5 Myths About Diagnosis Of ADHD That You Should Stay Clear Of
5 Myths About Diagnosis Of ADHD That You Should Stay Clear Of
Blog Article
Getting a Diagnosis of ADHD in Adults
There are adults who may not be aware of ADHD symptoms. A diagnosis as an adult can provide 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 life at work, at home, and socially. Talk therapy can enhance communication and problem solving skills. Counseling for marriage and family can be beneficial.
Signs and symptoms
You might feel that you're not performing to your full potential if you have ADHD symptoms. You might feel overwhelmed as an adult with the responsibilities you have to fulfill. You might be full-time at work as well as caring for your elderly parents or children, and managing household chores.
Your difficulty keeping up can result in embarrassment, frustration despair, and the loss of confidence. It's not a problem when you suffer from ADHD. It's important to understand that there are solutions to overcome your difficulties. The first step is to make a diagnosis.
A thorough psychiatric evaluation can be performed by a health care specialist to diagnose ADHD in adults. This includes talking to you about your symptoms, requiring you to complete standardized behavior rating scales and ADHD symptoms checklists, and gathering details about your medical and mental health background. The provider may also inquire about your family's 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 occurred before age 12 and continue to interfere with your daily activities. You should also be experiencing difficulty with these behavior issues at least in two different environments, including school, work and social relationships.
If your inattention is a major issue, you may miss appointments, make careless mistakes at work or at home, and fail to follow through on your responsibilities. You might have difficulty managing your health and finances and may have a hard time with simple tasks, like taking medication, or visiting the doctor for a checkup.
In people with ADHD the tendency to think before acting can make stressful situations more difficult. You may interrupt conversations, respond to questions before people are finished or have trouble waiting in lines. Your impulsive behavior could lead to reckless actions, like driving too quickly or spending money in a reckless manner.
Research suggests that genetics as well as environmental factors play an important role in the development of ADHD. Symptoms tend to be inherited from families and some researchers believe that issues with the central nervous system at key developmental points increase the chance of developing this condition.
Diagnosis
A health professional with a specialization in ADHD can help those who are suffering from symptoms of the disorder. An evaluation typically includes an interview and review of medical background, school or work records, family medical history and an examination for mental health. A specialized professional may conduct physical examinations and/or laboratory tests to rule out other conditions that exhibit similar symptoms. For an adult or adolescent to receive a diagnosis of ADHD symptoms, they must be present for at minimum six months and result in significant impairment of everyday life activities.
Undiagnosed or untreated ADHD can lead to long-term problems which could have been prevented or treated. This can lead to depression, family issues financial or work-related stress as well as substance abuse, and even serious accidents like motor vehicle accidents.
Undiagnosed ADHD can lead to misinterpretations by family members, friends and colleagues. They could be seen as a lazy, irresponsible person or even just plain crazy. Undiagnosed ADHD can also increase the likelihood of depression and anxiety.
Women are better at hiding ADHD symptoms than men. This can make it harder to get the correct diagnosis. They might resort to distractions or daydreaming to mask their inattentiveness and impulsivity. Or they might depend on methods and tools to make up for their poor time management and lack of organization. Women with ADHD may also have difficulty in recognizing their own symptoms since they are more likely to experience symptoms of inattention, not an impulsive or hyperactivity.
It's important to keep in mind that ADHD isn't a sign of intelligence or capability. It's just an alternative way of thinking and behave that may cause challenges in certain situations.
In adults, it can be difficult to determine ADHD because the symptoms may have changed as people developed. Adults who suffer from ADHD still meet the criteria set by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) of the American Psychiatric Association.
Treatment
People who aren't diagnosed with ADHD might struggle to stay organized, keep track of work or school tasks and maintain healthy relationships. These symptoms can affect daily functioning and cause mental issues such as depression, anxiety, or mood swings. Hyperactive or impulsive people might appear to be agitated and may attempt to do many things at the same time. They might not complete tasks or meet deadlines. They may struggle to pay attention to others which can lead to miscommunications and relationship problems.
The symptoms of the disorder typically go unrecognized in childhood, and many adults with them don't know they have ADHD. Instead of struggling to keep up in school and everyday life they might have been labeled either a dreamer or a slacker. Many people with ADHD experience more severe symptoms as their obligations increase. They're not able to handle all the balls they're trying keep in the air--pursuing a career, caring for family members, juggling household chores and errands, as well as trying to improve their romantic and social relationships.
A mental health professional or health care provider will determine if a person has ADHD. The evaluation usually includes discussions with relatives or friends who know the person well as well as a physical exam and a review of the person's medical and mental health history. The patient may be asked to fill out standardized ADHD rating scales or an assessment checklist of symptoms. Psychological testing may be done to assess executive function, working memory as well as spatial and visual skills.
Stimulant medications are the most common treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. They balance and increase levels of brain chemicals, known as neurotransmitters. They can help people with ADHD focus better, manage their lives and keep track of important information. They can also control impulse-driven behaviors. Non-stimulant drugs, like antidepressants or atomoxetine, may also be used to treat ADHD. They are more slowly than stimulants, but still improve symptoms. Before taking stimulants, people who suffer from certain health issues, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, should consult their physician.
Certain adults suffering from ADHD may benefit from individual therapy, self-help groups, or vocational counseling. These interventions can teach adults how to cope with their symptoms, and how to develop healthy family, school and workplace relationships. A few adults with ADHD will also be part of clinical studies. These studies help scientists learn more about how to treat, diagnose and prevent disorders such as ADHD.
Follow-up
A thorough evaluation of ADHD in adults using several assessment instruments will improve the accuracy of diagnosis and decrease the chance of misdiagnosis. The process often includes an extended interview with a psychiatrist or psychologist who has experience in treating ADHD in adults. The evaluation specialist may also inquire about the background of your child's or your own health problems, family dynamics, and lifestyle choices. The evaluator will also review your past medical records and conduct physical examination.
Many people with ADHD also suffer from other psychiatric disorders or medical conditions, like depression and anxiety that need to be treated. In fact, it's estimated that people with ADHD are six times more likely suffer from mood disorders than the rest of us. People with ADHD are also at a greater risk of substance abuse.
Adults with ADHD often have a difficult time to find and keep jobs. They also have a harder managing their finances and keeping track of household chores. Adults with ADHD are at risk of developing other health issues, such as 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, people were diagnosed with ADHD after being treated in a minor website mental health clinic as children. However the sample size was small. A larger sample might provide more information about the clinical course of ADHD in adulthood and its connection with other psychiatric disorders.
Research has proven ADHD to be a long-lasting and persistent disorder in adults. It has a negative effect on the quality of life and can lead to a variety of comorbid conditions, such as learning disabilities, mood disorders and abuse of alcohol and drugs. If not treated, ADHD increases the risk of incarceration, divorce and a lower socioeconomic status for those with ADHD.
It is advised that all adults with new diagnoses or uncontrolled symptoms of ADHD be evaluated within 30 days and monthly after that until their symptoms are managed. Adults with ADHD might need to continue receiving psychotherapy or pharmacotherapy for the rest of their lives.