Getting a Diagnosis of ADHD in Adults
Some adults may have unrecognized ADHD symptoms. Being diagnosed as an adult could give options for treatment.
To be diagnosed with ADHD, you must have at least five persistent symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity. These symptoms should significantly interfere with your daily life at work, home and socially. Talk therapy can enhance the ability to communicate and problem solve. Counseling for families and marriage can be beneficial as well.
Symptoms
You may feel like you are not living up to your full potential if suffer from ADHD symptoms. You may feel overwhelmed as an adult by your responsibilities. You may be full-time at work or caring for elderly parents or children, as well as taking care of household chores.
Your inability to keep up can cause embarrassment and frustration. You may also feel depressed or lose confidence, or even be embarrassed. It's not your problem in the event that you suffer from ADHD. It's important to realize that there are ways to overcome your issues. The first step in an assessment.
A thorough psychiatric assessment can be utilized by a medical professional to determine ADHD in adults. This may include speaking to you about your symptoms, requiring you to complete standardized scales for assessing behavior and ADHD symptoms checklists, as well as collecting details about your medical and psychopathological 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 occurred before the age of 12 and continue affecting your life. You must also have difficulty with these behavior in multiple environments, including at school, work, and in your social relationships.
You may be late for appointments, make erroneous mistakes at work or home and fail to meet your obligations if lack of attention is an issue. You might be struggling with managing your finances and health, and you might also experience problems with tasks that are simple like remembering to go to the doctor or take your medication.
People who suffer from ADHD are prone to making difficult situations worse by acting before they think. You might interrupt conversations, respond to questions before people are finished or have trouble waiting in the line. Your impulsivity might result in dangerous activities, like driving too quickly or spending money in a reckless manner.
According to research, genetics and environment play a significant role in the development ADHD. The symptoms tend to be inherited from families, and some researchers believe that issues with the central nervous system at crucial developmental points increase your risk for this condition.
Diagnosis
A health care specialist who is specialized in ADHD can help evaluate adults who exhibit symptoms of the disorder. A typical evaluation includes an interview as well as reviewing medical records, school or workplace records, family medical histories, and a mental assessment. A specialist may also conduct a physical exam or lab tests to rule out other conditions that exhibit similar symptoms. For an adolescent or adult to be diagnosed with ADHD symptoms must be present for at minimum six months, and cause significant impairment in everyday life activities.
Undiagnosed or untreated ADHD can lead to chronic issues which could have been prevented or treated. This can cause depression, family issues financial stress, work-related stress, drug abuse and even serious accidents, such as motor crashes.
Undiagnosed ADHD can cause misinterpretation by family members, friends and colleagues. They might be viewed as lazy, irresponsible or even simply crazy. Additionally, those with undiagnosed ADHD are more at risk for anxiety and depression.
Women are better at hiding ADHD symptoms than men. This can make it more difficult to get a proper diagnosis. They might resort to distractions or daydreaming to mask their impulsivity and inattention. Or they might depend on tools and techniques to help them overcome their lack of time management and disorganization. Women who suffer from ADHD may also have difficulty identifying their own symptoms as they tend to have symptoms of inattention, not the impulsivity or hyperactivity.
It's important to understand that ADHD isn't an indicator of intelligence or capacity. It's merely an alternative way of thinking and behaving that may cause problems in certain situations or settings.
For adults, it can be difficult to identify ADHD because the symptoms could have changed as people became older. However, symptoms of ADHD in adults still match the criteria in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition (DSM-5)1.
Treatment
People with undiagnosed ADHD may struggle to get organized, keep track of school or work obligations and maintain healthy relationships. The symptoms can also affect everyday functioning and can trigger depression or anxiety. People suffering from hyperactivity or impulsive subtypes the condition may appear restless and attempt to complete multiple things at once, and fail to finish tasks or meet deadlines. They can have trouble paying attention to other people, leading to misunderstandings and relationships issues.
Symptoms of the disorder often go unrecognized in the early years, and a lot of adults with the disorder don't know they have ADHD. Instead of struggling to keep up in school and everyday life, they may be viewed as an overachiever or a dreamer. Many people suffering from ADHD suffer from increasing symptoms as their obligations increase. They're unable to handle all the balls they're trying to keep in the air--pursuing the dream of a career, taking care of family members, keeping up with chores and household chores, and trying to improve their romantic and social relationships.
A health care professional or mental health professional will determine whether a person has ADHD. The assessment typically involves conversations with family members and friends, as well as other people who are familiar with the person, a physical exam, and a review of the person's medical and psychiatric history. The person may be asked to complete standardized ADHD ratings scales or a checklist of symptoms. Psychological tests can be used to test executive and working memory as in addition to spatial and visual abilities.
Stimulant medications are the most frequently used treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. These medications balance and boost levels of brain chemicals referred to as neurotransmitters. They can help people suffering from ADHD focus better, organize their lives and remember important information. They can also manage impulse-driven behaviors. Nonstimulant medications, such as antidepressants and atomoxetine, can also be used to treat ADHD. They perform more slowly than stimulants, but they can still help improve symptoms. People who have particular health issues such as high blood pressure or diabetes, should talk to their doctor before taking stimulants.
Certain adults suffering from ADHD may benefit from behavioral coaching, individual therapy group, self-help groups or vocational counseling. These interventions can teach adults how to cope with their symptoms and to build healthy school, family and workplace relationships. Certain adults suffering from ADHD also will participate in clinical studies. These studies aid scientists in learning more about the latest methods to identify, treat and prevent disorders such as ADHD.
Follow-up
A thorough assessment of ADHD in adults by using a variety of assessment instruments will improve the accuracy of diagnosis and decrease mistakes in diagnosis. The process usually involves an extended discussion with a psychologist or psychiatrist who has experience in treating ADHD in adults. The evaluator may also ask about the history of your child's or your own health issues as well as family dynamics and lifestyle choices. They will also review your past medical records and perform an examination of your body.
Many people with ADHD also suffer from other psychiatric or medical conditions like anxiety and depression, which must be treated. In diagnosed with adult adhd , it's thought that people with ADHD are six times more likely have mood disorders than others. People with ADHD are also at a higher-than-average risk of substance abuse.
Adults who suffer from ADHD often find it difficult to get and keep jobs. They also have a difficult time managing finances and keeping track of household chores. Adults with ADHD are at increased risk for developing other health issues, such as heart disease, obesity and smoking. They are also more likely to be prone to bad eating habits and to have trouble forming and maintaining relationships with their partners.
In one study, adults who were diagnosed with ADHD after receiving treatment in minor mental health services when they were children. However the size of the sample was small. A larger sample size could have provided more information on the clinical course and relationships of ADHD in adults with other psychiatric conditions.
Research has shown ADHD to be a long-lasting and persistent disorder among adults. It has a negative impact on the quality of life and can result in a variety of comorbid conditions, including mood disorders, learning disabilities and abuse of alcohol and drugs. If left untreated, ADHD increases the chance of incarceration or divorce, as well as a lower socioeconomic status for those suffering from ADHD.
All adults who have uncontrolled ADHD symptoms or a new ADHD diagnosis should be evaluated within 30 to 60 days, and then every month until symptoms are under control. Adults suffering from ADHD may require to receive psychotherapy and/or therapy with pharmacotherapy for the remainder of their lives.