Getting a Diagnosis of ADHD in Adults
Some adults may not be aware of their ADHD symptoms. A diagnosis as an adult could open up treatment options.
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 work, home and in social settings. Talk therapy can help improve communication and problem-solving skills. Counseling for families and marriage can be beneficial.
Signs and symptoms
If you're struggling with the symptoms of ADHD it could appear as if you're not living up to your potential. You may feel overwhelmed as an adult with the responsibilities you have to fulfill. You could be working full-time, caring for children or an elderly parent, and trying to manage household chores and finances.
Your difficulty keeping up can cause embarrassment, anger, hopelessness and a loss of confidence. It's not a problem if you have ADHD. However, it's important to understand that there are solutions to your struggles. The first step is a diagnosis.
A thorough psychiatric examination can be performed by a health care professional to determine ADHD in adults. This involves speaking with you about your symptoms, having you fill out standardized behavioral ratings scales and ADHD symptoms lists, and gathering information on your mental health and medical history. The provider may also ask you to provide information about the history of your family members with 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 struggling with these behaviors in multiple situations, like at work, school and in your social interactions.
If your inattention is a serious issue, you may be late for appointments, make impulsive mistakes at work or at home, and fail to follow through on your obligations. You may be struggling with managing your health and finances and may have a difficult time with simple tasks like taking medication, or going to the doctor for checkups.
For people with ADHD, the tendency to think before acting can make stressful situations more difficult. You may interrupt other people's conversations and spit out answers to questions before you're completed, or struggle to wait your turn in line. Your impulsive behavior could lead to dangerous activities, like 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 tend to run in the family, and some scientists believe that problems with your central nervous system at critical developmental stages increase your risk.
Diagnosis
A health care specialist who is specialized in ADHD can help evaluate adults with symptoms of the disorder. An assessment typically consists of an interview, a review of medical history, school or work records, family medical history and a mental health screening. A specialist may also conduct a physical examination and/or lab tests to rule out other conditions that share similar symptoms. For an adolescent or adult to receive a diagnosis of ADHD, symptoms must be present for at minimum six months, and cause significant impairment in everyday activities.
People who aren't diagnosed or treated for ADHD may struggle all their lives with ongoing issues that could have been prevented or treated. This can lead to depression, family issues financial stress, work-related stress, drug abuse, and even serious accidents, such as motor vehicle accidents.
Undiagnosed ADHD can lead to misinterpretations by family members, friends and coworkers. They could be seen by others as irresponsible, lazy or a poor employee. Undiagnosed ADHD can also increase the chance of depression and anxiety.
Women are more adept at hiding ADHD symptoms than men. This makes it more difficult to get the correct diagnosis. They may use distractions or daydreaming to disguise their impulsivity and inattention. Sometimes, they rely on tools and techniques to make up for their poor time management and disorganization. Women with ADHD might also have trouble in recognizing their symptoms, since they are more likely than men to exhibit hyperactive or inattentive symptoms.
It's important to keep in mind that ADHD is not an indicator of intelligence. It's merely an altered approach to thinking and acting that can cause challenges in certain situations or environments.
Adults may have different symptoms in comparison to children. Adults who suffer from ADHD still meet the criteria of 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 relationships with others. These symptoms can affect the daily routine and trigger emotional issues like anxiety, depression or mood swings. Hyperactive or impulsive people might appear to be agitated and may attempt to do a variety of things simultaneously. They may fail to finish tasks or meet deadlines. They may have difficulty paying attention to other people that can cause confusion and relationship problems.
ADHD is often not recognized in the early years and a lot of adults with the symptoms are unaware that they have it. They might have been viewed as a goof-off, dreamer, slacker or troublemaker instead of battling to stay ahead in school and life. As the demands of adulthood increase, however, many people who suffer from ADHD notice their symptoms getting worse. They're not able to handle all the balls they're trying keep in the air--pursuing an occupation, caring for family members, juggling chores and household chores, and trying to improve their romantic and social relationships.
A health care provider or mental health professional will assess whether a person has ADHD. The assessment typically involves conversations with family members, friends and others who know the person well and a physical examination, and a review of the person's medical and psychiatric history. The patient may be asked to complete the standardized ADHD ratings scales or a list of symptoms. Psychological tests can more info be used to assess executive and working memory as in addition to spatial and visual abilities.
Adults suffering from ADHD are most commonly treated by stimulant medications. They boost and regulate levels of brain chemicals referred to as neurotransmitters. They can help people suffering from ADHD focus better, manage their lives and remember important information. They can also control the impulsive behavior. Non-stimulant drugs, like antidepressants or atomoxetine, may also be used to treat ADHD. They work slower than stimulants, yet they can still help improve symptoms. Patients with certain health issues like high blood pressure or diabetes, should talk to their doctor before taking stimulants.
Some adults suffering from ADHD may benefit from behavioral therapy, coaching self-help groups, or vocational counseling. These interventions can teach adults to cope with their ADHD symptoms and establish healthy relationships at home, in school, and at work. A few adults with ADHD are also enrolled in clinical trials. These studies allow scientists to gain knowledge about how to treat, diagnose and prevent disorders such as ADHD.
Follow-up
A thorough assessment of ADHD in adults by using a variety of assessment tools will increase the accuracy of diagnosis and decrease the chance of misdiagnosis. The process typically involves an extended conversation with a psychiatrist or psychologist who is skilled in treating ADHD in adults. The evaluator will also ask you questions about the child's previous health issues, family dynamics, and lifestyle choices. The evaluator will also review your past medical records and perform an examination of your body.
Many people who suffer from ADHD also have other medical or psychiatric conditions, such as anxiety and depression, which must be treated. In fact, it's estimated that people with ADHD are six times more likely have mood disorders than others. People with ADHD are also at a higher risk of consuming alcohol.
Adults who suffer from ADHD typically have difficulty to get and keep jobs. They also have a tougher managing their finances and juggling household chores. Adults with ADHD are more at risk of developing health problems, like heart disease, obesity and smoking. In addition, they are more likely to be prone to poor eating habits and are more likely to have trouble forming and keeping romantic relationships.
In one study, those with ADHD who were treated in minor mental health services as children continued to be diagnosed with ADHD into adulthood. The sample size was not large. A larger sample could 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 in adults. It can have a negative effect on the quality of life and can lead to other issues such as mood disorders, learning disabilities, alcohol and drugs abuse. People with untreated ADHD are at a higher risk for incarceration, divorce, being less socioeconomically stable and more serious psychiatric issues.
It is advised that all adults with 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 need to continue receiving psychotherapy or pharmacotherapy throughout their lives.