Getting a Diagnosis of ADHD in Adults

Some adults might not be 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 should affect everyday functioning at home, at work, and socially. Talk therapy can enhance communication and problem solving skills. Marital and family counseling can be beneficial as well.

Symptoms

If you struggle with symptoms of ADHD, it may seem as if you're not living up to your potential. As an adult, you could be overwhelmed by the responsibilities you have and feel like you're unable to get a handle on the many tasks in front of you. You might be full-time at work, caring for aging parents or children, or managing household chores.

Your difficulty in keeping up may result in embarrassment, frustration despair and an eroding of confidence. It's not your problem when you suffer from ADHD. It's important to understand that there are ways to overcome your challenges. The first step is a diagnosis.

A thorough psychiatric assessment can be used by a medical specialist to diagnose ADHD in adults. This involves speaking with you about symptoms, having you complete standardized behavior rating scales and ADHD symptom lists and obtaining information about your mental and medical history. The doctor might also ask you 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 cause problems with your daily activities. You must also have difficulty with these behaviors in multiple environments, including at work, school and in your social interactions.

If your inattention is a significant issue, you may be late for appointments, make impulsive mistakes at work or at home, and not be able to meet your obligations. You may have difficulty managing your finances and health, and you might also experience problems with tasks that are simple like remembering to visit the doctor or taking your medication.

For those with ADHD, the tendency to act before thinking can make difficult situations more difficult. You might interrupt conversations, respond to questions after people have finished or have trouble waiting in lines. Your impulsivity could result in risky behavior like driving too quickly or spending money in reckless ways.

Research suggests that genetics as well as environmental factors play a part in the development of ADHD. Symptoms tend to run in families, and some researchers believe that issues with the central nervous system at crucial developmental points increase your risk for this condition.

Diagnosis

A health care professional with an expertise in ADHD can assist adults who are experiencing symptoms of the disorder. A typical evaluation includes an interview and an examination of medical documents, school or work records and family medical histories and a mental screening. A specialist may also conduct a physical exam and/or laboratory tests to identify other conditions that share similar symptoms. A diagnosis of ADHD is only given to an adult or teenager if symptoms have been present for a period of six months or more, and are causing significant impairments in daily life.

People who have not been diagnosed or treated for ADHD may struggle all their lives with persistent issues that could have been prevented or treated. This can cause to depression, family issues, financial stress or work-related stress, addiction to drugs and even serious accidents such as motor crashes.

Undiagnosed ADHD can lead to confusion among family members, friends and colleagues. They could be seen as lazy, irresponsible, a bad employee or just plain crazy. In addition, people who have undiagnosed ADHD are more at risk for anxiety and depression.

Women are generally better in securing their ADHD symptoms than men, which may make it difficult to obtain a proper diagnosis. They might use distractions or daydreaming in order to hide their impulsivity and inattention. Or they might depend on strategies and tools to help them overcome their lack of time management and lack of organization. Women who suffer from ADHD may also have difficulty identifying their own symptoms as they tend to have symptoms of inattention rather than hyperactivity or impulsivity.

It's important to remember that ADHD isn't a metric of intelligence or capacity. It's merely a different way to think and behave that may cause challenges in certain situations.

For adults, it can be difficult to determine ADHD because the symptoms could have changed as they became older. Adults who suffer from ADHD still fit the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) of the American Psychiatric Association.

Treatment

Undiagnosed ADHD can make it difficult for people to stay on track and complete their work or school assignments, and maintain healthy relationships with others. The symptoms can also affect the daily routine and trigger emotional issues like anxiety, depression or changes in mood. Hyperactive or impulsive people might appear to be agitated and they might try to do a variety of things at the same time. They may not be able to finish tasks or meet deadlines. They may struggle to pay attention to other people, leading to misunderstandings and problems with relationships.

The symptoms of the disorder typically remain unnoticed in the early years, and a lot of adults with the disorder do not know they have ADHD. They may have been labeled as a dreamer, a snob, slacker or troublemaker instead of battling to stay ahead in school and life. Many people who suffer from ADHD have more severe symptoms as click here their responsibilities increase. They're not able to manage all the balls at once such as pursuing a career or caring for their family, while also keeping up with housework and errands, and maintaining romantic and social relationships.

A mental health professional or health care provider will determine if a patient is suffering from ADHD. The evaluation includes a discussion with family members or friends who are familiar with the individual, a physical examination, and a review a person's medical history. The patient may also be asked to complete the standardized ADHD rating scales or an assessment checklist for symptoms. Psychological tests are used to measure working memory and executive function as in addition to spatial and visual abilities.

Stimulant medications are the most commonly used treatment for adults with ADHD. These drugs boost and balance levels of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. They can help people suffering from ADHD focus better, organize their lives, and retain important information. They also help control impulse-driven behaviors. Nonstimulant medicines, such as antidepressants or atomoxetine, may also be used to treat ADHD. They are slower than stimulants, yet nevertheless, they can improve symptoms. Before taking stimulants, people with certain health conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure should consult their physician.

Some adults with ADHD may benefit from behavioral therapy, coaching group, self-help groups or vocational counseling. These interventions can help adults to cope with their ADHD symptoms and to develop healthy relationships at home, in school, and at work. Clinical trials will also be conducted with adults suffering from ADHD. These studies aid scientists in learning more about new ways to diagnose, treat and prevent disorders such as ADHD.

Follow-up

A thorough assessment of adult ADHD using a variety of assessment tools can improve the accuracy of diagnosis and decrease the risk of a misdiagnosis. The process usually involves an extended interview with a psychiatrist or psychologist who has experience in treating ADHD in adults. The evaluator may also ask about the background of your or your child's health issues, family dynamics and lifestyle choices. He or she may also review your medical records and perform a physical examination.

Many people with ADHD have other psychiatric disorders or medical conditions, such as depression and anxiety, which need to be treated. It is estimated that those who suffer from ADHD are six times more likely to suffer from mood disorders. People who suffer from ADHD also have a higher risk of consuming alcohol.

Adults with ADHD have a tough finding and keeping a job. They also have a difficult managing finances and staying on top of household tasks. Adults with ADHD are more at risk of developing other health problems, including heart disease, obesity, and smoking. Additionally they are more likely to have poor eating habits and have trouble forming and keeping romantic relationships.

In one study, those who had ADHD who were treated in mental health services as young children continued to be diagnosed with ADHD as they grew older. However the size of the sample was small. A larger sample size would provide additional details about the clinical course and relationships of ADHD in adults with other mental disorders.

Research has shown ADHD to be a chronic and persistent disorder in adults. It can have a negative effect on living quality and can lead to other issues like mood disorders, learning disabilities, as well as alcohol and drugs abuse. If left untreated, ADHD increases the chance of incarceration, divorce and an economic disadvantage for people with ADHD.

All adults who have uncontrolled ADHD symptoms or an initial ADHD diagnosis should be evaluated within 30 to 60 days, then every month until symptoms are under control. Adults suffering from ADHD might need to receive psychotherapy and/or medication for the rest of their lives.