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Getting a Diagnosis of ADHD in Adults
Some adults might not be aware of their ADHD symptoms. Getting a diagnosis as an adult could give treatment options.
To be diagnosed with ADHD, you must have at least five persistent symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity. These symptoms must significantly interfere with your daily life at work, at home, and socially. Talk therapy can help improve communication and problem solving skills. Counseling for marriage and family can be beneficial.
Signs and symptoms
You might feel that you're not living up to your full potential when you suffer from ADHD symptoms. You might feel overwhelmed as an adult due to your obligations. You may be working full time and caring for your children or an aging parent and trying to manage household chores and finances.
Your difficulty in keeping up may cause embarrassment, anger despair and an eroding of confidence. If you have ADHD It's not your fault. It's important to understand that there are solutions to overcome your issues. The first step to the process of diagnosing.
A health professional can diagnose ADHD in adults by performing an exhaustive psychiatric assessment. This may include speaking to you about your symptoms, having you complete standardized scales for assessing behavior and ADHD symptoms checklists, as well as collecting details about your medical and psychiatric history. The provider may also inquire about the history of your family members with 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 before the age of 12 and continue to interfere with your daily activities. You must also have difficulty with these behavior in multiple settings, such as at work, school as well as in your social interactions.
If your inattention is a major issue, you could miss appointments, make careless mistakes at work or at home, and fail to follow through on your obligations. You may be struggling with managing your health and finances and may have a difficult time with simple tasks like remembering to take medication or visiting the doctor for a checkup.
In people with ADHD the tendency to think before acting can make difficult situations worse. You may interrupt conversations with other people and spit out answers to questions before you're completed, or struggle to wait your turn in a line. Your impulsiveness could lead to risky behaviors like driving too quickly or spending money recklessly.
According to studies the genetics and the environment play a significant role in the development of ADHD. The symptoms are more likely to be passed down through families, and some researchers believe that issues with the central nervous system at critical developmental points increase your chance of developing this condition.
Diagnosis
A health professional who specializes in ADHD can help evaluate adults who exhibit symptoms of the disorder. A typical evaluation includes an interview as well as an examination of medical records, school or workplace records, family medical histories, and a mental health screening. A trained professional may also conduct a physical exam and/or lab tests to determine if there are other conditions that share similar symptoms. For an adolescent or adult to receive a diagnosis of ADHD symptoms must be present for at minimum six months, and cause significant impairment to daily life functions.
Undiagnosed or neglected ADHD can lead to long-term problems that could have been avoided or treated. This can lead depression, family problems and financial stress as well as work-related stress, drug abuse and even serious accidents like motor vehicle crashes.
Many adults with undiagnosed ADHD are at risk of being misunderstood by family members, friends and coworkers. They may be perceived as a lazy, irresponsible person, a bad employee or just plain crazy. In addition, people with undiagnosed ADHD are more at risk of developing depression and anxiety.
Women are more adept in hiding their ADHD symptoms than men, which could make it difficult for them to get a proper diagnosis. They might resort to distractions or daydreaming in order to hide their impulsivity and inattention. Sometimes, they rely on strategies and tools to compensate for their poor time management and lack of organization. Women who suffer from ADHD may also have difficulty in recognizing their symptoms, since they are more likely than men to suffer from hyperactive or inattentive symptoms.
It's important to remember that ADHD isn't a metric of intelligence or capability. ADHD Diagnosis 's just a different behavior and way of thinking that may cause problems in certain situations or environments.
In adults, it can be difficult to identify ADHD because the signs may have changed as people became older. However, the signs 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 with undiagnosed ADHD may have difficulty getting organized, keep track of work or school tasks and maintain healthy relationships. These symptoms can affect the daily routine and trigger emotional problems such as depression, anxiety or mood swings. People suffering from hyperactivity or impulsive subtypes of the condition can appear agitated and attempt to complete multiple things at once, and fail to finish tasks or meet deadlines. They may have difficulty paying attention to others, which could cause confusion or relationship problems.
Symptoms of the disorder often remain unnoticed in childhood, and many adults with them aren't aware of ADHD. Instead of struggling to keep pace in their studies and daily life, they may have been labeled an overachiever or a dreamer. As the demands of adulthood increase however, many who suffer from ADHD find their symptoms grow worse. They're not able to manage all the balls at once working on a job and caring for their family as well as keeping up with chores at home and errands and maintaining social and romantic relationships.
A mental health professional or health care provider will determine if a person has ADHD. The evaluation usually includes conversations with family members and friends, as well as other people who are familiar with the person and a physical examination, and a review of the person's medical and psychiatric history. The patient may also be asked to complete standardized ADHD rating scales or an assessment checklist for symptoms. Psychological tests are used to test working memory and executive function as in addition to spatial and visual capabilities.
Stimulant medications are the most commonly used treatment for adults with ADHD. They balance and increase levels of brain chemicals referred to as neurotransmitters. They can help people with ADHD better focus and manage their lives, remember important information and tasks, and manage their an impulsive behaviour. Nonstimulant medicines, such as antidepressants and atomoxetine can be used to treat ADHD. They are slower than stimulants, but they can still help improve symptoms. Before taking stimulants, people who suffer from certain medical conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure, should consult their doctor.
Some adults suffering from ADHD may benefit from behavioral therapy, coaching, self-help groups or vocational counseling. These interventions can teach adults how to manage their symptoms, and how to build healthy family, school and work relationships. Clinical trials will also be conducted with 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 utilizing several assessment inventories can help improve diagnostic accuracy and decrease the risk of misdiagnosis. The process often includes an extended conversation with a psychologist or psychiatrist who is experienced in treating ADHD in adults. The examiner will also inquire with you about your your child’s past health problems as well as family dynamics and lifestyle choices. The evaluator will also look over your previous medical records and conduct physical examination.
Many people suffering from ADHD also suffer from other psychiatric disorders or medical conditions, such depression and anxiety, which require treatment. In fact, it's thought that people with ADHD are six times more likely have mood disorders than others. People who suffer from ADHD also have a higher risk of consuming alcohol.
Adults who suffer from ADHD have a difficult time finding and keeping jobs. They also face difficulties managing their finances and juggling household chores. Adults with ADHD are at a higher risk of developing other health issues, including obesity, heart disease, and smoking. They are also more likely to have bad eating habits and to struggle to maintain and form relationships with their partners.
In one study, people were diagnosed with ADHD after receiving treatment in a minor mental health clinic as children. The sample size was not large. A larger sample could provide more information about the pathology of ADHD in adulthood and its relationship to other psychiatric disorders.
Research has shown ADHD to be a chronic and persistent disorder in adults. It can have a negative impact on quality of life and can lead to a range of comorbidities, like learning disabilities, mood disorders as well as alcohol and drug abuse. If not treated, ADHD increases the chance of incarceration and divorce as well as an economic disadvantage for those with ADHD.
It is recommended that all adults with new diagnoses or uncontrolled symptoms of ADHD be examined within 30 days, and then every month thereafter until their symptoms are under control. Adults suffering from ADHD may need to continue receiving psychotherapy or therapy with pharmacotherapy for the remainder of their lives.
