Getting a Diagnosis of ADHD in Adults

Some adults may not be aware of their ADHD symptoms. Recognizing the symptoms as an adult may provide treatment options.

To be diagnosed with ADHD, you must have at least five persistent symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity. These symptoms must affect everyday functioning at work, home and in social settings. Talk therapy can help improve the ability to communicate and problem-solve. Counseling for families and marriage can also 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 feel overwhelmed by your responsibilities and feel that you can't take on the many tasks in front of you. You could be working full-time or caring for elderly parents or children, as well as taking care of household chores.

Inability to keep up may cause frustration and embarrassment. You might also feel depressed, lose confidence, or even feel embarrassed. It's not a problem when you suffer from ADHD. It's important to realize that there are solutions to your problems. The first step is to make a diagnosis.

A health professional can detect ADHD in adults by conducting an extensive psychiatric examination. This includes talking to you about your symptoms, requiring you to complete standardized scales for assessing behavior and ADHD symptoms checklists, and collecting information about your medical and mental health background. The doctor 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 occurred before the age of 12 and continue to cause problems with your life. You must also have difficulty with these behavior in multiple situations, like at school, work and in your social relationships.

You may miss appointments, make erroneous mistakes at work or at home and fail to meet your responsibilities if your inattention is a problem. You may be struggling with managing your finances and health and may have a hard working through everyday tasks like taking medication, or going to the doctor for checkups.

People who suffer from ADHD are prone to making difficult situations worse by acting before they think. You could interrupt conversations with other people or utter answers to questions before you're completed, or struggle to wait your turn in a line. Your impulsivity might result in dangerous activities, like driving too fast or spending money recklessly.

According to research the genetics and the environment are key factors in the development ADHD. The symptoms of ADHD typically be inherited from the family, and some researchers believe that issues with your central nervous system during critical developmental phases increase the risk of developing.

Diagnosis

A health professional with a specialization in ADHD can help those who are suffering from symptoms of the disorder. An assessment typically consists of an interview and 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 laboratory tests to rule out other conditions that share similar symptoms. For an adult or adolescent to be diagnosed with ADHD symptoms, they must be present for at minimum six months and result in significant impairment of everyday life activities.

Undiagnosed or untreated ADHD can cause chronic problems that could have been prevented or treated. This can cause to depression, family issues financial stress, work-related stress, addiction to drugs, and even serious accidents like motor crashes.

Many adults who have not been diagnosed with ADHD are at risk of being misunderstood by friends, relatives and coworkers. They could be seen by others as lazy, unreliable or as a poor employee. Additionally, those with undiagnosed ADHD are at greater chance of developing depression and anxiety.

Women tend to be better in hiding their ADHD symptoms than men, which can make it difficult for them to receive a proper diagnosis. They might resort to distractions or daydreaming to disguise their inattentiveness and impulsivity. Or they might rely on methods and tools to make up for their poor time management and disorganization. Women suffering from ADHD may also have difficulty identifying their own symptoms as they tend to have inattentive symptoms rather than an impulsive or hyperactivity.

It's important to keep it in mind that ADHD isn't a sign of intelligence. It's simply an alternative behavior and way of thinking that may cause problems in certain situations or settings.

Adults may exhibit different symptoms as children. 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

People who aren't diagnosed with adhd diagnosis adult may struggle to get a adhd diagnosis organized, keep track of school or work tasks and maintain healthy relationships. Symptoms can also interfere with the daily routine and trigger anxiety or depression. Hyperactive or impulsive people can appear agitated, and they may try to do a variety of things simultaneously. They might not finish tasks or meet deadlines. They may have difficulty paying attention to other people that can cause confusion and problems with relationships.

Symptoms of the disorder often remain unnoticed in childhood, and many adults who have them don't know they have ADHD. Instead of struggling to keep up in school and everyday life they may have been labeled either a dreamer or a slacker. Many people who suffer from ADHD experience increasing symptoms as their obligations increase. They're not able to handle all the balls they have to keep in the air--pursuing a career, caring for family members, juggling chores and household chores, and working on social and romantic relationships.

A health care professional or mental health professional will assess whether a person has ADHD. The assessment usually involves discussions with relatives or friends who know the person well and a physical examination, and a review of the person's medical and mental health history. The patient may be asked to fill out standard ADHD ratings scales or a checklist of symptoms. Psychological testing can be used to assess executive function, working memory as well as spatial and visual skills.

Adults with ADHD are typically treated with stimulant drugs. These drugs boost and balance levels of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. They can help people with ADHD focus better, organize their lives and remember important information. They can also manage impulse-driven behaviors. Non-stimulant drugs, like antidepressants or atomoxetine, may also be used to treat ADHD. They perform slower than stimulants, yet nevertheless, they can improve symptoms. Before taking stimulants, those who suffer from certain medical conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure should consult their physician.

Some adults with ADHD might benefit from individual therapy, self help groups or vocational counseling. These interventions can teach adults how to get diagnosed with adhd in adults to manage their ADHD symptoms and to develop healthy relationships at home, in school, and at work. Some adults with ADHD will also be part of clinical studies. These trials allow scientists to gain knowledge about how to get diagnosed with adhd as an adult to treat, diagnose and prevent disorders like ADHD.

Follow-up

A thorough assessment of ADHD for adults using various assessment inventories will improve the accuracy of diagnosis and decrease mistakes in diagnosis. The process typically involves an extended conversation with a psychologist or psychiatrist who is experienced in treating ADHD in adults. The examiner may also inquire about the history of your child's or your own health issues, family dynamics, and lifestyle choices. He or she might also look over your medical records and perform a physical examination.

Many people with ADHD also suffer from other psychiatric disorders or medical conditions, such as anxiety and depression, that must be treated. It is estimated that people who suffer from ADHD are six-times more likely to be suffering from mood disorders. People who suffer from ADHD are also at a greater risk of consuming alcohol.

Adults who suffer from ADHD often have a difficult time to find and keep jobs. They also have a difficult time managing finances and juggling household chores. Adults with ADHD have an increased chance of developing other health problems, like heart disease, obesity, and smoking. They are also more likely to be prone to poor eating habits and have difficulty forming and maintaining relationships with their partners.

In one study, individuals with ADHD who were treated in mental health facilities as children continued to be diagnosed with ADHD into adulthood. The sample size was not large. A larger sample might have provided more details about the clinical course of ADHD in adulthood and its connection to other psychiatric disorders.

Research has shown ADHD to be a chronic and persistent disorder among adults. It can have a negative impact on quality of living and can lead to other issues such as mood disorders, learning disabilities, as well as addiction to alcohol and other drugs. If not treated, ADHD increases the risk of being incarcerated, divorce and an economic disadvantage for those suffering from ADHD.

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