Getting a Diagnosis of ADHD in Adults
Some adults may not be aware of their ADHD symptoms. A diagnosis as an adult could provide 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 life at home, work and socially. Talk therapy can help improve the communication and problem-solving abilities. Counseling for family and marriage can be beneficial.
Signs and symptoms
You might feel that you're not performing to your full potential if suffer from ADHD symptoms. You may be overwhelmed as an adult by your obligations. You could be working full-time, caring for children or an elderly parent and trying to handle household chores and finances.
Your inability to keep up with the pace can result in embarrassment, frustration despair, and the loss of confidence. If you have ADHD It's not your fault. It's important to understand that there are ways to overcome your issues. The first step is to make a diagnosis.
A health professional can identify ADHD in adults by conducting an exhaustive psychiatric assessment. This involves talking to you about symptoms, having you fill out standardized behavior ratings scales and ADHD symptom lists and obtaining information about your mental and medical background. The provider may ask 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 been present before the age of 12 and continue to affect your life. You should also be experiencing difficulty with these behavior issues at least in two different environments, including school, work and social interactions.
You may miss appointments, make erroneous mistakes at home or at work and fail to meet your obligations if lack of attention is a problem. You may have trouble managing your health and finances and may have a difficult to complete simple tasks, such as remembering to take medication or visiting the doctor for a checkup.
In people with ADHD, the tendency to act before thinking can make stressful situations more difficult. You could disrupt conversations with others and spit out answers to questions before you're finished, or have difficulty waiting your turn in line. Your impulsive behavior could lead to reckless actions, like driving too quickly or spending money in a reckless manner.
According to studies, genetics and environment play a major role in the development ADHD. The symptoms tend to run in families and some scientists believe that problems with the central nervous system at critical developmental points increase the chances of developing this disorder.
Diagnosis
A health specialist who specializes in ADHD can assist in evaluating adults with symptoms of the disorder. A typical evaluation includes an interview and an examination of medical documents, school or work records, family medical histories, and a mental screening. A specialized professional may conduct physical examinations and/or laboratory tests to rule out other conditions with similar symptoms. For an adult or adolescent to be diagnosed with ADHD symptoms, they must be present for at minimum six months and result in significant impairment of daily life functions.
People who have not been diagnosed or treated for ADHD may struggle all their lives with chronic difficulties which could have been avoided or treated. This can lead depression, family issues, financial stress or work-related stress, drug abuse, and even serious accidents like motor crashes.
Undiagnosed ADHD can result in confusion among family members, friends, and coworkers. They could be seen as lazy, irresponsible or a poor employee, or just plain crazy. 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 resort to strategies to disguise their inattention or impulsivity, like the frequent distractions and daydreaming or use tools to make up for their lack of organization and poor time management skills. Women with ADHD may also have difficulty in recognizing their own symptoms since they tend to have symptoms of inattention, not the impulsivity or hyperactivity.
It's important to keep in mind that ADHD isn't a sign of intelligence. It's merely an alternative way of thinking and behaving that may cause problems in certain situations or environments.
Adults may exhibit different symptoms than children. Adults who suffer from ADHD still fit the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) of the American Psychiatric Association.
Treatment
People who aren't diagnosed with ADHD may have difficulty getting organized, stay on top of school or work tasks, and maintain healthy relationships. These symptoms can affect daily functioning and cause emotional issues like anxiety, depression or shifts in mood. People who suffer from hyperactivity or impulsive subtypes of the disorder may seem agitated and may try to accomplish several things at once, and fail to finish tasks or meet deadlines. They may have difficulty paying attention to others, which can cause confusion or relationship problems.
ADHD is usually not acknowledged in the early years and a lot of adults with the symptoms are unaware that they have it. Instead of struggling to keep up in school and everyday life, they may have been labelled as either a dreamer or a slacker. As responsibilities increase in adulthood, however, many people who suffer from ADHD find their symptoms grow worse. They're not able to manage all the balls that are flying working on a job and caring for their family and juggling with housework and errands, as well as maintaining romantic and social relationships.
A mental health professional or health care provider will determine if someone is suffering from ADHD. The assessment includes a conversation with family members as well as friends and family members who are familiar with the individual, a physical examination, and a review of the person's medical history. The person could also be asked to fill out standard ADHD rating scales or a symptom checklist. Psychological tests are used to assess executive and working memory as well as spatial and visual abilities.
Adults with ADHD are usually treated with stimulant medications. These drugs boost and balance levels of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. They can help those with ADHD better focus and organize their lives, recall important information and tasks and manage their an impulsive behaviour. Other treatments for ADHD include non-stimulant drugs such as atomoxetine and antidepressants, which work more slow than stimulants, yet improve the symptoms of ADHD. People who have particular health issues, such as high blood pressure or diabetes must consult with their doctor before taking stimulants.
Certain adults suffering from ADHD may benefit from individual therapy, self-help groups, or vocational counseling. These interventions can teach adults to manage their ADHD symptoms and to establish healthy relationships at home, in school and at work. Clinical trials will also be conducted with adults who suffer from ADHD. These studies help scientists learn more about new methods to prevent, diagnose and treat disorders like ADHD.
Follow-up
A thorough assessment of adult ADHD using a variety of assessment tools can help improve the accuracy of diagnosis and decrease the risk of a misdiagnosis. A psychologist or psychiatrist who has expertise in treating ADHD in adult patients will usually conduct an lengthy interview. The examiner will also inquire with you about your your child’s past health problems, family dynamics, and lifestyle choices. He or she will also look over your previous medical records and perform an examination of your body.
Many people with ADHD also have other mental or physical disorders, such as anxiety and depression, that need to be treated. It is estimated that those who suffer from ADHD are six times more likely to suffer from mood disorders. People with ADHD also have a higher risk of using drugs.
Adults with ADHD typically have difficulty to secure and maintain jobs. They also have a difficult time managing finances and keeping track of household tasks. Adults with ADHD are at a higher risk of developing other health problems, like heart disease, obesity and smoking. In addition, they are more likely to be prone to poor eating habits and are more likely to have difficulties forming and maintaining romantic relationships.
In one study, adults were diagnosed with ADHD after receiving treatment in a minor mental health clinic when they were children. However the sample size was small. adhd diagnose might have provided more details about the pathology of ADHD in adulthood and its connection to other psychiatric disorders.
Research has revealed that ADHD is a persistent, persistent disorder in adults. It has a negative effect 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. If not treated, ADHD increases the risk of being incarcerated, divorce and a lower social economic status for those with ADHD.
It is recommended that all adults who have a new diagnosis or uncontrolled symptoms of ADHD be evaluated within 30 days, and then every month after that until the symptoms are controlled. Adults who suffer from ADHD may require to receive psychotherapy and/or medication for the rest of their lives.