Getting a Diagnosis of ADHD in Adults
There are adults who may not be aware of ADHD symptoms. Being diagnosed as an adult may provide possibilities for treatment.
To be diagnosed with ADHD, you must have at least five persistent symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity. These symptoms should affect daily functioning, at home, at work, and socially. Talk therapy can aid in improving the communication and problem-solving abilities. Counseling for families and marriage can be beneficial as well.
Signs and symptoms
It could be that you feel that you are not doing enough to fulfill your full potential if suffer from ADHD symptoms. As an adult, you may feel overwhelmed by your responsibilities and feel that you can't manage the many responsibilities in front of you. You may be working full time, caring for children or an aging parent and trying to manage household chores and finances.
Your inability to keep up with the pace can lead to embarrassment, frustration despair, 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 challenges. The first step to an assessment.
A medical professional can identify ADHD in adults through a thorough psychiatric evaluation. This involves speaking with you about your symptoms, having you fill out standardized behavior ratings scales and ADHD symptom lists and obtaining details on your medical and mental health background. The provider may ask 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 have difficulty with these behavior in multiple situations, like at work, school, and in your social relationships.
If your inattention is a serious problem, you might miss appointments, make careless mistakes at work or at home, and not be able to meet your responsibilities. You might have difficulty managing your health and finances and may have a hard working through everyday tasks, like making sure you take your medication on time or visiting the doctor for checkups.
People with ADHD are prone to making difficult situations more difficult by acting before they think. You may interrupt conversations, respond to questions after people have finished or have difficulty waiting in lines. Your impulsive behavior could lead to risky activities, such as driving too fast or spending money recklessly.
According to research, genetics and environment play a significant role in the development of ADHD. The symptoms tend to be inherited from families and some scientists believe that issues with the central nervous system at key developmental points increase your chances of developing this disorder.
Diagnosis
A health professional with an expertise in ADHD can help those who are suffering from symptoms of the disorder. A typical assessment includes an interview, reviewing medical records, workplace or school records and family medical histories and a mental assessment. A trained professional may also conduct a physical exam and/or laboratory tests to rule out other conditions that share similar symptoms. For an adolescent or adult to receive a diagnosis of ADHD symptoms, they must be present for at least six months and cause significant impairment to everyday activities.
People who aren't diagnosed or treated for ADHD can struggle for the rest of their lives with ongoing issues that could have been avoided or treated. This can cause depression, family issues and financial stress as well as work-related stress, drug abuse, and even serious accidents such as motor vehicle accidents.
Undiagnosed ADHD can lead to misinterpretations by family members, friends and colleagues. They could be seen by others as lazy, irresponsible or as a bad employee. Undiagnosed ADHD can also increase the chance of depression and anxiety.
Women are generally better in hiding their ADHD symptoms than men, which could make it difficult to obtain an accurate diagnosis. They may employ strategies to disguise their inattention or impulsivity, such as constant distractions and daydreaming or use tools to make up for their lack of organization 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 inattention symptoms.
It's important to keep it in mind that ADHD is not a sign of intelligence. It's merely a different way of thinking and behaving that can cause challenges in certain situations or settings.
For adults, it can be difficult to identify ADHD because the symptoms could have changed as people developed. However, symptoms 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 individuals to have difficulty to stay organized and complete their work or school assignments, and maintain healthy interpersonal relationships. These symptoms can affect the daily routine and trigger emotional issues like depression, anxiety or changes in mood. People suffering from hyperactivity or impulsive variants of the condition can appear 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 can lead to misunderstandings or relationship problems.
Symptoms of the disorder often go unrecognized in childhood, and many adults who have them aren't aware of ADHD. Instead of struggling to keep up in school and everyday life they may have been labeled a dreamer or a slacker. Many people who suffer from ADHD experience more severe symptoms as their obligations increase. They're unable to handle all the balls they have to keep up-to-date with: pursuing a career, caring for family members, juggling chores and household chores, and trying to improve their 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 conversations with family members or friends who know the person well as well as a physical exam and a review of the person's medical and mental health history. The patient may be asked to fill out standard ADHD ratings scales or a checklist of symptoms. Psychological tests can be used to test executive function and working memory as well as spatial and visual abilities.
Adults with ADHD are typically treated with stimulant medications. These drugs balance and boost levels of brain chemicals referred to as neurotransmitters. They can help people with ADHD improve their focus and manage their lives, remember important information and tasks, and control the impulsive behavior. Other treatments for ADHD include nonstimulant medications like atomoxetine or antidepressants, which work slowly than stimulants but still help improve the symptoms of ADHD. People who have certain health problems, such as diabetes or high blood pressure should consult their doctor before taking stimulants.
Certain adults suffering from ADHD may benefit from individual therapy, self help groups or vocational counseling. These programs can teach adults how to manage their symptoms and to develop healthy school, family and work relationships. A few adults with ADHD also will participate in clinical studies. These studies help scientists learn more about new ways to identify, treat and prevent disorders such as ADHD.
Follow-up
A thorough evaluation of adult ADHD using a variety of assessment tools can improve the accuracy of diagnosis and reduce the chance of misdiagnosis. A psychologist or psychiatrist who has expertise in treating ADHD in adults typically conducts an lengthy interview. The examiner will also inquire with you questions about the child's previous health issues, family dynamics, and lifestyle choices. The evaluator will also look over your previous medical records and conduct an examination of your body.
Many people with ADHD also have other psychiatric or medical conditions like anxiety and depression, that need to be treated. It is estimated that those with ADHD are six-times more likely to be suffering from mood disorders. People with ADHD also are at a higher risk of using drugs.
Adults who suffer from ADHD typically have difficulty to get and keep jobs. They also have difficulty managing finances and keeping up with household chores. diagnosis for adhd with ADHD are at a higher risk of developing other health problems, including heart disease, obesity and smoking. They are also more likely to develop bad eating habits and to struggle to maintain and form relationships with their partners.
In one study, people were diagnosed with ADHD after being treated in a minor mental health clinic when they were children. The sample size was small. An enlargement of the sample might have provided more details about the pathology of ADHD in adulthood and its connection with other psychiatric disorders.
Research has proven ADHD to be a chronic and persistent disorder among adults. It has a negative impact on the quality of life, and can cause variety of comorbid conditions, including learning disabilities, mood disorders and alcohol and drug abuse. People who are not treated for ADHD are at a higher risk of being incarcerated, divorce, having a lower socioeconomic status, and more serious psychiatric issues.
Adults with uncontrolled ADHD symptoms or an initial ADHD diagnosis should be examined within 30 to 60 days, then every month until symptoms are under control. Adults who suffer from ADHD might need to continue receiving psychotherapy or pharmacotherapy throughout their lives.