Getting a Diagnosis of ADHD in Adults
Some adults might not be aware of their ADHD symptoms. A diagnosis as an adult may provide treatment options.
To be diagnosed with ADHD, you must have at least five persistent symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity. These symptoms should affect everyday functioning at home, at work, and socially. Talk therapy can help improve the communication skills and problem solving abilities. Family and marital counseling can also be beneficial.
Symptoms
You might feel that you're not doing enough to fulfill your full potential if suffer from ADHD symptoms. You might be overwhelmed as an adult by your responsibilities. You might be full-time at work, caring for aging parents or children, or taking care of household chores.
Your difficulty in keeping up may result in embarrassment, frustration despair and a loss of confidence. If you have ADHD, it's not your fault. But it's important to know that there are solutions to your struggles. The first step in the process of diagnosing.
A thorough psychiatric evaluation can be performed by a health care professional to diagnose ADHD in adults. This involves speaking with you about your symptoms, having you fill out standardized behavioral ratings scales and ADHD list of symptoms, and gathering information on your mental health and medical background. The doctor may also ask you to provide information 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 cause problems with your daily activities. You must also be having issues with these behaviors at the very least in two different situations, including school, work and social relationships.
If your inattention is a serious issue, you could be late for appointments, make impulsive mistakes at work or at home and fail to follow through on your responsibilities. You might have trouble managing your health and finances and you might also experience problems with tasks that are simple like remembering to visit the doctor or take your medication.
People with ADHD can make difficult situations more difficult 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 impulsiveness can result in risky behavior like driving too fast or spending money recklessly.
Research suggests that genetics and environmental factors play a 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 your chances of developing this disorder.
Diagnosis
A health care specialist who specializes in ADHD can assist in evaluating adults who exhibit symptoms of the disorder. A typical evaluation includes an interview as well as a review of medical documents, school or work records, family medical histories, and a mental screening. A trained professional can also conduct a physical examination or lab tests to rule out other conditions that have similar symptoms. A diagnosis of ADHD is only given to an adult or adolescent if symptoms have been present for six months or more and are causing significant difficulties in everyday life.
Undiagnosed or neglected ADHD can cause chronic problems which could have been prevented or treated. This can lead to depression, family issues, financial stress or work-related stress, addiction to drugs and even serious accidents like motor vehicle accidents.
Many adults who have not been diagnosed with ADHD are at risk of being misunderstood and criticized by family members, friends and colleagues. They may be viewed by others as lazy, unreliable or even a poor employee. Additionally, those with undiagnosed ADHD are at greater risk for anxiety and depression.
Women are more adept at hiding ADHD symptoms than men. This can make it more difficult to get the correct diagnosis. They may use distractions or daydreaming to mask their impulsivity and inattention. Sometimes, they depend on strategies and tools to make up for their poor time management and lack of organization. Women who suffer from ADHD might also have trouble in recognizing their symptoms, since they are more likely than men to suffer from hyperactive or inattention symptoms.
It is important to keep in mind that ADHD is not a sign of intelligence. It's merely an alternative way of thinking and behave that may cause problems in certain situations.
In adults, it can be difficult to diagnose ADHD because the symptoms could 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 individuals to have difficulty to stay on track, complete their work and school assignments, and maintain healthy interpersonal relationships. Symptoms can also interfere with everyday functioning and can trigger emotional issues such as depression or anxiety. People suffering from hyperactivity or impulsive variants of the condition can appear agitated and attempt to complete multiple things at once, failing to complete tasks or meet deadlines. They may not pay attention to others, which could cause confusion or relationship issues.
The symptoms of the disorder usually remain unnoticed in childhood, and many adults with them do not know they have ADHD. They might have been viewed as a dreamer, goof-off or a slacker, instead of battling to stay ahead in school and life. Many people who suffer from ADHD suffer from increasing symptoms as their responsibilities grow. They're not able to handle all the balls they have to keep on top of - pursuing a career, caring for family members, juggling housework and errands, and working on social and romantic relationships.
A mental health specialist or health care professional will determine if a patient is suffering from ADHD. The evaluation usually includes discussions with relatives and friends, as well as other people who know the person well, a physical exam, and a review of a person's medical and mental health history. The patient could be asked to fill out standardized ADHD ratings scales or a checklist of symptoms. Psychological tests can be conducted to determine working memory, executive function, and visual and spatial abilities.
Stimulant medications are the most common treatment for adults with ADHD. They boost and regulate levels of brain chemicals referred to as neurotransmitters. They can help people suffering from ADHD to focus better and manage their lives, keep track of important information and tasks, and control the impulsive behavior. Non-stimulant drugs, like antidepressants and atomoxetine, can also be used to treat ADHD. They work slower than stimulants, yet still improve symptoms. Before taking stimulants who suffer from certain medical conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure, should consult their physician.
Certain adults suffering from ADHD might benefit from individual therapy, self help groups or vocational counseling. These programs can help adults learn how to cope with their symptoms and to build healthy school, family and workplace relationships. Clinical trials will also be conducted with adults with ADHD. These studies help scientists discover more about how to diagnose, treat and prevent disorders such as ADHD.
Follow-up
A thorough evaluation of ADHD in adults using several assessment tools will increase diagnostic accuracy and reduce misdiagnosis. A psychiatrist or psychologist with experience treating ADHD in adults typically conducts an extended interview. The evaluator will also ask you questions about the child's previous health issues as well as family dynamics and lifestyle choices. The evaluator might also look over your medical records and perform an examination of your physical.
Many people who suffer from ADHD have other psychiatric disorders or medical conditions, such as depression and anxiety that require treatment. It is estimated that people with ADHD are six times more likely to experience mood disorders. diagnose adhd uk ADHD Diagnosis with ADHD also have a higher risk of substance abuse.
Adults with ADHD have a difficult finding and keeping a job. They also face difficulties managing their finances and juggling household chores. Adults with ADHD are at chance of developing other health issues, such as obesity, heart disease, and smoking. They are also more likely to be prone to bad eating habits and have trouble forming and maintaining romantic relationships.
In one study, people with ADHD who were treated in mental health services as children were diagnosed with ADHD into adulthood. The sample size was small. A larger sample could provide additional information about the clinical course and relationships of ADHD in adults with other mental disorders.
Research has proven that ADHD is a chronic permanent disorder that is seen in adults. It can have a negative effect on the quality of life and lead to other conditions like mood disorders learning disabilities, the abuse of alcohol and drugs. People with untreated ADHD are at a greater chance of being in prison, divorce, a lower socioeconomic status and more serious mental health issues.
It is recommended that all adults who have a new diagnosis or uncontrolled symptoms of ADHD be seen within 30 days and every month thereafter until their symptoms are controlled. Adults with ADHD might require receiving psychotherapy or pharmacotherapy for the rest their lives.