Getting a Diagnosis of ADHD in Adults
Some adults might not be aware of their ADHD symptoms. Being diagnosed as an adult could provide treatment options.
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 activities at work, at home, and socially. Talk therapy can aid in improving the ability to communicate and problem-solve. Counseling for family and marriage can be beneficial.
Symptoms
If you struggle with symptoms of ADHD, it may seem as if you're not living up to your potential. You may feel overwhelmed as an adult with your obligations. You might be working full time, caring for children or an aging parent and trying to handle household chores and finances.
Your inability to keep up with the pace can lead to embarrassment, frustration, hopelessness and an eroding of confidence. If you have ADHD it's not your fault. It's important to recognize that there are solutions to overcome your difficulties. The first step is to make a diagnosis.
A thorough psychiatric assessment can be performed by a health care professional to determine ADHD in adults. This includes talking with you about your symptoms, having you fill out standardized behavior ratings scales and ADHD symptoms lists and obtaining information about your medical and mental health 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 occurred prior to the age of 12 and have continued to impact your life. You must also be experiencing difficulty with these behaviors at least in two different environments, including school, work and social interactions.
You may be late for appointments, make careless errors at work or at home, and fail to fulfill your obligations if your inattention is an issue. You may be struggling with managing your finances and health and may have a difficult working through everyday tasks, like remembering to take medication or visiting the doctor for checkups.
People with ADHD can make difficult situations worse by acting before they think. You might interrupt conversations, answer questions before others are done or have trouble waiting in line. Your impulsiveness can cause risky actions like driving too fast or spending money in reckless ways.
Research suggests that genetics and environmental factors play an important role in the development of ADHD. The symptoms are more likely to be inherited from families and some researchers believe that issues with the central nervous system at critical developmental points increase the chances of developing this disorder.
Diagnosis
A health professional who specializes in ADHD can assist in evaluating adults with symptoms of the disorder. A typical assessment includes an interview and an examination of medical documents, school or work records, family medical histories, and a mental screening. A specialist may also conduct a physical exam and/or lab tests to rule out other conditions that share similar symptoms. For an adult or adolescent to receive a diagnosis of ADHD symptoms, they must be present for at minimum six months, and result in significant impairment of everyday activities.
People with undiagnosed or under-treated ADHD can struggle for the rest of their lives with ongoing issues which could have been avoided or treated. This can lead to depression, family issues financial or work-related stress as well as substance abuse, and even serious accidents, such as motor vehicle accidents.
Many adults who have not been diagnosed with ADHD are at risk of being misunderstood and criticized by friends, relatives and coworkers. They could be perceived by others as lazy, irresponsible or as a bad employee. In addition, people with undiagnosed ADHD are more at chance of developing depression and anxiety.
Women tend to be better in hiding their ADHD symptoms than men, which can make it difficult to obtain an accurate diagnosis. They might use distractions or daydreaming to disguise their inattentiveness and impulsivity. They may also use tools and techniques to make up for their poor time management and lack of organization. Women who suffer from ADHD also might have trouble diagnosing their own symptoms, as they tend to have inattentive symptoms rather than the impulsivity or hyperactivity.
It's important to keep it in mind that ADHD is not a sign of intelligence. It's just an altered way of thinking and behaving that may cause problems in certain settings or situations.
In adults, it may be difficult to identify ADHD because the symptoms may have changed over time as they developed. However, the signs of ADHD in adults still meet the criteria set forth in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition (DSM-5)1.
Treatment
Undiagnosed ADHD can cause people to struggle to stay on track, complete their work or school assignments and maintain healthy interpersonal relationships. These symptoms can affect everyday functioning and can trigger anxiety or depression. Hyperactive or impulsive people might appear to be agitated and they might try to accomplish a lot at once. They might not complete tasks or meet deadlines. They may not pay attention to others, which can cause confusion or relationship problems.
The symptoms of the disorder typically are not recognized until childhood, and many adults with them do not know they have ADHD. They may have been labeled as a dreamer, a snob, slacker or troublemaker instead of struggling to keep up in school and everyday life. Many people with ADHD suffer from worsening symptoms as their responsibilities increase. They're unable to handle all the balls they're trying keep on top of - pursuing an occupation, caring for family members, keeping up with chores and household chores, and trying to improve their romantic and social relationships.
A health care provider or mental health professional will assess whether a person suffers from ADHD. The assessment typically involves discussions with relatives, friends and others who know the person well and a physical examination, and a review of a person's medical and mental health background. The person could be asked to fill out the standardized ADHD rating scales or a symptom checklist. Psychological tests can be used to measure working memory and executive function as well as visual and spatial abilities.
Adults suffering from ADHD are usually treated with stimulant medications. These drugs balance and boost levels of brain chemicals referred to as neurotransmitters. They can help people suffering from ADHD concentrate better, organize their lives and keep track of important information. They can also control impulse-driven behaviors. Non-stimulant drugs, like antidepressants or atomoxetine, may be used to treat ADHD. They are slower than stimulants, but nevertheless, they can improve symptoms. Before taking stimulants with certain health conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, should consult their physician.
Some adults suffering from ADHD may benefit from behavioral therapy, coaching, self-help groups or vocational counseling. These interventions can help adults to manage their ADHD symptoms as well as develop healthy relationships at home, at school, and at work. A few adults with ADHD are also enrolled in clinical trials. These studies help scientists gain knowledge about how to treat, diagnose and prevent disorders such as ADHD.
Follow-up
A thorough evaluation of ADHD in adults using several assessment instruments will improve the accuracy of diagnosis and decrease the chance of misdiagnosis. The process typically involves an extended interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist who is skilled in treating ADHD in adults. The examiner will also inquire with you questions about children's health history as well as family dynamics and lifestyle choices. They will also review your past medical records and conduct physical examination.
Many people who suffer from ADHD also suffer from other psychiatric disorders or medical conditions, like depression and anxiety, which need to be treated. In fact, it is believed that those who suffer from ADHD are six times more likely suffer from mood disorders than the rest of us. People who suffer from ADHD also are more likely to be victims of consuming alcohol.
Adults who suffer from ADHD often have a difficult time to secure and maintain jobs. They also face difficulties managing finances and juggling household chores. Adults with ADHD are at a higher risk of developing other health problems, like heart disease, obesity and smoking. In addition they are more likely to suffer from poor eating habits and are more likely to have difficulty forming and maintaining romantic relationships.
In one study, people were diagnosed with ADHD after being treated in a minor mental health clinic as children. However the size of the sample was small. A larger sample size would have provided additional information about the clinical course and the relationship of ADHD in patients with other psychiatric disorders.
Research has shown ADHD to be a chronic and persistent problem for adults. It can have a negative impact on the quality of life, and can result in a variety of comorbid conditions, such as mood disorders, learning disabilities as well as alcohol and drug abuse. If left untreated, ADHD increases the risk of incarceration and divorce as well as an economic disadvantage for people with ADHD.
All adults with uncontrolled ADHD symptoms or the first ADHD diagnosis should be evaluated within 30 to 60 days, then every month until the symptoms are under control. Adults suffering from ADHD might need to continue receiving psychotherapy check here or pharmacotherapy throughout their lives.