Getting a Diagnosis of ADHD in Adults
Many adults aren't aware of their ADHD symptoms. Being diagnosed as an adult can provide 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 life at work, home and socially. Talk therapy can aid in improving communication and problem-solving skills. Counseling for family and marriage can be beneficial.
Symptoms
If you're suffering from symptoms of ADHD it could appear that you're not living up to your potential. You might be overwhelmed as an adult due to the responsibilities you have to fulfill. You might be working full-time as a caregiver for children or an elderly parent and trying to manage household chores and finances.
Inability to keep up with the pace can lead to embarrassment and frustration. You might also feel hopeless or lose confidence, or even be embarrassed. If you have ADHD It's not your fault. However, it's important to understand that there are solutions to your struggles. The first step is a diagnosis.
A medical professional can detect ADHD in adults by performing a thorough psychiatric evaluation. This includes talking to you about your symptoms, having you complete standardized scales for assessing behavior and ADHD symptom checklists, and gathering details about your medical and psychiatric history. The doctor might 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 occurred before age 12 and continue to interfere with your daily life. You must also be having issues with these behaviors at the very least in two different settings which include work, school and social relationships.
If your inattention is a significant issue, you may 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 could also be having difficulty with simple tasks such as remembering to visit the doctor or taking your medication.
In people with ADHD, the tendency to act before thinking can make stressful situations more difficult. You may interrupt conversations, answer questions after people have finished or struggle to wait in the line. Your impulsivity might result in reckless actions, like driving too quickly or spending money in a reckless manner.
According to studies that have been conducted, environment and genetics play a significant role in the development ADHD. The symptoms tend to be passed down through families and some researchers believe that issues with the central nervous system at key developmental points increase your chance of developing this condition.
Diagnosis
A health specialist who is specialized in ADHD can help evaluate adults with symptoms of the disorder. A typical assessment includes an interview as well as an examination of medical documents, school or work records, family medical histories, and a mental assessment. A specialized professional may conduct physical examinations and/or lab tests to rule other conditions with similar symptoms. For an adult or adolescent to receive a diagnosis of ADHD symptoms, they must be present for at minimum six months, and result in significant impairment of daily life functions.
People who aren't diagnosed or treated for ADHD may struggle all their lives with ongoing issues which could have been avoided or treated. This can lead depression, family issues financial stress, work-related stress, addiction to drugs and even serious accidents such as motor vehicle crashes.
Undiagnosed ADHD can result in confusion among family members, friends and colleagues. They might be viewed as lazy, irresponsible or a poor employee, or simply crazy. Undiagnosed ADHD can also increase the likelihood of depression and anxiety.
Women tend to be better in securing their ADHD symptoms than men, which may make it difficult to obtain an accurate diagnosis. They might use distractions or daydreaming to disguise their inattentiveness and impulsivity. Or they might depend on strategies and tools to compensate for their poor time management and lack of organization. Women with ADHD may also have difficulty diagnosing their own symptoms, as they tend to have inattentive symptoms rather than hyperactivity or impulsivity.
It's important to understand that ADHD isn't a sign of intelligence or ability. It's simply an altered way of thinking and behave that may cause problems in certain situations.
In adults, it can be difficult to identify ADHD because the signs may have changed as people developed. However, the signs of ADHD in adults still match the criteria in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition (DSM-5)1.
Treatment
People with undiagnosed ADHD may struggle to get organized, stay on top of school or work obligations and maintain healthy relationships. Symptoms can also interfere with everyday functioning and can trigger emotional issues like depression or anxiety. People with hyperactivity or impulsive subtypes the disorder may seem agitated and may try to accomplish several things at once, failing to complete tasks or meet deadlines. They may not pay attention to others, which can cause confusion or problems with relationships.
ADHD is often not recognized as a child, and a lot of adults suffering from the disorder are unaware that they have it. Instead of struggling to keep up in school and everyday life, they may have been labeled either a dreamer or a slacker. As responsibilities increase in adulthood however, many who have ADHD find their symptoms grow worse. They're unable to handle all the balls they're trying to keep in the air--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 a patient has ADHD. The evaluation includes a discussion with family members as well as friends and family members who are familiar with the individual, a physical examination, and a review of a person's medical history. The patient could be asked to fill out standardized ADHD ratings scales or a checklist of symptoms. Psychological tests are used to assess executive function and working memory as well as spatial and visual abilities.
Stimulant medication is the most frequently used treatment for adults with ADHD. They boost and regulate levels of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. They can help people suffering from ADHD focus better, manage their lives, and retain important information. They can also control impulse-driven behaviors. Other treatments for ADHD include nonstimulant medicines like atomoxetine or antidepressants, which work more slowly than stimulants, but they can improve the symptoms of ADHD. 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 will benefit from behavioral coaching, individual therapy self-help groups, or vocational counseling. These interventions can help adults how to manage their ADHD symptoms as well as build healthy relationships at home, at school, and at work. Clinical trials will also be conducted with adults who suffer from ADHD. These studies help scientists gain knowledge about how to diagnose, treat and prevent disorders such as ADHD.
Follow-up
A thorough evaluation of ADHD for adults using various assessment instruments will improve the accuracy of diagnosis and minimize mistakes in diagnosis. The process usually involves an extended conversation with a psychiatrist or psychologist who has experience in treating ADHD in adults. 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 body.
Many people suffering from ADHD also suffer from other psychiatric disorders or medical conditions, such as depression and anxiety that require treatment. In fact, it is estimated that people who suffer from ADHD are six times more likely to have mood disorders than others. People who suffer from ADHD also are at a higher risk of substance abuse.
Adults who suffer from ADHD typically have difficulty to get and keep jobs. They also face difficulties managing finances and keeping up with household chores. Adults with ADHD are at risk of developing other health issues, including obesity, heart disease, and smoking. Additionally they are more likely to be prone to poor eating habits and experience difficulties forming and maintaining romantic relationships.
In one study, people with ADHD who were treated in mental health services as young children continued to be diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood. However the sample size was very small. A larger sample size could provide additional information about the clinical course and relationship of ADHD in adults with other psychiatric conditions.
Research has proven that ADHD is a persistent permanent disorder that is seen in adults. It can have a negative impact on the quality of life and can cause variety of comorbid conditions, such as mood disorders, learning disabilities and alcohol and drug abuse. People who do not treat ADHD are at an increased risk of being incarcerated and divorce, having a lower socioeconomic status, and more serious mental health issues.
All adults who have uncontrolled ADHD symptoms or an initial ADHD diagnosis should be evaluated within 30 to 60 days, then every month until the symptoms are under control. Adults with ADHD may need to continue to receive psychotherapy and/or pharmacotherapy treatment for the rest of their lives.