Getting a Diagnosis of ADHD in Adults
There are adults who may not be aware of ADHD symptoms. Being diagnosed as an adult may give 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 daily functioning, at work, home and socially. Talk therapy can help improve the communication and problem-solving abilities. Counseling for family and marriage can be beneficial.
Signs and symptoms
If you're struggling with the symptoms of ADHD it could appear like you're failing to live up to your potential. As an adult, you could be overwhelmed by the responsibilities you have and feel that you can't get a handle on the numerous tasks ahead of you. You may be working full-time, caring for children or an elderly parent, and trying to manage household chores and finances.
Your difficulty keeping up can lead to embarrassment, frustration despair, and a loss of confidence. If adult adhd diagnosis uk www.iampsychiatry.uk have ADHD, it's not your fault. However, it's important to understand that there are solutions to your issues. The first step is a diagnosis.
A health 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 behavior rating scales and ADHD symptom checklists, and gathering information about your medical and mental health history. The provider may ask 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 prior to age 12 and continue to interfere with your daily activities. You should also be struggling with these behaviors in two or more settings, such as at work, school as well as in your social relationships.
You could miss appointments, make careless errors at work or at home, and fail to fulfill your obligations if inattention is an issue. You may be struggling with managing your finances and health and may have a hard time with simple tasks, such as making sure you take your medication on time or going to the doctor for a checkup.
For those with ADHD the tendency to think before acting can make stressful situations worse. You might interrupt conversations with other people or utter answers to questions before they're finished, or have difficulty waiting your turn in a line. Your impulsivity might result in reckless actions, like driving too quickly or spending money in a reckless manner.
According to research that have been conducted, environment and genetics play a major role in the development of ADHD. The symptoms of ADHD tend to run in the family, and some researchers believe that problems with your central nervous system during crucial developmental stages increase your risk.
Diagnosis
A health care professional who has a specialization in ADHD can assist those who are suffering from symptoms of the disorder. An assessment typically consists of an interview and review of medical history, work or school records along with family medical history and an assessment of mental health. A trained professional may also conduct a physical examination and/or tests in the laboratory to determine if there are other conditions that may have similar symptoms. A diagnosis of ADHD is only given to an adult or adolescent if symptoms have been present for six months or more, and are causing significant difficulties in everyday life.
Undiagnosed or untreated ADHD can lead to long-term problems that could have been avoided or treated. This can lead to depression, family problems, work-related or financial stress as well as substance abuse, and even serious accidents, such as motor vehicle crashes.
Undiagnosed ADHD can result in misinterpretation by family members, friends and colleagues. They may be perceived as a lazy, irresponsible person or a poor employee, or just plain crazy. Undiagnosed ADHD can also increase the likelihood of depression and anxiety.
Women are more adept at concealing ADHD symptoms than men. This makes it more difficult for them to receive a proper diagnosis. They might use strategies to hide their inattentiveness or impulsivity, like frequent distractions and daydreaming, or rely on tools to compensate for their disorganization and ineffective time management. Women with ADHD might also have trouble diagnosing their symptoms, as they are more likely than men to exhibit inattentive or hyperactive symptoms.
It is important to keep in mind that ADHD isn't a sign of intelligence. It's merely an alternative way of thinking and behave that can create problems in certain situations.
Adults may exhibit different symptoms in comparison to children. Adults with ADHD still meet the criteria set by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) of the American Psychiatric Association.
Treatment
Undiagnosed ADHD can cause individuals to have difficulty to stay on track, complete their work and school assignments and maintain healthy interpersonal relationships. These symptoms can affect everyday functioning and can trigger anxiety or depression. People who suffer from hyperactivity or impulsive variants of the condition can appear agitated and attempt to complete multiple things at once, and fail to finish tasks or meet deadlines. They may have difficulty paying attention to others that can cause confusion and relationships issues.
Symptoms of the disorder often are not recognized until childhood, and many adults who have them don't know they have ADHD. They may have been labeled as a goof-off, dreamer or a slacker, instead of struggling to stay on top in school and everyday life. Many people suffering from ADHD have increasing symptoms as their responsibilities grow. They're not able to handle all the balls they're trying keep on top of - pursuing a career, caring for family members, keeping up with household chores and errands, as well as trying to improve their romantic and social relationships.
A mental health specialist or health care professional will determine if a person is suffering from ADHD. The assessment typically involves discussions with relatives or friends who know the person well as well as a physical exam and a review of the person's medical and psychiatric background. The person may be asked to complete the standardized ADHD ratings scales or a checklist of symptoms. Psychological tests are used to test executive and working memory as well as spatial and visual abilities.
Stimulant drugs are the most common treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. These drugs balance and boost levels of brain chemicals referred to as neurotransmitters. They can help people with ADHD improve their focus, organize their lives, recall important information and tasks, and manage the impulsive behavior. Nonstimulant medicines, such as antidepressants or atomoxetine, may be used to treat ADHD. They work slower than stimulants, but nevertheless, they can improve symptoms. People who have certain health problems, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, should talk to their doctor prior to taking stimulants.
Some adults with ADHD might benefit from individual therapy, self-help groups or vocational counseling. These programs can help adults learn how to cope with their symptoms and to develop healthy family, school and work relationships. Clinical trials will also be conducted with adults who suffer from ADHD. These studies allow scientists to gain knowledge about how to treat, diagnose and prevent disorders such as ADHD.
Follow-up
A thorough assessment of adult ADHD using a variety of assessment tools can help improve the accuracy of diagnosis and reduce the likelihood of misdiagnosis. The process typically involves an extended conversation with a psychiatrist or psychologist who is experienced in treating ADHD in adults. The evaluation will also ask you about your or your child’s past health problems, family dynamics, and lifestyle choices. They will also review your past medical records and perform physical examination.
Many people who suffer from ADHD also suffer from other psychiatric disorders or medical conditions, such as depression and anxiety, which require treatment. In fact, it is believed that those who suffer from ADHD are six times more likely to suffer from mood disorders than the rest of us. People with ADHD also have a higher risk of substance abuse.
Adults who suffer from ADHD typically have difficulty to get and keep jobs. They also face difficulties managing finances and keeping up with household chores. Adults with ADHD are at a higher risk of developing health problems, like obesity, heart disease and smoking. They are also more likely to have bad eating habits and to have trouble forming and maintaining romantic relationships.
In one study, people were diagnosed with ADHD after receiving treatment in minor mental health facilities as children. The sample size was not large. An enlargement of the sample would have provided more information about the clinical course of ADHD in adulthood and its connection with other psychiatric disorders.
Research has demonstrated ADHD to be a chronic and persistent disorder among adults. It has a negative impact on the quality of life, and can result in a variety of comorbid conditions, including mood disorders, learning disabilities and abuse of alcohol and drugs. Untreated ADHD increases the risk of incarceration, divorce and a lower social economic status for people with ADHD.
Adults with uncontrolled ADHD symptoms or an initial ADHD diagnosis should be examined within 30 to 60 days, and after that every month until the symptoms are under control. Adults suffering from ADHD might need to receive psychotherapy and/or medication for the rest of their lives.