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Getting a Diagnosis of ADHD in Adults Many adults aren't aware of ADHD symptoms. Getting a diagnosis as an adult may open up options for treatment. To be diagnosed with ADHD, you must have at least five persistent symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity. These symptoms must interfere with your daily activities, whether at home, work and socially. Talk therapy can improve communication and problem solving skills. Counseling for families and marriage can be beneficial. Signs and symptoms If you struggle with symptoms of ADHD, it may seem as if you're not living up to your potential. As an adult, you could be overwhelmed by the demands of your job and feel that you can't get a handle on the many tasks in front of you. You might be working full-time and caring for your children or an elderly parent and trying to manage household chores and finances. Inability to keep up can cause embarrassment and frustration. You might also feel hopeless, lose confidence, or even feel embarrassed. It's not an issue if you have ADHD. It's important to realize that there are solutions to your struggles. The first step to the process of diagnosing. A thorough psychiatric evaluation can be performed by a health specialist to diagnose ADHD in adults. This includes talking to you about your symptoms, having you complete standardized scales for assessing behavior and ADHD symptoms checklists, and collecting details about your medical and mental health background. The provider may also inquire 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 been present prior to the age of 12 and continue affecting your life. You should also be having issues with these behavior issues at least in two different situations which include work, school and social relationships. If your inattention is a serious problem, you might be late for appointments, make impulsive mistakes at work or at home, and fail to fulfill your responsibilities. You might have difficulty managing your health and finances and may have a difficult to complete simple tasks like taking medication, or visiting the doctor for checkups. People with ADHD can make difficult situations worse by acting before they think. You may interrupt conversations, respond to questions after people have finished or have difficulty waiting in line. Your impulsivity could lead to risky behaviors like driving too fast or spending money in a reckless manner. Research suggests that genetics and environmental factors play a part in the development of ADHD. The symptoms of ADHD tend to run in the family, and some scientists believe that issues with your central nervous system at critical developmental stages increase your risk. Diagnosis A health specialist who specializes in ADHD can assist in evaluating adults with symptoms of the disorder. A typical evaluation includes an interview, an examination of medical documents, school or work records, family medical histories, and a mental assessment. A specialized professional may also conduct a physical examination and/or laboratory tests to rule out other conditions that have similar symptoms. A diagnosis of ADHD is only given to an adult or teenager if symptoms have been present for a period of six months or more and are causing significant impairments in the daily routine. People who aren't diagnosed or treated for ADHD can struggle for the rest of their lives with chronic difficulties that could have been avoided or treated. This can lead to depression, family issues, financial stress or work-related stress, drug abuse and even serious accidents such as motor crashes. Undiagnosed ADHD can result in misinterpretation by family members, friends, and coworkers. They might be viewed as a lazy, irresponsible person, a bad employee or just plain crazy. Undiagnosed ADHD can also increase the chance of depression and anxiety. Women are better at hiding ADHD symptoms than men. This can make it more difficult to get the correct diagnosis. They may employ strategies to hide their inattentiveness or impulsivity, such as the frequent distractions and daydreaming or rely on devices to compensate for their disorganization and ineffective time management. Women with ADHD might also have trouble diagnosing their symptoms, as they are more likely than men to experience hyperactive or inattention symptoms. It's important to understand that ADHD isn't a metric of intelligence or capacity. It's just a different behavior and way of thinking that may cause problems in certain situations or settings. For adults, it can be difficult to diagnose 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 People who have not been diagnosed with ADHD might struggle to stay organized, keep track of school or work tasks and maintain healthy relationships. These symptoms can affect everyday functioning and can trigger anxiety or depression. People who are impulsive or hyperactive can appear agitated, and may attempt to do many things at once. They may fail to finish tasks or meet deadlines. They may be unable to pay attention to others, which could lead to misunderstandings or problems with relationships. ADHD is usually not acknowledged in childhood and many adults with the symptoms are unaware that they have it. Instead of struggling to keep up in school and life, they may have been labeled an overachiever or a dreamer. As the demands of adulthood increase However, many people who suffer from ADHD notice their symptoms getting worse. They're not able to manage all the balls in the air – pursuing a career and caring for their family, while also keeping up with chores at home and errands and maintaining social and romantic relationships. A health care provider or mental health professional will evaluate whether a person is suffering from ADHD. The evaluation involves a discussion with family members, friends, and others who are familiar with the person as well as a physical exam and a review of the person's medical history. The person could also be asked to complete standard ADHD rating scales or an assessment checklist of symptoms. Psychological tests can be conducted to measure working memory, executive function and spatial and visual abilities. Adults suffering from ADHD are most commonly treated with stimulant medications. These medications balance and boost levels of brain chemicals, known as neurotransmitters. They can help those with ADHD focus better, manage their lives, and retain important information. They can also manage impulsive behaviors. Other treatments for ADHD include nonstimulant medications such as atomoxetine and antidepressants. They work more slow than stimulants, yet aid in the treatment of ADHD. Before taking stimulants who suffer from certain medical conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure should consult their doctor. Some adults with ADHD might benefit from individual therapy, self-help groups or vocational counseling. These programs can help adults learn how to manage their symptoms, and how to build healthy family, school and workplace relationships. Certain adults suffering from ADHD will also be part of clinical studies. 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 the accuracy of diagnosis and reduce the chance of misdiagnosis. The process typically involves an extended discussion with a psychologist or psychiatrist 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 problems, family dynamics, and lifestyle choices. He or she will also review your past medical records and perform an examination of your body. Many people with ADHD also suffer from other psychiatric disorders or medical conditions, such as depression and anxiety, which require treatment. In fact, it's believed that those with ADHD are six times more likely to suffer from mood disorders than other people. People who suffer from ADHD also are at a higher risk of consuming alcohol. Adults who suffer from ADHD have a difficult finding and keeping jobs. They also have difficulty managing finances and keeping up with household chores. Adults with ADHD are at a higher risk for developing other health problems, including obesity, heart disease and smoking. In addition, they are more likely to be prone to poor eating habits and are more likely to have trouble forming and keeping romantic relationships. In one study, adults who were diagnosed with ADHD after being treated in a minor mental health clinic when they were children. However, the size of the sample was small. A larger sample size could provide additional information about the clinical course and the relationship of ADHD in patients with other psychiatric disorders. Research has proven that ADHD is a chronic, persistent disorder in adults. It can have a negative effect on quality of living and may lead to other health issues like mood disorders, learning disabilities, alcohol and drugs abuse. diagnosis for adhd in adults with untreated ADHD are at an increased risk for incarceration or divorce, as well as being less socioeconomically stable and more serious psychiatric problems. It is advised that all adults with an uncontrolled or new diagnosis of symptoms of ADHD be seen within 30 days, and then every month after that until their symptoms are managed. Adults with ADHD may need to continue receiving psychotherapy or pharmacotherapy for the rest of their lives.