Getting a Diagnosis of ADHD in Adults
Some adults may not be aware of their ADHD symptoms. A diagnosis as an adult may offer 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 home, work and socially. Talk therapy can aid in improving the ability to communicate and problem-solve. Counseling for family and marriage can be beneficial.
Symptoms
It could be that you feel that you are not living up to your full potential if you have ADHD symptoms. As an adult, you could be overwhelmed by the demands of your job and feel you're unable get a handle on the numerous tasks ahead of you. You might be working full-time as a caregiver for children or an aging parent, and trying to manage household chores and finances.
Your inability to keep up may cause frustration and embarrassment. You may also feel depressed and lose confidence. You may even be embarrassed. If you suffer from ADHD It's not your fault. It's important to realize that there are solutions to your problems. The first step is to make a diagnosis.
A medical professional can identify ADHD in adults by conducting an exhaustive psychiatric assessment. This includes talking 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 to provide information about the history of your family members with 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 before the age of 12 and have continued to impact your life. You must also have difficulty with these behavior in multiple environments, including at work, school, and in your social interactions.
If your inattention is a significant issue, you could skip appointments, make careless mistakes at work or at home and fail to follow through on your obligations. You might be struggling with managing your health and finances and you could also be having difficulty with simple tasks like remembering to visit the doctor or take your medication.
People with ADHD can make difficult situations worse by acting before they think. You may disrupt conversations with others or utter answers to questions before you're finished, or have difficulty waiting your turn in a line. Your impulsivity might result in reckless actions, 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 are more likely to be passed down through families, and some researchers believe that problems with the central nervous system at crucial developmental stages increase the chances of developing this disorder.
Diagnosis
A health care specialist who specializes in ADHD can help evaluate adults with symptoms of the disorder. An assessment typically consists of an interview and review of medical background, school or work records along with family medical history and a mental health screening. A trained professional may also conduct a physical exam and/or tests in the laboratory to rule out other conditions that may have 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.
People who aren't diagnosed or treated for ADHD may struggle all their lives with chronic difficulties which could have been avoided or treated. This can cause to depression, family issues, financial stress or work-related stress, substance abuse and even serious accidents such as motor vehicle crashes.
Many adults with undiagnosed ADHD are at risk of being misunderstood by family members, friends and coworkers. They could be seen by others as lazy, unreliable or as a poor employee. Additionally, those with undiagnosed ADHD are more at risk for anxiety and depression.
Women are more adept in hiding their ADHD symptoms than men, which could make it difficult for them to get an accurate diagnosis. They may resort to strategies to disguise their inattention or impulsivity, like the frequent distractions and daydreaming or use tools to compensate for their disorganization and ineffective time management. Women with ADHD also might have trouble identifying their own symptoms as they are more likely to suffer from symptoms of inattention rather than hyperactivity or impulsivity.
It is important to keep in mind that ADHD isn't a sign of intelligence. It's simply an alternative way of thinking and behaving that could cause difficulties in certain situations or settings.
Adults may experience different symptoms as children. Adults who suffer from ADHD still meet 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 on track, complete their work or school assignments, and maintain healthy interpersonal relationships. These symptoms can affect everyday functioning and lead to emotional problems such as depression, anxiety or mood swings. People suffering from hyperactivity or impulsive subtypes of the condition may appear restless and try to do several things at once, and fail to finish tasks or meet deadlines. They may be unable to pay attention to others, which can result in miscommunications or relationship issues.
Symptoms of the disorder often go unrecognized in the early years, and a lot of adults with the disorder aren't aware of ADHD. Instead of struggling to keep up in school and everyday life, they may have been labelled as an overachiever or a dreamer. As responsibilities increase in adulthood, however, many people who have ADHD find their symptoms grow worse. They're unable to handle all the balls they have to keep up-to-date with: pursuing an occupation, caring for family members, keeping up with chores and household chores, and trying to improve their romantic and social relationships.
A mental health professional or health care provider will determine if a patient has ADHD. The assessment usually involves conversations with family members, friends and others who know the person well as well as a physical exam and a review of a person's medical and mental health background. The person may also be asked to complete standard ADHD rating scales or a symptom checklist. Psychological tests can be used to measure executive and working memory as well as spatial and visual capabilities.
Stimulant medication is the most common treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. These drugs balance and boost levels of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. They can help those with ADHD better focus, organize their lives, recall important information and tasks and manage their impulsive behavior. Nonstimulant medications, such as antidepressants and atomoxetine can also be used to treat ADHD. They are more slowly than stimulants, but still improve symptoms. Before taking stimulants, those with certain health conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure should talk to their doctor.
Some adults suffering from ADHD might benefit from behavior coaching, individual therapy group, self-help groups or vocational counseling. These programs can teach adults how to manage their symptoms, and how to establish healthy family, school and workplace relationships. Clinical trials will also be conducted with adults with ADHD. These studies allow scientists to learn more about the latest methods to diagnose, treat and prevent disorders such as ADHD.
Follow-up
A thorough evaluation of adult ADHD utilizing several assessment inventories can help improve diagnostic accuracy and decrease the risk of misdiagnosis. A psychologist or psychiatrist who has experience in treating ADHD in adult patients will often conduct an lengthy interview. The evaluation will also ask you about your or your child’s past health problems as well as family dynamics and lifestyle choices. They could also review your medical records and conduct an examination of your physical.
Many people who suffer from ADHD are also suffering from other psychiatric issues or medical conditions, such depression and anxiety, which must be treated. It is estimated that people who have ADHD are six-times more likely to suffer from mood disorders. People with ADHD are also at a greater risk of substance abuse.
Adults who suffer from ADHD often have a difficult time to get and keep jobs. They also face difficulties managing their finances and keeping up with household chores. Adults with ADHD are at a higher here risk for developing other health problems, like obesity, heart disease and smoking. They are also more likely to have bad eating habits and to have difficulty forming and maintaining romantic relationships.
In one study, those with ADHD who were treated in minor mental health services as children continued to be diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood. However the sample size was small. A larger sample size would provide additional details about the clinical course and the relationship of ADHD in adults with other mental disorders.
Research has shown that ADHD is a persistent, persistent disorder in adults. It can have a negative effect on living quality and can lead to other issues like mood disorders, learning disabilities, as well as the abuse of alcohol and drugs. People who do not treat ADHD are at a higher risk for incarceration, divorce, having a lower socioeconomic status, and more serious psychiatric problems.
All adults who have uncontrolled ADHD symptoms or the first ADHD diagnosis should be examined within 30 to 60 days, and then every month until the symptoms are under control. Adults with ADHD may need to continue receiving psychotherapy or therapy with pharmacotherapy for the remainder of their lives.