Getting a Diagnosis of ADHD in Adults
Many adults aren't aware of ADHD symptoms. A diagnosis as an adult may offer 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 help improve the ability to communicate and problem-solve. Counseling for families and marriage can be beneficial.
Symptoms
If you're suffering from symptoms of ADHD, it may seem like you're failing to live up to your potential. You might feel overwhelmed as an adult by your obligations. You may be working full time, caring for children or an elderly parent and trying to manage household chores and finances.
Your inability to keep up with the pace can lead to embarrassment and frustration. You may also feel depressed 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 solutions to your problems. The first step is to make a diagnosis.
A health professional can detect ADHD in adults by conducting a thorough psychiatric evaluation. This may include speaking to you about your symptoms, requiring you to complete standardized scales for assessing behavior and ADHD symptoms checklists, and gathering details about your medical and psychiatric history. The doctor might 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 been present before the age of 12 and continue to cause problems with your daily life. You must also have difficulty with these behaviors in multiple situations, like at school, work and in your social interactions.
You may be late for appointments, make mistakes at work or home and fail to meet your obligations if lack of attention is an issue. You may be struggling with managing your finances and health and may have a difficult working through everyday tasks, such as remembering to take medication or going to the doctor for a checkup.
People with ADHD are prone to making difficult situations worse by acting before they think. You could disrupt conversations with others and spit out answers to questions before you're finished or have trouble waiting your turn in a line. Your impulsiveness could lead to reckless actions, like driving too quickly or spending money in a reckless manner.
According to adhd diagnosis adult uk that have been conducted, environment and genetics play a significant role in the development ADHD. The symptoms of ADHD are likely to be inherited from the family, and some researchers believe that problems with your central nervous system at critical developmental stages increase your risk.
Diagnosis
A health professional who specializes in ADHD can help evaluate adults with symptoms of the disorder. A typical assessment consists of an interview and reviewing medical records, workplace or school records as well as family medical histories and a mental assessment. A specialist may also perform a physical exam 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 daily life functions.
People with undiagnosed or under-treated ADHD might struggle throughout their lives with chronic difficulties that could have been prevented or treated. This can cause depression, family issues, work-related or financial stress as well as substance abuse, and even serious accidents, such as motor vehicle accidents.
Undiagnosed ADHD can cause misinterpretations by family members, friends and coworkers. They could be perceived by others as lazy, unreliable or even a poor employee. Undiagnosed ADHD can also increase the chance of depression and anxiety.
Women are better at hiding ADHD symptoms than men. This makes it harder to get a proper diagnosis. They may employ strategies to disguise their inattention or impulsivity, for example constant distractions and daydreaming or rely on tools to make up for their lack of organization and ineffective time management. Women who suffer from ADHD may also have difficulty identifying their symptoms, as they are more likely than men to suffer from inattentive or hyperactive symptoms.
It's important to keep in mind that ADHD is not an indicator of intelligence. It's just an altered way of thinking and behaving that could cause difficulties in certain situations or settings.
Adults may have different symptoms in comparison to children. 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 might struggle to stay organized, stay on top of school or work obligations, and maintain healthy relationships. Symptoms can also interfere with everyday functioning and can trigger emotional issues like depression or anxiety. People with hyperactivity or impulsive subtypes of the condition can appear agitated and attempt to complete multiple things at once, failing to finish tasks or meet deadlines. They may have difficulty paying attention to others which can lead to miscommunications and problems with relationships.
The symptoms of the disorder typically go unrecognized in the early years, and a lot of adults with them do not know they have ADHD. Instead of struggling to keep up in school and life, they may be viewed as a dreamer or a slacker. As the responsibilities grow in adulthood However, many people who suffer from ADHD find their symptoms grow worse. They are unable to manage all the balls they're trying keep up-to-date with: pursuing an occupation, caring for family members, juggling 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 someone is suffering from ADHD. The evaluation includes a discussion with family members as well as friends and family members who know the person and a physical examination and a review a person's medical history. The patient may be asked to complete standard ADHD ratings scales or a checklist of symptoms. Psychological testing can be used to assess executive function, working memory, and visual and spatial skills.
Adults with ADHD are most commonly treated with stimulant drugs. They balance and increase levels of brain chemicals referred to as neurotransmitters. They can help people with ADHD improve their focus, organize their lives, recall important information and tasks, and manage impulsive behavior. Other treatments for ADHD include nonstimulant medicines such as atomoxetine and antidepressants, which work slow than stimulants, yet aid in the treatment of ADHD. People who have certain health issues such as high blood pressure or diabetes, should talk to their doctor before taking stimulants.
Some adults suffering from ADHD might benefit from behavior therapy, coaching self-help groups, or vocational counseling. These interventions can help adults to manage their ADHD symptoms and to develop healthy relationships at home, in school, and at work. Certain adults suffering from ADHD also will participate in clinical studies. These studies help scientists learn more about how to diagnose, treat and prevent disorders such as ADHD.
Follow-up
A thorough evaluation of adult ADHD utilizing several assessment inventories can improve the accuracy of diagnosis and decrease the risk of misdiagnosis. The process usually involves an extended conversation with a psychologist or psychiatrist who is experienced in treating ADHD in adults. The evaluation will also ask you questions about the child's previous health issues as well as family dynamics and lifestyle choices. He or she might also look over your medical records and conduct an examination of your body.
Many people who suffer from ADHD have other psychiatric disorders or medical conditions, like depression and anxiety that 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 other people. People who suffer from ADHD are also at a greater risk of substance abuse.
Adults who suffer from ADHD typically have difficulty to get and keep jobs. They also have a harder managing finances and staying on top of household tasks. Adults with ADHD are at increased risk of developing other health issues, such as heart disease, obesity and smoking. In addition, they are more likely to have poor eating habits and have difficulty forming and maintaining romantic relationships.
In one study, those who had ADHD who were treated in mental health services as young children continued to be diagnosed with ADHD into adulthood. The sample size was not large. A larger sample could provide additional information about the clinical course and the relationship of ADHD in adults with other psychiatric conditions.
Research has revealed that ADHD is a chronic and persistent disorder that affects adults. It has a negative impact on quality of life and can lead to a variety of comorbid conditions, such as learning disabilities, mood disorders and alcohol and drug abuse. People with untreated ADHD are at a greater risk of being incarcerated and divorce, being less socioeconomically stable and more serious mental health issues.
It is recommended that all adults who have new diagnoses or uncontrolled symptoms of ADHD be evaluated within 30 days and monthly after that until the symptoms are controlled. Adults with ADHD might need to continue receiving pharmacotherapy or psychotherapy for the rest of their lives.