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Getting a Diagnosis of ADHD in Adults There are adults who may not be aware of ADHD symptoms. A diagnosis as an adult may provide treatment options. 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 in social settings. Talk therapy can aid in improving communication and problem-solving skills. Counseling for families and marriage can also be helpful. Signs and symptoms You might feel that you are not living up to your full potential if you have ADHD symptoms. As an adult, you could feel overwhelmed by your responsibilities and feel you're unable take on the many responsibilities in front of you. You may be full-time at work as well as caring for your elderly parents or children, and taking care of household chores. Your inability to keep up with the pace can cause embarrassment, anger despair, and the loss of confidence. If you have ADHD, it's not your fault. It's important to realize that there are solutions to your struggles. The first step is to make a diagnosis. A thorough psychiatric examination can be utilized by a medical professional to determine ADHD in adults. This includes talking with you about symptoms, requiring you complete standardized behavior rating scales and ADHD list of symptoms and obtaining information about your mental and medical 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 to affect your life. diagnosed with adhd should also be struggling with these behavior in multiple environments, including at school, work and in your social relationships. If your inattention is a significant problem, you might skip appointments, make careless mistakes at work or at home and fail to follow through on your obligations. You might be struggling with managing your health and finances, and you might also experience difficulties with everyday tasks such as remembering to visit the doctor or taking your medication. For those with ADHD the tendency to act before thinking can make stressful situations more difficult. You might interrupt conversations with other people, blurt out answers to questions before they're completed, or struggle to wait your turn in line. Your impulsiveness could lead to risky activities, such as 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 scientists believe that problems with the central nervous system at crucial developmental points increase the risk for this condition. Diagnosis A health care professional with a specialization in ADHD can help adults who are experiencing symptoms of the disorder. A typical assessment includes an interview as well as reviewing medical documents, school or work records, family medical histories, and a mental screening. A specialist may also conduct a physical exam and/or tests in the laboratory to determine if there are other conditions that have similar symptoms. A diagnosis of ADHD is only given to an adult or adolescent if symptoms have been present for six months or more and cause significant impairments in daily life. People who aren't diagnosed or treated for ADHD can struggle for the rest of their lives with persistent issues that could have been avoided or treated. This can lead depression, family problems financial stress, work-related stress, substance abuse and even serious accidents, such as motor vehicle accidents. Many adults with undiagnosed ADHD are at risk of being misunderstood and criticized by family members, friends and colleagues. They may be perceived as irresponsible, lazy or even just plain crazy. Undiagnosed ADHD can also increase the chance of depression and anxiety. Women tend to be better in hiding their ADHD symptoms than men, which may make it difficult to obtain a proper diagnosis. They may resort to strategies to hide their inattentiveness or impulsivity, for example the frequent distractions and daydreaming or rely on devices to help them cope with their lack of organization and lack of time management skills. Women who suffer from ADHD may also have difficulty diagnosing their symptoms, as they are more likely than men to suffer from hyperactive or inattention symptoms. It's important to keep in mind that ADHD is not a sign of intelligence. It's simply an altered way of thinking and behave that could cause difficulties in certain situations. Adults may have different symptoms as children. However, 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. These symptoms can affect everyday functioning and lead to mental issues such as anxiety, depression or mood swings. People with hyperactivity or impulsive variants of the condition can appear agitated and may try to accomplish several things at the same time, but fail to finish tasks or meet deadlines. They may have difficulty paying attention to other people that can cause confusion and problems with relationships. ADHD is usually not acknowledged as a child, and a lot of adults with symptoms aren't aware that they have it. They might have been viewed as a goof-off, dreamer, slacker or troublemaker instead of struggling to keep up in school and everyday life. Many people who suffer from ADHD experience increasing symptoms as their responsibilities grow. They're not able to manage all the balls at once such as pursuing a career or caring for family and juggling with housework and errands, and maintaining social and romantic relationships. A health care professional or mental health professional will assess whether a person suffers from ADHD. The assessment includes a conversation with family members as well as friends and family members who know the person, a physical examination, and a review a person's medical history. The patient could be asked to complete standardized ADHD ratings scales or a checklist of symptoms. Psychological testing may be done to determine executive function, working memory and spatial and visual skills. Adults with ADHD are most commonly treated by stimulant medications. These medications increase and balance levels of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. They can help those with ADHD improve their focus, organize their lives, remember important information and tasks and manage the impulsive behavior. Non-stimulant drugs, like antidepressants and atomoxetine, can also be used to treat ADHD. They work slower than stimulants, yet they can still help improve symptoms. Before taking stimulants, those who suffer from certain medical conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure, should consult their physician. Certain adults suffering from ADHD might benefit from individual therapy, self-help groups, or vocational counseling. These programs can help adults to cope with their ADHD symptoms and to develop healthy relationships at home, in school, and at work. Certain adults suffering from ADHD also will participate in clinical studies. These studies aid scientists in learning more about new methods to diagnose, treat and prevent disorders such as ADHD. Follow-up A thorough evaluation of adult ADHD utilizing several assessment inventories can improve the accuracy of diagnosis and decrease the risk of misdiagnosis. A psychologist or psychiatrist who has experience treating ADHD in adults typically conducts an lengthy interview. The examiner will also inquire with you about your or children's health history as well as family dynamics and lifestyle choices. They will also review your past medical records and perform physical examination. Many people with ADHD have other psychiatric disorders or medical conditions, such anxiety and depression, that require treatment. In fact, it is believed that those who suffer from ADHD are six times more likely to have mood disorders than others. People with ADHD also are at a higher risk of substance abuse. Adults with ADHD often have a difficult time to get and keep jobs. They also have a difficult managing their finances and staying on top of household chores. Adults with ADHD are at risk of developing other health issues, such as heart disease, obesity and smoking. They are also more likely to develop bad eating habits and have trouble forming and maintaining romantic relationships. In one study, individuals who had ADHD who were treated in mental health services as young children continued to be diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood. The sample size was not large. An enlargement of the sample might have provided more details about the clinical course of ADHD in adulthood and its connection with other psychiatric disorders. Research has shown that ADHD is a chronic, persistent disorder in adults. It has a negative effect on quality of life and can result in a variety of comorbid conditions, including mood disorders, learning disabilities and abuse of alcohol and drugs. People with untreated ADHD are at an increased risk of being incarcerated and divorce, a lower socioeconomic status and more serious psychiatric problems. All adults who have uncontrolled ADHD symptoms or an initial ADHD diagnosis should be examined within 30 to 60 days, and after that every month until the symptoms are under control. Adults with ADHD may need to continue to receive psychotherapy and/or medication for the rest of their lives.