Getting a Diagnosis of ADHD in Adults
Some adults may have unrecognized ADHD symptoms. Getting a diagnosis as an adult may give treatment options.
To be diagnosed with ADHD, you must have at least five persistent symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity. These symptoms must affect daily functioning, at home, at work, and in social settings. Talk therapy can help improve the communication and problem-solving abilities. Counseling for family and marriage can be beneficial.
Signs and symptoms
If you're struggling with the symptoms of ADHD, it may seem like you're failing to live up to your potential. As an adult, you might feel overwhelmed by your responsibilities and feel like you're unable to get a handle on the many responsibilities in front of you. You may be full-time at work, caring for aging parents or children, or taking care of household chores.
Your inability to keep up with the pace can lead to embarrassment, frustration despair and an eroding of confidence. If you have ADHD It's not your fault. However, it's important to understand that there are solutions to your issues. The first step is a diagnosis.
A health care professional can detect ADHD in adults by conducting an exhaustive psychiatric assessment. This may include speaking to you about your symptoms, having you complete standardized scales for assessing behavior and ADHD symptom checklists, and collecting details about your medical and psychiatric background. The doctor might 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 prior to age 12 and continue to affect your life. You may also have issues with these behaviors in two or more situations, like at school, work and in your social interactions.
If your inattention is a serious problem, you might be late for appointments, make impulsive mistakes at work or at home and fail to follow through on your obligations. You may have trouble managing your health and finances and may have a hard working through everyday tasks, like making sure you take your medication on time or visiting the doctor for a checkup.
For people with ADHD who have ADHD, the tendency to act before thinking can make difficult situations more difficult. You may interrupt conversations, respond to questions after people have finished or have difficulty waiting in lines. Your impulsivity might result in dangerous activities, like driving too quickly or spending money in a reckless manner.
According to research the genetics and the environment play a major role in the development ADHD. The symptoms of ADHD typically be inherited from the family, and some researchers believe that problems with your central nervous system at crucial developmental stages increase the risk of developing.
Diagnosis
A health care specialist who is specialized in ADHD can help evaluate adults with symptoms of the disorder. An assessment typically consists of an interview and review of medical background, school or work records along with family medical history and an examination for mental health. A trained professional may also conduct a physical exam and/or tests in the laboratory to determine if there are other conditions that may have similar symptoms. For an adolescent or adult to receive a diagnosis of ADHD symptoms must be present for at minimum six months and result in significant impairment of everyday life activities.
Undiagnosed or untreated ADHD can lead to long-term problems that could have been avoided or treated. This can lead depression, family problems financial stress, work-related stress, drug abuse, and even serious accidents such as motor vehicle accidents.
Many people who are not diagnosed with ADHD are at risk of being misunderstood by friends, relatives and coworkers. They could be seen by others as lazy, irresponsible or even a bad employee. Additionally, those with undiagnosed ADHD are at greater risk for anxiety and depression.
Women tend to be better in securing their ADHD symptoms than men, which can make it difficult to obtain a proper diagnosis. They might use strategies to disguise their inattention or impulsivity, such as constant distractions and daydreaming or rely on tools to make up for their lack of organization and poor time management skills. Women with ADHD might also have trouble diagnosing their symptoms, as they are more likely than men to exhibit hyperactive or inattention symptoms.
It's important to keep in mind that ADHD isn't a sign of intelligence or ability. It's just a different behavior and way of thinking that can cause challenges in certain situations or settings.
For adults, it can be difficult to identify ADHD because the symptoms could have changed over time 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, complete their work and school assignments and maintain healthy interpersonal relationships. The symptoms can also affect daily functioning and cause emotional problems such as depression, anxiety or changes in mood. adults diagnosed with adhd who are hyperactive or impulsive may appear restless, and they might try to do many things simultaneously. They may fail to finish tasks or meet deadlines. They may be unable to pay attention to others, which could cause confusion or relationship problems.
ADHD is not often recognized in the early years and a lot of adults suffering from the disorder are not aware of it. Instead of struggling to keep pace in their studies and daily life they may have been labeled either a dreamer or a slacker. Many people with ADHD experience more severe symptoms as their obligations increase. They aren't able to handle all the balls in the air such as pursuing a career or caring for their family and juggling with errands and housework, and maintaining romantic and social relationships.
A health care provider or mental health professional will evaluate whether a person is suffering from ADHD. The evaluation involves a discussion with family members or friends who are familiar with the individual as well as a physical exam and a review of a person's medical history. The person could also be asked to fill out the standardized ADHD rating scales or a symptom checklist. Psychological tests can be used to test working memory and executive function as well as visual and spatial abilities.
Adults with ADHD are usually treated with stimulant drugs. These drugs balance and boost levels of brain chemicals referred to as neurotransmitters. They can help those with ADHD improve their focus, organize their lives, recall important information and tasks and manage the impulsive behavior. Non-stimulant drugs, like antidepressants or atomoxetine, may also be used to treat ADHD. They work more slowly than stimulants, but they can still help improve symptoms. Before taking stimulants, people who suffer from certain medical conditions, 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 programs can help adults learn how to cope with their symptoms and to build healthy family, school and work relationships. A few adults with ADHD will also be part of clinical trials. These studies help scientists learn more about the latest 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 psychologist with experience treating ADHD in adult patients will often conduct an extended interview. The examiner may also inquire about the background of your your child's health issues as well as family dynamics and lifestyle choices. They will also review your past medical records and perform physical examination.
Many people suffering from ADHD are also suffering from other psychiatric issues or medical conditions, such anxiety and depression, that must be treated. In fact, it's thought that people who suffer from ADHD are six times more likely to suffer from mood disorders than the rest of us. People who suffer from ADHD also have a higher risk of using drugs.
Adults who suffer from ADHD often find it difficult to find and keep jobs. They also have a harder time managing finances and keeping track of household tasks. Adults with ADHD are more at risk for developing other health problems, like heart disease, obesity, and smoking. They are also more likely to have bad eating habits and to have difficulty forming and maintaining romantic relationships.
In one study, adults were diagnosed with ADHD after receiving treatment in minor mental health services as children. However the sample size was small. An enlargement of the sample could have provided more details about the pathology of ADHD in adulthood and its relationship to other psychiatric disorders.
Research has revealed that ADHD is a chronic and persistent disorder that affects adults. It has a negative effect on quality of life and can result in a variety of comorbid conditions, such as mood disorders, learning disabilities and abuse of alcohol and drugs. People who are not treated for ADHD are at a higher risk of being incarcerated or divorce, as well as having a lower socioeconomic status, and more serious psychiatric issues.
It is recommended that all adults who have a new diagnosis or uncontrolled symptoms of ADHD be seen within 30 days, and then every month thereafter until their symptoms are controlled. Adults suffering from ADHD may require to receive psychotherapy and/or therapy with pharmacotherapy for the remainder of their lives.