It's The Next Big Thing In Diagnosis Of ADHD

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 significantly interfere with your daily activities at work, at home, and socially. Talk therapy can help improve communication and problem solving skills. Counseling for family and marriage can be beneficial.

Symptoms

It could be that you feel that you are not living up to your full potential when you have ADHD symptoms. As an adult, you might feel overwhelmed by your responsibilities and feel you're unable take on the numerous tasks ahead of you. You might be working full time as a caregiver 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 depressed, lose confidence, or even be embarrassed. It's not an issue when you suffer from ADHD. It's important to realize that there are solutions to your issues. The first step to a diagnosis.

A thorough psychiatric evaluation can be utilized by a health specialist to diagnose ADHD in adults. This may include speaking to you about your symptoms, having you complete standardized behavior rating scales and ADHD symptoms checklists, and gathering information about your medical and mental health background. The doctor may 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 been present prior to age 12 and continue to cause problems with your daily activities. You must also be experiencing difficulty with these behaviors at least in two different environments which include work, school and social interactions.

If your inattention is a significant problem, you might miss appointments, make careless mistakes at work or at home, and not be able to meet your obligations. You might have difficulty managing your health and finances 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.

People who suffer from ADHD are prone to making difficult situations worse by acting before they think. You could interrupt conversations with other people or utter answers to questions before they're finished, or have difficulty waiting your turn in line. Your impulsivity could cause risky actions like driving too quickly or spending money recklessly.

Studies suggest that genetics and environmental factors play an important role in the development of ADHD. The symptoms are more likely to be inherited from families and some researchers believe that problems with the central nervous system at crucial developmental stages increase the risk for this condition.

Diagnosis

A health specialist who specializes in ADHD can help evaluate adults with 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 specialized professional also may perform a physical exam or laboratory tests to determine if there are other conditions that have similar symptoms. A diagnosis of ADHD is only given to an adult diagnosis of adhd or adolescent if symptoms have been present for six months or more and cause significant impairments in the daily routine.

People who aren't diagnosed or treated for ADHD may struggle all their lives with ongoing issues that could have been prevented or treated. This can lead to depression, family issues financial or work-related stress, addiction to drugs and even serious accidents such as motor vehicle crashes.

Many adults with undiagnosed ADHD are at risk of being misunderstood and criticized by family members, friends and colleagues. They may be viewed by others as lazy, irresponsible or a poor employee. Undiagnosed ADHD can also increase the risk of anxiety and depression.

Women are better at hiding ADHD symptoms than men. This can make it harder to get an accurate diagnosis. They might use distractions or daydreaming to mask their impulsivity and inattention. Or they might rely on tools and techniques to help them overcome their lack of time management and disorganization. Women with ADHD might also have trouble in recognizing their symptoms, since they are more likely than men to suffer from inattentive or hyperactive symptoms.

It's important to remember that ADHD isn't an indicator of intelligence or capacity. It's merely a different behavior and way of thinking that may cause problems in certain situations or settings.

In adults, it may be difficult to identify ADHD because the symptoms may have changed as they grew up. However, the signs of ADHD in adults still meet the criteria set forth in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition (DSM-5)1.

Treatment

Undiagnosed ADHD can cause people to struggle to stay on track, complete their work or school assignments, and maintain healthy interpersonal relationships. These symptoms can affect daily functioning, and cause emotional issues such as depression or anxiety. People who are impulsive or hyperactive may appear restless, and may attempt to do a variety of things simultaneously. They may fail to finish tasks or meet deadlines. They may have difficulty paying attention to others, leading to misunderstandings and relationship problems.

The symptoms of the disorder typically remain unnoticed in the early years, and a lot of adults with the disorder aren't aware of ADHD. Instead of struggling to keep pace in school and everyday life they might have been labelled as a dreamer or a slacker. As the demands of adulthood increase however, many who suffer from ADHD notice their symptoms getting worse. They can't manage all the balls at once - pursuing a career and caring for family, while also keeping up with housework and errands, as well as maintaining romantic and social relationships.

A health care professional or mental health professional will determine whether a person is suffering from ADHD. The assessment typically involves discussions with relatives and friends, undiagnosed as well as other people who know the person well and a physical examination, and a review of the person's medical and psychiatric background. The patient may be asked to fill out standard ADHD rating scales or a symptom checklist. Psychological testing may be done to determine executive function, working memory, and visual and spatial skills.

Stimulant drugs are the most commonly used treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. They balance and increase levels of brain chemicals, known as neurotransmitters. They can help people with ADHD to focus better, organize their lives, remember important information and tasks and manage their an impulsive behaviour. Other treatments for ADHD include non-stimulant drugs like atomoxetine or antidepressants, which work slow than stimulants, yet help improve the symptoms of ADHD. People who have certain health issues such as diabetes or high blood pressure should consult their doctor prior to taking stimulants.

Some adults suffering from ADHD might benefit from behavior coaching, individual therapy group, self-help groups or vocational counseling. These programs can teach adults how to manage their symptoms, and how to build healthy family, school and workplace relationships. Clinical trials will also be conducted with adults who suffer from ADHD. These studies allow scientists to discover more about how to treat, diagnose and prevent disorders like ADHD.

Follow-up

A thorough evaluation of ADHD in adults using several assessment instruments will improve the accuracy of diagnosis and decrease misdiagnosis. A psychiatrist or psychologist with expertise in treating ADHD in adult patients will often conduct an lengthy interview. The evaluator will also ask you about your or children's health history, family dynamics, and lifestyle choices. The evaluator might also look over your medical records and conduct an examination of your body.

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

Adults with ADHD have a difficult to find and keep a job. They also have a tougher managing finances and staying on top of household tasks. Adults with ADHD are at a higher risk of developing other health issues, including obesity, heart disease, and smoking. They are also more likely to be prone to bad eating habits and struggle to maintain and form romantic relationships.

In one study, those who had ADHD who were treated in mental health services as young children continued to be diagnosed with ADHD into adulthood. The sample size was not large. A larger sample could have provided additional details about the clinical course and relationships of ADHD in adults with other psychiatric conditions.

Research has proven that ADHD is a chronic and persistent disorder that affects adults. It has a negative impact on quality of life and can lead to a number of comorbid conditions including mood disorders, learning disabilities and alcohol and drug abuse. People who do not treat ADHD are at a higher risk of being incarcerated or divorce, as well as a lower socioeconomic status and more serious psychiatric problems.

It is advised that all adults with an uncontrolled or new diagnosis of symptoms of ADHD be evaluated within 30 days, and then every month thereafter until their symptoms are under control. Adults with ADHD might need receiving psychotherapy or medication for the rest of their lives.