Getting a Diagnosis of ADHD in Adults
Many adults aren't aware of their ADHD symptoms. Getting 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 must be a major hindrance with your daily life at home, work and socially. Talk therapy can help improve the communication and problem-solving abilities. Counseling for families and marriage can be beneficial.
Symptoms
You might feel that you're not doing enough to fulfill your full potential if suffer from ADHD symptoms. As an adult, you could feel overwhelmed by your responsibilities and feel that you can't manage the many tasks in front of you. You might be working full-time as a caregiver for children or an elderly parent and trying to manage household chores and finances.
Your difficulty in keeping up may result in embarrassment, frustration, hopelessness and the loss of confidence. If you have ADHD it's not your fault. It's important to recognize that there are solutions to overcome your challenges. The first step is a diagnosis.
A medical professional can identify ADHD in adults through 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 mental health history. The provider 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 age 12 and continue to interfere with your daily activities. You must also be experiencing difficulty with these behavior issues at least in two different environments which include work, school and social relationships.
If your inattention is a serious issue, you could be late for appointments, make impulsive mistakes at work or at home and fail to fulfill your responsibilities. You might have trouble managing your health and finances, and you may also have problems with tasks that are simple like making sure you visit the doctor or take your medication.
In people with ADHD, the tendency to think before acting can make difficult situations more difficult. You might interrupt conversations, respond to questions before others are done or have difficulty waiting in the line. Your impulsivity might result in reckless actions, like driving too quickly or spending money in a reckless manner.
Research suggests that genetics and environmental factors play a role in the development of ADHD. The symptoms tend to run in families and some researchers believe that problems with the central nervous system at crucial developmental stages increase the chance of developing this condition.
Diagnosis
A health professional who specializes in ADHD can help evaluate adults with symptoms of the disorder. An evaluation typically includes an interview, a review of medical history, work or school records along with family medical history and a mental health screening. A specialist may also conduct a physical examination and/or tests in the laboratory to rule out other conditions that may have similar symptoms. For an adult or adolescent to be diagnosed with ADHD, symptoms must be present for at least six months and cause significant impairment in daily life functions.
People who aren't diagnosed or treated for ADHD may struggle all their lives with persistent issues which could have been avoided or treated. This can cause to depression, family issues financial stress, work-related stress, addiction to drugs and even serious accidents like motor vehicle accidents.
Many adults with undiagnosed ADHD are at risk of being misunderstood and criticized by family members, friends and colleagues. They could be seen as irresponsible, lazy or even simply crazy. Undiagnosed ADHD can also increase the chance of depression and anxiety.
Women tend to be better in securing their ADHD symptoms than men, which can make it difficult to obtain an accurate diagnosis. They may resort to strategies to disguise their inattention or impulsivity, for example the frequent distractions and daydreaming or rely on devices to help them cope with their lack of organization and poor time management skills. 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 understand that ADHD isn't an indicator of intelligence or ability. It's merely an altered way of thinking and behaving that can cause challenges in certain situations or environments.
In adults, it can be difficult to identify ADHD because the signs may have changed over time as they grew up. 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
Undiagnosed ADHD can make it difficult for people to stay on track, complete their work and school assignments and maintain healthy interpersonal relationships. Symptoms can also interfere with everyday functioning and can trigger depression or anxiety. People suffering from hyperactivity or impulsive subtypes the condition can appear agitated and try to do several things at once, failing to complete tasks or meet deadlines. They may struggle to pay attention to other people which can lead to miscommunications and problems with relationships.
Symptoms of the disorder often remain unnoticed in childhood, and many adults with them do not know they have ADHD. They may have been labeled as a goof-off, dreamer or a slacker, instead of struggling to stay on top in school and everyday life. Many people with ADHD suffer from increasing symptoms as their obligations increase. They aren't able to handle all the balls in the air - pursuing a career and taking care of family members as well as keeping up with chores at home and errands as well as maintaining romantic and social relationships.
A health care provider or mental health professional will assess whether a person has ADHD. The assessment usually involves conversations with family members or friends who know the person well, a physical exam, and a review of a person's medical and mental health history. The person may be asked to complete standardized ADHD ratings scales or a checklist of symptoms. Psychological testing can be used to determine executive function, working memory as well as spatial and visual skills.
Adults with ADHD are typically treated with stimulant medications. They boost and regulate levels of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. They can help those with ADHD focus better, manage their lives and remember important information. They also help control impulsive behaviors. Nonstimulant medicines, such as antidepressants and atomoxetine, can be used to treat ADHD. They are more slowly than stimulants, but still improve symptoms. Before taking stimulants with certain health conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure, should consult their physician.
Certain adults suffering from ADHD may benefit from individual therapy, self-help groups, or vocational counseling. These interventions can teach adults how to manage their ADHD symptoms and establish healthy relationships at home, in school and at work. Clinical trials will also be conducted on adults with ADHD. These studies help scientists learn more about new methods to diagnose, treat and prevent disorders such as ADHD.
Follow-up
A thorough assessment of adult ADHD utilizing several assessment inventories can help improve diagnostic accuracy and reduce the likelihood of misdiagnosis. The process often includes an extended interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist who has experience in treating ADHD in adults. The evaluator will also ask you about your children's health history, family dynamics, and lifestyle choices. They could also review your medical records and perform an examination of your body.
Many people with ADHD also suffer from other mental or physical disorders such as anxiety or depression, that need to be treated. In fact, it's thought that people who suffer from ADHD are six times more likely to suffer from mood disorders than the rest of us. People with ADHD are also at a higher risk of substance abuse.
Adults who suffer from ADHD have a hard finding and keeping a job. They also face difficulties managing finances and keeping up with household chores. Adults with ADHD are more at risk for developing other health problems, like heart disease, obesity and smoking. They are also more likely to be prone to bad eating habits and struggle to maintain and form relationships with their partners.
In one study, those with ADHD who were treated in mental health services as young children were diagnosed with ADHD into adulthood. The sample size was not large. Highly recommended Resource site could have provided additional information about the clinical course and the relationship of ADHD in adults with other psychiatric conditions.
Research has proven ADHD to be a long-lasting and persistent disorder in adults. It has a negative effect on the quality of life, and can result in a variety of comorbid conditions, like learning disabilities, mood disorders as well as alcohol and drug abuse. People who do not treat ADHD are at an increased risk of being incarcerated, divorce, having a lower socioeconomic status, and more serious psychiatric problems.
It is advised that all adults with a new diagnosis or uncontrolled symptoms of ADHD be seen within 30 days and monthly after that until their symptoms are controlled. Adults who suffer from ADHD may require to receive psychotherapy and/or medication for the rest of their lives.