Getting a Diagnosis of ADHD in Adults
Many adults aren't aware of ADHD symptoms. A diagnosis as an adult can 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 affect everyday functioning at home, at work, and in social settings. Talk therapy can aid in improving the ability to communicate and problem-solve. Family and marital counseling can also be helpful.
Signs and symptoms
You may feel like you are not living up to your full potential if suffer from ADHD symptoms. As an adult, you could be overwhelmed by the demands of your job and feel like you're unable to get a handle on the many responsibilities in front of you. You could be full-time at work, caring for aging parents or children, as well as taking care of household chores.
Your difficulty keeping up can lead to embarrassment, frustration, hopelessness and an eroding of confidence. If you suffer from ADHD It's not your fault. It's important to realize that there are solutions to overcome your challenges. The first step in a diagnosis.
A health care professional can detect ADHD in adults by performing an exhaustive psychiatric assessment. This involves speaking with you about symptoms, requiring you fill out standardized behavior ratings scales and ADHD list of symptoms and obtaining details on your mental and medical history. Read Significantly more may ask 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 occurred before the age of 12 and continue to cause problems with your daily life. You must also be having difficulty with these behavior issues at least in two different environments which include work, school and social interactions.
You could miss appointments, make mistakes at home or at work and fail to meet your responsibilities if your lack of attention is a problem. You may have difficulty managing your health and finances and you could also be having problems with tasks that are simple such as remembering to visit the doctor or take your medication.
For people with ADHD the tendency to act before thinking can make difficult situations even worse. You may interrupt conversations, respond to questions before others are done or have difficulty waiting in line. Your impulsiveness can result in risky behavior like driving too quickly or spending money in a reckless manner.
According to studies, genetics and environment play a significant role in the development ADHD. The symptoms of ADHD are likely 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 specialist who specializes in ADHD can assist in evaluating those who have symptoms of the disorder. An evaluation typically includes an interview, a review of medical history, work or school records, family medical history and a mental health screening. A trained professional may also conduct a physical examination and/or tests in the laboratory to rule out other conditions that share similar symptoms. A diagnosis of ADHD is only given to an adult or adolescent when symptoms have been present for a period of six months or more and are causing significant impairments in daily life.
People who have not been diagnosed or treated for ADHD might struggle throughout their lives with ongoing issues that could have been avoided or treated. This can cause depression, family issues financial or work-related stress, addiction to drugs and even serious accidents, such as motor vehicle crashes.
Undiagnosed ADHD can lead to misinterpretations by family members, friends and coworkers. They could be seen as a lazy, irresponsible person, a bad employee or just plain crazy. Undiagnosed ADHD can also increase the risk of anxiety and depression.
Women are more adept at hiding their ADHD symptoms than men, which may make it difficult for them to get an accurate diagnosis. They may resort to strategies to disguise their inattention or impulsivity, such as the frequent distractions and daydreaming or use 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 suffer from hyperactive or inattentive symptoms.
It's important to remember that ADHD isn't a sign of intelligence or ability. It's simply an altered behavior and way of thinking that could cause difficulties in certain settings or situations.
For adults, it can be difficult to identify ADHD because the symptoms may have changed as people grew up. However, the symptoms of ADHD in adults still meet the criteria listed 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 also can interfere with daily functioning and cause emotional issues like depression, anxiety or mood swings. People who are hyperactive or impulsive can appear agitated, and they might try to accomplish a lot at the same time. They may not be able to complete tasks or meet deadlines. They may be unable to pay attention to others, which can lead to misunderstandings or problems with relationships.
ADHD is often not recognized in the early years and a lot of adults with symptoms aren't aware that they have it. They may have been labeled as a goof-off, dreamer, slacker or troublemaker instead of struggling to keep up in school and daily life. Many people with ADHD experience worsening symptoms as their responsibilities grow. They can't manage all the balls at once - pursuing a career and caring for family as well as keeping up with chores at home and errands and maintaining romantic and social relationships.
A health care professional or mental health professional will determine whether a person is suffering from ADHD. The assessment typically involves discussions with relatives, friends and others who are familiar with the person as well as a physical exam and a review of a person's medical and mental health history. The person may be asked to fill out the standardized ADHD ratings scales or a list of symptoms. Psychological tests are used to assess executive function and working memory as in addition to spatial and visual abilities.
Stimulant medications are the most frequently used treatment for adults with ADHD. These medications balance and boost levels of brain chemicals, known as neurotransmitters. They can help those with ADHD improve their focus and manage their lives, keep track of important information and tasks and manage an impulsive behaviour. Non-stimulant drugs, like antidepressants or atomoxetine, may be used to treat ADHD. They are slower than stimulants, but nevertheless, they can improve symptoms. Patients with particular health issues, such as diabetes or high blood pressure must consult with their doctor prior to taking stimulants.
Some adults suffering from ADHD might benefit from behavior coaching, individual therapy, self-help groups or vocational counseling. These interventions can help adults to manage their ADHD symptoms as well as build healthy relationships at home, at school, and at work. Certain adults suffering from ADHD also will participate in clinical studies. These studies help scientists discover more about how to diagnose, treat and prevent disorders such as ADHD.
Follow-up
A thorough evaluation of ADHD for adults using various assessment inventories will improve the accuracy of diagnosis and minimize mistakes in diagnosis. A psychiatrist or psychologist with experience in treating ADHD in adult patients will often conduct an lengthy interview. The evaluator may also ask about the history of your child's or your own health problems as well as family dynamics and lifestyle choices. The evaluator might also look over your medical records and conduct an examination of your physical.
Many people with ADHD have other psychiatric disorders or medical conditions, such depression and anxiety, which must be treated. It is estimated that those who suffer from ADHD are six-times more likely to experience mood disorders. People with ADHD also have a higher risk of using drugs.
Adults with ADHD often have a difficult time to find and keep jobs. They also face difficulties managing their finances and juggling household chores. Adults with ADHD have an increased chance of developing health issues, such as heart disease, obesity and smoking. They are also more likely to develop bad eating habits and to have difficulty forming and maintaining relationships with their partners.
In one study, people with ADHD who were treated in minor mental health services as children continued to be diagnosed with ADHD as they grew older. However the size of the sample was small. An enlargement of the sample might have provided more information about the clinical course of ADHD in adulthood and its connection with other psychiatric disorders.
Research has revealed that ADHD is a long-lasting and persistent disorder that affects adults. It has a negative impact on quality of life and can result in a range of comorbidities, like learning disabilities, mood disorders as well as alcohol and drug abuse. Untreated ADHD increases the risk of being incarcerated or divorce, as well as a lower social economic status for people with ADHD.
It is recommended that all adults with an uncontrolled or new diagnosis of symptoms of ADHD be evaluated within 30 days and every month after that until the symptoms are controlled. Adults who suffer from ADHD might need receiving psychotherapy or therapy with pharmacotherapy for the remainder of their lives.