Getting a Diagnosis of ADHD in Adults

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

To be diagnosed with ADHD, you must have at least five persistent symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity. These symptoms must interfere with daily functioning, at home, work and socially. Talk therapy can improve communication and problem solving skills. Marital and family counseling can also be helpful.

Symptoms

It could be that you feel that you're not performing to your full potential if have ADHD symptoms. You may feel overwhelmed as an adult due to the responsibilities you have to fulfill. You may be working full-time as a caregiver for children or an elderly parent and trying to manage household chores and finances.

Inability to keep up can cause frustration and embarrassment. You might also feel depressed or lose confidence, or even feel embarrassed. If you have ADHD It's not your fault. It's important to realize that there are solutions to overcome your challenges. The first step is to make a diagnosis.

A health care professional can detect ADHD in adults by conducting an extensive psychiatric examination. This includes talking with you about your symptoms, having you fill out standardized behavior ratings scales and ADHD symptoms lists, and gathering information on your mental health and medical 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 before the age of 12 and continue affecting your life. You must also be having issues with these behaviors at least in two different environments, including school, work and social relationships.

If your inattention is a serious problem, you might skip appointments, make careless mistakes at work or at home and fail to follow through on your responsibilities. You may have trouble managing your health and finances and may have a hard working through everyday tasks like making sure you take your medication on time or going to the doctor for checkups.

People with ADHD can make difficult situations more difficult by acting before they think. You might interrupt conversations, respond to questions before others are done or struggle to wait in line. Your impulsive behavior could lead to dangerous activities, like driving too quickly or spending money in a reckless manner.

Research suggests that genetics as well as environmental factors play a role in the development of ADHD. Symptoms tend to run in families and some researchers believe that issues with the central nervous system at critical developmental points increase the chances of developing this disorder.

Diagnosis

A health care professional who has a specialization in ADHD can help adults who are experiencing symptoms of the disorder. A typical assessment includes an interview and an examination of medical documents, school or work records, family medical histories, and a mental assessment. A trained professional may also perform a physical exam or lab tests to rule out other conditions that share 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 to daily life functions.

People who aren't diagnosed or treated for ADHD might struggle throughout their lives with persistent issues that could have been prevented or treated. This can cause depression, family problems and financial stress as well as work-related stress, drug abuse and even serious accidents like motor crashes.

Undiagnosed ADHD can lead to misinterpretation by family members, friends and coworkers. They could be seen as a lazy, irresponsible person or even just plain crazy. In addition, people who have undiagnosed ADHD are at greater risk of developing depression and anxiety.

Women are more adept in securing their ADHD symptoms than men, which can make it difficult to obtain an accurate diagnosis. They might resort to distractions or daydreaming in order to hide their impulsivity and inattention. Or they might use methods and tools to help them overcome their lack of time management and disorganization. Women with ADHD may also have difficulty diagnosing their symptoms, as they are more likely than men to exhibit hyperactive or inattention symptoms.

It's important to keep in mind that ADHD is not an indicator of intelligence. It's simply an altered approach to thinking and acting that may cause problems in certain situations or environments.

In adults, it can be difficult to identify ADHD because the signs may have changed over time as they became older. 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 cause individuals to have difficulty to stay on track and complete their work or school assignments and maintain healthy interpersonal relationships. Symptoms can also interfere with the daily routine and trigger emotional issues such as depression or anxiety. People suffering from hyperactivity or impulsive subtypes of the disorder may seem agitated and attempt to complete multiple things at once, and fail to finish tasks or meet deadlines. They may struggle to pay attention to other people which can lead to miscommunications and relationship problems.

Symptoms of the disorder often go unrecognized in the early years, and a lot of adults who have them aren't aware of ADHD. They may have been labeled as a dreamer, goof-off or a slacker, instead of struggling to stay on top in school and daily life. As responsibilities increase 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 to keep on top of - pursuing an occupation, caring for family members, juggling chores and household chores, and trying to improve their romantic and social relationships.

A mental health specialist or health care professional will determine if a person is suffering from ADHD. The evaluation includes a discussion with family members or friends who know the person and a physical examination and a review a person's medical history. The person may also be asked to fill out standardized adhd diagnosed in adulthood rating scales or a symptom checklist. Psychological tests are used to assess executive function and working memory as well as spatial and visual abilities.

Adults suffering from ADHD are usually treated with stimulant drugs. These drugs boost and balance levels of brain chemicals referred to as neurotransmitters. They can help people suffering from ADHD concentrate better, organize their lives, and retain important information. They can also control impulsive behaviors. Other treatments for ADHD include non-stimulant drugs like atomoxetine or antidepressants, which work more slow than stimulants, yet improve the symptoms of ADHD. Before taking stimulants, people who suffer from certain medical conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure, should consult their doctor.

Some adults with ADHD may benefit from individual therapy, self help groups, or vocational counseling. These interventions can teach adults how to cope with their symptoms, and how long does it take to get diagnosed with adhd to develop healthy family, school and workplace relationships. A few adults with ADHD also will participate in clinical trials. These studies help scientists learn more about the latest methods to identify, treat and prevent disorders like ADHD.

Follow-up

A thorough evaluation of adult ADHD using a variety of assessment tools can help improve the accuracy of diagnosis and reduce the likelihood of misdiagnosis. The process often includes an extended interview with a psychiatrist or psychologist who is skilled in treating ADHD in adults. The evaluation specialist may also inquire about the history of your your child's health issues as well as family dynamics and lifestyle choices. The evaluator could also review your medical records and conduct an examination of your body.

Many people who suffer from ADHD also have other psychiatric or medical conditions like anxiety and depression, that need to be treated. It is estimated that those who suffer from ADHD are six-times more likely to be suffering from mood disorders. People with adhd private diagnosis near me also are more likely to be victims of substance abuse.

Adults with ADHD have a difficult time finding and keeping a job. They also have a difficult time managing their finances and keeping up with household chores. Adults with ADHD are at risk of developing other health problems, like heart disease, obesity, and smoking. They are also more likely to develop bad eating habits and have trouble forming and maintaining relationships with their partners.

In one study, those with ADHD who were treated in minor mental health services as young children were diagnosed with ADHD into adulthood. However the sample size was small. A larger sample would have provided more information about the clinical course of ADHD in adulthood and its relationship to other psychiatric disorders.

Research has proven that ADHD is a persistent, persistent disorder in adults. It can have a negative effect on living quality and lead to other conditions such as mood disorders, learning disabilities, the abuse of alcohol and drugs. People who are not treated for ADHD are at an increased risk for incarceration, divorce, a lower socioeconomic status and more serious psychiatric problems.

It is recommended that all adults who have an uncontrolled or new diagnosis of symptoms of ADHD be evaluated within 30 days and every month after that until the symptoms are managed. Adults who suffer from ADHD might need to continue receiving pharmacotherapy or psychotherapy throughout their lives.