Getting a Diagnosis of ADHD in Adults
Some adults may have unrecognized ADHD symptoms. Getting a diagnosis as an adult may open up 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 home, work and socially. Talk therapy can help improve the ability to communicate and problem solve. Counseling for marriage and family can be beneficial.
Signs and symptoms
If you're suffering from symptoms of ADHD, it may seem like you're failing to live up to your potential. As an adult, you could feel overwhelmed by your responsibilities and feel that you can't manage the many responsibilities in front of you. You may be working full-time, caring for aging parents or children, as well as taking care of household chores.
Your difficulty in keeping up may result in embarrassment, frustration, hopelessness and the loss of confidence. It's not your problem in the event that you suffer from ADHD. But it's important to know that there are solutions to your problems. The first step to an assessment.
A thorough psychiatric examination can be performed by a health specialist to diagnose ADHD in adults. This involves speaking with you about your symptoms, having you complete standardized behavior rating scales and ADHD list of symptoms, and gathering information on your mental health and medical background. The provider may 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 been present before the age of 12 and continue to affect your life. You must also be experiencing difficulty with these behaviors at the very least in two different settings such as school, work and social interactions.
If your inattention is a serious issue, you may be late for appointments, make impulsive mistakes at work or at home and not be able to meet your responsibilities. You may have trouble managing your health and finances and may have a hard time with simple tasks, such as making sure you take your medication on time or visiting the doctor for checkups.
For those with ADHD the tendency to act before thinking can make difficult situations more difficult. You might interrupt conversations, answer questions before others are done or have trouble waiting in line. Your impulsiveness could result in risky behavior, such as driving too quickly or spending money recklessly.
According to studies, genetics and environment play a major role in the development ADHD. The symptoms of ADHD are likely to run in the family, and some researchers believe that issues with your central nervous system during crucial developmental stages increase your risk.
Diagnosis
A health specialist who is specialized in ADHD can help evaluate those who have symptoms of the disorder. A typical evaluation consists of an interview and a review of medical background, school or work records along with family medical history and an examination for mental health. A specialized professional may also conduct a physical examination or lab tests to rule out other conditions that exhibit similar symptoms. A diagnosis of ADHD is only given to an adult or adolescent if symptoms have been present for a period of six months or more and are causing significant difficulties in everyday life.
Undiagnosed or neglected ADHD can lead to long-term problems that could have been prevented or treated. This can lead to depression, family problems, work-related or financial stress, substance abuse and even serious accidents such as motor vehicle crashes.
Many people who are not diagnosed with ADHD are at risk of being misunderstood and criticized by family members, friends and colleagues. They could be seen by others as irresponsible, lazy or even a poor employee. In addition, people who have undiagnosed ADHD are at greater risk of developing depression and anxiety.
Women are generally better in securing their ADHD symptoms than men, which can make it difficult to obtain an accurate diagnosis. They may use distractions or daydreaming to disguise their impulsivity and inattention. Or they might depend on methods and tools to make up for their poor time management and lack of organization. Women who suffer from ADHD may also have difficulty diagnosing their own symptoms, as they are more likely to suffer from symptoms of inattention rather than the impulsivity or hyperactivity.
It's important to remember that ADHD isn't an indicator of intelligence or capacity. It's simply an altered way of thinking and behave that can create problems in certain situations.
In adults, it may be difficult to identify ADHD because the signs may have changed over time as they grew up. Adults who suffer from ADHD still meet the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) of the American Psychiatric Association.
Treatment
Undiagnosed ADHD can cause individuals to have difficulty to stay organized, complete their work or school assignments, and maintain healthy interpersonal relationships. The symptoms can also affect daily functioning, and cause emotional issues such as anxiety or depression. People who suffer from hyperactivity or impulsive variants of the disorder may seem agitated and attempt to complete multiple things at once, failing to finish tasks or meet deadlines. ADHD Diagnosis may not pay attention to others, which can result in miscommunications or relationship issues.
Symptoms of the disorder often go unrecognized in childhood, and many adults with the disorder aren't aware of ADHD. Instead of struggling to keep pace in their studies and daily life they might have been labelled as either a dreamer or a slacker. As the demands of adulthood increase however, many who have ADHD notice their symptoms getting worse. They are unable to manage all the balls they're trying to keep in the air--pursuing a career, caring for family members, juggling housework and errands, and working on social and romantic relationships.
A health care provider or mental health professional will determine whether a person suffers from ADHD. The evaluation includes a discussion with family members as well as friends and family members who know the person, a physical examination, and a review a person's medical history. The person may be asked to fill out the standardized ADHD ratings scales or a list of symptoms. Psychological tests can be used to test working memory and executive function as well as visual and spatial abilities.
Stimulant drugs are the most common treatment for adults with ADHD. These drugs balance and boost levels of brain chemicals, known as neurotransmitters. They can help people with ADHD to focus better and organize their lives, keep track of important information and tasks and control the impulsive behavior. Other treatments for ADHD include nonstimulant medicines such as atomoxetine and antidepressants. They work more slow than stimulants, yet help improve the symptoms of ADHD. Patients with certain health issues such as diabetes or high blood pressure should consult their doctor prior to taking stimulants.
Certain adults suffering from ADHD might benefit from individual therapy, self help groups, or vocational counseling. These interventions can teach adults to cope with their ADHD symptoms and develop healthy relationships at home, at 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 identify, treat and prevent disorders such as ADHD.
Follow-up
A thorough assessment of ADHD in adults by using a variety of assessment instruments will improve the accuracy of diagnosis and decrease the chance of misdiagnosis. The process usually involves an extended conversation with a psychiatrist or psychologist who has experience in treating ADHD in adults. The evaluation will also ask you about your your child’s past health problems, family dynamics, and lifestyle choices. The evaluator might also look over your medical records and perform a physical examination.
Many people suffering from ADHD are also suffering from other psychiatric issues or medical conditions, like depression and anxiety that must be treated. In fact, it's believed that those who suffer from ADHD are six times more likely to have mood disorders than others. People who suffer from ADHD also have a higher risk of using drugs.
Adults who suffer from ADHD have a tough finding and keeping jobs. They also have a difficult time managing their finances and juggling household chores. Adults with ADHD have an increased chance of developing health issues, such as heart disease, obesity and smoking. In addition they are more likely to suffer from poor eating habits and have difficulties forming and maintaining romantic relationships.
In one study, people were diagnosed with ADHD after being treated in minor mental health facilities when they were children. The sample size was not large. An expansion of the sample could have provided more information about the pathology of ADHD in adulthood and its connection with other psychiatric disorders.
Research has demonstrated ADHD to be a chronic and persistent disorder among adults. It can have a negative effect on living quality and lead to other conditions like mood disorders, learning disabilities, alcohol and drugs abuse. Untreated ADHD increases the risk of incarceration, divorce and a lower socioeconomic status for people with ADHD.
All adults with uncontrolled ADHD symptoms or a new 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 receiving pharmacotherapy or psychotherapy for the rest their lives.