Getting a Diagnosis of ADHD in Adults
Some adults may have unrecognized ADHD symptoms. Getting a diagnosis as an adult can open up 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 daily functioning, at home, at work, and socially. Talk therapy can help improve communication and problem-solving skills. Counseling for family and marriage can be beneficial.
Signs and symptoms
If you struggle with symptoms of ADHD, it may seem like you're failing to live up to your potential. You might be overwhelmed as an adult due to your responsibilities. You might be working full time, caring for children or an aging parent and trying to handle household chores and finances.
Inability to keep up may cause frustration and embarrassment. find out here might also feel hopeless and lose confidence. You may even feel embarrassed. If you have ADHD It's not your fault. But it's important to know that there are solutions to your problems. The first step in the process of diagnosing.
A health care professional can diagnose ADHD in adults by performing an extensive psychiatric examination. This involves speaking with you about your symptoms, requiring you to complete standardized scales for assessing behavior and ADHD symptoms checklists, and gathering information regarding your medical and mental health background. The doctor might inquire 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 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 relationships.
You may miss appointments, make careless errors at work or at home, and fail to fulfill your obligations if your lack of attention is an issue. You might have trouble managing your finances and health, and you could also be having difficulty with simple tasks such as remembering to go to the doctor or take your medication.
For those with ADHD, the tendency to think before acting can make stressful situations worse. You could interrupt conversations with other people or utter answers to questions before they'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 reckless ways.
Research suggests that genetics and environmental factors play a role in the development of ADHD. Symptoms tend to run in families and some scientists believe that problems with the central nervous system at critical developmental points increase your chances of developing this disorder.
Diagnosis
A health care specialist who specializes in ADHD can help evaluate those who have symptoms of the disorder. A typical evaluation includes an interview as well as reviewing medical documents, school or work records as well as family medical histories and a mental screening. A specialist may also conduct a physical exam or lab 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 cause significant impairments in the daily routine.
People who aren't diagnosed or treated for ADHD may struggle all their lives with chronic difficulties which could have been avoided or treated. This can lead to depression, family issues and financial stress, as well as work-related issues, addiction to drugs and even serious accidents, such as motor vehicle crashes.
Undiagnosed ADHD can result in misinterpretation by family members, friends, and coworkers. They could be perceived by others as lazy, unreliable or even a poor employee. Undiagnosed ADHD can also increase the chance of depression and anxiety.
Women are better at hiding ADHD symptoms than men. This makes it harder to get an accurate diagnosis. They may employ strategies to hide their inattention or impulsivity, such as the frequent distractions and daydreaming or use tools to make up for their lack of organization and ineffective time management. Women with ADHD might also have trouble diagnosing their symptoms, as they are more likely than men to exhibit inattentive or hyperactive symptoms.
It's important to keep in mind that ADHD is not a sign of intelligence. It's merely a different way to think and behave that could cause challenges in certain situations.
For adults, it can be difficult to diagnose ADHD because the signs may have changed as people grew up. Adults who suffer from ADHD still meet the criteria set by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) of the American Psychiatric Association.
Treatment
Undiagnosed ADHD can cause individuals to have difficulty to stay organized, complete their work or school assignments, and maintain healthy interpersonal relationships. These symptoms can affect daily functioning and cause emotional problems such as depression, anxiety or changes in mood. People with hyperactivity or impulsive subtypes of the condition may appear restless and attempt to complete multiple things at the same time, but fail to complete tasks or meet deadlines. They may have difficulty paying attention to others, which can lead to misunderstandings or relationship issues.
The symptoms of the disorder usually are not recognized until childhood, and many adults with the disorder aren't aware of ADHD. Instead of struggling to keep up in school and life, they may be viewed as either a dreamer or a slacker. As the demands of adulthood increase however, many who suffer from ADHD experience their symptoms becoming worse. They aren't able to handle all the balls in the air such as pursuing a career or caring for family, while also keeping up with chores at home and errands as well as maintaining romantic and social relationships.
A mental health specialist or health care professional will determine if a person is suffering from ADHD. The assessment usually involves discussions with relatives, 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 background. The patient could be asked to fill out the standardized ADHD ratings scales or a checklist of symptoms. Psychological tests are used to assess working memory and executive function as well as visual and spatial abilities.
Stimulant drugs are the most common treatment for adults with ADHD. These drugs boost and balance levels of brain chemicals referred to as neurotransmitters. They can help people suffering from ADHD focus better, organize their lives, and retain important information. They can also manage the impulsive behavior. Nonstimulant medicines, such as antidepressants and atomoxetine can be used to treat ADHD. They are more slowly than stimulants, but still improve symptoms. Patients with certain health problems such as high blood pressure or diabetes, should talk to their doctor before taking stimulants.
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 how to build healthy family, school and workplace relationships. Clinical trials will also be conducted with adults who suffer from ADHD. These studies allow scientists to learn more about new ways to diagnose, treat and prevent disorders like ADHD.
Follow-up
A thorough evaluation of ADHD for adults using various assessment tools will increase diagnostic accuracy and reduce the chance of misdiagnosis. The process usually involves an extended conversation with a psychiatrist or psychologist who has experience in treating ADHD in adults. The examiner may also inquire about the background of your child's or your own health problems as well as family dynamics and lifestyle choices. They may also review your medical records and perform a physical examination.
Many people who suffer from ADHD also suffer from other psychiatric disorders or medical conditions, like depression and anxiety, which must be treated. It is estimated that those who have ADHD are six-times more likely to be suffering from mood disorders. People who suffer from ADHD also are at a higher risk of consuming alcohol.
Adults who suffer from ADHD often have a difficult time to find and keep jobs. They also have a harder managing finances and staying on top of household tasks. Adults with ADHD are at a higher chance of developing other health problems, like obesity, heart disease, and smoking. Additionally they are more likely to be prone to poor eating habits and are more likely to have trouble forming and keeping romantic relationships.
In one study, people were diagnosed with ADHD after receiving treatment in minor mental health services when they were children. The sample size was not large. An enlargement of the sample might have provided more details about the pathology of ADHD in adulthood and its relationship to other psychiatric disorders.
Research has proven ADHD to be a chronic and persistent disorder in adults. It has a negative impact on the quality of life and can cause number of comorbid conditions like mood disorders, learning disabilities and abuse of alcohol and drugs. Untreated ADHD increases the chance of incarceration, divorce and an economic disadvantage for people with ADHD.
All adults with uncontrolled ADHD symptoms or a new ADHD diagnosis should be seen within 30 to 60 days, and after that every month until symptoms are under control. Adults with ADHD may require to receive psychotherapy and/or therapy with pharmacotherapy for the remainder of their lives.