Getting a Diagnosis of ADHD in Adults
Some adults may not be aware of their ADHD symptoms. Getting a diagnosis as an adult can provide possibilities 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 socially. Talk therapy can enhance communication and problem solving skills. Marital and family counseling can be beneficial as well.
Symptoms
You might feel that you're not living up to your full potential when you have ADHD symptoms. You might feel overwhelmed as an adult due to the responsibilities you have to fulfill. You could be working full time and caring for your children or an elderly parent, and trying to manage household chores and finances.
diagnosing adhd in adults keeping up can lead to embarrassment, frustration despair and an eroding of confidence. If you have ADHD, it's not your fault. It's important to understand that there are ways to overcome your difficulties. The first step in a diagnosis.
A medical professional can diagnose ADHD in adults through a thorough psychiatric evaluation. This involves speaking with you about your symptoms, having you complete standardized behavior rating scales and ADHD symptoms checklists, as well as gathering information about your medical and psychiatric history. The doctor might inquire about the history 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 have continued to impact your life. You may also have issues with these behaviors in multiple situations, like at work, school as well as in your social relationships.
You may be late for appointments, make careless errors at work or home and not be able to meet your obligations if your inattention is a problem. You may have trouble managing your finances and health and may have a hard working through everyday tasks like taking medication, or going to the doctor for checkups.
People with ADHD can make difficult situations more difficult by acting before they think. You might interrupt conversations with other people, blurt out answers to questions before they're completed, or struggle to wait your turn in line. Your impulsivity could result in risky behavior like driving too fast or spending money in reckless ways.
Studies suggest that genetics and environmental factors play an important role in the development of ADHD. The symptoms of ADHD typically be inherited from the family, and some scientists believe that problems with your central nervous system at critical developmental stages increase the risk of developing.
Diagnosis
A health care professional who has an expertise in ADHD can help people who are suffering from symptoms of the disorder. A typical assessment includes an interview, reviewing medical documents, school or work records as well as family medical histories and a mental health screening. A specialist may also conduct a physical exam and/or laboratory tests to rule out other conditions with similar symptoms. A diagnosis of ADHD is only given to an adult or adolescent when symptoms have been present for a period of six months or more, and are causing significant difficulties in everyday life.
Undiagnosed or untreated ADHD can lead to chronic issues that could have been prevented or treated. This can lead to depression, family issues and financial stress as well as work-related stress, addiction to drugs, 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, a bad employee or just plain crazy. Undiagnosed ADHD can also increase the chance of depression and anxiety.
Women are more adept at hiding their ADHD symptoms than men, which may make it difficult to obtain an accurate diagnosis. They might use strategies to disguise their inattention or impulsivity, such as the frequent distractions and daydreaming or rely on tools to compensate for their disorganization and poor time management skills. Women who suffer from ADHD might also have trouble diagnosing their symptoms, as they are more likely than men to experience hyperactive or inattentive symptoms.
It's important to keep in mind that ADHD is not an indicator of intelligence. It's simply a different way to think and behave that could cause challenges in certain situations.
Adults may have different symptoms than children. Adults with ADHD still fit the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) of the American Psychiatric Association.
Treatment
Undiagnosed ADHD can make it difficult for people to stay organized, complete their work and school assignments, and maintain healthy interpersonal relationships. The symptoms can also affect daily functioning, and cause depression or anxiety. People who suffer from hyperactivity or impulsive subtypes of the disorder may seem agitated and try to do several things at once, failing to complete tasks or meet deadlines. They may have difficulty paying attention to others, which could result in miscommunications or problems with relationships.
ADHD is often not recognized in childhood and many adults suffering from the disorder are not aware of it. Instead of struggling to keep up in their studies and daily life they might be viewed as either a dreamer or a slacker. As the demands of adulthood increase however, many who suffer from ADHD find their symptoms grow worse. They're not able to manage all the balls at once working on a job and caring for their family, while also keeping up with chores at home and errands as well as maintaining romantic and social relationships.
A health care professional or mental health professional will assess whether a person is suffering from ADHD. The assessment usually involves discussions with relatives and friends, as well as other people who are familiar with the person, a physical exam, and a review of a person's medical and mental health background. The person may be asked to complete the standardized ADHD ratings scales or a checklist of symptoms. Psychological tests are used to measure working memory and executive function as in addition to spatial and visual abilities.
Stimulant medications are the most common treatment for adults with ADHD. These medications balance and boost levels of brain chemicals, known as neurotransmitters. They can help people with ADHD concentrate better, organize their lives and remember important information. They also help control impulsive behaviors. Other treatments for ADHD include non-stimulant drugs such as atomoxetine and antidepressants, which work slowly than stimulants, but they can aid in the treatment of ADHD. Before taking stimulants with certain health conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure, should consult 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 and develop healthy relationships at home, at school and at work. Clinical trials will also be conducted with some adults suffering from ADHD. These studies help scientists learn more about the latest methods to diagnose, treat and prevent disorders like ADHD.
Follow-up
A thorough assessment of ADHD in adults using several assessment inventories will improve the accuracy of diagnosis and minimize misdiagnosis. The process usually involves an extended discussion with a psychiatrist or psychologist who has experience in treating ADHD in adults. The evaluation will also ask you questions about the child's previous health issues as well as family dynamics and lifestyle choices. He or she may also review your medical records and perform a physical examination.
Many people with ADHD have other psychiatric disorders or medical conditions, like anxiety and depression, that must be treated. In fact, it is estimated that people with ADHD are six times more likely to suffer from mood disorders than other people. People who suffer from ADHD are also at a greater risk of substance abuse.
Adults with ADHD have a tough finding and keeping jobs. They also have a difficult managing finances and staying on top of household tasks. Adults with ADHD are at a higher chance of developing other health problems, like heart disease, obesity, and smoking. They are also more likely to be prone to poor eating habits and struggle to maintain and form relationships with their partners.
In one study, those with ADHD who were treated in minor mental health services as children were diagnosed with ADHD into adulthood. However, the size of the sample was small. An enlargement of the sample would have provided more details about the pathology of ADHD in adulthood and its connection to other psychiatric disorders.
Research has shown ADHD to be a chronic and persistent problem for adults. It has a negative impact on the quality of life, and can lead to a variety of comorbid conditions, such as mood disorders, learning disabilities and alcohol and drug abuse. People with untreated ADHD are at an increased risk of being incarcerated or divorce, as well as having a lower socioeconomic status, and more serious psychiatric issues.
All adults who have uncontrolled ADHD symptoms or an initial ADHD diagnosis should be evaluated within 30 to 60 days, then every month until the symptoms are under control. Adults who suffer from ADHD might require receiving psychotherapy or pharmacotherapy throughout their lives.