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Getting a Diagnosis of ADHD in Adults Many adults aren't 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 should significantly interfere with your daily activities at work, at home, and socially. Talk therapy can enhance the communication skills and problem solving abilities. Counseling for families and marriage can also be helpful. Symptoms You may feel like you're not living up to your full potential if suffer from ADHD symptoms. You may be overwhelmed as an adult with your responsibilities. You may be working full time as a caregiver for children or an aging parent and trying to handle household chores and finances. Your difficulty in keeping up may cause embarrassment, anger despair and a loss of confidence. It's not your problem in the event that you suffer from ADHD. However, it's important to understand that there are solutions to your struggles. The first step is a diagnosis. A thorough psychiatric evaluation can be utilized by a medical professional to diagnose ADHD in adults. This includes talking to you about your symptoms, having you complete standardized behavior rating scales and ADHD symptom checklists, and gathering information about your medical and psychopathological background. The doctor may also inquire about your family history of 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 prior to the age of 12 and continue to affect your life. You must also be having difficulty with these behavior issues at least in two different environments, including school, work and social interactions. You may be late for appointments, make careless errors at home or at work and not be able to meet your responsibilities if your lack of attention is an issue. You may have trouble managing your finances and health and may have a difficult working through everyday tasks like remembering to take medication or going to the doctor for a checkup. People with ADHD can make difficult situations more difficult by acting before they think. You might disrupt conversations with others or utter answers to questions before you're finished or have trouble waiting your turn in line. Your impulsive behavior could lead to dangerous activities, like driving too quickly or spending money in a reckless manner. Research suggests that genetics and environmental factors play a role in the development of ADHD. The symptoms of ADHD typically run in the family, and some researchers believe that problems with your central nervous system during crucial developmental stages increase your risk. Diagnosis A health care specialist who is specialized in ADHD can assist in evaluating adults with symptoms of the disorder. An evaluation typically includes an interview and review of medical background, school or work records along with family medical history and an assessment of mental health. A trained professional can conduct physical examinations and/or lab tests to rule other conditions that have similar symptoms. For an adult or adolescent to be diagnosed with ADHD symptoms, they must be present for at minimum six months, and cause significant impairment in everyday activities. Undiagnosed or neglected ADHD can lead to long-term problems which could have been prevented or treated. This can lead depression, family problems, financial stress or work-related stress, drug abuse, and even serious accidents like motor vehicle accidents. Undiagnosed ADHD can lead to confusion among family members, friends, and coworkers. They may be viewed by others as irresponsible, lazy or as a bad employee. Undiagnosed ADHD can also increase the chance of depression and anxiety. Women are more adept at concealing ADHD symptoms than men. This makes it more difficult for them to receive a proper diagnosis. They may resort to strategies to hide their inattention or impulsivity, like constant distractions and daydreaming or rely on tools to compensate for their disorganization and ineffective time management. Women who suffer from ADHD also might have trouble in recognizing their own symptoms since they are more likely to suffer from symptoms of inattention, not an impulsive or hyperactivity. It's important to keep in mind that ADHD isn't a metric of intelligence or capability. It's just an altered behavior and way of thinking that may cause problems in certain situations or environments. For adults, it can be difficult to identify ADHD because the symptoms may have changed as people became older. Adults who suffer from ADHD still fit the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) of the American Psychiatric Association. Treatment People who have not been diagnosed with ADHD may have difficulty getting organized, keep track of school or work obligations and maintain healthy relationships. The symptoms can also affect everyday functioning and can trigger emotional issues such as depression or anxiety. People with hyperactivity or impulsive variants of the disorder may seem agitated and attempt to complete multiple things at once, failing to complete tasks or meet deadlines. They may struggle to pay attention to other people that can cause confusion and problems with relationships. The symptoms of the disorder usually remain unnoticed in childhood, and many adults who have them do not know they have ADHD. They might have been viewed as a goof-off, dreamer or a slacker, instead of struggling to keep up in school and daily life. As responsibilities increase in adulthood, however, many people who have ADHD find their symptoms grow worse. IamPsychiatry 're not able to manage all the balls at once such as pursuing a career or taking care of family members and juggling with chores at home and errands and maintaining romantic and social relationships. A health care provider or mental health professional will evaluate whether a person suffers from ADHD. The assessment typically 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 psychiatric history. The patient could be asked to complete standardized ADHD ratings scales or a list of symptoms. Psychological tests are used to assess executive and working memory as well as visual and spatial abilities. Stimulant medications are the most common treatment for adults with ADHD. These medications increase and balance levels of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. They can help those with ADHD to focus better and manage their lives, recall important information and tasks, and control the impulsive behavior. Non-stimulant drugs, like antidepressants and atomoxetine, can also be used to treat ADHD. They work slower than stimulants, but they can still help improve symptoms. People who have certain 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 individual therapy, self help groups, or vocational counseling. These interventions can help adults how to manage their ADHD symptoms and develop healthy relationships at home, in school, and at work. Clinical trials will also be conducted on adults with ADHD. These studies allow scientists to discover more about how to diagnose, treat and prevent disorders like ADHD. Follow-up A thorough evaluation of adult ADHD using a variety of assessment tools can help improve diagnostic accuracy and reduce the chance of misdiagnosis. A psychiatrist or psychologist with experience in treating ADHD in adults will often conduct an extended interview. The examiner may also inquire about the history of your your child's health problems, family dynamics and lifestyle choices. He or she will also go through your past medical records and perform an examination of your body. Many people who suffer from ADHD are also suffering from other psychiatric issues or medical conditions, like anxiety and depression, that must be treated. In fact, it is estimated that people with ADHD are six times more likely to suffer from mood disorders than other people. People who suffer from ADHD are also at a higher-than-average risk of consuming alcohol. Adults who suffer from ADHD often find it difficult to find and keep jobs. They also have a tougher managing finances and juggling household tasks. Adults with ADHD have an increased chance of developing health issues, including heart disease, obesity, and smoking. They are also more likely to have bad eating habits and to struggle to maintain and form relationships with their partners. In one study, individuals who had ADHD who were treated in minor mental health facilities as children were diagnosed with ADHD as they grew older. However, the sample size was very small. An expansion of the sample would have provided more information about the clinical course of ADHD in adulthood and its relationship to other psychiatric disorders. Research has revealed that ADHD is a long-lasting, persistent disorder in adults. It can have a negative effect on living quality and may lead to other health issues like mood disorders learning disabilities, alcohol and drugs abuse. People who do not treat ADHD are at a greater risk of being incarcerated and divorce, a lower socioeconomic status and more serious psychiatric problems. All adults who have uncontrolled ADHD symptoms or a new ADHD diagnosis should be seen within 30 to 60 days, then every month until the symptoms are under control. Adults suffering from ADHD might require receiving pharmacotherapy or psychotherapy for the rest of their lives.