5 Laws Everybody In Diagnosis Of ADHD Should Know

Getting a Diagnosis of ADHD in Adults

There are adults who may not be aware of ADHD symptoms. A diagnosis as an adult can offer treatment options.

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

Signs and symptoms

It could be that you feel that you're not living up to your full potential when you suffer from ADHD symptoms. As an adult, you might be overwhelmed by the demands of your job and feel like you're unable to get a handle on the many responsibilities in front of you. You may be working full time as a caregiver for children or an elderly parent and trying to handle household chores and finances.

Your inability to keep up can cause frustration and embarrassment. You may be feeling hopeless or lose confidence, or even feel embarrassed. If you suffer from ADHD, it's not your fault. It's important to realize that there are solutions to your struggles. The first step in the process of diagnosing.

A health professional can detect ADHD in adults through an extensive psychiatric examination. This includes talking to you about your symptoms, having you complete standardized scales for assessing behavior and ADHD symptoms checklists, and collecting details about your medical and psychiatric history. The doctor might inquire 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 before age 12 and continue to cause problems with your daily activities. You should also be having issues with these behavior issues at least in two different environments which include work, school and social interactions.

If your inattention is a major issue, you could skip appointments, make careless mistakes at work or at home, and not be able to meet your responsibilities. You may have trouble managing your finances and health and may have a difficult time with simple tasks, like making sure you take your medication on time or visiting the doctor for checkups.

People who suffer from ADHD are prone to making difficult situations worse by acting before they think. You might interrupt conversations, respond to questions after people have finished or struggle to wait in the line. Your impulsiveness can result in risky behavior like driving too quickly or spending money in a reckless manner.

Research suggests that genetics as well as environmental factors play a part in the development of ADHD. The symptoms tend to run in families and some scientists believe that problems with the central nervous system at key developmental points increase the chance of developing this condition.

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 and review of medical history, work or school records along with family medical history and an examination for mental health. A trained professional may also conduct a physical exam and/or laboratory tests to rule out other conditions that may have similar symptoms. For an adolescent or adult to receive a diagnosis of ADHD, symptoms must be present for at minimum six months and cause significant impairment in daily life functions.

Undiagnosed or untreated ADHD can lead to long-term problems that could have been avoided or treated. This can cause depression, family issues and financial stress as well as work-related stress, drug abuse, and even serious accidents, such as motor vehicle accidents.

Undiagnosed ADHD can cause misinterpretation by family members, friends, and coworkers. They may be viewed by others as irresponsible, lazy or even a poor employee. In addition, people with undiagnosed ADHD are at greater risk for anxiety and depression.

Women are more adept at hiding their ADHD symptoms than men, which could make it difficult for them to get an accurate diagnosis. They might resort to distractions or daydreaming to mask their impulsivity and inattention. Sometimes, they use methods and tools to make up for their poor time management and disorganization. Women with ADHD may also have difficulty identifying their own symptoms as they are more likely to experience symptoms of inattention rather than hyperactivity or impulsivity.

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

For adults, it can be difficult to diagnose ADHD because the symptoms could have changed as people developed. Adults who suffer from ADHD still fit the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) of the American Psychiatric Association.

Treatment

Undiagnosed ADHD can cause people to struggle to stay organized and complete their work or school assignments, and maintain healthy interpersonal relationships. The symptoms can also affect daily functioning and cause emotional problems such as depression, anxiety or mood swings. People who are hyperactive or impulsive may appear restless, and may attempt to do a variety of things at once. They may not be able to finish tasks or meet deadlines. They may be unable to pay attention to others, which can result in miscommunications or relationship issues.

The symptoms of the disorder typically are not recognized until childhood, and many adults with them aren't aware of ADHD. They may have been labeled as a dreamer, a snob or a slacker instead of battling to stay ahead in school and life. As responsibilities increase in adulthood however, many who suffer from ADHD experience their symptoms becoming worse. They're not able to manage all the balls that are flying such as pursuing a career or taking care of family members and juggling with chores at home and errands as well as maintaining romantic and social relationships.

A health care professional or mental health professional will evaluate whether a person is suffering from ADHD. The assessment usually involves conversations with family members and friends, as well as other people who know the person well, a physical exam, and a review of a person's medical and mental health history. The patient may be asked to complete standardized ADHD ratings scales or a checklist of symptoms. Psychological tests are used to measure executive and working memory as in addition to spatial and visual abilities.

Adults suffering from ADHD are usually treated with stimulant medications. They balance and increase levels of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. They can help people suffering from ADHD concentrate better, organize their lives, and retain important information. They can also manage the impulsive behavior. Other treatments for ADHD include nonstimulant medicines like atomoxetine or antidepressants, which work more slowly than stimulants, but they can aid in the treatment of ADHD. Before taking stimulants, those who suffer from certain health issues such as diabetes or high blood pressure should talk to their doctor.

Some adults with ADHD might benefit from individual therapy, self-help groups or vocational counseling. These programs can help adults learn how to get diagnosed add to cope with their symptoms and to develop healthy school, family and workplace relationships. Clinical trials will also be conducted with some adults who suffer from ADHD. These studies aid scientists in learning more about new ways to diagnose, treat and prevent disorders like ADHD.

Follow-up

A thorough evaluation of ADHD for adults using various assessment tools will increase the accuracy of diagnosis and decrease mistakes in diagnosis. The process usually involves an extended interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist who is skilled in treating ADHD in adults. The evaluator may also ask about the background of your child's or your own health problems as well as family dynamics and lifestyle choices. He or she will also look over your previous medical records and conduct physical examination.

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

Adults who suffer from ADHD have a tough to find and keep a job. They also face difficulties managing finances and keeping up with household chores. Adults with ADHD are at a higher risk for developing other health issues, such as 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, individuals with ADHD who were treated in minor mental health facilities as children continued to be diagnosed with ADHD into adulthood. The sample size was not large. A larger sample size would have provided more information about the clinical course and relationships of ADHD in patients with other psychiatric disorders.

Research has shown that ADHD is a long-lasting and persistent disorder that affects adults. It can have a negative impact on living quality and can lead to other issues like mood disorders learning disabilities, and the abuse of alcohol and drugs. If not treated, ADHD increases the risk of incarceration, divorce and a lower socioeconomic status for people with ADHD.

It is recommended that all adults who have an uncontrolled or new diagnosis of symptoms of ADHD be evaluated within 30 days and every month after that until their symptoms are managed. Adults who suffer from ADHD might need to continue receiving pharmacotherapy or psychotherapy for the rest their lives.