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Getting a Diagnosis of ADHD in Adults

Some adults may not be aware of their 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 must be a major hindrance with daily functioning at work, home and socially. Talk therapy can help improve communication and problem solving skills. Counseling for families and marriage can be beneficial.

Signs and symptoms

You may feel like you are not performing to your full potential if you have ADHD symptoms. As an adult, you may feel overwhelmed by your responsibilities and feel you're unable get a handle on the numerous tasks ahead of you. You might be working full-time, caring for aging parents or children, as well as managing household chores.

Your difficulty in keeping up may lead to embarrassment, frustration despair, and the loss of confidence. If you have ADHD it's not your fault. But it's important to know that there are solutions to your struggles. The first step is an assessment.

A thorough psychiatric assessment can be used by a health specialist to diagnose ADHD in adults. This includes talking to you about your symptoms, having you complete standardized scales for assessing behavior and ADHD symptoms checklists, as well as gathering information about your medical and mental health history. The provider may also ask you to provide information about your family's history of 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 affect your life. You should also be struggling with these behaviors in multiple settings, such as at school, work and in your social relationships.

If your inattention is a serious problem, you might miss appointments, make careless mistakes at work or at home and not be able to meet your obligations. You might have difficulty managing your finances and health and may have a difficult time with simple tasks, such as remembering to take medication or visiting the doctor for a checkup.

People who suffer from ADHD are prone to making difficult situations more difficult by acting before they think. You may interrupt conversations, respond to questions after people have finished or struggle to wait in line. Your impulsive behavior could lead to reckless actions, like driving too quickly or spending money in a reckless manner.

According to research the genetics and the environment play a significant role 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 points increase your risk for this condition.

Diagnosis

A health specialist who is specialized in ADHD can help evaluate adults who exhibit symptoms of the disorder. A typical evaluation includes an interview as well as a review 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 laboratory tests to determine if there are other conditions that share similar symptoms. A diagnosis of ADHD is only given to an adult or teenager if symptoms have been present for six months or more and are causing significant impairments in the daily routine.

People who aren't diagnosed or treated for ADHD may struggle all their lives with chronic difficulties that could have been prevented or treated. This can lead depression, family issues and financial stress as well as work-related stress, drug abuse, and even serious accidents such as motor vehicle accidents.

undiagnosed adhd in adults ADHD can lead to misinterpretation by family members, friends and coworkers. They could be perceived by others as lazy, unreliable or even a bad employee. Additionally, those with undiagnosed ADHD are at greater risk for anxiety and depression.

Women are better at hiding ADHD symptoms than men. This can make it harder for them to receive the correct diagnosis. They might use strategies to hide their inattentiveness or impulsivity, like frequent distractions and daydreaming, or use tools to compensate for their disorganization and poor time management skills. Women who suffer from ADHD might also have trouble diagnosing their symptoms, as they are more likely than men to suffer from inattentive or hyperactive symptoms.

It is important to keep in mind that ADHD is not an indicator of intelligence. It's simply a different way of thinking and behaving that may cause problems in certain situations or environments.

In adults, it can be difficult to diagnose ADHD because the symptoms could have changed as they developed. However, the signs of ADHD in adults still match the criteria in the American Psychiatric Association's add diagnostic criteria adults and Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition (DSM-5)1.

Treatment

Undiagnosed ADHD can cause people to struggle to stay organized, complete their work or school assignments, and maintain healthy relationships with others. Symptoms can also interfere with the daily routine and trigger emotional issues like depression or anxiety. People with hyperactivity or impulsive subtypes of the condition can appear agitated and try to do several things at once, and fail to finish tasks or meet deadlines. They may struggle to pay attention to other people, leading to misunderstandings and problems with relationships.

The symptoms of the disorder typically are not recognized until childhood, and many adults who have them do not know they have ADHD. Instead of struggling to keep up in school and everyday life they might have been labelled as a dreamer or a slacker. Many people with ADHD experience increasing symptoms as their responsibilities increase. They aren't able to handle all the balls that are flying - pursuing a career and caring for their family, while also keeping up with chores at home and errands and maintaining romantic and social relationships.

A health care provider or mental health professional will evaluate whether a person has ADHD. The assessment usually involves discussions with family or friends who know the person well as well as a physical exam and a review of the person's medical and mental health history. The person may be asked to fill out standard ADHD ratings scales or a list of symptoms. Psychological tests can be conducted to measure executive function, working memory and spatial and visual abilities.

Stimulant drugs are the most frequently used treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. These drugs boost and balance levels of brain chemicals referred to as neurotransmitters. They can help people with ADHD improve their focus and organize their lives, keep track of important information and tasks and control an impulsive behaviour. Other treatments for ADHD include non-stimulant drugs like atomoxetine or antidepressants, which work more slowly than stimulants but still help improve the symptoms of ADHD. People who have certain health issues such as diabetes or high blood pressure must consult with their doctor prior to taking stimulants.

Certain adults suffering from ADHD might benefit from individual therapy, self help groups, or vocational counseling. These programs can teach adults how to get diagnosed with adhd in adulthood to cope with their symptoms and to establish healthy family, school and workplace relationships. Some adults with ADHD also will participate in clinical trials. These studies help scientists learn more about new methods to prevent, diagnose and treat disorders like ADHD.

Follow-up

A thorough evaluation of ADHD in adults using several assessment instruments will improve the accuracy of diagnosis and decrease misdiagnosis. A psychologist or psychiatrist with experience treating ADHD in adults will often conduct an lengthy interview. The examiner may also inquire about the history of your or your child's health issues, family dynamics, and lifestyle choices. He or she might also look over your medical records and conduct an examination of your body.

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

Adults with ADHD have a tough finding and keeping jobs. They also face difficulties managing their finances and juggling household chores. Adults with ADHD are at increased risk of developing other health problems, including heart disease, obesity and smoking. Additionally, they are more likely to have poor eating habits and have trouble forming and keeping romantic relationships.

In one study, adults who were diagnosed with ADHD after receiving treatment in minor mental health facilities as children. However, the size of the sample was small. A larger sample could provide more information about the pathology of ADHD in adulthood and its connection with other psychiatric disorders.

Research has shown that ADHD is a chronic permanent disorder that is seen in adults. It can have a negative impact on the quality of life and can lead to other issues like mood disorders learning disabilities, and the abuse of alcohol and drugs. Untreated ADHD increases the risk of being incarcerated or divorce, as well as a lower socioeconomic status for people with ADHD.

It is recommended that all adults who have a new diagnosis or uncontrolled symptoms of ADHD be examined within 30 days and monthly after that until their symptoms are under control. Adults suffering from ADHD might require receiving pharmacotherapy or psychotherapy for the rest of their lives.