medical histories and a mental screening. A trained professional may also conduct a physical examination and/or lab tests to identify other conditions that share similar symptoms. A diagnosis of ADHD is only given to an adult or adolescent when symptoms have been present for six months or more and cause significant impairments in the daily routine.
Undiagnosed or neglected ADHD can lead to long-term problems that could have been prevented or treated. This can cause depression, family problems, work-related or financial stress as well as substance abuse, and even serious accidents such as motor vehicle accidents.
Undiagnosed ADHD can result in confusion among family members, friends, and coworkers. They might be viewed as lazy, irresponsible or even just plain 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 might use distractions or daydreaming in order to hide their inattentiveness and impulsivity. They may also use tools and techniques to make up for their poor time management and disorganization. behavioral observations who suffer from ADHD might also have difficulty in recognizing their own symptoms since they tend to have inattentive symptoms rather than an impulsive or hyperactivity.
It's important to understand that ADHD isn't a sign of intelligence or capacity. It's simply an altered approach to thinking and acting that can cause challenges in certain situations or environments.
In adults, it may be difficult to determine ADHD because the signs may have changed as they developed. However, symptoms of ADHD in adults still meet the criteria set forth in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition (DSM-5)1.
Treatment
Undiagnosed ADHD can cause individuals to have difficulty to stay on track and complete their work or school assignments, and maintain healthy interpersonal relationships. These symptoms can affect everyday functioning and can trigger emotional issues such as depression or anxiety. People with hyperactivity or impulsive variants of the condition may appear restless and attempt to complete multiple things at once, failing to complete tasks or meet deadlines. They may have difficulty paying attention to others, which could cause confusion or problems with relationships.
ADHD is not often recognized as a child, and a lot of adults suffering from the disorder aren't aware that they have it. Instead of struggling to keep pace in school and life, they may have been labelled as either a dreamer or a slacker. Many people with ADHD suffer from more severe symptoms as their responsibilities grow. They can't manage all the balls in the air working on a job and caring for their family and juggling with chores at home and errands and maintaining social and romantic relationships.
A mental health professional or health care provider will determine if someone is suffering from ADHD. The evaluation includes a discussion with family members, friends, and others who are familiar with the person, a physical examination, and a review of the person's medical history. The person may also be asked to fill out the standardized ADHD rating scales or a symptom checklist. Psychological tests are used to measure working memory and executive function as well as visual and spatial abilities.
Adults suffering from ADHD are usually treated by stimulant medications. These drugs boost and balance levels of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. They can help those with ADHD better focus and manage their lives, keep track of important information and tasks and control impulsive behavior. Nonstimulant medicines, such as antidepressants and atomoxetine can be used to treat ADHD. They perform more slowly than stimulants, but they can still help improve symptoms. People who have certain health issues such as high blood pressure or diabetes should consult their doctor prior to taking stimulants.
Certain adults suffering from ADHD may benefit from individual therapy, self-help groups or vocational counseling. These programs can help adults to manage their ADHD symptoms and build healthy relationships at home, at school, and at work. Clinical trials will also be conducted on adults with ADHD. These studies allow scientists to learn more about new methods to diagnose, treat and prevent disorders such as ADHD.
Follow-up
A thorough assessment of ADHD in adults using several assessment tools will increase the accuracy of diagnosis and decrease the chance of misdiagnosis. The process usually involves an extended discussion with a psychiatrist or psychologist who is skilled in treating ADHD in adults. The evaluation specialist may also inquire about the background of your or your child's health issues, family dynamics, and lifestyle choices. They will also review your past medical records and conduct a physical exam.
Many people suffering from ADHD also have other medical or psychiatric conditions such as anxiety or depression, which need to 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 who suffer from ADHD often have a difficult time to secure and maintain jobs. They also have a tougher managing finances and keeping track of household tasks. Adults with ADHD are at chance of developing other health issues, such as obesity, heart disease, and smoking. Additionally, they are more likely to have poor eating habits and are more likely to have trouble forming and keeping romantic relationships.
In one study, people who had ADHD who were treated in mental health facilities as children continued to be diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood. However the sample size was very small. An expansion of the sample might provide more information about the pathology of ADHD in adulthood and its relationship to other psychiatric disorders.
Research has demonstrated ADHD to be a long-lasting and persistent disorder in adults. It can have a negative impact on quality of living and may lead to other health issues like mood disorders, learning disabilities, and alcohol and drugs abuse. People who are not treated for ADHD are at a higher risk of being incarcerated and divorce, being less socioeconomically stable and more serious mental health issues.
It is recommended that all adults with a new diagnosis or uncontrolled symptoms of ADHD be seen within 30 days and every month thereafter until their symptoms are controlled. Adults with ADHD might need to continue receiving psychotherapy or pharmacotherapy for the rest their lives.