Getting a Diagnosis of ADHD in Adults
Some adults might not be aware of their ADHD symptoms. A diagnosis as an adult can open up 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 your daily activities at home, work and socially. Talk therapy can improve communication and problem solving skills. Counseling for marriage and family can be beneficial.
Symptoms
If you struggle with symptoms of ADHD it might seem that you're not living up to your potential. As an adult, you could be overwhelmed by the responsibilities you have and feel that you can't manage the many tasks in front of you. You may be working full-time, caring for children or an aging parent and trying to handle household chores and finances.
Your inability to keep up may cause embarrassment and anger. You may also feel hopeless, lose confidence, or even be embarrassed. If you have ADHD it's not your fault. However, it's important to understand that there are solutions to your problems. The first step in an assessment.
A health professional can detect ADHD in adults by conducting a thorough psychiatric evaluation. This involves speaking with you about your symptoms, requiring you to complete standardized behavior rating scales and ADHD symptoms checklists, and gathering details about your medical and mental health history. The doctor might inquire about the background 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 been present before the age of 12 and continue to interfere with your daily activities. You must also be having issues with these behaviors at the very least in two different environments such as school, work and social interactions.
If your inattention is a major issue, you could miss appointments, make careless mistakes at work or at home, and fail to follow through on your responsibilities. You might be struggling with managing your finances and health, and you might also experience problems with tasks that are simple like remembering to visit the doctor or taking your medication.
People with ADHD are prone to making difficult situations worse by acting before they think. You might interrupt conversations with other people, blurt out answers to questions before they're finished, or have difficulty waiting your turn in line. Your impulsiveness could lead to risky behaviors like driving too fast or spending money in reckless ways.
According to studies, genetics and environment play a major role in the development of ADHD. The symptoms of ADHD are likely to run in the family, and some researchers believe that issues with your central nervous system at critical developmental phases increase your risk.
Diagnosis
A health care specialist who is specialized in ADHD can help evaluate adults with symptoms of the disorder. A typical evaluation includes an interview as well as a review of medical documents, school or work records and family medical histories and a mental health screening. A trained professional may also perform a physical exam or tests in the laboratory to identify other conditions that share similar symptoms. A diagnosis of ADHD is only given to an adult or adolescent if symptoms have been present for a period of six months or more and are causing significant impairments in the daily routine.
People with undiagnosed or under-treated ADHD might struggle throughout their lives with chronic difficulties that could have been avoided 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 accidents.
Undiagnosed ADHD can cause misinterpretation by family members, friends, and coworkers. They may be perceived as lazy, irresponsible, a bad employee or just plain crazy. Undiagnosed ADHD can also increase the risk of anxiety and depression.
Women are more adept at hiding ADHD symptoms than men. This makes it more difficult to get a proper diagnosis. They might resort to distractions or daydreaming to disguise their inattentiveness and impulsivity. Or they might rely on strategies and tools to help them overcome their lack of time management and disorganization. Women suffering from ADHD may also have difficulty in recognizing their own symptoms since they are more likely to experience symptoms of inattention, not hyperactivity or impulsivity.
It's important to keep it in mind that ADHD isn't a sign of intelligence. It's merely a different way of thinking and behaving that can cause challenges in certain settings or situations.
For adults, it can be difficult to diagnose ADHD because the symptoms could have changed over time as they developed. However, the 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
People who aren't diagnosed with ADHD may have difficulty getting organized, keep track of school or work tasks, and maintain healthy relationships. Symptoms can also interfere with daily functioning, and cause emotional issues such as depression or anxiety. People who suffer from hyperactivity or impulsive subtypes the condition can appear agitated and try to do several things at once, failing to complete tasks or meet deadlines. They may be unable to pay attention to others, which could result in miscommunications or relationship problems.
ADHD is usually not acknowledged as a child, and a lot of adults suffering from the disorder are unaware that they have it. Instead of struggling to keep up in their studies and daily life, they may be viewed as a dreamer or a slacker. Many people who suffer from ADHD have increasing symptoms as their obligations increase. They're unable to handle all the balls they have to keep up-to-date with: pursuing an occupation, caring for family members, keeping up with household chores and errands, as well as trying to improve their romantic and social relationships.
A health care provider or mental health professional will determine whether a person is suffering from ADHD. The evaluation involves a discussion with family members, friends, and others who know the person, a physical examination, and a review of a person's medical history. The patient may be asked to complete standardized 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 capabilities.
Stimulant medications here are the most commonly used treatment for adults with ADHD. They balance and increase levels of brain chemicals, known as neurotransmitters. They can help those with ADHD improve their focus and manage 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 slower than stimulants, but nevertheless, they can improve symptoms. Before taking stimulants, those who suffer from certain health issues like diabetes or high blood pressure should consult their physician.
Certain adults suffering from ADHD may benefit from individual therapy, self help groups or vocational counseling. These interventions can teach adults how to manage their ADHD symptoms and to establish healthy relationships at home, in school, and at work. Some adults with ADHD will also be part of clinical trials. These trials allow scientists to discover more about how to diagnose, treat and prevent disorders such as ADHD.
Follow-up
A thorough evaluation of adult ADHD utilizing several assessment inventories can improve the accuracy of diagnosis and decrease the risk of misdiagnosis. The process typically involves an extended interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist who has experience in treating ADHD in adults. The examiner will also inquire with you about your your child’s past health problems, family dynamics, and lifestyle choices. The evaluator will also look over your previous medical records and conduct physical examination.
Many people who suffer from ADHD also have other psychiatric or medical conditions, such as anxiety and depression, that need to be treated. In fact, it's thought that people with ADHD are six times more likely to suffer from mood disorders than other people. People who suffer from ADHD also are at a higher risk of consuming alcohol.
Adults with ADHD have a difficult finding and keeping a job. They also face difficulties managing their finances and juggling household chores. Adults with ADHD are at increased risk of developing other health issues, such as obesity, heart disease and smoking. They are also more likely to develop bad eating habits and to struggle to maintain and form relationships with their partners.
In one study, individuals with ADHD who were treated in mental health services as young children continued to be diagnosed with ADHD as they grew older. However the sample size was small. An enlargement of the sample might have provided more information about the clinical course of ADHD in adulthood and its connection with other psychiatric disorders.
Research has proven ADHD to be a long-lasting and persistent problem for adults. It has a negative impact on the quality of life, and can result in a number of comorbid conditions including mood disorders, learning disabilities and alcohol and drug abuse. If not treated, ADHD increases the risk of incarceration and divorce as well as a lower socioeconomic status for those suffering from ADHD.
All adults with uncontrolled ADHD symptoms or a new ADHD diagnosis should be seen within 30 to 60 days, and then every month until the symptoms are under control. Adults who suffer from ADHD might need to continue receiving pharmacotherapy or psychotherapy for the rest of their lives.