Getting a Diagnosis of ADHD in Adults
Some adults may not be aware of their ADHD symptoms. Being diagnosed as an adult could provide options for treatment.
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 home, work and socially. Talk therapy can enhance communication and problem solving skills. Counseling for families and marriage can be beneficial.
Symptoms
You might feel that you are not performing to your full potential if have ADHD symptoms. As an adult, you might be overwhelmed by the demands of your job and feel like you're unable to manage the numerous tasks ahead of you. You may be full-time at work as well as caring for your elderly parents or children, as well as taking care of household chores.
Inability to keep up can cause embarrassment and anger. You might also feel depressed or lose confidence, or even be embarrassed. If you have ADHD it's not your fault. But it's important to know that there are solutions to your problems. The first step is a diagnosis.
A thorough psychiatric assessment can be utilized by a medical professional to determine ADHD in adults. This may include speaking to you about your symptoms, having you complete standardized scales for assessing behavior and ADHD symptom checklists, and gathering information about your medical and mental health history. The doctor may also ask you to provide information about the history of your family members with 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 been present before the age of 12 and continue to interfere with your daily activities. You must also be experiencing difficulty with these behaviors at the very least in two different situations, including school, work and social relationships.
If your inattention is a significant issue, you could be late for appointments, make impulsive mistakes at work or at home and fail to follow through on your obligations. You might have trouble managing your health and finances and you may also have difficulties with everyday tasks such as remembering to visit the doctor or taking your medication.
People who suffer from ADHD can make difficult situations worse by acting before they think. You may interrupt other people's conversations or utter answers to questions before you're finished or have trouble waiting your turn in a line. Your impulsiveness can lead to risky behaviors, such as driving too quickly or spending money in a reckless manner.
According to research the genetics and the environment play a major role in the development ADHD. The symptoms tend to be inherited from families, and some researchers believe that issues with the central nervous system at crucial developmental points increase your chance of developing this condition.
Diagnosis
A health care professional with a specialization in ADHD can help those who are suffering from symptoms of the disorder. A typical assessment consists of an interview as well as reviewing medical records, school or workplace records as well as family medical histories and a mental health screening. A specialist may conduct physical examinations and/or lab tests to rule other conditions that have similar symptoms. For an adolescent or adult to be diagnosed with ADHD symptoms, they must be present for at least six months and result in significant impairment of daily life functions.
Undiagnosed or not treated ADHD can lead to chronic issues which could have been prevented or treated. This can lead to depression, family issues financial stress, work-related stress, substance abuse and even serious accidents like motor vehicle crashes.
Undiagnosed ADHD can lead to confusion among family members, friends and colleagues. They might be viewed as lazy, irresponsible or a poor employee, or just plain crazy. Undiagnosed ADHD can also increase the risk of anxiety and depression.
Women are better at hiding ADHD symptoms than men. This can make it harder to get a proper diagnosis. They may employ strategies to disguise their inattention or impulsivity, such as constant distractions and daydreaming or rely on 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 identifying their symptoms, as they are more likely than men to suffer from inattentive or hyperactive symptoms.
It is important to keep in mind that ADHD is not an indicator of intelligence. It's merely an altered way of thinking and behaving that could cause difficulties in certain situations or settings.
In adults, it can be difficult to identify ADHD because the symptoms could have changed as they grew up. However, the symptoms of ADHD in adults still meet the criteria set forth 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, stay on top of school or work tasks and maintain healthy relationships. The symptoms can also affect everyday functioning and lead to emotional issues like depression, anxiety, or shifts in mood. People who are impulsive or hyperactive can appear agitated, and they might try to do many things at the same time. They may fail to complete tasks or meet deadlines. They may not pay attention to others, which could lead to misunderstandings or problems with relationships.
Symptoms of the disorder often go unrecognized in childhood, and many adults with the disorder aren't aware of ADHD. They might have been viewed as a dreamer, goof-off or a slacker, instead of battling to stay ahead in school and daily life. Many people who suffer from ADHD suffer from increasing symptoms as their responsibilities increase. They're not able to handle all the balls they're trying to keep up-to-date with: pursuing a career, caring for family members, juggling chores and household chores, and working on social and romantic relationships.
A mental health healthcare professional or health care provider will determine if someone has ADHD. The assessment includes a conversation with family members, friends, and others who are familiar with the individual as well as a physical exam and a review a person's medical history. The person could be asked to fill out the standardized ADHD rating scales or a symptom checklist. Psychological tests can be conducted to measure working memory, executive function as well as spatial and visual skills.
Stimulant medication is the most commonly used treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. These medications balance and boost levels of brain chemicals referred to as neurotransmitters. They can help people with ADHD to focus better and organize their lives, remember important information and tasks, and manage the impulsive behavior. Other treatments for ADHD include nonstimulant medicines like atomoxetine or antidepressants, which work slowly than stimulants, but they can aid in the treatment of ADHD. People who have certain health problems, such as diabetes or high blood pressure should consult their doctor before taking stimulants.
Some adults suffering from ADHD might benefit from behavior coaching, individual therapy, self-help groups or vocational counseling. These programs can help adults learn how to manage their symptoms, and how to build healthy school, family and workplace relationships. A few adults with ADHD also will participate in clinical trials. These studies allow scientists to discover more about how to diagnose, treat and prevent disorders such as ADHD.
Follow-up
A thorough assessment of ADHD for adults using various assessment inventories will improve the accuracy of diagnosis and decrease mistakes in diagnosis. The process often includes an extended discussion with a psychologist or psychiatrist who has experience in treating ADHD in adults. The evaluator will also ask you about your or your child’s past health problems as well as family dynamics and lifestyle choices. The evaluator may also review your medical records and perform a physical examination.
Many people who suffer from ADHD also suffer from other medical or psychiatric conditions, such as anxiety and depression, that need to be treated. In fact, it is estimated that people with ADHD are six times more likely to have mood disorders than others. People who suffer from ADHD also are at a higher risk of consuming alcohol.
Adults with ADHD often have a difficult time to secure and maintain jobs. They also have a harder time managing finances and juggling household tasks. Adults with ADHD are at a higher risk of developing other health problems, like obesity, heart disease, and smoking. They are also more likely to be prone to bad eating habits and to struggle to maintain and form relationships with their partners.
In one study, people 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. A larger sample size would have provided additional information about the clinical course and relationships of ADHD in adults with other psychiatric conditions.
Research has demonstrated ADHD to be a chronic and persistent disorder in 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 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.
It is advised that all adults with an uncontrolled or new diagnosis of symptoms of ADHD be seen within 30 days and monthly after that until their symptoms are under control. Adults with ADHD might need to continue receiving psychotherapy or pharmacotherapy throughout their lives.