Getting a Diagnosis of ADHD in Adults
Many adults aren't aware of ADHD symptoms. Being diagnosed as an adult could give options for treatment.
To be diagnosed with ADHD, you must have at least five persistent symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity. These symptoms should affect everyday functioning at work, home and in social settings. Talk therapy can help improve the ability to communicate and problem-solve. Counseling for marriage and family can be beneficial.
Signs and symptoms
If you're suffering from symptoms of ADHD it could appear as if you're not living up to your potential. You may feel overwhelmed as an adult due to your obligations. You may be full-time at work, caring for aging parents or children, or managing household chores.
Your difficulty keeping up can cause embarrassment, anger despair, and an eroding of confidence. If you suffer from ADHD, it's not your fault. It's important to understand that there are ways to overcome your difficulties. The first step is the process of diagnosing.
A thorough psychiatric evaluation can be utilized by a health professional to diagnose ADHD in adults. This includes talking to you about your symptoms, requiring you to complete standardized scales for assessing behavior and ADHD symptoms checklists, and gathering details about your medical and psychopathological history. The provider may also ask you 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 cause problems with your life. You should also be having difficulty with these behaviors at the very least in two different environments which include work, school and social interactions.
You may be late for appointments, make erroneous mistakes at home or at work and not be able to meet your obligations if lack of attention is a problem. You may be struggling with managing your finances and health and may have a hard time with simple tasks, like remembering to take medication or going to the doctor for checkups.
IamPsychiatry who suffer from ADHD can make difficult situations more difficult by acting before they think. You could disrupt conversations with others or utter answers to questions before you're completed, or struggle to wait your turn in a line. Your impulsivity might result in risky activities, such as driving too quickly or spending money in a reckless manner.
According to research that have been conducted, environment and genetics are key factors in the development ADHD. The symptoms of ADHD tend to run in the family, and some researchers believe that issues with your central nervous system during crucial 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 evaluation includes an interview as well as reviewing medical records, workplace or school records as well as family medical histories and a mental screening. A specialized professional may also conduct a physical exam and/or laboratory tests to rule out other conditions with 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 are causing significant difficulties in everyday life.
People who aren't diagnosed or treated for ADHD might struggle throughout their lives with persistent issues that could have been prevented or treated. This can lead to depression, family problems financial or work-related stress as well as substance abuse, and even serious accidents, such as motor vehicle accidents.
Many adults with undiagnosed ADHD are at risk of being misunderstood by family members, friends and coworkers. They may be viewed 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 to get an accurate diagnosis. They may use distractions or daydreaming in order to hide their inattentiveness and impulsivity. They may also depend on strategies and tools to compensate for their poor time management and disorganization. Women with ADHD may also have difficulty identifying their symptoms, as they are more likely than men to exhibit inattentive or hyperactive symptoms.
It is important to keep in mind that ADHD isn't a sign of intelligence. It's merely a different way to think and behave that may cause challenges in certain situations.
For adults, it can be difficult to determine ADHD because the symptoms could have changed as people grew up. 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, complete their work and school assignments, and maintain healthy interpersonal relationships. Symptoms can also interfere with the daily routine and trigger emotional issues like anxiety or depression. People suffering from hyperactivity or impulsive variants of the condition may appear restless and try to do several things at once, and fail to complete tasks or meet deadlines. They may have difficulty paying attention to other people, leading to misunderstandings and relationship problems.
Symptoms of the disorder often remain unnoticed in the early years, and a lot of adults who have them do not know they have ADHD. They may have been described as a goof-off, dreamer or a slacker instead of struggling to stay on top in school and daily life. Many people suffering from ADHD experience more severe symptoms as their responsibilities increase. They're not able to manage all the balls that are flying - pursuing a career 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 mental health healthcare professional or health care provider will determine if someone is suffering from ADHD. The assessment typically involves discussions with relatives and friends, as well as other people who are familiar with the person, a physical exam, and a review of the person's medical and mental health history. The person could also be asked to fill out the standardized ADHD rating scales or a symptom checklist. Psychological testing can be used to measure executive function, working memory as well as spatial and visual skills.
Stimulant medications are the most frequently used treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. These medications balance and boost levels of brain chemicals referred to as neurotransmitters. They can help those with ADHD focus better, manage their lives and remember important information. They also help control impulse-driven behaviors. Non-stimulant drugs, like antidepressants and atomoxetine, can also be used to treat ADHD. They perform slower than stimulants, but still improve symptoms. Before taking stimulants, those who suffer from certain medical conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure, should consult their physician.
Certain adults suffering from ADHD might benefit from individual therapy, self-help groups, or vocational counseling. These programs can teach adults how to cope with their symptoms and to establish healthy school, family and work relationships. Clinical trials will also be conducted with adults who suffer from ADHD. These studies help scientists discover more about how to diagnose, treat and prevent disorders such as ADHD.
Follow-up
A thorough evaluation of adult ADHD using various assessment inventories can help improve the accuracy of diagnosis and reduce the likelihood of a misdiagnosis. A psychologist or psychiatrist with experience in treating ADHD in adult patients will often conduct an lengthy interview. The examiner will also inquire with you questions about children's health history as well as family dynamics and lifestyle choices. The evaluator will also go through your past medical records and perform a physical exam.
Many people with ADHD also have other mental or physical disorders, such as anxiety and depression, which need to be treated. In fact, it's thought that people with ADHD are six times more likely to suffer from mood disorders than other people. People with ADHD also are more likely to be victims of consuming alcohol.
Adults who suffer from ADHD often find it difficult to find and keep jobs. They also have difficulty managing their finances and keeping up with household chores. Adults with ADHD are at increased 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 romantic relationships.
In one study, adults were diagnosed with ADHD after being treated in a minor mental health clinic as children. However the sample size was very small. A larger sample size could have provided additional information about the clinical course and relationships of ADHD in patients with other psychiatric disorders.
Research has demonstrated ADHD to be a persistent and persistent disorder among adults. It has a negative effect on quality of life and can result in a number of comorbid conditions such as mood disorders, learning disabilities as well as alcohol and drug abuse. Untreated ADHD increases the risk of incarceration, divorce and a lower social economic status for people with ADHD.
It is advised that all adults with an uncontrolled or new diagnosis of symptoms of ADHD be seen within 30 days and monthly after that until the symptoms are managed. Adults suffering from ADHD might need receiving psychotherapy or therapy with pharmacotherapy for the remainder of their lives.