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Getting a Diagnosis of ADHD in Adults
Some adults may not be aware of their ADHD symptoms. Being diagnosed 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 should significantly interfere with your daily activities at work, at home, and socially. Talk therapy can enhance the ability to communicate and problem solve. Counseling for family and marriage can be beneficial.
Signs and symptoms
You might feel that you're not living up to your full potential when you have ADHD symptoms. You might feel overwhelmed as an adult by your responsibilities. You may be working full-time as a caregiver for children or an elderly 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 realize that there are ways to overcome your challenges. how to get an adult adhd diagnosis is to make a diagnosis.
A thorough psychiatric evaluation can be performed by a health specialist to diagnose ADHD in adults. This includes talking with you about your symptoms, having you fill out standardized behavioral ratings scales and ADHD symptoms lists, and gathering information on your mental health and medical background. The provider may also ask you to provide information 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 prior to the age of 12 and continue affecting your life. You must also be experiencing difficulty with these behavior issues at least in two different situations which include work, school and social interactions.
If your inattention is a serious issue, you could miss appointments, make careless mistakes at work or at home and fail to follow through on your responsibilities. You might be struggling with managing your health and finances and you may also have difficulty with simple tasks like remembering to go to the doctor or taking your medication.
People with ADHD can make difficult situations worse by acting before they think. You may interrupt conversations, respond to questions before others are done or struggle to wait in line. Your impulsiveness could lead to dangerous activities, like driving too quickly or spending money in a reckless manner.
Studies suggest that genetics and environmental factors play a role in the development of ADHD. The symptoms of ADHD typically be inherited from the family, and some researchers believe that problems with the central nervous system during crucial developmental stages increase your risk.
Diagnosis
A health care specialist who specializes in ADHD can help evaluate adults with symptoms of the disorder. An evaluation typically includes an interview and review of medical background, school or work records along with family medical history and an assessment of mental health. A specialized professional also may conduct a physical exam and/or tests in the laboratory to determine if there are other conditions that have similar symptoms. For an adolescent or adult to be diagnosed with ADHD symptoms, they must be present for at minimum six months and result in significant impairment of daily life functions.
People with undiagnosed or under-treated ADHD can struggle for the rest of their lives with persistent issues which could have been avoided or treated. This can cause depression, family issues, financial stress or work-related stress, drug abuse, and even serious accidents such as motor vehicle accidents.
Many people who are not diagnosed with ADHD are at risk of being misunderstood and criticized by friends, relatives and coworkers. They might be viewed as lazy, irresponsible or even just plain crazy. Undiagnosed ADHD can also increase the chance of depression and anxiety.
Women are better at hiding ADHD symptoms than men. This can make it more difficult to get a proper diagnosis. They might use strategies to hide their inattentiveness or impulsivity, like constant distractions and daydreaming or use tools to help them cope with their lack of organization and lack of time management skills. 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 inattentive symptoms.
It's important to keep in mind that ADHD is not an indicator of intelligence. It's merely an alternative approach to thinking and acting that may cause problems in certain situations or environments.
In adults, it can be difficult to diagnose ADHD because the symptoms may have changed over time as they became older. However, the signs of ADHD in adults still match the criteria 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 school or work tasks, and maintain healthy relationships. These symptoms can affect daily functioning, and cause emotional issues like depression or anxiety. People with hyperactivity or impulsive variants of the condition may appear restless and may try to accomplish several things at once, and fail to finish tasks or meet deadlines. They may not pay attention to others, which could lead to misunderstandings or relationship problems.
Symptoms of the disorder often are not recognized until childhood, and many adults with the disorder do not know they have ADHD. Instead of struggling to keep up in school and everyday life they may be viewed as a dreamer or a slacker. As the demands of adulthood increase However, many people who have ADHD experience their symptoms becoming worse. They're not able to handle all the balls they have to keep up-to-date with: 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 is suffering from ADHD. The assessment typically involves conversations with family members or friends who know the person well, a physical exam, and a review of the person's medical and psychiatric history. The person may be asked to fill out standard ADHD ratings scales or a list of symptoms. Psychological tests are used to test working memory and executive function as in addition to spatial and visual abilities.
Stimulant drugs are the most commonly used treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. They balance and increase levels of brain chemicals referred to as neurotransmitters. They can help people suffering from ADHD focus better, manage their lives and remember important information. They can also control impulse-driven behaviors. Other treatments for ADHD include nonstimulant medicines such as atomoxetine and antidepressants. They work more slowly than stimulants but still help improve the symptoms of ADHD. Before taking stimulants who suffer from certain health issues such as diabetes or high blood pressure should talk to their doctor.
Some adults with ADHD might benefit from individual therapy, self help groups or vocational counseling. These programs can teach adults how to cope with their symptoms and to develop healthy family, school and workplace relationships. Clinical trials will also be conducted with some adults with ADHD. 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 diagnostic accuracy and decrease the risk of a misdiagnosis. A psychiatrist or psychologist with experience in treating ADHD in adults will usually conduct an lengthy interview. The examiner may also inquire about the history of your your child's health issues as well as family dynamics and lifestyle choices. He or she may also review your medical records and perform a physical examination.
Many people with ADHD also have other medical or psychiatric conditions such as anxiety or depression, which 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 with ADHD also are at a higher risk of consuming alcohol.
Adults who suffer from ADHD have a tough time finding and keeping jobs. They also have a harder time managing finances and staying on top of household tasks. Adults with ADHD are more at risk of developing health problems, including heart disease, obesity and smoking. Additionally they are more likely to be prone to poor eating habits and have trouble forming and keeping romantic relationships.
In one study, adults 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 would provide more information about the clinical course of ADHD in adulthood and its relationship to other psychiatric disorders.
Research has shown that ADHD is a chronic and persistent disorder that affects adults. It has a negative impact on quality of life and can result in a number of comorbid conditions including mood disorders, learning disabilities as well as alcohol and drug abuse. Untreated ADHD increases the risk of being incarcerated, divorce and a lower socioeconomic status for people with ADHD.
Adults with uncontrolled ADHD symptoms or the first ADHD diagnosis should be examined within 30 to 60 days, and after that every month until the symptoms are under control. Adults with ADHD may need to continue receiving psychotherapy or pharmacotherapy for the rest their lives.