Getting a Diagnosis of ADHD in Adults
Some adults might not be aware of their ADHD symptoms. Being diagnosed as an adult could open up 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 activities at home, work and socially. Talk therapy can help improve the ability to communicate and problem solve. Marital and family counseling can also be beneficial.
Signs and symptoms
If you struggle with symptoms of ADHD it might seem as if you're not living up to your potential. You may be overwhelmed as an adult due to the responsibilities you have to fulfill. You could be working full time and caring for your children or an aging parent and trying to manage household chores and finances.
Your difficulty keeping up can cause embarrassment, anger despair and an eroding of confidence. If you have ADHD, it's not your fault. It's important to understand that there are solutions to overcome your issues. The first step is to make a diagnosis.
A thorough psychiatric evaluation can be performed by a health specialist to diagnose ADHD in adults. This includes talking to you about your symptoms, requiring you to complete standardized behavior rating scales and ADHD symptoms checklists, and collecting information regarding your medical and psychopathological history. The doctor may 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 the age of 12 and continue affecting your life. You must also be experiencing difficulty with these behaviors at the very least in two different situations which include work, school and social interactions.
If your inattention is a significant problem, you might miss appointments, make careless mistakes at work or at home, and fail to fulfill your responsibilities. You may have trouble managing your health and finances and may have a hard to complete simple tasks, like making sure you take your medication on time or visiting the doctor for a checkup.
People who suffer from ADHD are prone to making difficult situations worse by acting before they think. You may interrupt conversations, answer questions before others are done or struggle to wait in lines. Your impulsiveness can lead to risky behaviors, such as driving too fast or spending money in a reckless manner.
Research suggests that genetics and environmental factors play a role in the development of ADHD. The symptoms of ADHD typically be inherited from the family, and some scientists believe that problems with your central nervous system at critical developmental phases increase the risk of developing.
Diagnosis
A health professional with a specialization in ADHD can assist those who are suffering from symptoms of the disorder. A typical evaluation consists of an interview and a review of medical history, school or work records along with family medical history and an examination for mental health. A trained professional can conduct physical examinations and/or lab tests to rule other conditions with similar symptoms. For an adolescent or adult to be diagnosed with ADHD symptoms, they must be present for at least six months and cause significant impairment to everyday activities.
Undiagnosed or untreated ADHD can lead to chronic issues that could have been avoided or treated. This can cause depression, family problems and financial stress, as well as work-related issues, substance abuse and even serious accidents such as motor vehicle crashes.
Many adults who have not been diagnosed with ADHD are at risk of being misunderstood by friends, relatives and coworkers. They could be seen as a lazy, irresponsible person or a poor employee, or simply crazy. Additionally, those with undiagnosed ADHD are more at chance of developing depression and anxiety.
Women are more adept at hiding ADHD symptoms than men. This makes it harder to get the correct diagnosis. They might resort to distractions or daydreaming to disguise their inattentiveness and impulsivity. They may also rely on methods and tools to compensate for their poor time management and disorganization. Women suffering from ADHD also might have trouble diagnosing their own symptoms, as they tend to have inattentive symptoms rather than an impulsive or hyperactivity.
It's important to remember that ADHD isn't a metric of intelligence or capacity. It's simply an alternative way of thinking and behaving that could cause difficulties in certain situations or environments.
Adults may experience different symptoms in comparison to read more children. However, the 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
People who have not been diagnosed with ADHD may have difficulty getting organized, stay on top of school or work obligations, and maintain healthy relationships. The symptoms can also affect the daily routine and trigger emotional issues like anxiety or depression. People who are hyperactive or impulsive might appear to be agitated and may attempt to accomplish a lot at once. They may not be able to finish tasks or meet deadlines. They may not pay attention to others, which can cause confusion or relationship issues.
ADHD is often not recognized in childhood and many adults suffering from the disorder are not aware of it. They might have been viewed as a goof-off, dreamer or a slacker instead of struggling to stay on top in school and daily life. As the responsibilities grow in adulthood however, many who suffer from ADHD experience their symptoms becoming worse. They can't manage all the balls in the air such as pursuing a career or caring for their family as well as keeping up with errands and housework, and maintaining romantic and social relationships.
A health care provider or mental health professional will assess whether a person is suffering from ADHD. The assessment typically involves conversations with family members, friends and others who are familiar with the person as well as a physical exam and a review of the person's medical and mental health history. The person may also be asked to complete the standardized ADHD rating scales or an assessment checklist of symptoms. Psychological testing may be done to determine executive function, working memory and spatial and visual skills.
Stimulant drugs are the most frequently used treatment for adults with ADHD. These drugs balance and boost levels of brain chemicals, known as neurotransmitters. They can help people with ADHD better focus and manage their lives, recall important information and tasks and manage their impulsive behavior. Other treatments for ADHD include nonstimulant medicines such as atomoxetine and antidepressants. They work more slow than stimulants, yet help improve the symptoms of ADHD. People who have certain health problems such as high blood pressure or diabetes, should talk to their doctor prior to taking stimulants.
Some adults with ADHD may benefit from individual therapy, self-help groups, or vocational counseling. These interventions can teach adults how to manage their symptoms, and how to build healthy school, family and workplace relationships. A few adults with ADHD will also be part of clinical studies. These studies allow scientists to learn more about new ways to identify, treat and prevent disorders like ADHD.
Follow-up
A thorough evaluation of ADHD in adults using several assessment instruments will improve the accuracy of diagnosis and decrease the chance of misdiagnosis. A psychiatrist or psychologist with experience in treating ADHD in adult patients will usually conduct an extended interview. The examiner will also inquire with you questions about children's health history, family dynamics, and lifestyle choices. They might also look over your medical records and conduct an examination of your body.
Many people who suffer from ADHD have other psychiatric disorders or medical conditions, such as anxiety and depression, that require treatment. In fact, it's estimated that people with ADHD are six times more likely suffer from mood disorders than other people. People who suffer from ADHD are also at a higher-than-average risk of consuming alcohol.
Adults with ADHD have a tough finding and keeping jobs. They also have a difficult managing finances and keeping track of household chores. Adults with ADHD have an increased risk of developing other health issues, such as heart disease, obesity and smoking. They are also more likely to have poor eating habits and have trouble forming and maintaining relationships with their partners.
In one study, those who had ADHD who were treated in minor mental health facilities as children continued to be diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood. The sample size was not large. A larger sample size would have provided additional information on the clinical course and relationships of ADHD in adults with other mental disorders.
Research has proven that ADHD is a chronic permanent disorder that is seen in adults. It has a negative impact on the quality of life, and can result in a variety of comorbid conditions, such as learning disabilities, mood disorders as well as alcohol and drug abuse. Untreated ADHD increases the chance of incarceration, divorce and an economic disadvantage for those with ADHD.
All adults with uncontrolled ADHD symptoms or an initial ADHD diagnosis should be examined within 30 to 60 days, then every month until symptoms are under control. Adults with ADHD may need to continue receiving psychotherapy or medication for the rest of their lives.