Watch Out: How Diagnosis Of ADHD Is Taking Over The World And What We Can Do About It

· 6 min read
Watch Out: How Diagnosis Of ADHD Is Taking Over The World And What We Can Do About It

Getting a Diagnosis of ADHD in Adults

Many adults aren't aware of ADHD symptoms. A diagnosis as an adult could 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 daily functioning at work, at home, and socially. Talk therapy can improve the communication skills and problem solving abilities. Counseling for families and marriage can be beneficial.

Symptoms

If you're struggling with the symptoms of ADHD, it may seem that you're not living up to your potential. As an adult, you might be overwhelmed by the demands of your job and feel like you're unable to manage 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 difficulty keeping up can result in embarrassment, frustration despair, and an eroding of confidence. If you have ADHD, it's not your fault. It's important to realize that there are solutions to overcome your challenges. The first step to a diagnosis.

A medical professional can diagnose ADHD in adults through a thorough psychiatric evaluation. This involves talking to you about symptoms, requiring you complete standardized behavior rating scales and ADHD list of symptoms, and gathering information on your mental and medical 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 been present prior to age 12 and continue to cause problems with your daily life. You may also have issues with these behavior in multiple situations, like at work, school as well as in your social interactions.

If your inattention is a major issue, you may be late for appointments, make impulsive mistakes at work or at home and fail to follow through on your responsibilities. You may be struggling with managing your finances and health and may have a difficult working through everyday tasks, such as taking medication, or visiting the doctor for checkups.

For those with ADHD the tendency to act before thinking can make difficult situations even worse. You could disrupt conversations with others, blurt out answers to questions before they're completed, or struggle to wait your turn in line. Your impulsive behavior could lead to dangerous activities, like driving too quickly or spending money in a reckless manner.

Studies suggest that genetics and environmental factors play a part in the development of ADHD. The symptoms are more likely to be inherited from families and some researchers believe that issues with the central nervous system at crucial developmental points increase your risk for this condition.

Diagnosis

A health care professional who specializes in ADHD can assist in evaluating those who have 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 an assessment of mental health. A specialist may also conduct a physical examination and/or tests in the laboratory to rule out other conditions that share similar symptoms. For an adult or adolescent to be diagnosed with ADHD, symptoms must be present for at minimum six months, and cause significant impairment to everyday life activities.

Undiagnosed or neglected ADHD can lead to long-term problems which could have been prevented or treated. This can lead to depression, family issues and financial stress, as well as work-related issues, substance abuse and even serious accidents like motor vehicle crashes.

Many adults who have not been diagnosed with ADHD are at risk of being misunderstood and criticized by friends, relatives and coworkers. They may be perceived as lazy, irresponsible or even just plain crazy. Additionally, those with undiagnosed ADHD are more at risk of developing depression and anxiety.

Women are more adept at concealing ADHD symptoms than men. This can make it harder for them to receive the correct diagnosis. They might use distractions or daydreaming to mask their impulsivity and inattention. Or they might depend on strategies and tools to make up for their poor time management and lack of organization. Women who suffer from ADHD might also have trouble in recognizing their symptoms, since they are more likely than men to exhibit hyperactive or inattention symptoms.

ADHD Diagnosis  to keep in mind that ADHD isn't a sign of intelligence or ability. It's merely an alternative way of thinking and behave that may cause challenges in certain situations.



In adults, it can be difficult to identify ADHD because the symptoms could have changed over time as they developed. However, the symptoms of ADHD in adults still meet the criteria listed in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition (DSM-5)1.

Treatment

People with undiagnosed ADHD might struggle to stay organized, keep track of school or work tasks, and maintain healthy relationships. The symptoms can also affect everyday functioning and can trigger emotional issues like depression or anxiety. People with hyperactivity or impulsive variants of the condition can appear agitated and try to do several things at once, and fail to finish tasks or meet deadlines. They can have trouble paying attention to other people which can lead to miscommunications and problems with relationships.

Symptoms of the disorder often remain unnoticed in the early years, and a lot of adults with them don't know they have ADHD. Instead of struggling to keep pace in school and everyday life they may be viewed as either a dreamer or a slacker. Many people with ADHD experience more severe symptoms as their responsibilities grow. They're not able to handle all the balls they have to keep up-to-date with: pursuing an occupation, caring for family members, keeping up with household chores and errands, as well as trying to improve their romantic and social relationships.

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

Stimulant medication is the most common treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. They balance and increase levels of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. They can help those with ADHD improve their focus and organize their lives, remember important information and tasks, and control impulsive behavior. Other treatments for ADHD include nonstimulant medicines such as atomoxetine and antidepressants. They work more slowly than stimulants but still improve the symptoms of ADHD. Before taking stimulants, people who suffer from certain medical conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure, should talk to their doctor.

Certain adults suffering from ADHD may benefit from behavioral coaching, individual therapy group, self-help groups or vocational counseling. These programs can help adults to manage their ADHD symptoms as well as develop healthy relationships at home, at school, and at work. Clinical trials will also be conducted with adults suffering from ADHD. These trials allow scientists to learn more about how to treat, diagnose and prevent disorders like ADHD.

Follow-up

A thorough assessment of adult ADHD using various assessment inventories can help improve diagnostic accuracy and reduce the chance of misdiagnosis. The process typically involves an extended discussion with a psychiatrist or psychologist who is experienced in treating ADHD in adults. The evaluation specialist may also inquire about the background of your child's or your own health issues as well as family dynamics and lifestyle choices. He or she could also review your medical records and perform an examination of your body.

Many people with ADHD also suffer from other medical or psychiatric conditions like anxiety and depression, which need to be treated. In fact, it is thought that people who suffer from ADHD are six times more likely have mood disorders than others. People with ADHD are also at a greater risk of substance abuse.

Adults with ADHD typically have difficulty to secure and maintain jobs. They also have a difficult time managing their finances and juggling household chores. Adults with ADHD are at a higher risk for developing other health problems, like heart disease, obesity, and smoking. In addition, they are more likely to suffer from poor eating habits and experience difficulties forming and maintaining romantic relationships.

In one study, those who had ADHD who were treated in minor mental health services as young children were diagnosed with ADHD as they grew older. However the size of the sample was small. A larger sample could have provided more information about the pathology of ADHD in adulthood and its connection with other psychiatric disorders.

Research has demonstrated ADHD to be a persistent and persistent disorder among adults. It has a negative effect on the quality of life and can result in a variety of comorbid conditions, such as mood disorders, learning disabilities as well as alcohol and drug abuse. If not treated, ADHD increases the chance of incarceration and divorce as well as a lower socioeconomic status for those with ADHD.

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