Getting a Diagnosis of ADHD in Adults
There are adults who may not be aware of ADHD symptoms. A diagnosis as an adult may open up treatment options.
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 home, at work, and socially. Talk therapy can enhance the ability to communicate and problem solve. Marital and family counseling can also be helpful.
Symptoms
You may feel like you're not doing enough to fulfill your full potential if you suffer from ADHD symptoms. You may be overwhelmed as an adult with your responsibilities. You might be working full time and caring for your children or an aging parent and trying to handle household chores and finances.
Inability to keep up can cause embarrassment and frustration. You may also feel hopeless or lose confidence, or even feel embarrassed. If you have ADHD It's not your fault. However, it's important to understand that there are solutions to your issues. The first step is to make a diagnosis.
A thorough psychiatric evaluation can be performed by a health care professional to determine ADHD in adults. This involves speaking with you about your symptoms, having you complete standardized behavior rating scales and ADHD symptoms lists, and gathering information on your mental and medical history. The doctor might also ask you about your family's history of 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 occurred prior to age 12 and continue to affect your life. You may also have issues with these behavior in multiple situations, like at school, work, and in your social interactions.
If your inattention is a serious issue, you may be late for appointments, make impulsive mistakes at work or at home and not be able to meet your responsibilities. You might be struggling with managing your health and finances, and you could also be having difficulties with everyday tasks such as remembering to go to the doctor or take your medication.
In people with ADHD, the tendency to think before acting can make difficult situations even worse. You could interrupt conversations with other people or utter answers to questions before you're finished, or have difficulty waiting your turn in a line. Your impulsiveness can lead to risky behaviors like driving too fast or spending money recklessly.
Research suggests that genetics and environmental factors play an important role in the development of ADHD. The symptoms tend to run in families and some scientists believe that problems with the central nervous system at critical developmental points increase your chance of developing this condition.
Diagnosis
A health care professional with a specialization in ADHD can assist adults who are experiencing symptoms of the disorder. A typical assessment consists of an interview as well as a review of medical records, school or workplace records and family medical histories and a mental screening. A specialized professional may conduct physical examinations or lab tests to rule out other conditions that have similar symptoms. For an adolescent or adult to be diagnosed with ADHD symptoms, they must be present for at least six months and cause significant impairment to daily life functions.
People with undiagnosed or under-treated ADHD might struggle throughout their lives with persistent issues that could have been prevented or treated. This can lead to 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.
Undiagnosed ADHD can lead to misinterpretation by family members, friends, and coworkers. They may be perceived as lazy, irresponsible or even just plain crazy. Undiagnosed ADHD can also increase the risk of anxiety and depression.
Women are more adept at hiding their ADHD symptoms than men, which may make it difficult to obtain an accurate diagnosis. They might use distractions or daydreaming to disguise their inattentiveness and impulsivity. Or they might rely on strategies and tools to help them overcome their lack of time management and disorganization. Women suffering from ADHD also might have trouble in recognizing their own symptoms since they are more likely to suffer from inattentive symptoms rather than hyperactivity or impulsivity.
It's important to remember that ADHD isn't a sign of intelligence or ability. It's merely an alternative way of thinking and behave that could cause difficulties in certain situations.
Adults may have different symptoms in comparison to children. Adults with ADHD still meet the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) of the American Psychiatric Association.
Treatment
People who have not been diagnosed with ADHD might struggle to stay organized, keep track of work or school tasks and maintain healthy relationships. These symptoms can affect the daily routine and trigger emotional problems such as depression, anxiety, or mood swings. People who suffer from hyperactivity or impulsive variants of the condition can appear agitated and may try to accomplish several things at the same time, but fail to complete tasks or meet deadlines. They may not pay attention to others, which could cause confusion or problems with relationships.
ADHD is often not recognized in childhood and many adults with the symptoms aren't aware that they have it. They may have been described as a goof-off, dreamer or a slacker, instead of struggling to stay on top in school and everyday life. As the responsibilities grow in adulthood, however, many people who have ADHD experience their symptoms becoming worse. They're not able to manage all the balls that are flying working on a job and caring for their family, while also keeping up with housework and errands, as well as maintaining romantic and social relationships.
A mental health healthcare professional or health care provider will determine if someone has ADHD. The evaluation usually includes conversations with family members, friends and others who know the person well and a physical examination, and a review of the person's medical and psychiatric history. how to get an adult adhd diagnosis could also be asked to fill out the standardized ADHD rating scales or a symptom checklist. Psychological tests can be used to measure executive and working memory as in addition to spatial and visual capabilities.
Stimulant drugs are the most commonly used treatment for adults with ADHD. They balance and increase levels of brain chemicals, known as neurotransmitters. They can help people suffering from ADHD focus better, manage their lives and keep track of important information. They also help control impulse-driven behaviors. Other treatments for ADHD include nonstimulant medicines like atomoxetine or antidepressants, which work more slow than stimulants, yet improve the symptoms of ADHD. Patients with certain health problems like diabetes or high blood pressure, should talk to their doctor before taking stimulants.
Certain adults suffering from ADHD may benefit from individual therapy, self-help groups or vocational counseling. These programs can help adults how to manage their ADHD symptoms as well as build healthy relationships at home, at school, and at work. Some adults with ADHD will also be part of clinical studies. These studies help scientists discover more about how to diagnose, treat and prevent disorders like ADHD.
Follow-up
A thorough evaluation of ADHD in adults using several assessment instruments will improve diagnostic accuracy and reduce the chance of misdiagnosis. The process usually involves an extended discussion with a psychologist or psychiatrist who is skilled in treating ADHD in adults. The examiner may also inquire about the background of your your child's health problems as well as family dynamics and lifestyle choices. They might also look over your medical records and perform an examination of your body.
Many people with ADHD also have other psychiatric or medical conditions, such as anxiety and depression, which must be treated. In fact, it is thought that people with ADHD are six times more likely have mood disorders than others. People who suffer from ADHD are also at a higher risk of using drugs.
Adults who suffer from ADHD often find it difficult to find and keep jobs. They also face difficulties managing their finances and keeping up with household chores. Adults with ADHD are at chance of developing other health issues, including obesity, heart disease, and smoking. In addition they are more likely to be prone to poor eating habits and experience trouble forming and keeping romantic relationships.
In one study, adults who were diagnosed with ADHD after being treated in minor mental health facilities as children. However the sample size was very small. A larger sample size could have provided more details about the clinical course and relationship of ADHD in patients with other psychiatric disorders.
Research has proven that ADHD is a chronic and persistent disorder that affects adults. It can have a negative effect on the quality of life and may lead to other health issues like mood disorders learning disabilities, and alcohol and drugs abuse. People who do not treat ADHD are at a greater risk for incarceration and divorce, having a lower socioeconomic status, and more serious psychiatric issues.
It is recommended that all adults with new diagnoses or uncontrolled symptoms of ADHD be examined within 30 days, and then every month after that until their symptoms are managed. Adults who suffer from ADHD might require receiving pharmacotherapy or psychotherapy for the rest of their lives.