Getting a Diagnosis of ADHD in Adults
There are adults who may not be aware of ADHD symptoms. A diagnosis as an adult may 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 significantly interfere with your daily life at work, home and socially. Talk therapy can improve the communication skills and problem solving abilities. Counseling for families and marriage can also be beneficial.
Symptoms
If you're suffering from symptoms of ADHD it could appear like you're failing to live up to your potential. As an adult, you may be overwhelmed by the responsibilities you have and feel that you can't take on the many tasks in front of you. You could be working full-time as well as caring for your elderly parents or children, as well as taking care of household chores.
Your difficulty in keeping up may lead to embarrassment, frustration despair and a loss of confidence. If you suffer from ADHD It's not your fault. However, it's important to understand that there are solutions to your struggles. The first step is the process of diagnosing.
A thorough psychiatric examination can be performed by a health specialist to diagnose ADHD in adults. This may include speaking to you about your symptoms, requiring you to complete standardized scales for assessing behavior and ADHD symptoms checklists, as well as gathering details about your medical and psychopathological history. The doctor may also inquire about your family's 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 prior to age 12 and have continued to impact your life. You should also be having difficulty with these behavior issues at least in two different situations such as school, work and social interactions.
You may be late for appointments, make careless errors at home or at work, and fail to fulfill your obligations if your inattention is a problem. You may have difficulty managing your health and finances and you may also have difficulties with everyday tasks like making sure you visit the doctor or taking your medication.
People who suffer from ADHD are prone to making difficult situations worse by acting before they think. You may interrupt conversations with other people, blurt out answers to questions before they're finished, or have difficulty waiting your turn in a line. Your impulsivity might result in risky activities, such as driving too fast or spending money recklessly.
Research suggests that genetics as well as environmental factors play a role in the development of ADHD. The symptoms tend to be inherited from families and some scientists believe that issues with the central nervous system at key developmental points increase your chances of developing this disorder.
Diagnosis
A health care professional who has an expertise in ADHD can help adults who are experiencing symptoms of the disorder. An evaluation typically includes an interview, a review of medical history, school or work records, family medical history and an assessment of mental health. A trained professional can also conduct a physical exam or lab tests to rule out other conditions with similar symptoms. A diagnosis of ADHD is only given to an adult or teenager if symptoms have been present for six months or more and cause significant impairments in the daily routine.
People who aren't diagnosed or treated for ADHD can struggle for the rest of their lives with ongoing issues that could have been prevented or treated. This can cause to depression, family issues financial stress, work-related stress, drug abuse, and even serious accidents like motor vehicle accidents.
Many adults who have not been diagnosed with ADHD are at risk of being misunderstood by family members, friends and coworkers. They could be perceived by others as lazy, unreliable or a bad employee. Undiagnosed ADHD can also increase the risk of anxiety and depression.
Women are more adept at concealing ADHD symptoms than men. This makes it more difficult to get the correct diagnosis. They might resort to distractions or daydreaming to mask their inattentiveness and impulsivity. Or they might use strategies and tools to make up for their poor time management and disorganization. Women who suffer from ADHD might also have difficulty in recognizing their own symptoms since they tend to have inattentive symptoms rather than hyperactivity or impulsivity.
It is important to keep in mind that ADHD is not a sign of intelligence. It's simply an alternative approach to thinking and acting that can cause challenges in certain settings or situations.
Adults may experience different symptoms than children. However, symptoms of ADHD in adults still meet the criteria listed 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 organized and complete their work or school assignments and maintain healthy relationships with others. These symptoms can affect daily functioning and cause emotional problems such as depression, anxiety or mood swings. People suffering from hyperactivity or impulsive subtypes the disorder may seem agitated and try to do several things at the same time, but fail to complete tasks or meet deadlines. They may not pay attention to others, which can result in miscommunications or problems with relationships.
Symptoms of the disorder often remain unnoticed in childhood, and many adults who have them do not know they have ADHD. Instead of struggling to keep up in school and everyday life they might be viewed as an overachiever or a dreamer. As the responsibilities grow in adulthood however, many who suffer from ADHD find their symptoms grow worse. They're unable to handle all the balls they have to keep on top of - pursuing a career, caring for family members, juggling household chores and errands, as well as trying to improve their romantic and social relationships.
A health care professional or mental health professional will determine whether a person has ADHD. The assessment usually involves discussions with family and friends, as well as other people who are familiar with the person as well as a physical exam and a review of a person's medical and mental health background. The patient could be asked to complete the standardized ADHD ratings scales or a list of symptoms. Psychological tests can be used to measure executive function and working memory as well as visual and spatial capabilities.
Adults with ADHD are usually treated by stimulant medications. These drugs boost and balance levels of brain chemicals referred to as neurotransmitters. They can help those with ADHD improve their focus and organize their lives, remember important information and tasks, and control impulsive behavior. Other treatments for ADHD include non-stimulant drugs like atomoxetine or antidepressants, which work more slow than stimulants, yet help improve the symptoms of ADHD. People who have particular health issues such as high blood pressure or diabetes must consult with their doctor prior to taking stimulants.
Some adults with ADHD might benefit from behavior therapy, coaching self-help groups, or vocational counseling. These interventions can teach adults how to cope with their symptoms, and how to develop healthy school, family and work relationships. Certain adults suffering from ADHD will also be part of clinical studies. These studies help scientists learn more about the latest methods to diagnose, treat 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 misdiagnosis. A psychiatrist or psychologist with experience treating ADHD in adult patients will usually conduct an lengthy interview. The evaluation specialist may also inquire about the background of your child's or your own health problems, family dynamics and lifestyle choices. He or she will also go through your past medical records and conduct an examination of your body.
Many people who suffer from ADHD also have other psychiatric or medical conditions like anxiety and depression, that need to be treated. In fact, it's believed that those who suffer from ADHD are six times more likely have mood disorders than others. People who suffer from ADHD are also at a higher risk of substance abuse.
Adults who suffer from ADHD have a difficult 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 health problems, like heart disease, obesity, and smoking. They are also more likely to have bad eating habits and have trouble forming and maintaining romantic relationships.
In one study, people were diagnosed with ADHD after being treated in a minor mental health clinic when they were children. The sample size was not large. An expansion of the sample might have provided more information about the clinical course of ADHD in adulthood and its connection with other psychiatric disorders.
Research has shown that ADHD is a persistent and persistent disorder that affects adults. It can have a negative impact on quality of life and can result in a range of comorbidities, like learning disabilities, mood disorders and alcohol and drug abuse. If not treated, how to get an adhd diagnosis uk increases the chance of incarceration or divorce, as well as a lower socioeconomic status for people with ADHD.
It is recommended that all adults who have new diagnoses or uncontrolled symptoms of ADHD be evaluated within 30 days and every month after that until the symptoms are under control. Adults suffering from ADHD might need to continue receiving psychotherapy or pharmacotherapy throughout their lives.