Getting a Diagnosis of ADHD in Adults

There are adults who may not be aware of ADHD symptoms. A diagnosis as an adult may open up treatment options.

To be diagnosed with ADHD, you must have at least five persistent symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity. These symptoms should affect everyday functioning at work, home and in social settings. Talk therapy can enhance communication and problem solving skills. Marital and family counseling can also be helpful.

Signs and symptoms

You might feel that you're not performing to your full potential when did adhd become a diagnosis you suffer from ADHD symptoms. You might feel overwhelmed as an adult with your responsibilities. You could be working full-time as well as caring for your elderly parents or children, and taking care of household chores.

Your difficulty keeping up can lead to embarrassment, frustration despair and a loss of confidence. It's not your problem if you have ADHD. It's important to understand that there are ways to overcome your difficulties. The first step is a diagnosis.

A health professional can detect ADHD in adults by performing an exhaustive psychiatric assessment. 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 mental health history. The doctor may also inquire 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 occurred prior to age 12 and continue to interfere with your daily life. You should also be having issues with these behaviors at least in two different environments such as school, work and social interactions.

You may be late for appointments, make erroneous mistakes at work or at home, and fail to fulfill your responsibilities if your inattention is a problem. You may be struggling with managing your finances and health and may have a hard time with simple tasks, such as taking medication, or visiting the doctor for checkups.

For those with ADHD the tendency to think before acting can make stressful situations more difficult. You might disrupt conversations with others, blurt out answers to questions before you're completed, or struggle to wait your turn in a line. Your impulsiveness could lead to dangerous activities, like driving too quickly or spending money in a reckless manner.

According to studies that have been conducted, environment and genetics are key factors in the development of ADHD. The symptoms of ADHD tend to be inherited from the family, and some researchers believe that problems with the central nervous system during critical developmental stages increase the risk of developing.

Diagnosis

A health professional who specializes in ADHD can assist in evaluating adults with symptoms of the disorder. A typical evaluation consists of an interview and review of medical history, work or school records, family medical history and an assessment of mental health. A trained professional may also conduct a physical exam and/or laboratory tests to determine if there are other conditions that may have similar symptoms. A diagnosis of ADHD is only given to an adult or adolescent when symptoms have been present for a period of 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 ongoing issues that could have been avoided or treated. This can cause depression, family problems 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 and criticized by family members, friends and colleagues. They could be seen as irresponsible, lazy, a bad employee or simply crazy. Undiagnosed ADHD can also increase the chance of depression and anxiety.

Women are more adept in hiding their ADHD symptoms than men, which can make it difficult for them to get an accurate diagnosis. They may use distractions or daydreaming in order to hide their inattentiveness and impulsivity. They may also depend on tools and techniques to make up for their poor time management and lack of organization. Women with ADHD might also have difficulty in recognizing their own symptoms since they tend to have symptoms of inattention rather than the impulsivity or hyperactivity.

It's important to remember that ADHD isn't a sign of intelligence or ability. It's merely an alternative behavior and way of thinking that could cause difficulties in certain situations or settings.

In adults, it may be difficult to determine ADHD because the signs may have changed as they developed. However, symptoms 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 make it difficult for people to stay on track, complete their work and school assignments, and maintain healthy interpersonal relationships. Symptoms can also interfere with the daily routine and trigger anxiety or depression. People suffering from hyperactivity or impulsive subtypes of the disorder may seem agitated and may try to accomplish several things at once, and fail to complete tasks or meet deadlines. They can have trouble paying attention to other people which can lead to miscommunications and relationship problems.

Symptoms of the disorder often are not recognized until childhood, and many adults with the disorder don't know they have ADHD. Instead of struggling to keep up in school and life they may have been labeled a dreamer or a slacker. As responsibilities increase in adulthood However, many people who have ADHD experience their symptoms becoming worse. They can't manage all the balls at once - pursuing a career and caring for their family and juggling with housework and errands, and maintaining romantic and social relationships.

A mental health specialist or health care professional will determine if someone has ADHD. The evaluation usually includes discussions with family, friends and others who are familiar with the person as well as a physical exam and a review of the person's medical and psychiatric background. The person could be asked to fill out the standardized ADHD rating scales or an assessment checklist for symptoms. Psychological tests can be used to test working memory and executive function as well as visual and spatial capabilities.

Stimulant medications are the most common treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. These medications increase and balance levels of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. They can help people suffering from ADHD focus better, manage their lives, and retain important information. They also help control impulse-driven behaviors. Nonstimulant medicines, such as antidepressants or atomoxetine, may be used to treat ADHD. They work more slowly than stimulants, but they can still help improve symptoms. Before taking stimulants, people with certain health conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure should consult their physician.

Certain adults suffering from ADHD might benefit from individual therapy, self help groups, or vocational counseling. These programs can teach adults how to cope with their symptoms, and How To Get Diagnosed With Adhd As An Adult to build healthy school, family and workplace relationships. A few adults with ADHD also will participate in clinical trials. These studies allow scientists to learn more about new methods to identify, treat and prevent disorders like ADHD.

Follow-up

A thorough assessment of adult ADHD using a variety of assessment tools can help improve diagnostic accuracy and reduce the likelihood of a misdiagnosis. A psychologist or psychiatrist with expertise in treating ADHD in adult patients will usually conduct an extended interview. The evaluator will also ask you about your children's health history, family dynamics, and lifestyle choices. They will also go through your past medical records and perform a physical exam.

Many people who suffer from ADHD also suffer from other psychiatric or medical conditions such as anxiety or depression, which must be treated. It is estimated that those who have ADHD are six-times more likely to be suffering from mood disorders. People who suffer from ADHD also are more likely to be victims of using drugs.

Adults with ADHD often have a difficult time to get and keep jobs. They also have a difficult time managing their finances and juggling household chores. Adults with ADHD are at chance of developing health issues, including heart disease, obesity and smoking. They are also more likely to be prone to poor 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 services as young children continued to be diagnosed with ADHD into adulthood. However, the sample size was small. A larger sample size would have provided additional information about the clinical course and the relationship of ADHD in patients with other psychiatric disorders.

Research has shown that ADHD is a chronic and persistent disorder that affects adults. It can have a negative effect on living quality and may lead to other health issues such as mood disorders, learning disabilities, and addiction to alcohol and other drugs. If left untreated, ADHD increases the risk of being incarcerated, divorce and an economic disadvantage for those with ADHD.

All adults with uncontrolled ADHD symptoms or the first ADHD diagnosis should be examined within 30 to 60 days, and then every month until symptoms are under control. Adults suffering from ADHD may need to continue receiving psychotherapy or pharmacotherapy for the rest their lives.