Getting a Diagnosis of ADHD in Adults

Many adults aren't aware of their ADHD symptoms. A diagnosis as an adult can open up treatment options.

To be get diagnosed with adhd with ADHD, you must have at least five persistent symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity. These symptoms must interfere with your daily activities, whether at home, at work, and in social settings. Talk therapy can help improve communication and problem-solving skills. Family and marital counseling can also be helpful.

Signs and symptoms

You may feel like you are not living up to your full potential when you have ADHD symptoms. As an adult, you might 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 full-time at work as well as caring for your elderly parents or children, or managing household chores.

Your inability to keep up may cause frustration and embarrassment. You may also feel hopeless and lose confidence. You may even feel embarrassed. If you have ADHD it's not your fault. It's important to realize that there are ways to overcome your issues. The first step is a diagnosis.

A medical professional can identify ADHD in adults by performing an exhaustive psychiatric assessment. This may include speaking to you about your symptoms, having you complete standardized behavior rating scales and ADHD symptoms checklists, as well as gathering details about your medical and psychiatric history. 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 occurred prior to age 12 and continue to interfere with your life. You should also be having issues with these behavior issues at least in two different environments, including school, work and social interactions.

You may miss appointments, make erroneous mistakes at work or at home and not be able to meet your obligations if your inattention is a problem. You might be struggling with managing your health and finances and you could also be having difficulties with everyday tasks like remembering to visit the doctor or taking your medication.

People with ADHD can make difficult situations worse by acting before they think. You might interrupt conversations, respond to questions before others are done or struggle to wait in the line. Your impulsivity could cause risky actions like driving too fast or spending money in reckless ways.

According to research the genetics and the environment play a significant role in the development of ADHD. The symptoms are more likely to be passed down through families and some scientists 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 assist in evaluating adults with symptoms of the disorder. A typical assessment consists of an interview, an examination of medical records, school or workplace records as well as family medical histories and a mental assessment. A specialized professional also may conduct a physical exam and/or tests in the laboratory to rule out other conditions that share similar symptoms. A diagnosis of ADHD is only given to an adult or teenager if symptoms have been present for a period of six months or more and are causing significant impairments in the daily routine.

Undiagnosed or not treated ADHD can cause chronic problems that could have been prevented or treated. This can cause to depression, family issues financial stress, work-related stress, substance abuse and even serious accidents, such as motor crashes.

Undiagnosed ADHD can cause misinterpretation by family members, friends and coworkers. They may be perceived as a lazy, irresponsible person or a poor employee, or just plain crazy. Undiagnosed ADHD can also increase the risk of anxiety and depression.

Women are more adept at hiding ADHD symptoms than men. This can make it harder to get a adhd diagnosis a proper diagnosis. They may employ strategies to hide their inattention or impulsivity, for example constant distractions and daydreaming or rely on tools to help them cope with their lack of organization and ineffective time management. Women with ADHD may also have difficulty diagnosing their own symptoms, as they tend to have inattentive symptoms rather than hyperactivity or impulsivity.

It's important to remember that ADHD isn't a metric of intelligence or capability. It's just a different approach to thinking and acting that can cause challenges in certain situations or environments.

In adults, it can be difficult to diagnose ADHD because the symptoms could have changed as they developed. Adults with ADHD still fit 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. Symptoms also can interfere with the daily routine and trigger emotional problems such as depression, anxiety or mood swings. People suffering from hyperactivity or impulsive variants of the disorder may seem agitated and attempt to complete multiple things at once, and fail to complete tasks or meet deadlines. They may have difficulty paying attention to others, which could lead to misunderstandings or problems with relationships.

ADHD is usually not acknowledged in the early years and a lot of adults suffering from the disorder aren't aware that they have it. Instead of struggling to keep pace in school and everyday life they may have been labelled as either a dreamer or a slacker. Many people with ADHD suffer from more severe symptoms as their responsibilities increase. They're not able to handle all the balls they have to keep in the air--pursuing a career, caring for family members, keeping up with household chores and errands, as well as working on social and romantic relationships.

A mental health healthcare professional or health care provider will determine if a patient is suffering from ADHD. The evaluation involves a discussion with family members, friends, and others who know the person and a physical examination and a review of a person's medical history. The person may also be asked to fill out the standardized ADHD rating scales or a symptom checklist. Psychological tests can be used to measure executive function and working memory as in addition to spatial and visual abilities.

Stimulant drugs are the most commonly used treatment for adults with ADHD. They boost and regulate levels of brain chemicals referred to as neurotransmitters. They can help people suffering from ADHD to focus better and Diagnosis of ADHD in Adults manage their lives, keep track of important information and tasks and control an impulsive behaviour. Other treatments for ADHD include nonstimulant medicines such as atomoxetine and antidepressants, which work slowly than stimulants, but they can improve the symptoms of ADHD. Patients with certain health problems like high blood pressure or diabetes 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 programs can help adults learn how to get diagnosed with add as an adult to manage their symptoms and to build healthy family, school and work relationships. Some adults with ADHD also will participate in clinical trials. These studies aid scientists in learning more about the latest methods to prevent, diagnose and treat disorders like ADHD.

Follow-up

A thorough assessment of adult ADHD using various assessment inventories can improve the accuracy of diagnosis and decrease the risk of misdiagnosis. The process usually involves an extended interview with a psychiatrist or psychologist who is experienced in treating ADHD in adults. The evaluation will also ask you about your children's health history, family dynamics, and lifestyle choices. He or she could also review your medical records and perform an examination of your physical.

Many people who suffer from ADHD also suffer from other mental or physical disorders, such as anxiety and depression, which must be treated. It is estimated that people who have ADHD are six times more likely to be suffering from mood disorders. People with ADHD are also at a higher risk of substance abuse.

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 are at increased risk of developing health problems, including heart disease, obesity and smoking. They are also more likely to develop bad eating habits and struggle to maintain and form relationships with their partners.

In one study, individuals who had ADHD who were treated in mental health services as children were diagnosed with ADHD into adulthood. The sample size was small. An enlargement of the sample would provide more information about the pathology of ADHD in adulthood and its connection with other psychiatric disorders.

Research has shown ADHD to be a long-lasting and persistent disorder among adults. It can have a negative impact on the quality of life and may lead to other health issues like mood disorders, learning disabilities, and the abuse of alcohol and drugs. People who do not treat ADHD are at an increased chance of being in prison or divorce, as well as being less socioeconomically stable and more serious psychiatric issues.

Adults with uncontrolled ADHD symptoms or a new ADHD diagnosis should be seen within 30 to 60 days, and after that every month until symptoms are under control. Adults who suffer from ADHD might need to continue receiving pharmacotherapy or psychotherapy for the rest their lives.