Getting a Diagnosis of ADHD in Adults

Many adults aren't aware of ADHD symptoms. A diagnosis 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 significantly interfere with daily functioning at work, home and socially. Talk therapy can enhance the communication skills and problem solving abilities. Counseling for families and marriage can also be beneficial.

Symptoms

You might feel that you're not performing to your full potential if you have ADHD symptoms. As an adult, you might feel overwhelmed by your responsibilities and feel you're unable manage the numerous tasks ahead of you. You could be working full time, caring for children or an elderly parent and trying to handle household chores and finances.

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

A health care professional can diagnose ADHD in adults by conducting an exhaustive psychiatric assessment. This includes talking to you about your symptoms, requiring you to complete standardized scales for assessing behavior and ADHD symptom checklists, and gathering information regarding your medical and psychopathological background. The provider may ask 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 occurred prior to age 12 and continue to interfere with your daily activities. You may also have issues with these behavior in multiple environments, including at work, school as well as in your social relationships.

You may miss appointments, make mistakes at home or at work and fail to meet your responsibilities if your inattention is an issue. You may have trouble managing your health and finances and may have a hard to complete simple tasks like remembering to take medication or going to the doctor for checkups.

People with ADHD can make difficult situations worse by acting before they think. You may disrupt conversations with others, blurt out answers to questions before they're finished or have trouble waiting your turn in line. Your impulsiveness could lead to risky activities, such as driving too quickly or spending money in a reckless manner.

Research suggests that genetics and environmental factors play a role in the development of ADHD. The symptoms of ADHD are likely to be inherited from the family, and some researchers believe that issues with your central nervous system at critical developmental phases increase your risk.

Diagnosis

A health care professional who has a specialization in ADHD can assist people who are suffering from symptoms of the disorder. A typical evaluation consists of an interview, a review of medical background, school or work records, family medical history and an examination for mental health. A specialist may also perform a physical exam or tests in the laboratory to identify other conditions that may have 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 lead to chronic issues that could have been avoided or treated. This can lead to depression, family issues financial or work-related stress, substance abuse and even serious accidents, such as motor vehicle crashes.

Undiagnosed ADHD can result in misinterpretation by family members, friends, and coworkers. They may be viewed by others as lazy, unreliable or as 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 makes it more difficult to get an accurate diagnosis. They might resort to distractions or daydreaming to disguise their inattentiveness and impulsivity. Or they might rely on methods and tools to help them overcome their lack of time management and lack of organization. Women with ADHD might also have trouble in recognizing their symptoms, since they are more likely than men to experience hyperactive or inattention symptoms.

It's important to keep in mind that ADHD isn't a sign of intelligence. It's simply an altered way of thinking and behave that can create difficulties in certain situations.

Adults may exhibit different symptoms in comparison to children. However, the symptoms of adhd diagnosis london in adults still meet the criteria listed in the American Psychiatric Association's diagnostic criteria for adult adhd and Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition (DSM-5)1.

Treatment

People with undiagnosed ADHD may struggle to get organized, keep track of work or school tasks, and maintain healthy relationships. Symptoms can also interfere with everyday functioning and can trigger anxiety or depression. People who suffer from hyperactivity or impulsive subtypes of the condition can appear agitated and attempt to complete multiple things at the same time, but fail to complete tasks or meet deadlines. They may have difficulty paying attention to other people that can cause confusion and relationships issues.

ADHD is not often recognized as a child, and a lot of adults with symptoms are not aware of it. Instead of struggling to keep up in their studies and daily life they might be viewed as an overachiever or a dreamer. Many people with ADHD experience increasing symptoms as their obligations increase. They are unable to manage all the balls they have to keep on top of - pursuing the dream of a career, taking care of family members, juggling household chores and errands, as well as working on social and romantic relationships.

A health care provider or mental health professional will assess whether a person has ADHD. The evaluation includes a discussion with family members as well as friends and family members who know the person, a physical examination, and a review of the person's medical history. The person could be asked to fill out standard ADHD rating scales or a symptom checklist. Psychological tests can be conducted to measure working memory, executive function and spatial and visual abilities.

Adults suffering from ADHD are usually treated with stimulant drugs. These drugs balance and boost levels of brain chemicals, known as neurotransmitters. They can help those with ADHD focus better, manage their lives and remember important information. They also help control impulse-driven behaviors. Other treatments for ADHD include nonstimulant medications such as atomoxetine and antidepressants. They work more slowly than stimulants but still improve the symptoms of ADHD. People who have certain health issues like high blood pressure or diabetes, should talk to their doctor prior to taking stimulants.

Certain adults suffering from ADHD may benefit from behavioral coaching, individual therapy, self-help groups or vocational counseling. These interventions can help adults how to get an adhd diagnosis uk to manage their ADHD symptoms and establish healthy relationships at home, in school and at work. Clinical trials will also be conducted with some adults who suffer from ADHD. These studies help scientists learn more about how to get diagnosed with add as an adult to diagnose, treat and prevent disorders such as ADHD.

Follow-up

A thorough assessment of adult ADHD using various assessment inventories can improve the accuracy of diagnosis and reduce the likelihood of misdiagnosis. A psychiatrist or psychologist with experience treating ADHD in adult patients typically conducts an extended interview. The evaluation specialist may also inquire about the background of your or your child's health problems as well as family dynamics and lifestyle choices. He or she could also review your medical records and perform an examination of your body.

Many people suffering from ADHD also suffer from other psychiatric or medical conditions like anxiety and depression, that need to be treated. It is estimated that those with ADHD are six times more likely to be suffering from mood disorders. People who suffer from ADHD are also at a higher risk of substance abuse.

Adults who suffer from ADHD have a difficult time finding and keeping jobs. They also have a tougher managing finances and staying on top of household chores. Adults with ADHD are at a higher risk of developing health problems, like heart disease, obesity, and smoking. In addition they are more likely to be prone to poor eating habits and have trouble forming and keeping romantic relationships.

In one study, adults who were diagnosed with ADHD after receiving treatment in a minor mental health clinic as children. However, the sample size was small. A larger sample could have provided more information about the clinical course and the relationship of ADHD in patients with other psychiatric disorders.

Research has revealed that ADHD is a persistent, persistent disorder in adults. It can have a negative impact on quality of living and lead to other conditions like mood disorders, learning disabilities, alcohol and drugs abuse. People with untreated ADHD are at a greater risk for incarceration and divorce, having a lower socioeconomic status, and more serious psychiatric problems.

Adults with uncontrolled ADHD symptoms or a new ADHD diagnosis should be examined within 30 to 60 days, then every month until the symptoms are under control. Adults with ADHD may need to continue to receive psychotherapy and/or therapy with pharmacotherapy for the remainder of their lives.