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 life at work, home and socially. Talk therapy can help improve the communication skills and problem solving abilities. Counseling for family and marriage can be beneficial.

Symptoms

You might feel that you're not living up to your full potential when you have ADHD symptoms. You might feel overwhelmed as an adult with your obligations. You may be full-time at work as well as caring for your elderly parents or children, or managing household chores.

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 understand that there are solutions to overcome your difficulties. The first step is a diagnosis.

A medical professional can identify ADHD in adults through a thorough psychiatric evaluation. This involves speaking with you about your symptoms, having you fill out standardized behavior ratings scales and ADHD symptoms lists and obtaining details on your mental and medical background. The provider may also inquire about your family's 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 have continued to impact your life. You should also be experiencing difficulty with these behaviors at the very least in two different environments such as school, work and social relationships.

If your inattention is a major issue, you could skip appointments, make careless mistakes at work or at home, and fail to fulfill your responsibilities. You may have trouble managing your health and finances and may have a difficult to complete simple tasks, like remembering to take medication or visiting the doctor for a checkup.

People who suffer from ADHD are prone to making difficult situations more difficult by acting before they think. You might interrupt conversations with other people or utter answers to questions before they're finished or have trouble waiting your turn in line. Your impulsivity could cause risky actions like driving too quickly or spending money in reckless ways.

Research suggests that genetics and environmental factors play a part in the development of ADHD. The symptoms of ADHD are likely to be inherited from the family, and some scientists believe that problems with your central nervous system at critical developmental stages increase your risk.

Diagnosis

A health professional with a specialization in ADHD can help people who are suffering from symptoms of the disorder. A typical assessment includes an interview, a review of medical documents, school or work records, family medical histories, and a mental screening. A specialized professional may also conduct a physical exam and/or laboratory tests to rule out other conditions that exhibit similar symptoms. A diagnosis of ADHD is only given to an adult or teenager if symptoms have been present for a period of six months or more and cause significant difficulties in everyday life.

Undiagnosed or not treated ADHD can lead to chronic issues which could have been prevented or treated. This can lead depression, family problems financial stress, work-related stress, substance abuse and even serious accidents such as motor crashes.

Undiagnosed ADHD can result in confusion among family members, friends and coworkers. They may be perceived as lazy, irresponsible or even simply crazy. In addition, people who have undiagnosed ADHD are more at risk of developing depression and anxiety.

Women are more adept in securing their ADHD symptoms than men, which can make it difficult for them to receive a proper diagnosis. They might resort to distractions or daydreaming to disguise their inattentiveness and impulsivity. Or they might rely on tools and techniques to make up for their poor time management and disorganization. Women with ADHD may also have difficulty identifying their symptoms, as they are more likely than men to experience hyperactive or inattentive symptoms.

It's important to keep it in mind that ADHD is not an indicator of intelligence. It's just an altered behavior and way of thinking that could cause difficulties in certain situations or environments.

Adults may experience different symptoms as children. Adults who suffer from 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 and complete their work or school assignments, and maintain healthy interpersonal relationships. These symptoms can affect everyday functioning and lead to emotional problems such as anxiety, depression or shifts in mood. People suffering from hyperactivity or impulsive subtypes the disorder may seem agitated and attempt to complete multiple things at once, failing to complete tasks or meet deadlines. They may have difficulty paying attention to others, which can result in miscommunications or problems with relationships.

ADHD is usually not acknowledged as a child, and a lot of adults with symptoms aren't aware that they have it. They might have been viewed as a goof-off, dreamer or a slacker, instead of struggling to stay on top in school and everyday life. As the responsibilities grow in adulthood, however, many people who suffer from ADHD experience their symptoms becoming worse. They're not able to manage all the balls that are flying - pursuing a career and taking care of family members and juggling with errands and housework, and maintaining social and romantic relationships.

A mental health specialist or health care professional will determine if a person has ADHD. The assessment usually involves discussions with family and friends, as well as other people who know the person well, a physical exam, and a review of the person's medical and psychiatric background. The person could also be asked to complete the standardized ADHD rating scales or an assessment checklist for symptoms. Psychological testing can be used to measure working memory, executive function as well as spatial and visual abilities.

https://www.iampsychiatry.com/private-adhd-assessment suffering from ADHD are most commonly treated with stimulant medications. These medications increase and balance levels of brain chemicals referred to as neurotransmitters. They can help those with ADHD improve their focus and organize their lives, remember important information and tasks, and manage their impulsive behavior. Other treatments for ADHD include nonstimulant medicines such as atomoxetine and antidepressants. They work more slowly than stimulants, but they can improve the symptoms of ADHD. People who have particular health issues like high blood pressure or diabetes must consult with their doctor before taking stimulants.

Certain adults suffering from ADHD might benefit from individual therapy, self help groups or vocational counseling. These programs can help adults learn how to cope with their symptoms, and how to build healthy family, school and workplace relationships. Clinical trials will also be conducted with some adults who suffer from ADHD. These studies help scientists discover more about how to treat, diagnose and prevent disorders such as ADHD.

Follow-up

A thorough evaluation of ADHD for adults using various assessment inventories will improve the accuracy of diagnosis and minimize misdiagnosis. The process usually involves an extended conversation with a psychologist or psychiatrist who is experienced in treating ADHD in adults. The examiner may also inquire about the background of your child's or your own health problems, family dynamics, and lifestyle choices. He or she will also review your past medical records and conduct an examination of your body.

Many people suffering from ADHD also have other medical or psychiatric conditions, such as anxiety and 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 other people. People who suffer from ADHD also have a higher risk of using drugs.

Adults who suffer from ADHD have a hard finding and keeping jobs. They also have a harder managing finances and keeping track of household tasks. Adults with ADHD are at increased risk of developing other health problems, including obesity, heart disease and smoking. They are also more likely to develop poor eating habits and have trouble forming and maintaining relationships with their partners.

In one study, adults who were diagnosed with ADHD after being treated in minor mental health facilities as children. The sample size was not large. A larger sample could have provided additional details about the clinical course and relationships of ADHD in adults with other psychiatric conditions.

Research has shown ADHD to be a persistent and persistent disorder among adults. It can have a negative impact on the quality of life, and can cause variety of comorbid conditions, such as mood disorders, learning disabilities as well as alcohol and drug abuse. If not treated, ADHD increases the risk of incarceration, divorce and a lower social economic status for those suffering from ADHD.

It is recommended that all adults who have a new diagnosis or uncontrolled symptoms of ADHD be seen within 30 days, and then every month after that until the symptoms are controlled. Adults suffering from ADHD might require receiving psychotherapy or pharmacotherapy for the rest their lives.