15 Of The Best Twitter Accounts To Learn About Diagnosis Of ADHD

Getting a Diagnosis of ADHD in Adults

Many adults aren't 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 affect your daily activities, whether at home, at work, and in social settings. Talk therapy can enhance the ability to communicate and problem solve. Marital and family counseling can also be helpful.

Symptoms

You might feel that you are not performing to your full potential when you have ADHD symptoms. As an adult, you might feel overwhelmed by your responsibilities and feel you're unable manage the numerous tasks ahead of you. You could be working full-time, caring for children or an aging parent and trying to handle household chores and finances.

Your inability to keep up with the pace can cause embarrassment, anger despair and a loss of confidence. It's not your problem when you suffer from ADHD. However, it's important to understand that there are solutions to your problems. The first step to the process of diagnosing.

A health care professional can identify ADHD in adults by performing an extensive psychiatric examination. This involves speaking with you about symptoms, requiring you complete standardized behavior rating scales and ADHD list of symptoms and obtaining information about your medical and mental health background. The provider may also ask you to provide information 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. I Am Psychiatry must have been present prior to age 12 and continue to interfere with your daily activities. You must also be having issues with these behaviors at least in two different situations, including school, work and 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 responsibilities. You might have difficulty managing your health and finances and may have a difficult working through everyday tasks, such as remembering to take medication or going to the doctor for a checkup.

In people with ADHD the tendency to act before thinking can make difficult situations even worse. You might interrupt conversations, answer questions before others are done or have difficulty waiting in the line. Your impulsivity could cause risky actions, such as driving too fast or spending money in reckless ways.

Research suggests that genetics and environmental factors play a role in the development of ADHD. The symptoms of ADHD tend to be inherited from the family, and some researchers believe that issues with your central nervous system at crucial developmental stages increase your risk.

Diagnosis

A health professional who specializes in ADHD can assist in evaluating adults who exhibit symptoms of the disorder. An evaluation typically includes an interview, a review of medical background, school or work records along with family medical history and a mental health screening. A specialized professional also may conduct a physical examination 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 must be present for at minimum six months and result in significant impairment of everyday activities.

People who have not been diagnosed or treated for ADHD can struggle for the rest of their lives with chronic difficulties 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 accidents.

Many people who are not diagnosed with ADHD are at risk of being misunderstood by friends, relatives and coworkers. They could be seen by others as lazy, unreliable or as a poor employee. Undiagnosed ADHD can also increase the chance of depression and anxiety.

Women tend to be better in hiding their ADHD symptoms than men, which can make it difficult to obtain an accurate diagnosis. They may resort to strategies to hide their inattention or impulsivity, for example the frequent distractions and daydreaming or use tools to help them cope with their lack of organization and poor time management skills. Women who suffer from ADHD might also have difficulty identifying their own symptoms as they are more likely to experience symptoms of inattention, not hyperactivity or impulsivity.

It's important to keep it in mind that ADHD is not an indicator of intelligence. It's just a different behavior and way of thinking that could cause difficulties in certain situations or environments.

In adults, it may be difficult to identify ADHD because the symptoms may have changed as people grew up. Adults with ADHD still fit the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) of the American Psychiatric Association.

Treatment

People with undiagnosed ADHD may have difficulty getting organized, stay on top of school or work obligations and maintain healthy relationships. These symptoms can affect the daily routine and trigger anxiety or depression. People who are hyperactive or impulsive might appear to be agitated and may attempt to do many things at the same time. They may fail to finish tasks or meet deadlines. They may struggle to pay attention to other people that can cause confusion and relationships issues.

ADHD is usually not acknowledged in childhood and many adults with the symptoms aren't aware that they have it. Instead of struggling to keep up in school and everyday life, they may have been labelled as a dreamer or a slacker. As the demands of adulthood increase however, many who have ADHD notice their symptoms getting worse. They're not able to handle all the balls they're trying keep in the air--pursuing a career, caring for family members, juggling chores and household chores, and trying to improve their romantic and social relationships.

A health care professional or mental health professional will evaluate whether a person suffers from ADHD. The evaluation includes a discussion with family members, friends, and others who are familiar with the individual and a physical examination and a review of the person's medical history. The patient may be asked to complete standard ADHD ratings scales or a list of symptoms. Psychological testing may be done to measure executive function, working memory and spatial and visual abilities.

Stimulant drugs are the most frequently used treatment for adults with ADHD. These drugs balance and boost levels of brain chemicals, known as neurotransmitters. They can help people with ADHD concentrate better, organize their lives, and retain important information. They can also control impulsive behaviors. Nonstimulant medicines, such as antidepressants or atomoxetine, may also be used to treat ADHD. They work slower than stimulants, but still improve symptoms. People who have certain health issues like diabetes or high blood pressure must consult with their doctor before taking stimulants.

Some adults suffering from ADHD might benefit from behavior therapy, coaching group, self-help groups or vocational counseling. These programs can teach adults how to manage their symptoms, and how to build healthy family, school and workplace relationships. Certain adults suffering from ADHD are also enrolled in clinical studies. These studies allow scientists to learn more about new ways to diagnose, treat and prevent disorders such as ADHD.

Follow-up

A thorough evaluation of ADHD in adults using several assessment inventories will improve the accuracy of diagnosis and minimize mistakes in diagnosis. A psychologist or psychiatrist with experience in treating ADHD in adult patients typically conducts an extended interview. The evaluation specialist may also inquire about the history of your child's or your own health issues, family dynamics and lifestyle choices. They may also review your medical records and conduct an examination of your body.

Many people suffering from ADHD have other psychiatric disorders or medical conditions, such as depression and anxiety that must be treated. In fact, it's thought that people with ADHD are six times more likely to suffer from mood disorders than the rest of us. People who suffer from ADHD are also at a higher risk of substance abuse.

Adults who suffer from ADHD often find it difficult to secure and maintain jobs. They also have difficulty managing finances and keeping up with household chores. Adults with ADHD are at chance of developing other health issues, including heart disease, obesity, and smoking. They are also more likely to have poor eating habits and have difficulty forming and maintaining romantic relationships.

In one study, people were diagnosed with ADHD after receiving treatment in minor mental health facilities as children. The sample size was small. A larger sample size would have provided more information about the clinical course and the relationship of ADHD in adults with other psychiatric conditions.

Research has proven ADHD to be a chronic and persistent disorder among adults. It can have a negative effect on living quality and may lead to other health issues like mood disorders, learning disabilities, the abuse of alcohol and drugs. People with untreated ADHD are at an increased risk of being incarcerated or divorce, as well as being less socioeconomically stable and more serious mental health issues.

All adults with uncontrolled ADHD symptoms or the first ADHD diagnosis should be examined within 30 to 60 days, then every month until the symptoms are under control. Adults suffering from ADHD may require receiving psychotherapy or therapy with pharmacotherapy for the remainder of their lives.