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 should significantly interfere with your daily life at work, at home, and socially. Talk therapy can help improve communication and problem-solving skills. Counseling for family and marriage can be beneficial.
Symptoms
If you struggle with symptoms of ADHD, it may seem that you're not living up to your potential. As an adult, you might 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 could be working full time and caring for your children or an elderly parent and trying to handle household chores and finances.
Your difficulty in keeping up may result in embarrassment, frustration despair and the loss of confidence. It's not your problem when you suffer from ADHD. It's important to understand that there are ways to overcome your challenges. The first step to a diagnosis.
A thorough psychiatric assessment can be used by a medical professional to determine ADHD in adults. This involves speaking with you about your symptoms, requiring you to complete standardized scales for assessing behavior and ADHD symptoms checklists, and gathering details about your medical and mental health history. The doctor might 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 to interfere with your life. You should also be having difficulty with these behaviors at least in two different situations which include work, school and social relationships.
If your inattention is a significant issue, you could skip appointments, make careless mistakes at work or at home and not be able to meet your responsibilities. You might have difficulty managing your health and finances and may have a hard working through everyday tasks, like taking medication, or visiting the doctor for checkups.
For those with ADHD, the tendency to think before acting can make stressful situations worse. You may interrupt conversations with other people or utter answers to questions before you're finished or have trouble waiting your turn in a line. Your impulsivity could cause risky actions, such as driving too fast or spending money recklessly.
Research suggests that genetics and environmental factors play an important role 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 during critical developmental stages increase your risk.
Diagnosis
A health care professional who specializes in ADHD can help evaluate adults who exhibit symptoms of the disorder. An evaluation typically includes an interview and a review of medical history, work or school records, family medical history and a mental health screening. A specialist may conduct physical examinations or lab tests to rule out other conditions that exhibit similar symptoms. For an adult or adolescent to receive a diagnosis of ADHD, symptoms must be present for at minimum six months, and result in significant impairment of daily life functions.
how to get an adhd diagnosis uk with undiagnosed or under-treated ADHD might struggle throughout their lives with persistent issues that could have been avoided or treated. This can cause depression, family issues financial or work-related stress, addiction to drugs and even serious accidents like motor vehicle crashes.
Many adults who have not been diagnosed with ADHD are at risk of being misunderstood by family members, friends and coworkers. They may be perceived as irresponsible, lazy, a bad employee or just plain crazy. Additionally, those with undiagnosed ADHD are more at risk for anxiety and depression.
Women are more adept at hiding ADHD symptoms than men. This makes it more difficult for them to receive an accurate diagnosis. They might use distractions or daydreaming to mask their impulsivity and inattention. Or they might depend on methods and tools to help them overcome their lack of time management and disorganization. Women who suffer from ADHD also might have trouble diagnosing their own symptoms, as they are more likely to experience inattentive symptoms rather than an impulsive or hyperactivity.
It's important to keep it in mind that ADHD is not an indicator of intelligence. It's just an altered way of thinking and behave that may cause difficulties in certain situations.
Adults may have different symptoms in comparison to 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 mental issues such as depression, anxiety, or shifts in mood. Hyperactive or impulsive people may appear restless, and may attempt to accomplish a lot at once. They may fail to finish tasks or meet deadlines. They may have difficulty paying attention to other people, leading to misunderstandings and problems with relationships.
ADHD is usually not acknowledged in childhood and many adults suffering from the disorder aren't aware that they have it. Instead of struggling to keep pace in school and everyday life, they may have been labeled a dreamer or a slacker. Many people with ADHD suffer from worsening symptoms as their obligations increase. They're not able to handle all the balls they have to keep on top of - pursuing the dream of a career, taking care of family members, juggling household chores and errands, as well as trying to improve their romantic and social relationships.
A mental health specialist or health care professional will determine if someone has ADHD. The assessment typically involves conversations with family members or friends who know the person well as well as a physical exam and a review of a person's medical and mental health background. The person could also be asked to complete the standardized ADHD rating scales or a symptom checklist. Psychological tests can be used to measure working memory and executive function as well as spatial and visual abilities.
Stimulant medications are the most common treatment for adults with ADHD. They balance and increase levels of brain chemicals referred to as neurotransmitters. They can help people suffering from ADHD better focus, organize their lives, remember important information and tasks, and manage their impulsive behavior. Other treatments for ADHD include non-stimulant drugs such as atomoxetine and antidepressants. They work more slow than stimulants, yet aid in the treatment of ADHD. Before taking stimulants, those with certain health conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure, should consult their doctor.
Some adults with ADHD will benefit from behavioral coaching, individual therapy self-help groups, or vocational counseling. These interventions can teach adults how to manage their symptoms and to develop healthy family, school and workplace relationships. Clinical trials will also be conducted on adults suffering from ADHD. These studies help scientists discover more about how to diagnose, treat and prevent disorders such as ADHD.
Follow-up
A thorough assessment of adult ADHD utilizing several assessment inventories can help improve the accuracy of diagnosis and reduce the chance of misdiagnosis. A psychiatrist or psychologist with experience in treating ADHD in adult patients will often conduct an extended interview. The evaluator will also ask you questions about your child’s past health problems, family dynamics, and lifestyle choices. They will also review your past medical records and conduct a physical exam.
Many people suffering from ADHD also have other mental or physical disorders such as anxiety or depression, which need to be treated. It is estimated that those who suffer from ADHD are six-times more likely to suffer from mood disorders. People who suffer from ADHD also have a higher risk of substance abuse.
Adults with ADHD have a tough time finding and keeping a job. They also have a tougher managing their finances and staying on top of household tasks. Adults with ADHD are at chance of developing other health issues, including heart disease, obesity and smoking. They are also more likely to have bad eating habits and have trouble forming and maintaining relationships with their partners.
In one study, people with ADHD who were treated in minor mental health facilities as children continued to be diagnosed with ADHD into adulthood. However, the sample size was very small. An enlargement of the sample might provide more information about the clinical course of ADHD in adulthood and its connection to other psychiatric disorders.
Research has proven that ADHD is a chronic permanent disorder that is seen in adults. It has a negative effect on quality of life and can cause variety of comorbid conditions, like mood disorders, learning disabilities and alcohol and drug abuse. People who do not treat ADHD are at a higher chance of being in prison and divorce, being less socioeconomically stable and more serious mental health issues.
It is recommended that all adults who have an uncontrolled or new diagnosis of symptoms of ADHD be evaluated within 30 days, and then every month thereafter until their symptoms are managed. Adults with ADHD may need to continue receiving pharmacotherapy or psychotherapy for the rest of their lives.