Getting a Diagnosis of ADHD in Adults
Some adults might not be aware of their ADHD symptoms. Getting a diagnosis as an adult could provide options for treatment.
To be diagnosed with ADHD, you must have at least five persistent symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity. These symptoms must affect your daily activities, whether at work, home and in social settings. Talk therapy can help improve communication and problem-solving skills. Counseling for families and marriage can also be helpful.
Symptoms
You may feel like you are not performing to your full potential if have ADHD symptoms. You might be overwhelmed as an adult due to your responsibilities. You may be working full-time as well as caring for your elderly parents or children, or managing household chores.
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 realize that there are solutions to your struggles. The first step in the process of diagnosing.
A health professional can detect ADHD in adults by performing a thorough psychiatric evaluation. This involves talking to you about symptoms, requiring you complete standardized behavior rating scales and ADHD list of symptoms and obtaining information about your mental health and medical history. The doctor may also ask you to provide information about the history of your family members with ADHD.
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 interfere with your daily life. You must also be having issues with these behaviors at least in two different settings, including school, work and social relationships.
If your inattention is a significant issue, you could skip appointments, make careless mistakes at work or at home and not be able to meet your obligations. You might have difficulty managing your finances and health and may have a hard to complete simple tasks, such as making sure you take your medication on time or visiting the doctor for checkups.
In people with ADHD, the tendency to act before thinking can make difficult situations even more difficult. You may interrupt conversations, answer questions before people are finished or have trouble waiting in the line. Your impulsivity could lead to risky behaviors, such as driving too fast or spending money recklessly.
According to research, genetics and environment are key factors in the development ADHD. The symptoms of ADHD tend to be passed down through the family, and some researchers believe that issues with the central nervous system during critical developmental stages increase your risk.
Diagnosis
A health professional with a specialization in ADHD can help people who are suffering from symptoms of the disorder. An assessment typically consists of an interview and review of medical history, work or school records, family medical history and an assessment of mental health. A trained professional may also conduct a physical examination and/or laboratory tests to determine if there are other conditions that may have similar symptoms. A diagnosis of ADHD is only given to an adult or teenager if symptoms have been present for six months or more and are causing significant difficulties in everyday life.
Undiagnosed or neglected ADHD can cause chronic problems that could have been prevented or treated. This can lead depression, family issues, financial stress or work-related stress, substance abuse, and even serious accidents, such as motor crashes.
Many adults who have not been diagnosed with ADHD are at risk of being misunderstood and criticized by family members, friends and coworkers. They may be perceived as a lazy, irresponsible person, a bad employee or just plain crazy. Additionally, those with undiagnosed ADHD are more at risk for anxiety and depression.
Women are more adept at hiding ADHD symptoms than men. This makes it more difficult for them to receive the correct diagnosis. They may resort to strategies to hide their inattentiveness or impulsivity, for example constant distractions and daydreaming or rely on tools to compensate for their disorganization and poor time management skills. Women with ADHD might also have trouble identifying their symptoms, as they are more likely than men to exhibit inattentive or hyperactive symptoms.
It's important to keep it in mind that ADHD is not a sign of intelligence. It's just a different way to think and behave that may cause difficulties in certain situations.
In adults, it may be difficult to identify ADHD because the signs may have changed as they developed. However, the signs 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
People who have not been diagnosed with ADHD may struggle to get organized, stay on top of work or school tasks, and maintain healthy relationships. Symptoms can also interfere with daily functioning, and cause emotional issues like anxiety or depression. People suffering from hyperactivity or impulsive subtypes of the condition may appear restless and try to do several things at once, failing to finish tasks or meet deadlines. They may have difficulty paying attention to others, which could cause confusion or problems with relationships.
ADHD is not often recognized as a child, and a lot of adults with the symptoms aren't aware that they have it. Instead of struggling to keep pace in school and life they might be viewed as either a dreamer or a slacker. Many people who suffer from ADHD have worsening symptoms as their obligations increase. They can't manage all the balls at once such as pursuing a career or taking care of family members, while also keeping up with housework and errands, and maintaining social and romantic relationships.
A mental health professional or health care provider will determine if someone has ADHD. The evaluation usually includes discussions with relatives or friends who know the person well and a physical examination, and a review of the person's medical and mental health background. The patient may be asked to fill out the standardized ADHD ratings scales or a checklist of symptoms. Psychological tests can be used to test working memory and executive function as in addition to spatial and visual abilities.
Adults with ADHD are usually treated with stimulant medications. These medications balance and boost levels of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. They can help those with ADHD to focus better, organize their lives, remember important information and tasks, and manage their 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. Before taking stimulants, those who suffer from certain medical conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure should consult their physician.
Certain adults suffering from ADHD might benefit from individual therapy, self help groups or vocational counseling. These interventions can teach adults how to cope with their symptoms, and how to develop healthy school, family and work relationships. Clinical trials will also be conducted on adults who suffer from ADHD. These studies help scientists gain knowledge about how to treat, diagnose and prevent disorders like ADHD.
Follow-up
A thorough assessment of adult ADHD utilizing several assessment inventories can help improve the accuracy of diagnosis and reduce the likelihood of a misdiagnosis. The process usually involves an extended interview with a psychiatrist or psychologist who has experience in treating ADHD in adults. The examiner may also inquire about the background of your your child's health problems, family dynamics and lifestyle choices. He or she could also review your medical records and perform an examination of your physical.
Many people suffering from ADHD also suffer from other psychiatric disorders or medical conditions, such depression and anxiety, which need to be treated. In fact, it's estimated that people with ADHD are six times more likely to suffer from mood disorders than other people. adult diagnosis adhd who suffer from ADHD also are at a higher risk of using drugs.
Adults who suffer from ADHD typically have difficulty to find and keep jobs. They also have a difficult managing their finances and juggling household tasks. Adults with ADHD are at risk of developing other health issues, such as obesity, heart disease, and smoking. They are also more likely to develop poor eating habits and struggle to maintain and form romantic relationships.
In one study, people with ADHD who were treated in minor mental health facilities as children continued to be diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood. However the size of the sample was small. A larger sample size would provide additional information on the clinical course and relationships of ADHD in adults with other mental disorders.
Research has demonstrated ADHD to be a persistent and persistent disorder in adults. It can have a negative impact on the quality of life and lead to other conditions such as mood disorders, learning disabilities, alcohol and drugs abuse. If not treated, ADHD increases the risk of being incarcerated or divorce, as well as a lower social economic status for those suffering from ADHD.
All adults who have uncontrolled ADHD symptoms or the first ADHD diagnosis should be examined within 30 to 60 days, then every month until the symptoms are under control. Adults with ADHD may need to continue to receive psychotherapy and/or pharmacotherapy treatment for the rest of their lives.