Getting a Diagnosis of ADHD in Adults

There are adults who may not be 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 daily functioning at work, home and socially. Talk therapy can help improve the ability to communicate and problem solve. school performance for family and marriage can be beneficial.

Symptoms

If you're struggling with the symptoms of ADHD, it may seem as if you're not living up to your potential. You may feel overwhelmed as an adult by your responsibilities. You might be working full time, caring for children or an elderly parent and trying to handle household chores and finances.

Your inability to keep up with the pace can cause embarrassment, anger despair and an eroding of confidence. If you have ADHD, it's not your fault. It's important to recognize that there are solutions to overcome your issues. The first step is an assessment.

A health care professional can detect ADHD in adults by conducting an exhaustive psychiatric assessment. This may include speaking to you about your symptoms, requiring you to complete standardized behavior rating scales and ADHD symptoms checklists, as well as gathering information regarding your medical and psychiatric background. The doctor may 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 been present prior to age 12 and continue to cause problems with your life. You must also be having difficulty with these behavior issues at least in two different settings such as school, work and social relationships.

You may miss appointments, make careless errors at work or home and fail to meet your obligations if inattention is an issue. You may have trouble managing your finances and health and may have a hard time with simple tasks, like remembering to take medication or visiting the doctor for checkups.

People with ADHD can make difficult situations worse by acting before they think. You might interrupt conversations, answer questions after people have finished or have difficulty waiting in lines. Your impulsiveness could cause risky actions, such as driving too fast or spending money recklessly.

According to research the genetics and the environment play a major role in the development ADHD. The symptoms of ADHD tend to be inherited from the family, and some scientists believe that issues with your central nervous system during critical developmental stages increase the risk of developing.

Diagnosis

A health specialist who specializes in ADHD can help evaluate adults who exhibit symptoms of the disorder. A typical assessment includes an interview, an examination of medical records, workplace or school records and family medical histories and a mental assessment. A trained professional may also perform a physical exam or lab tests to identify other conditions that have similar symptoms. For an adolescent or adult to receive a diagnosis of ADHD symptoms, they must be present for at minimum six months, and cause significant impairment in everyday activities.

People with undiagnosed or under-treated ADHD can struggle for the rest of their lives with chronic difficulties which could have been avoided or treated. This can cause depression, family issues, work-related or financial stress, addiction to drugs and even serious accidents such as motor vehicle accidents.

Many adults who have not been diagnosed with ADHD are at risk of being misunderstood by family members, friends and colleagues. They may be viewed by others as lazy, irresponsible or a bad employee. In addition, people who have undiagnosed ADHD are more at risk for anxiety and depression.


Women are better at hiding ADHD symptoms than men. This can make it harder to get an accurate diagnosis. They might use strategies to hide their inattentiveness or impulsivity, for example constant distractions and daydreaming or rely on devices to help them cope with their lack of organization and lack of time management skills. Women suffering from ADHD might also have difficulty in recognizing their own symptoms since they are more likely to suffer from symptoms of inattention, not hyperactivity or impulsivity.

It is important to keep in mind that ADHD isn't a sign of intelligence. It's merely an altered approach to thinking and acting that may cause problems in certain situations or environments.

For adults, it can be difficult to identify ADHD because the symptoms may have changed over time as they developed. However, the signs of ADHD in adults still meet the criteria listed in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition (DSM-5)1.

Treatment

Undiagnosed ADHD can cause individuals to have difficulty to stay on track and complete their work or school assignments and maintain healthy relationships with others. Symptoms can also interfere with daily functioning, and cause depression or anxiety. People who are impulsive or hyperactive might appear to be agitated and they may try to do many things simultaneously. They may not be able to complete tasks or meet deadlines. They may have difficulty paying attention to others, leading to misunderstandings and relationships issues.

The symptoms of the disorder usually are not recognized until childhood, and many adults with them do not know they have ADHD. They may have been described as a goof-off, dreamer, slacker or troublemaker instead of struggling to stay on top in school and daily life. As responsibilities increase in adulthood However, many people who have ADHD experience their symptoms becoming worse. They are unable to manage all the balls they're trying keep up-to-date with: pursuing the dream of a career, taking care of family members, keeping up with chores and household chores, and trying to improve their romantic and social relationships.

A health care professional or mental health professional will determine whether a person suffers from ADHD. The evaluation usually includes discussions with relatives, friends and others who are familiar with the person, 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 an assessment checklist of symptoms. Psychological testing may be done to measure working memory, executive function as well as spatial and visual abilities.

Adults with ADHD are usually treated with stimulant drugs. These medications balance and boost levels of brain chemicals, known as neurotransmitters. They can help those with ADHD concentrate better, organize their lives and remember important information. They can also control impulsive behaviors. Other treatments for ADHD include nonstimulant medicines such as atomoxetine and antidepressants, which work more slow than stimulants, yet help improve the symptoms of ADHD. Before taking stimulants, those who suffer from certain health issues, such as diabetes or high blood pressure should talk to their doctor.

Some adults suffering from ADHD may benefit from behavioral therapy, coaching group, self-help groups or vocational counseling. These interventions can teach adults how to cope with their symptoms and to build healthy family, school and work relationships. Certain adults suffering from ADHD are also enrolled in clinical trials. These trials allow scientists to learn more about how to diagnose, treat and prevent disorders such as ADHD.

Follow-up

A thorough assessment of ADHD in adults by using a variety of assessment instruments will improve diagnostic accuracy and reduce the chance of misdiagnosis. A psychologist or psychiatrist with experience in treating ADHD in adults typically conducts an lengthy interview. The evaluation will also ask you about your the child's previous health issues as well as family dynamics and lifestyle choices. The evaluator will also look over your previous medical records and perform an examination of your body.

Many people suffering from ADHD also have other mental or physical disorders like anxiety and depression, which must be treated. In fact, it is believed that those with ADHD are six times more likely suffer from mood disorders than the rest of us. People with ADHD are also at a greater risk of substance abuse.

Adults with ADHD often find it difficult to secure and maintain jobs. They also have a difficult time managing finances and juggling household chores. Adults with ADHD are at a higher chance of developing other health problems, like heart disease, obesity and smoking. In addition, they are more likely to be prone to poor eating habits and have difficulties forming and maintaining romantic relationships.

In one study, people who had ADHD who were treated in mental health services as young children continued to be diagnosed with ADHD as they grew older. The sample size was small. An expansion of the sample might have provided more information about the pathology of ADHD in adulthood and its relationship to other psychiatric disorders.

Research has demonstrated ADHD to be a long-lasting and persistent disorder among adults. It has a negative impact on the quality of life and can lead to a number of comorbid conditions like learning disabilities, mood disorders and abuse of alcohol and drugs. People with untreated ADHD are at a higher chance of being in prison, divorce, having a lower socioeconomic status, and more serious psychiatric issues.

All adults who have uncontrolled ADHD symptoms or a new ADHD diagnosis should be seen within 30 to 60 days, and after that every month until the symptoms are under control. Adults with ADHD might need to receive psychotherapy and/or medication for the rest of their lives.