Getting a Diagnosis of ADHD in Adults
There are adults who may not be aware of ADHD symptoms. Getting a diagnosis as an adult can provide treatment options.
To be diagnosed with ADHD, you must have at least five persistent symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity. These symptoms must significantly interfere with your daily activities at home, work and socially. Talk therapy can help improve the ability to communicate and problem-solve. Counseling for family and marriage can be beneficial.
Symptoms
You may feel like you are not doing enough to fulfill your full potential if you suffer from ADHD symptoms. As an adult, you could be overwhelmed by the demands of your job and feel like you're unable to take on the many responsibilities in front of you. You may be working full time and caring for your children or an aging parent and trying to handle household chores and finances.
Inability to keep up can cause embarrassment and anger. You might also feel hopeless or lose confidence, or even feel embarrassed. If you suffer from ADHD, it's not your fault. It's important to realize that there are solutions to your issues. The first step is to make a diagnosis.
A health care professional can detect ADHD in adults by conducting a thorough psychiatric evaluation. This involves speaking with you about your symptoms, requiring you to complete standardized behavior rating scales and ADHD symptom checklists, and collecting information about your medical and psychiatric history. The doctor might inquire 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 prior to age 12 and continue affecting your life. You may also have issues with these behavior in multiple situations, like at work, school, and in your social interactions.
If your inattention is a significant problem, you might miss appointments, make careless mistakes at work or at home, and not be able to meet your obligations. You might have trouble managing your health and finances, and you could also be having problems with tasks that are simple like remembering to visit the doctor or take your medication.
For those with ADHD the tendency to act before thinking can make difficult situations even more difficult. You might interrupt other people's conversations, blurt 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 research, genetics and environment play a major role in the development of ADHD. The symptoms are more likely to be inherited from families, and some researchers believe that problems with the central nervous system at critical developmental points increase the chances of developing this disorder.
Diagnosis
A health care professional with an expertise in ADHD can help adults who are experiencing symptoms of the disorder. A typical evaluation includes an interview as well as a review of medical records, school or workplace records, family medical histories, and a mental screening. A trained professional may also perform a physical exam or tests in the laboratory to identify other conditions that have similar symptoms. A diagnosis of ADHD is only given to an adult or adolescent when symptoms have been present for six months or more and cause significant difficulties in everyday life.
Undiagnosed or neglected ADHD can lead to chronic issues that could have been prevented or treated. This can cause to depression, family issues, financial stress or work-related stress, substance abuse and even serious accidents, such as motor crashes.
Undiagnosed ADHD can result in misinterpretations by family members, friends and coworkers. They could be seen by others as lazy, irresponsible or a poor employee. Undiagnosed ADHD can also increase the likelihood of depression and anxiety.
Women are generally better in securing their ADHD symptoms than men, which may make it difficult for them to receive an accurate diagnosis. They might resort to distractions or daydreaming in order to hide their impulsivity and inattention. Sometimes, they use tools and techniques to make up for their poor time management and disorganization. Women with ADHD may also have difficulty identifying their own symptoms as they are more likely to experience symptoms of inattention rather than hyperactivity or impulsivity.
It is important to keep in mind that ADHD isn't a sign of intelligence. It's simply an altered behavior and way of thinking that may cause problems in certain situations or settings.
In adults, it can be difficult to identify ADHD because the symptoms could have changed as people grew up. Adults with ADHD still meet the criteria set by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) of the American Psychiatric Association.
Treatment
Undiagnosed ADHD can make it difficult for people to stay on track, complete their work or school assignments and maintain healthy interpersonal relationships. These symptoms can affect everyday functioning and lead to emotional problems such as depression, anxiety or changes in mood. People suffering from hyperactivity or impulsive variants of the condition can appear agitated and attempt to complete multiple things at the same time, but fail to finish tasks or meet deadlines. They may struggle to pay attention to other people, leading to misunderstandings and problems with relationships.
ADHD is often not recognized in the early years and a lot of adults with symptoms aren't aware that they have it. Instead of struggling to keep up in their studies and daily life, they may have been labelled as either a dreamer or a slacker. Many people suffering from ADHD have worsening symptoms as their obligations increase. They're not able to handle all the balls they're trying to keep on top of - pursuing an occupation, caring for family members, juggling household chores and errands, as well as working on social and romantic relationships.
A mental health professional or health care provider will determine if a person is suffering from ADHD. The evaluation involves a discussion with family members or friends who are familiar with the individual as well as a physical exam and a review a person's medical history. The person could also be asked to fill out the standardized ADHD rating scales or an assessment checklist for symptoms. Psychological testing can be used to determine executive function, working memory and spatial and visual skills.
Adults suffering from ADHD are typically treated with stimulant medications. These drugs balance and boost levels of brain chemicals referred to as neurotransmitters. They can help those with ADHD better focus, organize their lives, remember important information and tasks and control an impulsive behaviour. Non-stimulant drugs, like antidepressants and atomoxetine can be used to treat ADHD. They perform slower than stimulants, yet they can still help improve symptoms. Before taking stimulants, those who suffer from certain medical conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure should talk to their doctor.
Some adults suffering from ADHD might benefit from behavior coaching, individual therapy group, self-help groups or vocational counseling. These programs can help adults to manage their ADHD symptoms and develop healthy relationships at home, in school and at work. Clinical trials will also be conducted with some adults who suffer from 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 ADHD in adults using several assessment inventories will improve the accuracy of diagnosis and decrease the chance of misdiagnosis. The process often includes an extended discussion with a psychologist or psychiatrist who is skilled in treating ADHD in adults. The evaluator may also ask about the background of your or your child's health issues as well as family dynamics and lifestyle choices. He or she will also go through your past medical records and perform physical examination.
Many people with ADHD are also suffering from other psychiatric issues or medical conditions, like depression and anxiety, which must be treated. In fact, it is believed that those who suffer from ADHD are six times more likely suffer from mood disorders than the rest of us. People who suffer from ADHD also are more likely to be victims of consuming alcohol.
adhd diagnosis uk adults with ADHD have a hard time finding and keeping a job. They also have a tougher managing finances and juggling household tasks. Adults with ADHD are at increased risk of developing other health problems, like heart disease, obesity and smoking. They are also more likely to have bad eating habits and have difficulty forming and maintaining romantic relationships.
In one study, individuals who had ADHD who were treated in mental health services as young children were diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood. The sample size was not large. An expansion of the sample might have provided more information about the clinical course of ADHD in adulthood and its relationship to other psychiatric disorders.
Research has shown that ADHD is a long-lasting permanent disorder that is seen in adults. It has a negative impact on quality of life and can cause number of comorbid conditions like learning disabilities, mood disorders as well as alcohol and drug abuse. People with untreated ADHD are at a greater 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 every month after that until their symptoms are under control. Adults who suffer from ADHD might need to continue receiving pharmacotherapy or psychotherapy for the rest of their lives.