10 Misconceptions Your Boss Shares Regarding Diagnosis Of ADHD

Getting a Diagnosis of ADHD in Adults

Some adults may not be aware of their ADHD symptoms. Recognizing the symptoms as an adult could provide options for treatment.

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 life at work, at home, and socially. Talk therapy can help improve the communication and problem-solving abilities. Marital and family counseling can be beneficial as well.

Signs and symptoms

If you're suffering from symptoms of ADHD it could appear that you're not living up to your potential. You may feel overwhelmed as an adult due to your responsibilities. You might be working full time as a caregiver for children or an elderly parent, and trying to manage household chores and finances.

Your inability to keep up can cause frustration and embarrassment. You may also feel depressed and lose confidence. You may even be embarrassed. It's not a problem if you have ADHD. It's important to recognize that there are solutions to overcome your difficulties. The first step to a diagnosis.

A health care professional can detect ADHD in adults by performing an extensive psychiatric examination. This includes talking with you about symptoms, having you fill out standardized behavioral ratings scales and ADHD list of symptoms, and gathering information on your mental health and medical background. The doctor may also ask you 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 occurred prior to age 12 and continue to cause problems with your daily life. You must also have difficulty with these behaviors in multiple settings, such as at work, school, and in your social interactions.

If your inattention is a significant problem, you might be late for appointments, make impulsive mistakes at work or at home, and fail to fulfill your obligations. You may have trouble managing your finances and health and may have a difficult working through everyday tasks, such as remembering to take medication or visiting the doctor for checkups.

For those with ADHD who have ADHD, the tendency to act before thinking can make difficult situations worse. You may interrupt conversations, answer questions before others are done or struggle to wait in the line. Your impulsiveness can result in risky behavior like driving too fast or spending money in a reckless manner.

According to research that have been conducted, environment and genetics are key factors in the development of ADHD. The symptoms are more likely to run in families and some scientists believe that issues with the central nervous system at key developmental points increase the chance of developing this condition.

Diagnosis

A health professional who specializes in ADHD can help evaluate those who have symptoms of the disorder. A typical assessment includes an interview as well as a review of medical records, school or workplace records as well as family medical histories and a mental assessment. A trained professional may also perform a physical exam 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 ADHD symptoms, they must be present for at minimum six months and cause significant impairment in everyday activities.

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

Undiagnosed ADHD can cause misinterpretation by family members, friends and colleagues. They could be seen by others as irresponsible, lazy or as a bad employee. Undiagnosed ADHD can also increase the likelihood of depression and anxiety.

Women are more adept in securing their ADHD symptoms than men, which could make it difficult for them to receive an accurate diagnosis. They may employ strategies to hide their inattention or impulsivity, for example constant distractions and daydreaming or rely on devices to compensate for their disorganization and ineffective time management. Women with ADHD might also have trouble identifying their symptoms, as they are more likely than men to experience inattentive or hyperactive symptoms.

It's important to understand that ADHD isn't a metric of intelligence or ability. It's just a different way to think and behave that can create problems in certain situations.

For adults, it can be difficult to identify ADHD because the symptoms could have changed as they developed. Adults with ADHD still meet the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) of the American Psychiatric Association.

Treatment

Undiagnosed ADHD can cause individuals to have difficulty to stay organized, complete their work or school assignments, and maintain healthy relationships with others. Symptoms also can interfere with the daily routine and trigger emotional problems such as anxiety, depression or shifts in mood. People who suffer from hyperactivity or impulsive subtypes of the condition can appear agitated and try to do several things at once, failing to finish tasks or meet deadlines. They can have trouble paying attention to other people, leading to misunderstandings and relationship problems.

Symptoms of the disorder often go unrecognized in childhood, and many adults who have them don't know they have ADHD. Instead of struggling to keep pace in school and life they may be viewed as either a dreamer or a slacker. Many people suffering from ADHD experience more severe symptoms as their responsibilities increase. They're unable to handle all the balls they're trying keep in the air--pursuing the dream of a career, taking care of family members, juggling housework and errands, and 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 usually involves discussions with relatives and friends, as well as other people who are familiar with the person, a physical exam, and a review of the person's medical and mental health history. The person may also be asked to fill out standard ADHD rating scales or a symptom checklist. Psychological testing can be used to measure executive function, working memory and spatial and visual skills.

Adults with ADHD are typically treated by stimulant medications. These medications increase and balance levels of brain chemicals referred to as neurotransmitters. They can help people with ADHD focus better, organize their lives and keep track of important information.  how to diagnose adhd in adults ADHD Diagnosis  can also manage impulse-driven behaviors. Other treatments for ADHD include non-stimulant drugs like atomoxetine or antidepressants. They work more slow than stimulants, yet aid in the treatment of ADHD. Patients with particular health issues, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, should talk to their doctor before taking stimulants.

Certain adults suffering from ADHD might benefit from behavior coaching, individual therapy, self-help groups or vocational counseling. These programs can help adults learn how to manage their symptoms and to establish healthy school, family and work relationships. Clinical trials will also be conducted with adults suffering from ADHD. These studies help scientists learn more about new ways to identify, treat and prevent disorders such as ADHD.

Follow-up

A thorough assessment of ADHD in adults by using a variety of assessment inventories will improve the accuracy of diagnosis and minimize the chance of misdiagnosis. The process typically involves an extended interview with a psychiatrist or psychologist who has experience in treating ADHD in adults. The evaluator may also ask about the history of your child's or your own health problems, family dynamics, and lifestyle choices. The evaluator will also go through your past medical records and conduct physical examination.

Many people who suffer from ADHD also suffer from other psychiatric or medical conditions like anxiety and depression, 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 also are more likely to be victims of consuming alcohol.

Adults who suffer from ADHD have a tough finding and keeping a job. They also have difficulty managing finances and juggling household chores. Adults with ADHD are more at risk of developing health problems, including heart disease, obesity, and smoking. They are also more likely to have bad eating habits and to have difficulty forming and maintaining relationships with their partners.

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

Research has shown ADHD to be a long-lasting and persistent problem for adults. It has a negative effect on the quality of life and can cause number of comorbid conditions including mood disorders, learning disabilities and alcohol and drug abuse. If left untreated, ADHD increases the chance of incarceration or divorce, as well as a lower social economic status for those with ADHD.

All adults with uncontrolled ADHD symptoms or the first ADHD diagnosis should be evaluated within 30 to 60 days, and then every month until symptoms are under control. Adults suffering from ADHD may need to continue receiving pharmacotherapy or psychotherapy for the rest of their lives.