Getting a Diagnosis of ADHD in Adults

Many adults aren't 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 interfere with your daily activities, whether at work, home and socially. Talk therapy can enhance the communication skills and problem solving abilities. Marital and family counseling can also be beneficial.

Symptoms

It could be that you feel that you're not doing enough to fulfill your full potential if you have ADHD symptoms. As an adult, you might feel overwhelmed by your responsibilities and feel like you're unable to get a handle on the many responsibilities in front of you. You may be full-time at work or caring for elderly parents or children, and taking care of household chores.

Your inability to keep up with the pace can lead to embarrassment and anger. You might be feeling hopeless or lose confidence, or even feel embarrassed. If you suffer from ADHD It's not your fault. But it's important to know that there are solutions to your issues. The first step is a diagnosis.

A thorough psychiatric evaluation can be performed by a medical specialist to diagnose ADHD in adults. This includes talking with you about symptoms, having you fill out standardized behavior ratings scales and ADHD symptoms lists and obtaining information about your mental and medical history. The provider 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 age 12 and continue to cause problems with your daily life. You should also be struggling with these behaviors in two or more settings, such as at work, school and in your social relationships.

You may be late for appointments, make careless errors at work or at home and fail to meet your responsibilities if your inattention is a problem. You may be struggling with managing your health and finances and may have a difficult to complete simple tasks, like remembering to take medication or visiting the doctor for checkups.

People who suffer from ADHD are prone to making difficult situations worse by acting before they think. You may interrupt conversations, respond to questions before others are done or have difficulty waiting in lines. Your impulsiveness could result in risky behavior, such as driving too quickly or spending money in a reckless manner.

Studies suggest that genetics and environmental factors play an important role in the development of ADHD. Symptoms tend to be inherited from families and some scientists believe that problems with the central nervous system at key developmental stages increase the chances of developing this disorder.

Diagnosis

A health care professional who has a specialization in ADHD can help people who are suffering from symptoms of the disorder. An assessment typically consists of an interview and a review of medical history, school or work records along with family medical history and a mental health screening. A specialized professional also may conduct a physical exam and/or tests in the laboratory to determine if there are other conditions that have similar symptoms. For an adolescent or adult to be diagnosed with private adhd diagnosis cost symptoms must be present for at minimum six months, and result in significant impairment of everyday activities.

Undiagnosed or neglected ADHD can lead to chronic issues that could have been avoided or treated. This can cause to depression, family issues financial stress, work-related stress, substance abuse and even serious accidents, such as motor vehicle crashes.

Many people who are not diagnosed with ADHD why are so many adults being diagnosed with adhd at risk of being misunderstood and criticized by family members, friends and coworkers. They may be viewed by others as lazy, unreliable or even a bad employee. In addition, people who have undiagnosed ADHD are at greater chance of developing depression and anxiety.

Women tend to be better in securing their ADHD symptoms than men, which could make it difficult for them to get a proper diagnosis. They may resort to strategies to hide their inattention or impulsivity, for example frequent distractions and daydreaming, or rely on devices to make up for their lack of organization and ineffective time management. Women who suffer from ADHD might also have difficulty identifying their own symptoms as they tend to have symptoms of inattention, not hyperactivity or impulsivity.

It is important to keep in mind that ADHD is not a sign of intelligence. It's merely a different way to think and behave that may cause challenges in certain situations.

In adults, it may be difficult to identify ADHD because the symptoms may have changed over time as they developed. Adults with ADHD still fit the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) of the American Psychiatric Association.

Treatment

People with undiagnosed ADHD may struggle to get organized, stay on top of school or work obligations and maintain healthy relationships. These symptoms can affect everyday functioning and can trigger depression or anxiety. People who suffer from hyperactivity or impulsive subtypes of the condition may appear restless and attempt to complete multiple things at once, failing to finish tasks or meet deadlines. They can have trouble 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 aren't aware that they have it. Instead of struggling to keep pace in their studies and daily life, they may have been labelled as a dreamer or a slacker. Many people with ADHD experience increasing symptoms as their responsibilities increase. They are unable to manage all the balls they have to keep in the air--pursuing an occupation, caring for family members, keeping up with housework and errands, and trying to improve their romantic and social relationships.

A mental health healthcare professional or health care provider will determine if a patient has ADHD. The evaluation includes a discussion with family members or friends who are familiar with the individual as well as a physical exam and a review of a person's medical history. The person could also be asked to fill out standard ADHD rating scales or an assessment checklist of symptoms. Psychological testing may be done to assess executive function, working memory as well as spatial and visual abilities.

Adults suffering from ADHD are most commonly treated with stimulant medications. These medications increase and balance levels of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. They can help people suffering from ADHD concentrate better, organize their lives and keep track of important information. They can also manage the impulsive behavior. Other treatments for ADHD include nonstimulant medications like atomoxetine or antidepressants, which work slow than stimulants, yet aid in the treatment of ADHD. People who have certain health issues like high blood pressure or diabetes should consult their doctor before taking stimulants.

Some adults with ADHD might benefit from individual therapy, self help groups, or vocational counseling. These interventions can teach adults how to cope with their symptoms and to establish healthy school, family and workplace relationships. Clinical trials will also be conducted with adults with ADHD. These trials allow scientists to gain knowledge about how to get adhd diagnosis scotland to diagnose, treat and prevent disorders such as ADHD.

Follow-up

A thorough evaluation of adult ADHD using a variety of assessment tools can help improve diagnostic accuracy and decrease the risk of a misdiagnosis. A psychologist or psychiatrist with experience in treating ADHD in adult patients typically conducts an lengthy interview. The evaluation specialist may also inquire about the history of your or your child's health issues, family dynamics and lifestyle choices. The evaluator might also look over your medical records and conduct an examination of your body.

Many people suffering from ADHD also have other mental or physical disorders, such as anxiety and depression, that need to be treated. In fact, it is believed that those who suffer from ADHD are six times more likely have mood disorders than others. People who suffer from ADHD are also at a higher risk of consuming alcohol.

Adults with ADHD have a tough finding and keeping jobs. They also have a harder managing their finances and keeping track of household chores. Adults with ADHD are at a higher risk of developing other health problems, including heart disease, obesity, and smoking. They are also more likely to have bad eating habits and struggle to maintain and form relationships with their partners.

In one study, those with ADHD who were treated in mental health services as young children continued to be diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood. The sample size was not large. A larger sample could provide more information about the clinical course of ADHD in adulthood and its connection to other psychiatric disorders.

Research has revealed that ADHD is a chronic, persistent disorder in adults. It has a negative impact on the quality of life and can cause variety of comorbid conditions, like learning disabilities, mood disorders and alcohol and drug abuse. People who do not treat ADHD are at an increased risk of being incarcerated and divorce, being less socioeconomically stable and more serious mental health issues.

All adults who have uncontrolled ADHD symptoms or an initial ADHD diagnosis should be examined within 30 to 60 days, then every month until the symptoms are under control. Adults with ADHD might need to receive psychotherapy and/or therapy with pharmacotherapy for the remainder of their lives.