Getting a Diagnosis of ADHD in Adults
There are adults who may not be aware of 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 must significantly interfere with your daily life at work, home and socially. Talk therapy can help improve the ability to communicate and problem-solve. Counseling for marriage and family can be beneficial.
Signs and symptoms
You may feel like you are not living up to your full potential if you suffer from ADHD symptoms. You may feel overwhelmed as an adult with your responsibilities. You may be full-time at work as well as caring for your elderly parents or children, as well as taking care of household chores.
Your difficulty in keeping up may lead to embarrassment, frustration despair and the loss of confidence. It's not an issue in the event that you suffer from ADHD. It's important to realize that there are ways to overcome your challenges. The first step is a diagnosis.
A medical professional can diagnose ADHD in adults by conducting a thorough psychiatric evaluation. This involves talking to you about symptoms, having you fill out standardized behavioral ratings scales and ADHD list of symptoms and obtaining information about your mental and medical background. The doctor may 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 before the age of 12 and continue to interfere with your daily activities. You should also be struggling with these behaviors in multiple settings, such as at work, school as well as in your social interactions.
If your inattention is a major issue, you could be late for appointments, make impulsive mistakes at work or at home, and fail to follow through on your responsibilities. You may have difficulty managing your health and finances, and you may also have difficulties with everyday tasks like making sure you visit the doctor or take your medication.
For people with ADHD, the tendency to act before thinking can make stressful situations more difficult. You might interrupt conversations, respond to questions before others are done or have difficulty waiting in line. Your impulsivity might result in reckless actions, like driving too quickly or spending money in a reckless manner.
Research suggests that genetics as well as environmental factors play an important role in the development of ADHD. The symptoms are more likely to be inherited from families and some scientists believe that issues with the central nervous system at crucial developmental points increase the risk for this condition.
Diagnosis
A health care professional with an expertise in ADHD can help adults who are experiencing symptoms of the disorder. A typical evaluation includes an interview, a review of medical records, school or workplace records, family medical histories, and a mental screening. A trained professional may also conduct a physical exam and/or laboratory tests to determine if there are other conditions that share similar symptoms. For an adult or adolescent to be diagnosed with ADHD symptoms, they must be present for at least six months and cause significant impairment to everyday activities.
People who have not been diagnosed or treated for ADHD can struggle for the rest of their lives with persistent issues which could have been avoided or treated. This can lead depression, family issues and financial stress as well as work-related stress, substance abuse and even serious accidents like motor vehicle accidents.
Many adults with undiagnosed ADHD are at risk of being misunderstood and criticized by family members, friends and coworkers. They could be seen by others as lazy, irresponsible or as a poor employee. Undiagnosed ADHD can also increase the risk of anxiety and depression.
Women are more adept in hiding their ADHD symptoms than men, which can make it difficult for them to get an accurate diagnosis. They may use distractions or daydreaming to disguise their inattentiveness and impulsivity. They may also use methods and tools to compensate for their poor time management and disorganization. Women who suffer from ADHD also might have trouble in recognizing their own symptoms since they tend to have inattentive symptoms rather than an impulsive or hyperactivity.
It's important to keep in mind that ADHD isn't a sign of intelligence or ability. It's simply an altered behavior and way of thinking that can cause challenges in certain situations or environments.
For adults, it can be difficult to identify ADHD because the symptoms may have changed as people developed. Adults who suffer from ADHD still meet the criteria set by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) of the American Psychiatric Association.
Treatment
Undiagnosed ADHD can cause people to struggle to stay on track, complete their work and school assignments and maintain healthy interpersonal relationships. The symptoms can also affect the daily routine and trigger mental issues such as depression, anxiety or changes in mood. People who are impulsive or hyperactive may appear restless, and may attempt to do a variety of things at once. They might not complete tasks or meet deadlines. They may have difficulty paying attention to others, which could lead to misunderstandings or relationship problems.
Symptoms of the disorder often go unrecognized in the early years, and a lot of adults who have them do not know they have ADHD. Instead of struggling to keep up in school and everyday life they may have been labelled as a dreamer or a slacker. As the responsibilities grow in adulthood however, many who have ADHD experience their add diagnosis adult symptoms becoming worse. They're unable to handle all the balls they're trying keep up-to-date with: pursuing the dream of a career, taking care of family members, juggling chores and household chores, and trying to improve their romantic and social relationships.
A mental health professional or health care provider will determine if someone is suffering from ADHD. The assessment typically involves discussions with relatives or friends who are familiar with the person, a physical exam, and a review of the person's medical and mental health background. The patient may be asked to complete standard ADHD ratings scales or a checklist of symptoms. Psychological testing may be done to assess working memory, executive function as well as spatial and visual abilities.
Adults suffering from ADHD are usually treated by stimulant medications. These medications balance and boost levels of brain chemicals, known as neurotransmitters. They can help those with ADHD concentrate better, organize their lives and remember important information. They can also control the impulsive behavior. Nonstimulant medicines, such as antidepressants or atomoxetine, may be used to treat ADHD. They perform slower than stimulants, yet they can still help improve symptoms. People who have certain health problems like high blood pressure or diabetes, should talk to their doctor prior to taking stimulants.
Certain adults suffering from ADHD will benefit from behavioral coaching, individual therapy group, self-help groups or vocational counseling. These programs can help adults to manage their ADHD symptoms and to build healthy relationships at home, in school and at work. Certain adults suffering from ADHD will also be part of clinical trials. These studies allow scientists to gain knowledge about how to treat, diagnose and prevent disorders like ADHD.
Follow-up
A thorough evaluation of ADHD for adults using various assessment instruments will improve the accuracy of diagnosis and minimize the chance of misdiagnosis. A psychologist or psychiatrist who has expertise in treating ADHD in adult patients will often conduct an lengthy interview. The evaluation will also ask you about your or children's health history, family dynamics, and lifestyle choices. They will also review your past medical records and conduct physical examination.
Many people with ADHD also suffer from other mental or physical disorders like anxiety and depression, that need to be treated. It is estimated that people with ADHD are six-times more likely to suffer from mood disorders. People who suffer from ADHD are also at a higher risk of consuming alcohol.
Adults who suffer from ADHD have a hard time finding and keeping a job. They also have a tougher time managing finances and keeping track of household tasks. Adults with ADHD are more at risk of developing other health issues, such as heart disease, obesity, and smoking. They are also more likely to develop bad eating habits and to have difficulty forming and maintaining relationships with their partners.
In one study, people were diagnosed with ADHD after receiving treatment in a minor mental health clinic when they were children. The sample size was small. A larger sample size could have provided more details about the clinical course and relationships of ADHD in adults with other mental disorders.
Research has revealed that ADHD is a chronic, persistent disorder in adults. It has a negative effect on quality of life and can result in a variety of comorbid conditions, including mood disorders, learning disabilities and abuse of alcohol and drugs. People with untreated ADHD are at an increased chance of being in prison, divorce, being less socioeconomically stable and more serious psychiatric issues.
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 symptoms are under control. Adults who suffer from ADHD may need to continue receiving psychotherapy or therapy with pharmacotherapy for the remainder of their lives.