Getting a Diagnosis of ADHD in Adults
Many adults aren't aware of their ADHD symptoms. A diagnosis as an adult could open up treatment options.
To be diagnosed with ADHD, you must have at least five persistent symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity. These symptoms must affect your daily activities, whether at home, at work, and socially. Talk therapy can improve the ability to communicate and problem solve. Marital and family counseling can be beneficial as well.
Symptoms
If you struggle with symptoms of ADHD it might seem as if you're not living up to your potential. As an adult, you might feel overwhelmed by your responsibilities and feel you're unable manage the many tasks in front of you. You could be full-time at work, caring for aging parents or children, as well as taking care of household chores.
Your difficulty keeping up can result in 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 ways to overcome your issues. The first step in a diagnosis.
A thorough psychiatric examination can be utilized by a medical professional to diagnose ADHD in adults. This involves speaking with you about your symptoms, having you complete standardized behavior rating scales and ADHD symptom checklists, and collecting information about your medical and psychiatric history. The doctor might also ask you 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 the age of 12 and continue to affect your life. You should also be having issues with these behavior issues at least in two different environments such as school, work and social interactions.
You could miss appointments, make careless errors at work or at home, and fail to fulfill your obligations if your lack of attention is an issue. You may have trouble managing your health and finances and may have a difficult time with simple tasks, such as remembering to take medication or visiting the doctor for a checkup.
People who suffer from ADHD can make difficult situations worse by acting before they think. You may interrupt other people's conversations, blurt out answers to questions before they're finished, or have difficulty waiting your turn in a line. Your impulsive behavior could lead to dangerous activities, like driving too fast or spending money recklessly.
According to research the genetics and the environment play a major role in the development of ADHD. The symptoms tend to be inherited from families, and some researchers believe that issues with the central nervous system at key developmental stages increase the risk for this condition.
Diagnosis
A health care specialist who is specialized in ADHD can help evaluate adults with symptoms of the disorder. A typical assessment includes an interview, reviewing medical documents, school or work records and family medical histories and a mental screening. A specialized professional may also conduct a physical exam and/or laboratory tests to rule out other conditions with 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 cause significant difficulties in everyday life.
People who aren't diagnosed or treated for ADHD can struggle for the rest of their lives with chronic difficulties which could have been avoided or treated. This can lead to depression, family issues and financial stress, as well as work-related issues, 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 coworkers. They could be seen as a lazy, irresponsible person, a bad employee or simply crazy. Undiagnosed ADHD can also increase the likelihood of depression and anxiety.
Women tend to be better at hiding their ADHD symptoms than men, which may make it difficult for them to receive a proper diagnosis. They may use distractions or daydreaming to mask their inattentiveness and impulsivity. Or they might use tools and techniques 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's important to understand that ADHD isn't an indicator of intelligence or capability. It's simply a different way of thinking and behaving that may cause problems in certain situations or environments.
In adults, it can be difficult to determine ADHD because the symptoms could have changed as people developed. However, the symptoms of ADHD in adults still match the criteria in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition (DSM-5)1.
Treatment
Undiagnosed ADHD can cause people to struggle to stay on track and complete their work or school assignments and maintain healthy relationships with others. These symptoms can affect daily functioning and cause emotional issues like depression, anxiety or changes in mood. Hyperactive or impulsive people may appear restless, and they may try to do a variety of things simultaneously. They may not be able to complete tasks or meet deadlines. They may have difficulty paying attention to others, which can result in miscommunications or problems with relationships.
ADHD is often not recognized as a child, and a lot of adults with symptoms are not aware of it. They may have been described as a dreamer, goof-off, slacker or troublemaker instead of battling to stay ahead in school and life. Many people who suffer from ADHD suffer from more severe symptoms as their obligations increase. They can't manage all the balls in the air - pursuing a career and caring for family and juggling with errands and housework, as well as maintaining romantic and social relationships.
A health care professional or mental health professional will evaluate whether a person suffers from ADHD. The evaluation involves a discussion with family members, friends, and others who know the person and a physical examination and a review a person's medical history. The patient may be asked to fill out standard ADHD rating scales or an assessment checklist of symptoms. Psychological tests are used to assess working memory and executive function as well as visual and spatial abilities.
Adults suffering from ADHD are most commonly treated by stimulant medications. These medications increase and balance levels of brain chemicals referred to as neurotransmitters. They can help people suffering from ADHD better focus, organize their lives, recall important information and tasks and manage their the impulsive behavior. Non-stimulant drugs, like antidepressants or atomoxetine, may also be used to treat ADHD. They work slower than stimulants, but nevertheless, they can improve symptoms. Before taking stimulants, those who suffer from certain medical conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure, should consult their doctor.
Certain adults suffering from ADHD may benefit from individual therapy, self-help groups, or vocational counseling. These interventions can help adults to manage their ADHD symptoms and develop healthy relationships at home, in school, and at work. A few adults with ADHD will also be part of clinical trials. 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 the accuracy of diagnosis and reduce the chance of a misdiagnosis. A psychologist or psychiatrist with expertise in treating ADHD in adult patients will usually conduct an extended interview. The examiner will also inquire with you about your or children's health history, family dynamics, and lifestyle choices. He or she will also look over your previous 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. In fact, it's believed that those with ADHD are six times more likely to suffer from mood disorders than the rest of us. People with ADHD also are more likely to be victims of consuming alcohol.
Adults with ADHD have a difficult time finding and keeping jobs. They also have a harder managing finances and juggling household chores. Adults with ADHD are more at risk of developing health issues, such as heart disease, obesity and smoking. Additionally they are more likely to suffer from poor eating habits and are more likely to have difficulties forming and maintaining romantic relationships.
In one study, individuals who had ADHD who were treated in minor mental health services as young website children continued to be diagnosed with ADHD into adulthood. The sample size was not large. A larger sample size would provide additional information about the clinical course and relationships of ADHD in adults with other psychiatric conditions.
Research has shown ADHD to be a chronic and persistent disorder among adults. It can have a negative effect on quality of living and can lead to other issues like mood disorders, learning disabilities, addiction to alcohol and other drugs. If not treated, ADHD increases the risk of incarceration or divorce, as well as a lower social economic status for those with ADHD.
It is advised that all adults with an uncontrolled or new diagnosis of symptoms of ADHD be evaluated within 30 days, and then every month after that until their symptoms are controlled. Adults who suffer from ADHD may need to continue receiving pharmacotherapy or psychotherapy for the rest of their lives.