Getting a Diagnosis of ADHD in Adults
Some adults might not be aware of their ADHD symptoms. Recognizing the symptoms as an adult could give 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 everyday functioning at home, at work, and socially. Talk therapy can improve the ability to communicate and problem solve. Counseling for families and marriage can also be helpful.
Symptoms
It could be that you feel that you're not living up to your full potential when you have ADHD symptoms. As an adult, you may be overwhelmed by the demands of your job and feel like you're unable to manage the many tasks in front of you. You may be working full time and caring for your 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 and anger. You may also feel hopeless and lose confidence. You may even feel embarrassed. If you suffer from ADHD It's not your fault. It's important to recognize that there are ways to overcome your issues. The first step is a diagnosis.
A health care professional can detect ADHD in adults through a thorough psychiatric evaluation. This may include speaking to you about your symptoms, requiring you to complete standardized scales for assessing behavior and ADHD symptoms checklists, as well as collecting information regarding your medical and psychiatric background. The provider may also inquire about your family 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 been present prior to the age of 12 and have continued to impact your life. how to get an adult adhd diagnosis may also have issues with these behaviors in multiple settings, such as at work, school as well as in your social interactions.
If your inattention is a serious issue, you could miss appointments, make careless mistakes at work or at home, and fail to follow through on your responsibilities. You might be struggling with managing your health and finances and you might also experience problems with tasks that are simple like remembering to visit the doctor or taking your medication.
For people with ADHD the tendency to act before thinking can make difficult situations even worse. You might interrupt conversations, respond to questions after people have finished or have difficulty waiting in line. Your impulsiveness could result in risky behavior, such as driving too quickly or spending money in a reckless manner.
According to studies the genetics and the environment play a significant role in the development of ADHD. The symptoms of ADHD tend to be passed down through the family, and some scientists believe that issues with the central nervous system during critical developmental phases increase your risk.
Diagnosis
A health professional who specializes in ADHD can help evaluate those who have symptoms of the disorder. An evaluation typically includes an interview and review of medical history, work or school records as well as family medical history. a mental health screening. A specialist may also conduct a physical examination and/or tests in the laboratory to identify other conditions that may have similar symptoms. For an adult or adolescent to receive a diagnosis of ADHD, symptoms must be present for at least six months and result in significant impairment of daily life functions.
People who have not been diagnosed or treated for ADHD may struggle all their lives with chronic difficulties that could have been avoided or treated. This can lead depression, family problems financial stress, work-related stress, substance abuse and even serious accidents like motor crashes.
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, unreliable or even a bad employee. Undiagnosed ADHD can also increase the likelihood of depression and anxiety.
Women are generally better at hiding their ADHD symptoms than men, which could make it difficult to obtain a proper diagnosis. They might use strategies to disguise their inattention or impulsivity, like constant distractions and daydreaming or rely on tools to help them cope with their lack of organization and ineffective time management. Women with ADHD may also have difficulty in recognizing their symptoms, since they are more likely than men to exhibit hyperactive or inattentive symptoms.
It's important to keep in mind that ADHD is not a sign of intelligence. It's simply an alternative approach to thinking and acting that could cause difficulties in certain situations or settings.
In adults, it may be difficult to diagnose ADHD because the signs may have changed as they grew up. Adults with ADHD still fit the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) of the American Psychiatric Association.
Treatment
People who aren't diagnosed with ADHD may struggle to get organized, keep track of work or school tasks, and maintain healthy relationships. The symptoms can also affect everyday functioning and can trigger anxiety or depression. People suffering from hyperactivity or impulsive subtypes of the disorder may seem agitated and may try to accomplish several things at the same time, but fail to finish tasks or meet deadlines. They may have difficulty paying attention to other people, leading to misunderstandings and relationship problems.
ADHD is often not recognized in the early years and a lot of adults with the symptoms are not aware of it. Instead of struggling to keep up in school and everyday life, they may have been labeled either a dreamer or a slacker. Many people with ADHD suffer from increasing symptoms as their responsibilities grow. They are unable to manage all the balls they're trying to keep in the air--pursuing a career, caring for family members, keeping up with chores and household chores, and working on social and romantic relationships.
A health care provider or mental health professional will assess whether a person 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 psychiatric history. The person could also be asked to fill out the standardized ADHD rating scales or an assessment checklist of symptoms. Psychological tests are used to measure executive function and working memory as well as spatial and visual capabilities.
Stimulant medications are the most common treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. These drugs boost and balance levels of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. They can help those with ADHD better focus and organize their lives, recall important information and tasks and manage their impulsive behavior. Non-stimulant drugs, like antidepressants or atomoxetine, may be used to treat ADHD. They work slower than stimulants, yet still improve symptoms. Before taking stimulants, people who suffer from certain health issues such as diabetes or high blood pressure should consult their physician.
Some adults with ADHD might benefit from individual therapy, self help groups, or vocational counseling. These interventions can help adults to manage their ADHD symptoms and establish healthy relationships at home, in school, and at work. Some adults with ADHD will also be part of clinical studies. These trials allow scientists to learn more about how to treat, diagnose and prevent disorders like ADHD.
Follow-up
A thorough evaluation of adult ADHD using various assessment inventories can help improve diagnostic accuracy and reduce the chance of misdiagnosis. A psychologist or psychiatrist who has experience treating ADHD in adults will often conduct an extended interview. The evaluation specialist may also inquire about the history of your or your child's health issues as well as family dynamics and lifestyle choices. The evaluator will also review your past medical records and perform an examination of your body.
Many people with ADHD are also suffering from other psychiatric issues or medical conditions, like depression and anxiety, which need to be treated. It is estimated that those who have ADHD are six times more likely to experience mood disorders. People who suffer from ADHD are also at a higher-than-average risk of substance abuse.
Adults with ADHD often have a difficult time to get and keep jobs. They also have a difficult time managing their finances and juggling household chores. Adults with ADHD have an increased risk of developing other health issues, such as heart disease, obesity and smoking. Additionally they are more likely to have poor eating habits and are more likely to have difficulty forming and maintaining romantic relationships.
In one study, people who had ADHD who were treated in minor mental health facilities as children were diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood. The sample size was not large. A larger sample size could have provided more information on the clinical course and the relationship of ADHD in adults with other mental disorders.
Research has proven that ADHD is a chronic permanent disorder that is seen in adults. It has a negative effect on the quality of life, and can cause range of comorbidities, like learning disabilities, mood disorders as well as alcohol and drug abuse. If not treated, ADHD increases the risk of incarceration, divorce and an economic disadvantage for those with ADHD.
All adults with uncontrolled ADHD symptoms or the first ADHD diagnosis should be seen within 30 to 60 days, and after that every month until symptoms are under control. Adults with ADHD may require to receive psychotherapy and/or therapy with pharmacotherapy for the remainder of their lives.