10 No-Fuss Ways To Figuring Out Your Diagnosis Of ADHD > 자유게시판

Getting a Diagnosis of ADHD in Adults

Some adults may have unrecognized 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 be a major hindrance with your daily activities 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

You might feel that you're not doing enough to fulfill your full potential if you have ADHD symptoms. You might feel overwhelmed as an adult due to your responsibilities. You might be working full time as a caregiver for children or an aging parent and trying to manage household chores and finances.

Your inability to keep up can cause embarrassment and frustration. You might also feel hopeless and lose confidence. You may even feel embarrassed. If you have ADHD it's not your fault. But it's important to know that there are solutions to your issues. The first step is to make a diagnosis.

A thorough psychiatric assessment can be used by a medical specialist to diagnose ADHD in adults. This involves speaking with you about your symptoms, having you complete standardized behavior rating scales and ADHD symptoms checklists, and gathering information regarding your medical and psychiatric history. The provider may ask about the background 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 occurred prior to age 12 and continue affecting your life. You should also be experiencing difficulty with these behaviors at least in two different settings, including school, work and social relationships.

You may miss appointments, make careless errors at home or at work and fail to meet your responsibilities if your lack of attention is an issue. You may be struggling with managing your health and finances and may have a difficult time with simple tasks, like making sure you take your medication on time or visiting the doctor for checkups.

For those with ADHD, the tendency to act before thinking can make difficult situations even worse. You might disrupt conversations with others and spit out answers to questions before you're finished or have trouble waiting your turn in line. Your impulsiveness could lead to reckless actions, like driving too quickly or spending money in a reckless manner.

Research suggests that genetics and environmental factors play an important role 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 stages increase the risk for this condition.

Diagnosis

A health professional who specializes in ADHD can help evaluate those who have symptoms of the disorder. A typical assessment consists of an interview and reviewing medical documents, school or work records as well as family medical histories and a mental health screening. A trained professional may also conduct a physical exam and/or tests in the laboratory to identify other conditions that may have similar symptoms. For an adult or adolescent to be diagnosed with ADHD, symptoms must be present for at minimum six months, and result in significant impairment of everyday life activities.

People with undiagnosed or under-treated ADHD can struggle for the rest of their lives with chronic difficulties that could have been prevented or treated. This can lead depression, family issues and financial stress as well as work-related stress, substance abuse and even serious accidents, such as motor vehicle crashes.

Many adults who have not been diagnosed with ADHD are at risk of being misunderstood and criticized by family members, friends and colleagues. They could be seen by others as lazy, unreliable or a bad employee. Undiagnosed ADHD can also increase the chance of depression and anxiety.

Women are generally better at hiding their ADHD symptoms than men, which may make it difficult for them to get diagnosed with adhd a proper diagnosis. They might resort to distractions or daydreaming in order to hide their impulsivity and inattention. Or they might rely on methods and tools to make up for their poor time management and disorganization. Women who suffer from ADHD may also have difficulty diagnosing their own symptoms, as they are more likely to suffer from symptoms of inattention, not the impulsivity or hyperactivity.

It's important to remember that ADHD isn't a metric of intelligence or capability. It's simply a different way to think and behave that may cause problems in certain situations.

For 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 of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) of the American Psychiatric Association.

Treatment

People with undiagnosed ADHD might struggle to stay organized, stay on top of school or work tasks, and maintain healthy relationships. Symptoms also can interfere with the daily routine and trigger emotional problems such as depression, anxiety, or shifts in mood. People who are impulsive or hyperactive may appear restless, and may attempt to do a variety of things simultaneously. They may not be able to complete tasks or meet deadlines. They can have trouble paying attention to others which can lead to miscommunications and relationships issues.

The symptoms of the disorder typically go unrecognized in childhood, and many adults with the disorder do not know they have ADHD. Instead of struggling to keep pace in school and life they may have been labelled as either a dreamer or a slacker. As responsibilities increase in adulthood, however, many people who have ADHD experience their symptoms becoming worse. They're unable to handle all the balls they're trying keep up-to-date with: pursuing the dream of a career, taking care of family members, keeping up with housework and errands, and working on social and romantic relationships.

A health care professional or mental health professional will determine whether a person has ADHD. The assessment typically involves discussions with family, friends and others who are familiar with the person and a physical examination, and a review of the person's medical and psychiatric background. The person could also be asked to fill out standard ADHD rating scales or an assessment checklist for symptoms. Psychological testing can be used to determine executive function, working memory, and visual and spatial abilities.

Adults with ADHD are most commonly treated by stimulant medications. These medications increase and balance levels of brain chemicals referred to as neurotransmitters. They can help people suffering from ADHD concentrate better, organize their lives and remember important information. They can also control the impulsive behavior. Other treatments for ADHD include nonstimulant medications like atomoxetine or antidepressants. They work more slow than stimulants, yet help improve the symptoms of ADHD. Patients with particular health issues like high blood pressure or diabetes should consult their doctor before taking stimulants.

Some adults with ADHD might benefit from individual therapy, self-help groups, or vocational counseling. These programs can help adults to cope with their ADHD symptoms as well as develop healthy relationships at home, in school, and at work. A few adults with ADHD are also enrolled in clinical studies. These studies allow scientists to gain knowledge about how to treat, diagnose and prevent disorders such as ADHD.

Follow-up

A thorough assessment of adult ADHD using a variety of assessment tools can help improve diagnostic accuracy and reduce the likelihood of misdiagnosis. The process typically involves an extended discussion with a psychiatrist or psychologist who has experience in treating ADHD in adults. The evaluator may also ask about the history of your or your child's health problems, family dynamics and lifestyle choices. They will also go through your past medical records and conduct a physical exam.

Many people who suffer from ADHD also suffer from other medical or psychiatric conditions like anxiety and depression, that need to be treated. In fact, it is thought that people with ADHD are six times more likely to suffer from mood disorders than other people. People with ADHD also are more likely to be victims of consuming alcohol.

Adults with ADHD have a difficult to find and keep jobs. They also have a harder managing finances and keeping track of household tasks. Adults with ADHD are at risk of developing other health problems, like heart disease, obesity and smoking. They are also more likely to develop poor eating habits and struggle to maintain and form romantic relationships.

In one study, individuals 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 would provide more information about the pathology of ADHD in adulthood and its connection to other psychiatric disorders.

Research has revealed that ADHD is a chronic and persistent disorder that affects adults. It has a negative impact on the quality of life, and can result in a number of comorbid conditions including learning disabilities, mood disorders and alcohol and drug abuse. Untreated ADHD increases the risk of being incarcerated or divorce, as well as a lower socioeconomic status for those with ADHD.

It is advised that all adults with a new diagnosis or uncontrolled symptoms of ADHD be evaluated within 30 days, and then every month thereafter until their symptoms are managed. Adults who suffer from ADHD may require receiving psychotherapy or medication for the rest of their lives.