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Getting a Diagnosis of ADHD in Adults

Many adults aren't aware of their ADHD symptoms. Being diagnosed as an adult may provide options for treatment.

To be diagnosed with ADHD, you must have at least five persistent symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity. These symptoms must be a major hindrance with your daily activities at work, home and socially. Talk therapy can improve the ability to communicate and problem solve. Counseling for marriage and family can be beneficial.

Symptoms

You might feel that you're not performing to your full potential when you have ADHD symptoms. You may feel overwhelmed as an adult due to your responsibilities. You may be working full-time as well as caring for your elderly parents or children, and taking care of household chores.

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

A medical professional can identify ADHD in adults through an exhaustive psychiatric assessment. This includes talking with you about symptoms, having you complete standardized behavior rating scales and ADHD symptoms lists, and gathering information on your medical and mental health background. The doctor might 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 occurred before age 12 and continue to cause problems with your daily life. You should also be struggling with these behaviors in two or more situations, like at school, work as well as in your social interactions.

You could miss appointments, make mistakes at work or home, and fail to fulfill your obligations if your lack of attention is an issue. You might have difficulty managing your finances and health and may have a difficult working through everyday tasks, such as taking medication, or going to the doctor for checkups.

For those with ADHD, the tendency to act before thinking can make stressful situations more difficult. You might interrupt conversations, respond to questions before others are done or have difficulty waiting in 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 of ADHD. The symptoms tend to be inherited from families, and some researchers believe that issues with the central nervous system at crucial developmental stages increase the chances of developing this disorder.

Diagnosis

A health care professional with a specialization in ADHD can help adults who are experiencing symptoms of the disorder. A typical assessment consists of an interview, an examination of medical documents, school or work records and family medical histories and a mental assessment. A specialist may conduct physical examinations or lab tests to rule out other conditions with 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 the daily routine.

Undiagnosed or untreated ADHD can cause chronic problems that could have been prevented or treated. This can cause depression, family problems, work-related or financial stress as well as substance abuse, and even serious accidents like motor vehicle crashes.

Many people who are not diagnosed with ADHD are at risk of being misunderstood by friends, relatives and coworkers. They could be seen by others as lazy, irresponsible or as a poor employee. Undiagnosed ADHD can also increase the likelihood of depression and anxiety.

Women are more adept at concealing ADHD symptoms than men. This can make it more difficult for them to receive the correct diagnosis. They might use distractions or daydreaming to mask their inattentiveness and impulsivity. Or they might depend on strategies and tools to make up for their poor time management and disorganization. Women who suffer from ADHD might also have trouble diagnosing their symptoms, as they are more likely than men to exhibit inattentive or hyperactive symptoms.

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

In adults, it can be difficult to diagnose ADHD because the symptoms could have changed as they became older. 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 cause people to struggle to stay on track, complete their work and school assignments and maintain healthy interpersonal relationships. The symptoms can also affect daily functioning, and cause emotional issues such as depression or anxiety. People who suffer from hyperactivity or impulsive subtypes the disorder may seem agitated and attempt to complete multiple things at once, and fail to complete tasks or meet deadlines. They may have difficulty paying attention to other people that can cause confusion and relationships issues.

Symptoms of the disorder often remain unnoticed in the early years, and a lot of adults with the disorder do not know they have ADHD. Instead of struggling to keep pace in their studies and daily life they may have been labeled an overachiever or a dreamer. As the responsibilities grow in adulthood However, many people who have ADHD notice their symptoms getting worse. They're unable to handle all the balls they're trying keep on top of - pursuing the dream of a career, taking care of family members, juggling housework and errands, and trying to improve their romantic and social relationships.

A health care professional or mental health professional will assess whether a person is suffering from ADHD. The evaluation includes a discussion with family members as well as friends and family members who are familiar with the individual and a physical examination and a review of a person's medical history. The person may be asked to fill out standard ADHD ratings scales or a checklist of symptoms. Psychological tests are used to measure executive function and working memory as well as spatial and visual abilities.

Adults suffering from ADHD are typically treated with stimulant drugs. These drugs boost and balance levels of brain chemicals referred to as neurotransmitters. They can help people with ADHD focus better, organize their lives and remember important information. They can also control impulsive behaviors. Nonstimulant medications, such as antidepressants and atomoxetine, can be used to treat ADHD. They work more slowly than stimulants, but nevertheless, they can improve symptoms. Before taking stimulants, people who suffer from certain medical conditions like 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 programs can teach adults how to cope with their symptoms, and how to diagnose adhd in adults to build healthy family, school and workplace relationships. Some adults with ADHD will also be part of clinical trials. These studies allow scientists to learn more about new ways to identify, treat and prevent disorders such as ADHD.

Follow-up

A thorough evaluation of adult ADHD using a variety of assessment tools can help improve the accuracy of diagnosis and decrease the risk of a misdiagnosis. A psychologist or psychiatrist with expertise in treating ADHD in adult patients will often conduct an lengthy interview. The examiner may also inquire about the history of your child's or your own health problems as well as 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 or medical conditions like anxiety and depression, that need to be treated. It is estimated that people who have ADHD are six times more likely to experience mood disorders. People who suffer from ADHD are also at a higher-than-average risk of using drugs.

Adults with ADHD typically have difficulty to secure and maintain jobs. They also have a difficult time managing finances and juggling household chores. Adults with ADHD are more at risk for developing other health problems, including heart disease, obesity, and smoking. They are also more likely to have bad eating habits and have difficulty forming and maintaining relationships with their partners.

In one study, those with ADHD who were treated in mental health facilities as children continued to be diagnosed with ADHD as they grew older. The sample size was not large. An enlargement of the sample could have provided more details about the clinical course of ADHD in adulthood and its connection to other psychiatric disorders.

Research has proven ADHD to be a chronic and persistent problem for adults. It has a negative effect on quality of life and can cause variety of comorbid conditions, such as learning disabilities, mood disorders and alcohol and drug abuse. People with untreated ADHD are at a higher risk of being incarcerated or divorce, as well as a lower socioeconomic status and more serious psychiatric problems.

All adults who have uncontrolled ADHD symptoms or the first ADHD diagnosis should be seen within 30 to 60 days, then every month until the symptoms are under control. Adults suffering from ADHD may require receiving psychotherapy or pharmacotherapy treatment for the rest of their lives.