Getting a Diagnosis of ADHD in Adults
Some adults may not be aware of their ADHD symptoms. Recognizing the symptoms as an adult may give 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 daily functioning at home, work and socially. Talk therapy can improve the ability to communicate and problem solve. Counseling for families and marriage can be beneficial.
Symptoms
It could be that you feel that you're not performing to your full potential if have ADHD symptoms. As an adult, you may feel overwhelmed by your responsibilities and feel you're unable take on the numerous tasks ahead of you. You may be working full-time, caring for aging parents or children, and managing household chores.
Your inability to keep up with the pace can lead to frustration and embarrassment. You may also feel hopeless, lose confidence, or even be embarrassed. It's not a problem if you have ADHD. But it's important to know that there are solutions to your issues. The first step in the process of diagnosing.
A medical professional can detect ADHD in adults by conducting an exhaustive psychiatric assessment. This includes talking to you about your symptoms, having you complete standardized scales for assessing behavior and ADHD symptom checklists, and collecting details about your medical and psychopathological background. The doctor may 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 been present prior to age 12 and continue to cause problems with your life. You must also be having difficulty with these behavior issues at least in two different environments which include work, school and social interactions.
If your inattention is a serious issue, you could miss appointments, make careless mistakes at work or at home, and fail to fulfill your responsibilities. You may be struggling with managing your health and finances and may have a difficult to complete simple tasks like making sure you take your medication on time or visiting the doctor for a checkup.
People with ADHD are prone to making difficult situations more difficult by acting before they think. You could disrupt conversations with others and spit out answers to questions before you're finished, or have difficulty waiting your turn in a line. Your impulsivity could cause risky actions, such as driving too fast or spending money in reckless ways.
According to studies the genetics and the environment play a significant role in the development ADHD. The symptoms tend to be inherited from families and some scientists believe that problems with the central nervous system at crucial developmental points increase your chances of developing this disorder.
Diagnosis
A health professional with a specialization in ADHD can assist those who are suffering from symptoms of the disorder. A typical assessment consists of an interview, reviewing medical records, school or workplace records, family medical histories, and a mental assessment. A trained professional can also conduct a physical exam and/or laboratory tests to rule out other conditions with similar symptoms. For an adult or adolescent to receive a diagnosis of ADHD symptoms, they must be present for at least six months and cause significant impairment to everyday life activities.
Undiagnosed or neglected ADHD can lead to chronic issues which could have been prevented or treated. This can cause depression, family problems financial stress, work-related stress, addiction to drugs, and even serious accidents like motor vehicle accidents.
Undiagnosed ADHD can result in confusion among family members, friends and colleagues. They could be seen as a lazy, irresponsible person, a bad employee or simply crazy. In addition, people who have undiagnosed ADHD are more at risk for anxiety and depression.
Women are better at hiding ADHD symptoms than men. This can make it harder to get a proper diagnosis. They may use distractions or daydreaming to disguise their inattentiveness and impulsivity. Or they might use tools and techniques to make up for their poor time management and disorganization. Women with ADHD might also have trouble diagnosing their symptoms, as they are more likely than men to exhibit inattentive or hyperactive symptoms.
It is important to keep in mind that ADHD is not a sign of intelligence. It's just an alternative way of thinking and behave that can create difficulties in certain situations.
For adults, it can be difficult to identify ADHD because the signs may have changed as they developed. Adults with 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 struggle to get organized, stay on top of school or work obligations, and maintain healthy relationships. These symptoms can affect daily functioning and cause emotional problems such as anxiety, depression or changes in mood. People suffering from hyperactivity or impulsive variants of the condition may appear restless and attempt to complete multiple things at once, failing to finish tasks or meet deadlines. They may be unable to pay attention to others, which could result in miscommunications or relationship issues.
Symptoms of the disorder often are not recognized until childhood, and many adults who have them do not know they have ADHD. Instead of struggling to keep up in their studies and daily life they may have been labeled an overachiever or a dreamer. Many people who suffer from ADHD have more severe symptoms as their obligations increase. They are unable to manage all the balls they're trying to keep on top of - pursuing a career, caring for family members, keeping up with housework and errands, and trying to improve their romantic and social relationships.
A mental health specialist or health care professional will determine if a patient has ADHD. The evaluation usually includes conversations with family members, friends and others who are familiar with the person, a physical exam, and a review of a person's medical and mental health history. The patient could be asked to complete standardized ADHD ratings scales or a checklist of symptoms. Psychological testing can be used to assess working memory, executive function, and visual and spatial skills.
Stimulant medications are the most common treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. They boost and regulate levels of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. They can help those with ADHD better focus, organize their lives, recall important information and tasks and manage an impulsive behaviour. Other treatments for ADHD include non-stimulant drugs such as atomoxetine and antidepressants, which work slow than stimulants, yet improve the symptoms of ADHD. Before taking stimulants, those with certain health conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure, should talk to their doctor.
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 as well as establish healthy relationships at home, in school, and at work. Clinical trials will also be conducted with some adults who suffer from ADHD. These studies help scientists learn more about the latest methods to prevent, diagnose and treat disorders like ADHD.
Follow-up
A thorough evaluation of adult ADHD using various assessment inventories can improve the accuracy of diagnosis and decrease the risk of a misdiagnosis. The process usually involves an extended discussion with a psychologist or psychiatrist who is skilled in treating ADHD in adults. The evaluator may also ask about the background of your or your child's health problems, family dynamics, and lifestyle choices. He or she will also review your past medical records and conduct a physical exam.
Many people who suffer from ADHD have other psychiatric disorders or medical conditions, such depression and anxiety that require treatment. It is estimated that those who suffer from ADHD are six-times more likely to be suffering from mood disorders. People who suffer from ADHD also have a higher risk of using drugs.
Adults with ADHD have a difficult finding and keeping jobs. They also have difficulty managing their finances and juggling household chores. Adults with ADHD are at a higher risk for developing other health issues, such as heart disease, obesity and smoking. They are also more likely to have poor eating habits and struggle to maintain and form relationships with their partners.
In one study, those with ADHD who were treated in mental health services as children continued to be diagnosed with ADHD into adulthood. However, the sample size was small. A larger sample could have provided more details about the pathology of ADHD in adulthood and its connection with other psychiatric disorders.
Research has shown ADHD to be read more a persistent and persistent disorder in adults. It has a negative impact on the quality of life and can result in a variety of comorbid conditions, like mood disorders, learning disabilities and alcohol and drug abuse. If not treated, ADHD increases the chance of incarceration or divorce, as well as a lower social economic status for people with ADHD.
All adults who have uncontrolled ADHD symptoms or the first ADHD diagnosis should be seen within 30 to 60 days, then every month until the symptoms are under control. Adults suffering from ADHD may need to continue receiving pharmacotherapy or psychotherapy throughout their lives.