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Getting a Diagnosis of ADHD in Adults

Some adults may have unrecognized ADHD symptoms. Being diagnosed as an adult could provide options for treatment.

To be diagnosed with ADHD, you must have at least five persistent symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity. These symptoms should affect your daily activities, whether at home, at work, and in social settings. Talk therapy can help improve the communication skills and problem solving abilities. Marital and family counseling can also be helpful.

Symptoms

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

Your difficulty in keeping up may cause embarrassment, anger despair, and the loss of confidence. It's not a problem if you have ADHD. It's important to realize that there are ways to overcome your difficulties. The first step is a diagnosis.

A medical professional can diagnose ADHD in adults by performing a thorough psychiatric evaluation. This involves speaking with you about symptoms, requiring you complete standardized behavior rating scales and ADHD list of symptoms, and gathering information on your medical and mental health history. 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 been present before the age of 12 and continue to interfere with your daily life. You must also be having issues with these behavior issues at least in two different settings which include work, school and social relationships.

You may be late for appointments, make erroneous mistakes at home or at work and not be able to meet your obligations if your inattention is a problem. You might have difficulty managing your health and finances and may have a hard to complete simple tasks, like remembering to take medication or visiting the doctor for checkups.

For people with ADHD, the tendency to think before acting can make stressful situations worse. You could interrupt conversations with other people and spit out answers to questions before they'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 research, genetics and environment play a significant role in the development of ADHD. The symptoms of ADHD tend to be inherited from the family, and some scientists believe that issues with your central nervous system at critical developmental stages increase your risk.

Diagnosis

A health professional with an expertise in ADHD can help adults who are experiencing symptoms of the disorder. An evaluation typically includes an interview and review of medical history, work or school records along with 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 exhibit similar symptoms. For an adolescent or adult to receive a diagnosis of ADHD symptoms must be present for at minimum six months and result in significant impairment of daily life functions.

Undiagnosed or neglected ADHD can lead to long-term problems which could have been prevented or treated. This can lead to depression, family issues, work-related or financial stress as well as substance abuse, and even serious accidents like motor vehicle accidents.

Undiagnosed ADHD can cause confusion among family members, friends and colleagues. They could be seen by others as lazy, unreliable or as a poor employee. In addition, people with undiagnosed ADHD are at greater chance of developing depression and anxiety.

Women are better at hiding ADHD symptoms than men. This makes it harder for them to receive an accurate diagnosis. They might use strategies to disguise their inattention or impulsivity, like frequent distractions and daydreaming, or rely on devices to help them cope with their lack of organization and lack of time management skills. Women with ADHD may also have difficulty identifying their symptoms, as they are more likely than men to exhibit hyperactive or inattentive symptoms.

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

Adults may experience different symptoms as children. However, the signs of ADHD in adults still meet the criteria set forth in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition (DSM-5)1.

Treatment

Undiagnosed ADHD can cause individuals to have difficulty to stay organized, complete their work or school assignments, and maintain healthy relationships with others. The symptoms can also affect the daily routine and trigger depression or anxiety. People who are hyperactive or impulsive can appear agitated, and may attempt to do a variety of things at once. They might not finish tasks or meet deadlines. They may not pay attention to others, which could cause confusion or relationship issues.

Symptoms of the disorder often are not recognized until childhood, and many adults with the disorder do not know they have ADHD. Instead of struggling to keep up in their studies and daily life they might be viewed as either a dreamer or a slacker. Many people with ADHD experience more severe symptoms as their obligations increase. They're not able to manage all the balls at once working on a job and caring for their family and juggling with housework and errands, and maintaining 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 family or friends who know the person well as well as a physical exam and a review of a person's medical and mental health background. The person could also be asked to complete the standardized ADHD rating scales or an assessment checklist for symptoms. Psychological testing may be done to measure executive function, working memory, and visual and spatial skills.

Adults suffering from ADHD are usually treated with stimulant medications. These medications increase and balance levels of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. They can help people with adhd symptoms for diagnosis improve their focus and organize their lives, keep track of important information and tasks and manage their the impulsive behavior. Nonstimulant medicines, such as antidepressants and atomoxetine, can also be used to treat ADHD. They perform more slowly than stimulants, but they can still help improve symptoms. People who have certain health issues like diabetes or high blood pressure should consult their doctor before taking stimulants.

Certain adults suffering from ADHD might benefit from individual therapy, self-help groups or vocational counseling. These interventions can teach adults how to manage their symptoms and to establish healthy school, family and workplace relationships. Some adults with ADHD also will participate in clinical trials. These trials allow scientists to gain knowledge about how to get diagnosed with adhd to diagnose, treat and prevent disorders like ADHD.

Follow-up

A thorough assessment of ADHD in adults using several assessment instruments will improve Diagnostic Criteria For Adult Adhd (Historydb.Date) accuracy and reduce mistakes in diagnosis. The process typically involves an extended conversation with a psychiatrist or psychologist who is skilled in treating ADHD in adults. The examiner may also inquire about the background of your or your child's health issues, family dynamics, and lifestyle choices. They may also review your medical records and perform a physical examination.

Many people who suffer from adhd symptoms for diagnosis also suffer from other medical or psychiatric conditions, such as anxiety and depression, which must be treated. In fact, it is thought that people with ADHD are six times more likely suffer from mood disorders than the rest of us. People who suffer from ADHD also are at a higher risk of consuming alcohol.

Adults with ADHD often find it difficult to secure and maintain jobs. They also have a tougher time managing finances and keeping track of household chores. Adults with ADHD are at increased risk of developing health problems, like heart disease, obesity and smoking. In addition, they are more likely to have poor eating habits and experience difficulties forming and maintaining romantic relationships.

In one study, individuals who had adhd in adults diagnostic criteria who were treated in minor mental health services as young children were diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood. However the sample size was very small. A larger sample could have provided more information on the clinical course and the relationship of ADHD in adults with other mental disorders.

Research has proven that ADHD is a chronic, persistent disorder in adults. It has a negative impact on the quality of life, and can result in a range of comorbidities, such as learning disabilities, mood disorders as well as alcohol and drug abuse. People who do not treat ADHD are at a higher risk for incarceration and divorce, having a lower socioeconomic status, and more serious psychiatric issues.

It is recommended that all adults with new diagnoses or uncontrolled symptoms of ADHD be evaluated within 30 days and monthly after that until the symptoms are managed. Adults with ADHD may require to receive psychotherapy and/or therapy with pharmacotherapy for the remainder of their lives.