Getting a Diagnosis of ADHD in Adults

Some adults might not be aware of their ADHD symptoms. Getting a diagnosis as an adult can provide possibilities for treatment.

To be diagnosed with ADHD, you must have at least five persistent symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity. These symptoms must affect your daily activities, whether at home, at work, and socially. Talk therapy can help improve the ability to communicate and problem-solve. Counseling for families and marriage can be beneficial.

Symptoms

If you struggle with symptoms of ADHD it could appear as if you're not living up to your potential. As an adult, you may be overwhelmed by the responsibilities you have and feel like you're unable to get a handle on the many responsibilities in front of you. You may be working full-time or caring for elderly parents or children, and taking care of household chores.

Inability to keep up may cause frustration and embarrassment. You may be feeling hopeless or lose confidence, or even feel embarrassed. It's not your problem when you suffer from ADHD. However, it's important to understand that there are solutions to your problems. The first step is a diagnosis.

A thorough psychiatric evaluation can be utilized by a medical professional to determine ADHD in adults. This includes talking to you about your symptoms, requiring you to complete standardized scales for assessing behavior and ADHD symptom checklists, and gathering details about your medical and psychiatric background. The provider may also ask you 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 occurred prior to age 12 and continue to affect your life. You should also be struggling with these behavior in multiple environments, including at school, work, and in your social interactions.

If your inattention is a major 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 finances and health and may have a hard time with simple tasks like making sure you take your medication on time or going to the doctor for a checkup.

People with ADHD are prone to making difficult situations worse by acting before they think. You might interrupt conversations, respond to questions after people have finished or have trouble waiting in line. Your impulsiveness can cause risky actions like driving too fast or spending money in a reckless manner.

Studies suggest that genetics and environmental factors play a role in the development of ADHD. The symptoms of ADHD tend to be inherited from the family, and some scientists believe that issues with your central nervous system during crucial developmental stages increase your risk.

Diagnosis

A health professional with an expertise in ADHD can help people who are suffering from symptoms of the disorder. A typical assessment consists of an interview, a review of medical documents, school or work records, family medical histories, and a mental health screening. A specialized professional also may conduct a physical examination and/or laboratory tests to identify other conditions that share similar symptoms. A diagnosis of ADHD is only given to an adult or adolescent if symptoms have been present for six months or more and cause significant impairments in daily life.

People with undiagnosed or under-treated ADHD can struggle for the rest of their lives with persistent issues that could have been prevented or treated. This can lead depression, family issues and financial stress as well as work-related stress, substance abuse, 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 just plain crazy. Additionally, those with undiagnosed ADHD are more at risk for anxiety and depression.

Women are better at hiding ADHD symptoms than men. This can make it more difficult for them to receive the correct diagnosis. They might resort to distractions or daydreaming to disguise their inattentiveness and impulsivity. Sometimes, they depend on strategies and tools to compensate for their poor time management and disorganization. Women suffering from ADHD also might have trouble diagnosing their own symptoms, as they tend to have inattentive symptoms rather than the impulsivity or hyperactivity.

It's important to keep in mind that ADHD is not a sign of intelligence. It's merely an alternative way of thinking and behave that can create difficulties in certain situations.

Adults may have different symptoms in comparison to children. Adults who suffer from ADHD still fit the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) of the American Psychiatric Association.

Treatment

People with undiagnosed ADHD may struggle to get organized, stay on top of school or work tasks and maintain healthy relationships. Symptoms also can interfere with daily functioning and cause emotional problems such as anxiety, depression or changes in mood. People suffering from hyperactivity or impulsive subtypes of the disorder may seem agitated and try to do several things at once, failing to complete tasks or meet deadlines. They may not pay attention to others, which could cause confusion or relationship problems.

The symptoms of the disorder usually go unrecognized in the early years, and a lot of adults with the disorder aren't aware of ADHD. Instead of struggling to keep up in school and life they may be viewed as a dreamer or a slacker. As the demands of adulthood increase however, many who suffer from ADHD find their symptoms grow worse. They're unable to handle all the balls they're trying keep up-to-date with: pursuing a career, caring for family members, keeping up with 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 patient is suffering from ADHD. The assessment includes a conversation with family members, friends, and others who know the person, a physical examination, and a review of a person's medical history. The patient could be asked to fill out the standardized ADHD ratings scales or a list of symptoms. Psychological tests can be used to test executive function and working memory as well as visual and spatial abilities.

Adults suffering from ADHD are typically treated with stimulant drugs. These medications increase and balance levels of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. They can help those with ADHD concentrate better, organize their lives, and retain important information. They can also control the impulsive behavior. Other treatments for ADHD include nonstimulant medications such as atomoxetine and antidepressants. They work more slow than stimulants, yet help improve the symptoms of ADHD. People who have certain health issues like high blood pressure or diabetes, should talk to their doctor before taking stimulants.

Certain adults suffering from ADHD may benefit from individual therapy, self-help groups or vocational counseling. These programs can teach adults how to cope with their symptoms, and how to diagnose adhd in adults to build healthy school, family and workplace relationships. Clinical trials will also be conducted on adults with ADHD. These studies allow scientists to learn more about new ways to identify, treat and prevent disorders such as ADHD.

Follow-up

A thorough evaluation of ADHD for adults using various assessment instruments will improve the accuracy of diagnosis and decrease the chance of misdiagnosis. The process usually involves an extended interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist who is experienced in treating ADHD in adults. The evaluation will also ask you about your or your child’s past health problems as well as family dynamics and lifestyle choices. He or she could also review your medical records and perform an examination of your body.

Many people suffering from ADHD also suffer from other mental or physical disorders such as anxiety or depression, which need to be treated. In fact, it's thought that people with ADHD are six times more likely to suffer from mood disorders than the rest of us. People with ADHD are also at a greater risk of consuming alcohol.

Adults with ADHD have a hard finding and keeping jobs. They also have a difficult managing their finances and juggling household tasks. Adults with Adhd Who Can Diagnose (Qooh.Me) are at a higher chance of developing other health issues, such as heart disease, obesity and smoking. They are also more likely to develop bad eating habits and have trouble forming and maintaining romantic relationships.

In one study, people were diagnosed with ADHD after being treated in minor mental health services as children. However the sample size was very small. An expansion of the sample would 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 permanent disorder that is seen in adults. It can have a negative effect on quality of living and may lead to other health issues like mood disorders, learning disabilities, as well as addiction to alcohol and other drugs. Untreated ADHD increases the chance of incarceration or divorce, as well as a lower socioeconomic status for those with ADHD.

It is recommended that all adults who have new diagnoses or uncontrolled symptoms of ADHD be seen within 30 days and monthly thereafter until their symptoms are under control. Adults suffering from ADHD may require to receive psychotherapy and/or medication for the rest of their lives.