Getting a Diagnosis of ADHD in Adults
Many adults aren't aware of ADHD symptoms. A diagnosis as an adult could offer treatment options.
To be diagnosed with ADHD, you must have at least five persistent symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity. These symptoms must be a major hindrance with your daily life at work, at home, and socially. Talk therapy can help improve communication and problem solving skills. Counseling for families and marriage can also be beneficial.
Signs and symptoms
If you're suffering from symptoms of ADHD it might seem as if you're not living up to your potential. As an adult, you could be overwhelmed by the demands of your job and feel that you can't take on the many responsibilities in front of you. You may be full-time at work or caring for elderly parents or children, and taking care of household chores.
Your inability to keep up may cause frustration and embarrassment. You may be feeling hopeless, lose confidence, or even feel embarrassed. It's not a problem in the event that you suffer from ADHD. It's important to recognize that there are ways to overcome your challenges. The first step is a diagnosis.
IamPsychiatry can be used by a health care professional to diagnose ADHD in adults. This includes talking to you about your symptoms, having you complete standardized behavior rating scales and ADHD symptoms checklists, as well as gathering details about your medical and psychopathological history. The provider 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 cause problems with your daily activities. You may also have issues with these behaviors in two or more settings, such as at work, school as well as in your social relationships.
You may be late for appointments, make careless errors at work or home and fail to meet your obligations if your inattention is an issue. You might have difficulty managing your health and finances and may have a hard to complete simple tasks like taking medication, or visiting the doctor for checkups.
People with ADHD can make difficult situations worse by acting before they think. You may interrupt conversations, answer questions before others are done or have trouble waiting in the line. Your impulsiveness could cause risky actions like driving too fast or spending money recklessly.
According to studies, genetics and environment play a major role in the development of ADHD. The symptoms tend to be inherited from families and some scientists believe that issues with the central nervous system at critical developmental stages increase the chances of developing this disorder.
Diagnosis
A health care professional who has a specialization in ADHD can help those who are suffering from symptoms of the disorder. A typical evaluation consists of an interview, a review of medical history, work or school records, family medical history and a mental health screening. A trained professional can conduct physical examinations and/or laboratory tests to rule out other conditions that have similar symptoms. For an adolescent or adult to receive a diagnosis of ADHD symptoms must be present for at minimum six months, and cause significant impairment in everyday activities.
Undiagnosed or not treated ADHD can lead to chronic issues that could have been prevented or treated. This can cause depression, family issues and financial stress, as well as work-related issues as well as 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 and criticized by family members, friends and coworkers. They could be seen as lazy, irresponsible or a poor employee, or simply crazy. Undiagnosed ADHD can also increase the chance of depression and anxiety.
Women are better at hiding ADHD symptoms than men. This can make it harder to get an accurate diagnosis. They may use distractions or daydreaming to disguise their impulsivity and inattention. Sometimes, they use tools and techniques to make up for their poor time management and lack of organization. Women who suffer from ADHD may also have difficulty diagnosing their symptoms, as they are more likely than men to suffer from hyperactive or inattention symptoms.
It is important to keep in mind that ADHD is not a sign of intelligence. It's just a different way to think and behave that can create challenges in certain situations.
In adults, it may be difficult to diagnose ADHD because the signs may have changed as people became older. 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, keep track of work or school tasks and maintain healthy relationships. The symptoms can also affect daily functioning, and cause emotional issues such as depression or anxiety. People who are impulsive or hyperactive may appear restless, and they might try to do many things simultaneously. They may fail to finish tasks or meet deadlines. They can have trouble paying attention to other people that can cause confusion and problems with relationships.
The symptoms of the disorder usually are not recognized until the early years, and a lot of adults with them do not know they have ADHD. They might have been viewed as a dreamer, goof-off or a slacker instead of struggling to stay on top in school and everyday life. Many people who suffer from ADHD have increasing symptoms as their responsibilities grow. They aren't able to handle all the balls in the air - pursuing a career and caring for family as well as keeping up with housework and errands, and maintaining romantic and social relationships.
A health care professional or mental health professional will evaluate whether a person has ADHD. The assessment typically involves conversations with family members or friends who know the person well, a physical exam, and a review of a person's medical and mental health background. The patient may be asked to complete standard ADHD ratings scales or a checklist of symptoms. Psychological tests are used to measure executive function and working memory as well as spatial and visual capabilities.
Stimulant medication is the most common treatment for adults with ADHD. They boost and regulate levels of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. They can help people suffering from ADHD improve their focus and manage their lives, remember important information and tasks and control the impulsive behavior. Nonstimulant medicines, such as antidepressants and atomoxetine can also be used to treat ADHD. They perform slower than stimulants, yet still improve symptoms. Before taking stimulants who suffer from certain medical conditions like 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 programs can help adults learn how to manage their symptoms and to develop healthy family, school and work relationships. A few adults with ADHD are also enrolled in clinical trials. These studies allow scientists to discover more about how to treat, diagnose and prevent disorders like ADHD.
Follow-up
A thorough evaluation of adult ADHD using a variety of assessment tools can help improve the accuracy of diagnosis and decrease the risk of misdiagnosis. A psychiatrist or psychologist with experience treating ADHD in adult patients will usually conduct an lengthy interview. The evaluation will also ask you about your or children's health history as well as family dynamics and lifestyle choices. He or she will also go through your past medical records and conduct an examination of your body.
Many people suffering from ADHD also suffer from other mental or physical disorders like anxiety and depression, which need to be treated. In fact, it is estimated that people who suffer from ADHD are six times more likely have mood disorders than others. People with ADHD are also at a higher-than-average risk of consuming alcohol.
Adults with ADHD have a tough finding and keeping a job. They also have difficulty managing their finances and juggling household chores. Adults with ADHD are at a higher chance of developing 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, people were diagnosed with ADHD after being treated in minor mental health services as children. However the sample size was small. An enlargement of the sample could provide more information about the clinical course of ADHD in adulthood and its connection to other psychiatric disorders.
Research has shown ADHD to be a persistent and persistent disorder among adults. It can have a negative effect on quality of living and may lead to other health issues like mood disorders learning disabilities, the abuse of alcohol and drugs. People who do not treat ADHD are at a higher chance of being in prison and divorce, a lower socioeconomic status and more serious mental health issues.
All adults with uncontrolled ADHD symptoms or an initial ADHD diagnosis should be evaluated within 30 to 60 days, and then every month until the symptoms are under control. Adults with ADHD might need to continue receiving psychotherapy or pharmacotherapy throughout their lives.