Getting a Diagnosis of ADHD in Adults

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

To be diagnosed with ADHD, you must have at least five persistent symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity. These symptoms should affect everyday functioning at work, home and socially. Talk therapy can improve communication and problem solving skills. Counseling for marriage and family can be beneficial.

Symptoms

You might feel that you're not performing to your full potential when you have ADHD symptoms. As an adult, you might be overwhelmed by the responsibilities you have and feel you're unable take on the many tasks in front of you. You could be full-time at work, caring for aging parents or children, or taking care of household chores.

Your difficulty keeping up can lead to embarrassment, frustration, hopelessness and an eroding of confidence. It's not your problem when you suffer from ADHD. It's important to recognize that there are ways to overcome your challenges. The first step is a diagnosis.

A medical professional can diagnose ADHD in adults by conducting a thorough psychiatric evaluation. This may include speaking to you about your symptoms, having you complete standardized behavior rating scales and ADHD symptom checklists, and collecting information regarding your medical and psychiatric history. The provider may ask about the history 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 age 12 and continue to cause problems with your daily activities. You should also be struggling with these behaviors in two or more situations, like at work, school, and in your social relationships.

You may be late for appointments, make mistakes at home or at work and not be able to meet your obligations if inattention is an issue. You may have trouble managing your finances and health and may have a difficult working through everyday tasks like taking medication, or going to the doctor for a checkup.

In people with ADHD, the tendency to act before thinking can make difficult situations worse. You might interrupt other people's conversations, blurt out answers to questions before you're finished, or have difficulty waiting your turn in line. Your impulsiveness can result in risky behavior like driving too quickly or spending money in reckless ways.

Research suggests that genetics and environmental factors play a role in the development of ADHD. Symptoms tend to be passed down through families and some scientists believe that problems with the central nervous system at key developmental stages increase the 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. An assessment typically consists of an interview and a review of medical history, school or work records, family medical history and an assessment of mental health. A trained professional may also perform a physical exam or lab tests to rule out other conditions that may have similar symptoms. A diagnosis of ADHD is only given to an adult or teenager if symptoms have been present for six months or more and cause significant impairments in daily life.

People who aren't diagnosed or treated for ADHD can struggle for the rest of their lives with persistent issues that could have been avoided or treated. This can cause depression, family problems and financial stress as well as work-related stress, addiction to drugs and even serious accidents, such as motor crashes.

Undiagnosed ADHD can cause misinterpretations by family members, friends and coworkers. They may be perceived as lazy, irresponsible or even just plain crazy. Undiagnosed ADHD can also increase the chance of depression and anxiety.

Women are more adept at concealing ADHD symptoms than men. This can make it harder to get a proper diagnosis. They may use distractions or daydreaming to mask their impulsivity and inattention. Or they might depend on methods and tools to make up for their poor time management and lack of organization. Women with ADHD also might have trouble in recognizing their own symptoms since they tend to have symptoms of inattention rather than hyperactivity or impulsivity.

It's important to keep it in mind that ADHD is not an indicator of intelligence. It's merely an altered way of thinking and behave that could cause challenges in certain situations.

Adults may have different symptoms as children. Adults who suffer from adhd symptoms for diagnosis still meet the criteria for adhd diagnosis set by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) of the American Psychiatric Association.

Treatment

People with undiagnosed ADHD may have difficulty getting organized, stay on top of school or work tasks, and maintain healthy relationships. Symptoms also can interfere with the daily routine and trigger emotional issues like anxiety, depression or shifts in mood. People who are hyperactive or impulsive might appear to be agitated and they might try to do many things at once. They may not be able to finish tasks or meet deadlines. They can have trouble paying attention to others which can lead to miscommunications and relationship problems.

Symptoms of the disorder often remain unnoticed 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 everyday life, they may have been labeled an overachiever or a dreamer. Many people with ADHD experience worsening symptoms as their responsibilities increase. They are unable to manage all the balls they're trying keep in the air--pursuing the dream of a career, taking care of family members, juggling chores and household chores, and working on social and romantic relationships.

A health care provider or mental health professional will determine whether a person is suffering from ADHD. The evaluation usually includes discussions with relatives and friends, as well as other people 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 fill out standardized ADHD rating scales or an assessment checklist of symptoms. Psychological testing may be done to determine working memory, executive function as well as spatial and visual skills.

Stimulant medication is the most commonly used treatment for adults with ADHD. They balance and increase levels of brain chemicals, known as neurotransmitters. They can help people with ADHD to focus better, organize their lives, recall important information and tasks, and control an impulsive behaviour. Other treatments for ADHD include non-stimulant drugs such as atomoxetine and antidepressants, which work more slowly than stimulants but still improve the symptoms of ADHD. Patients with certain health problems like high blood pressure or diabetes should consult their doctor prior to taking stimulants.

Some adults with ADHD might benefit from individual therapy, self-help groups or vocational counseling. These programs can help adults learn how to diagnosis adhd in adults (images.google.Be) to cope with their symptoms, and how to get an adult adhd diagnosis to build healthy school, family and work relationships. Clinical trials will also be conducted on adults with ADHD. These studies allow scientists to learn more about new methods to prevent, diagnose and treat disorders such as ADHD.

Follow-up

A thorough evaluation of adult ADHD using various assessment inventories can improve the accuracy of diagnosis and decrease the risk of a misdiagnosis. A psychologist or psychiatrist who has experience treating ADHD in adult patients typically conducts an lengthy interview. The evaluator may also ask about the history of your your child's health problems, family dynamics, and lifestyle choices. The evaluator will also review your past medical records and perform a physical exam.

Many people with ADHD have other psychiatric disorders or medical conditions, such as depression and anxiety, which must 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 are also at a greater risk of using drugs.

Adults with ADHD have a hard to find and keep jobs. They also have difficulty managing finances and juggling household chores. Adults with ADHD are at a higher risk of developing health issues, such as heart disease, obesity and smoking. In addition they are more likely to be prone to poor eating habits and experience trouble forming and keeping romantic relationships.

In one study, people who had ADHD who were treated in mental health services as children were diagnosed with ADHD as they grew older. The sample size was not large. A larger sample might have provided more details about the pathology of ADHD in adulthood and its connection with other psychiatric disorders.

Research has proven that ADHD is a chronic, persistent disorder in adults. It has a negative effect on quality of life and can result in a range of comorbidities, such as mood disorders, learning disabilities and abuse of alcohol and drugs. If not treated, ADHD increases the risk of being incarcerated or divorce, as well as a lower socioeconomic status for those suffering from ADHD.

It is advised that all adults with a new diagnosis or uncontrolled symptoms of ADHD be examined within 30 days, and then every month thereafter until their symptoms are controlled. Adults suffering from ADHD might need to continue receiving pharmacotherapy or psychotherapy for the rest their lives.