Getting a Diagnosis of ADHD in Adults
There are adults who may not be aware of ADHD symptoms. Recognizing the symptoms as an adult can give options 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 work, home and socially. Talk therapy can help improve communication and problem solving skills. Family and marital counseling can also be helpful.
Symptoms
It could be that you feel that you're not doing enough to fulfill your full potential if you suffer from ADHD symptoms. As an adult, you could be overwhelmed by the responsibilities you have and feel that you can't get a handle on the numerous tasks ahead of you. You could 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 be feeling hopeless and lose confidence. You may even be embarrassed. If you have ADHD, it's not your fault. It's important to realize that there are solutions to your struggles. The first step in the process of diagnosing.
A health care professional can detect ADHD in adults by conducting an exhaustive psychiatric assessment. This includes talking with you about symptoms, requiring you fill out standardized behavioral ratings scales and ADHD symptoms lists, and gathering information on your mental health and medical history. 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 been present prior to age 12 and continue affecting your life. You must also be having difficulty with these behaviors at least in two different situations, including school, work and social relationships.
If your inattention is a significant issue, you could skip appointments, make careless mistakes at work or at home, and fail to follow through on your responsibilities. You may have trouble managing your finances and health and may have a difficult working through everyday tasks, like remembering to take medication or going to the doctor for a checkup.
People with ADHD are prone to making difficult situations worse by acting before they think. You may interrupt conversations, answer questions before people are finished or have trouble waiting in lines. Your impulsiveness can result in risky behavior like driving too quickly or spending money in reckless ways.
Research suggests that genetics and environmental factors play an important role in the development of ADHD. Symptoms tend to be passed down through families, and some researchers believe that problems with the central nervous system at critical developmental points increase your chances of developing this disorder.
Diagnosis
A health professional with a specialization in ADHD can help those who are suffering from symptoms of the disorder. A typical assessment includes an interview, an examination of medical documents, school or work records, family medical histories, and a mental assessment. A specialist may also conduct a physical exam and/or lab tests to determine if there are other conditions that may have similar symptoms. For an adult or adolescent to be diagnosed with ADHD, symptoms must be present for at minimum six months and cause significant impairment to everyday activities.
Undiagnosed or neglected ADHD can lead to long-term problems which could have been prevented or treated. This can lead to depression, family issues financial or work-related stress, addiction to drugs and even serious accidents such as motor vehicle accidents.
Undiagnosed ADHD can lead to confusion among family members, friends and coworkers. They might be viewed as irresponsible, lazy or a poor employee, or just plain crazy. In addition, people who have undiagnosed ADHD are more at risk for anxiety and depression.
Women are better at hiding ADHD symptoms than men. This can make it harder to get an accurate diagnosis. They may employ strategies to hide their inattentiveness or impulsivity, like frequent distractions and daydreaming, or rely on devices to make up for their lack of organization and poor time management skills. Women who suffer from ADHD may also have difficulty diagnosing their symptoms, as they are more likely than men to suffer from hyperactive or inattentive symptoms.
It's important to keep in mind that ADHD is not an indicator of intelligence. It's merely an altered approach to thinking and acting that can cause challenges in certain situations or environments.
Adults may exhibit different symptoms as children. However, the 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
People who aren't diagnosed with ADHD may struggle to get organized, keep track of work or school tasks, and maintain healthy relationships. Symptoms also can interfere with everyday functioning and lead to emotional problems such as depression, anxiety, or changes in mood. People with hyperactivity or impulsive variants of the condition can appear agitated and may try to accomplish several things at the same time, but fail to finish tasks or meet deadlines. They may be unable to pay attention to others, which could cause confusion or relationship problems.
ADHD is usually not acknowledged in childhood and many adults with the symptoms aren't aware that they have it. They may have been labeled as a dreamer, goof-off or a slacker instead of battling to stay ahead in school and daily life. Many people with ADHD suffer from increasing symptoms as their responsibilities grow. They can't manage all the balls at once - pursuing a career and taking care of family members as well as keeping up with errands and housework, and maintaining social and romantic relationships.
A mental health specialist or health care professional will determine if a patient is suffering from ADHD. The evaluation includes a discussion with family members, friends, and others who are familiar with the person as well as a physical exam and a review of the person's medical history. The person may be asked to complete standard ADHD ratings scales or a checklist of symptoms. Psychological tests can be used to measure executive and working memory as well as visual and spatial abilities.
Adults with ADHD are typically treated by stimulant medications. These drugs balance and boost levels of brain chemicals referred to as neurotransmitters. They can help people suffering from ADHD focus better, organize their lives and keep track of important information. They can also control impulse-driven behaviors. Other treatments for ADHD include non-stimulant drugs such as atomoxetine and antidepressants, which work more slowly than stimulants but still aid in the treatment of ADHD. Before taking stimulants who suffer from certain health issues such as diabetes or high blood pressure, should talk to their doctor.
Certain adults suffering from ADHD may benefit from individual therapy, self-help groups, or vocational counseling. These programs can help adults how to manage their ADHD symptoms and develop healthy relationships at home, in school and at work. Clinical trials will also be conducted with some adults who suffer from ADHD. These trials allow scientists to gain knowledge about how to diagnose, treat 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 a misdiagnosis. A psychologist or psychiatrist who has experience treating ADHD in adult patients 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. They could also review your medical records and conduct an examination of your body.
Many people who suffer from ADHD also have other medical or psychiatric conditions like anxiety and depression, that need to be treated. It is estimated that people with ADHD are six-times more likely to experience mood disorders. People who suffer from ADHD are also at a greater risk of consuming alcohol.
Adults who suffer from ADHD have a difficult finding and keeping jobs. They also have difficulty managing their finances and keeping up with household chores. Adults with ADHD are at a higher chance of developing health issues, such as heart disease, obesity and smoking. They are also more likely to have bad eating habits and have difficulty forming and maintaining romantic relationships.
In one read more study, adults were diagnosed with ADHD after receiving treatment in a minor mental health clinic when they were children. However the size of the sample was small. A larger sample would provide more information about the clinical course of ADHD in adulthood and its relationship to other psychiatric disorders.
Research has revealed that ADHD is a persistent and persistent disorder that affects adults. It has a negative effect on the quality of life and can cause variety of comorbid conditions, like mood disorders, learning disabilities as well as alcohol and drug abuse. People with untreated ADHD are at an increased chance of being in prison and divorce, being less socioeconomically stable and more serious psychiatric issues.
It is recommended that all adults with new diagnoses or uncontrolled symptoms of ADHD be evaluated within 30 days and every month after that until their symptoms are managed. Adults who suffer from ADHD may need to continue to receive psychotherapy and/or therapy with pharmacotherapy for the remainder of their lives.