Diagnosis Of ADHD The Process Isn't As Hard As You Think
Getting a Diagnosis of ADHD in Adults
Some adults might not be aware of their ADHD symptoms. Being diagnosed as an adult may open up possibilities for treatment.
To be diagnosed with ADHD, you must have at least five persistent symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity. These symptoms must significantly interfere with your daily activities at work, home and socially. Talk therapy can improve the communication skills and problem solving abilities. Counseling for families and marriage can be beneficial as well.
Signs and symptoms
You might feel that you are not living up to your full potential if suffer from ADHD symptoms. As an adult, you could be overwhelmed by the demands of your job and feel you're unable take on the numerous tasks ahead of you. You may be working full time and caring for your children or an aging parent, and trying to manage household chores and finances.
Your inability to keep up with the pace can result in embarrassment, frustration despair and the loss of confidence. If you have ADHD it's not your fault. It's important to recognize that there are ways to overcome your issues. The first step is to make a diagnosis.
A thorough psychiatric evaluation can be used by a medical professional to diagnose ADHD in adults. This includes talking with you about your symptoms, having you complete standardized behavior rating scales and ADHD symptoms lists and obtaining details on your medical and mental health background. The doctor may inquire about the background of ADHD in your family.
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 have difficulty with these behaviors in multiple situations, like at work, school, and in your social relationships.
If your inattention is a serious problem, you might skip appointments, make careless mistakes at work or at home, and fail to fulfill your obligations. You might be struggling with managing your health and finances and you might also experience difficulty with simple tasks such as remembering to visit the doctor or taking your medication.
In people with ADHD, the tendency to act before thinking can make difficult situations worse. You might disrupt conversations with others, blurt out answers to questions before they're finished or have trouble waiting your turn in line. Your impulsive behavior could lead to risky activities, such as driving too quickly or spending money in a reckless manner.
Studies suggest that genetics and environmental factors play an important role in the development of ADHD. The symptoms are more likely to run in families and some researchers believe that issues with the central nervous system at critical developmental stages increase the chance of developing this condition.
Diagnosis
A health care professional who specializes in ADHD can help evaluate adults who exhibit symptoms of the disorder. A typical assessment includes an interview as well as a review of medical records, workplace or school records and family medical histories and a mental screening. A trained professional can also conduct a physical examination and/or lab tests to rule other conditions that have similar symptoms. A diagnosis of ADHD is only given to an adult or adolescent when symptoms have been present for a period of six months or more, and are causing significant impairments in the daily routine.
Undiagnosed or neglected ADHD can lead to long-term problems which could have been prevented or treated. This can cause depression, family issues financial or work-related stress, addiction to drugs and even serious accidents like motor vehicle accidents.
Many people who are not diagnosed with ADHD are at risk of being misunderstood by family members, friends and colleagues. They may be viewed by others as lazy, irresponsible or as a poor employee. In addition, people with undiagnosed ADHD are more at risk for anxiety and depression.
Women are more adept at hiding their ADHD symptoms than men, which could make it difficult to obtain an accurate diagnosis. They might use distractions or daydreaming to disguise their impulsivity and inattention. They may also use tools and techniques to help them overcome their lack of time management and lack of organization. Women who suffer from ADHD may also have difficulty identifying their symptoms, as they are more likely than men to suffer from hyperactive or inattentive symptoms.
It's important to keep in mind that ADHD is not a sign of intelligence. It's just an altered way of thinking and behave that can create challenges in certain situations.
Adults may exhibit different symptoms in comparison to children. Adults who suffer from ADHD still meet the criteria set by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) of the American Psychiatric Association.
Treatment
Undiagnosed ADHD can cause individuals to have difficulty to stay on track and complete their work or school assignments, and maintain healthy interpersonal relationships. Symptoms also can interfere with daily functioning and cause emotional issues like depression, anxiety or mood swings. People who suffer from hyperactivity or impulsive variants of the condition may appear restless and try to do several things at the same time, but fail to finish tasks or meet deadlines. They may be unable to pay attention to others, which can cause confusion or relationship problems.
ADHD is usually not acknowledged in the early years and a lot of adults with symptoms are not aware of it. Instead of struggling to keep adhd diagnoses in their studies and daily life they might be viewed as a dreamer or a slacker. As the responsibilities grow in adulthood, however, many people who suffer from ADHD experience their symptoms becoming worse. They aren't able to handle all the balls at once - pursuing a career and taking care of family members as well as keeping up with housework and errands, and maintaining social and romantic relationships.
A health care provider or mental health professional will evaluate whether a person is suffering from ADHD. The evaluation involves a discussion with family members as well as friends and family members who are familiar with the person and a physical examination and a review of a person's medical history. The patient may be asked to fill out the standardized ADHD rating scales or an assessment checklist of symptoms. Psychological tests are used to assess executive and working memory as well as visual and spatial abilities.
Stimulant medications 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 improve their focus, organize their lives, keep track of important information and tasks, and manage their an impulsive behaviour. Nonstimulant medications, such as antidepressants or atomoxetine, may be used to treat ADHD. They work slower than stimulants, but they can still help improve symptoms. Before taking stimulants who suffer from certain medical conditions 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 help adults to manage their ADHD symptoms and establish healthy relationships at home, at school, and at work. Clinical trials will also be conducted with adults who suffer from ADHD. These studies help scientists learn more about how to diagnose, treat and prevent disorders like ADHD.
Follow-up
A thorough evaluation of adult ADHD utilizing several assessment inventories can help improve diagnostic accuracy and decrease the risk of a misdiagnosis. The process often includes an extended discussion with a psychiatrist or psychologist who has experience in treating ADHD in adults. The evaluation specialist may also inquire about the background of your or your child's health problems as well as family dynamics and lifestyle choices. He or she will also look over your previous medical records and perform an examination of your body.
Many people who suffer from ADHD also suffer from other medical or psychiatric conditions, such as anxiety and depression, which need to be treated. In fact, it's estimated that people who suffer from ADHD are six times more likely to suffer from mood disorders than the rest of us. People with ADHD also are at a higher risk of consuming alcohol.
Adults who suffer from ADHD typically have difficulty to secure and maintain jobs. They also have a harder managing their finances and keeping track of household chores. Adults with ADHD have an increased risk of developing other health issues, including heart disease, obesity, and smoking. In addition, they are more likely to have poor eating habits and are more likely to have trouble forming and keeping romantic relationships.
In one study, individuals who had ADHD who were treated in minor mental health services as young children were diagnosed with ADHD as they grew older. However the sample size was very small. An expansion of the sample might have provided more details about the pathology of ADHD in adulthood and its relationship to other psychiatric disorders.
Research has proven ADHD to be a long-lasting and persistent disorder among adults. It has a negative impact on quality of life and can cause number of comorbid conditions including learning disabilities, mood disorders and alcohol and drug abuse. People who do not treat ADHD are at an increased risk of being incarcerated and divorce, having a lower socioeconomic status, and more serious psychiatric issues.
It is advised that all adults with an uncontrolled or new diagnosis of symptoms of ADHD be evaluated within 30 days and every month thereafter until their symptoms are under control. Adults suffering from ADHD might require receiving pharmacotherapy or psychotherapy for the rest of their lives.