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Getting a Diagnosis of ADHD in Adults Many adults aren't aware of their 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 be a major hindrance with your daily life at work, at home, and socially. Talk therapy can help 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 might seem as if you're not living up to your potential. You might feel overwhelmed as an adult by your obligations. You may be working full-time as a caregiver for children or an aging parent and trying to manage household chores and finances. Your difficulty in keeping up may result in embarrassment, frustration despair and an eroding of confidence. If you have ADHD It's not your fault. It's important to recognize that there are ways to overcome your issues. The first step is to make a diagnosis. A health professional can identify ADHD in adults through an extensive psychiatric examination. This includes talking to you about your symptoms, having you complete standardized behavior rating scales and ADHD symptom checklists, and collecting information regarding your medical and mental health history. The doctor may inquire about the history 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 been present prior to age 12 and continue affecting your life. You may also have issues with these behaviors in two or more environments, including at work, school and in your social interactions. If your inattention is a serious issue, you could skip appointments, make careless mistakes at work or at home and fail to follow through on your obligations. You might have trouble managing your finances and health, and you may also have difficulty with simple tasks like remembering to go to the doctor or take your medication. People with ADHD can make difficult situations more difficult by acting before they think. You might interrupt conversations, respond to questions before others are done or struggle to wait 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 as well as environmental factors play a part in the development of ADHD. The symptoms of ADHD tend to be inherited from the family, and some researchers believe that issues with the central nervous system during critical developmental phases increase the risk of developing. Diagnosis A health care specialist who is specialized in ADHD can help evaluate adults with symptoms of the disorder. A typical assessment consists of an interview, an examination of medical records, school or workplace records and family medical histories and a mental assessment. A specialized professional may also conduct a physical examination and/or lab tests to rule other conditions with similar symptoms. For an adolescent or adult to be diagnosed with ADHD symptoms must be present for at least six months and result in significant impairment of everyday life activities. People who have not been diagnosed or treated for ADHD may struggle all their lives with chronic difficulties that could have been avoided or treated. This can cause depression, family issues financial or work-related stress, addiction to drugs and even serious accidents like motor vehicle accidents. Many adults who have not been diagnosed with ADHD are at risk of being misunderstood by family members, friends and coworkers. They could be perceived by others as lazy, unreliable or even a poor employee. In addition, people with undiagnosed ADHD are at greater risk of developing depression and anxiety. Women are more adept at hiding ADHD symptoms than men. This can make it harder for them to receive the correct diagnosis. They may use distractions or daydreaming to disguise their inattentiveness and impulsivity. They may also use methods and tools to make up for their poor time management and lack of organization. Women who suffer from ADHD also might have trouble diagnosing their own symptoms, as they are more likely to suffer from symptoms of inattention rather than hyperactivity or impulsivity. It's important to understand that ADHD isn't a sign of intelligence or capability. It's simply an altered behavior and way of thinking that can cause challenges in certain situations or environments. For adults, it can be difficult to identify ADHD because the symptoms may have changed as people developed. 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 Undiagnosed ADHD can cause people to struggle to stay organized, complete their work and school assignments, and maintain healthy relationships with others. These symptoms can affect everyday functioning and can trigger depression or anxiety. Hyperactive or impulsive people can appear agitated, and they may try to do many things simultaneously. They may not be able to finish tasks or meet deadlines. They may struggle to pay attention to other people, leading to misunderstandings and problems with relationships. ADHD is often not recognized in adult diagnosis of adhd and many adults with the symptoms are not aware of it. Instead of struggling to keep pace in school and everyday life they might have been labelled as an overachiever or a dreamer. Many people with ADHD suffer from more severe symptoms as their responsibilities grow. They aren't able to handle all the balls at once working on a job and taking care of family members and juggling with chores at home and errands and maintaining social and romantic relationships. A mental health specialist or health care professional will determine if a patient has ADHD. The assessment typically involves discussions with relatives and friends, as well as other people who are familiar with the person and a physical examination, and a review of the person's medical and psychiatric history. The patient may be asked to complete standard ADHD ratings scales or a checklist of symptoms. Psychological tests are used to test executive and working memory as well as visual and spatial capabilities. Stimulant medication is the most commonly used treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. These medications increase and balance levels of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. They can help people with ADHD to focus better and organize their lives, remember important information and tasks, and control an impulsive behaviour. Non-stimulant drugs, like antidepressants and atomoxetine, can be used to treat ADHD. They are more slowly than stimulants, but nevertheless, they can improve symptoms. Before taking stimulants with certain health conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure should consult their physician. Certain adults suffering from ADHD may benefit from behavioral coaching, individual therapy group, self-help groups or vocational counseling. These interventions can teach adults how to manage their symptoms, and how to build healthy family, school and work relationships. Clinical trials will also be conducted with some adults suffering from ADHD. These trials allow scientists to gain knowledge about how to diagnose, treat and prevent disorders like ADHD. Follow-up A thorough assessment of adult ADHD using a variety of assessment tools can help improve the accuracy of diagnosis and reduce the chance of misdiagnosis. A psychiatrist or psychologist with expertise in treating ADHD in adults typically conducts an extended interview. The evaluator may also ask about the history of your your child's health issues as well as family dynamics and lifestyle choices. They could also review your medical records and conduct an examination of your physical. Many people suffering from ADHD also suffer from other psychiatric or medical conditions such as anxiety or depression, which must be treated. It is estimated that people who suffer from ADHD are six-times more likely to experience mood disorders. People who suffer from ADHD are also at a higher-than-average risk of consuming alcohol. Adults who suffer from ADHD have a hard finding and keeping jobs. They also have a harder managing finances and staying on top of household tasks. Adults with ADHD are at a higher risk of developing health problems, like obesity, heart disease and smoking. They are also more likely to be prone to poor eating habits and have difficulty forming and maintaining relationships with their partners. In one study, people who had ADHD who were treated in mental health services as young children continued to be diagnosed with ADHD as they grew older. The sample size was not large. A larger sample would provide more information about the clinical course of ADHD in adulthood and its connection with other psychiatric disorders. Research has shown that ADHD is a long-lasting and persistent disorder that affects adults. It can have a negative impact on the quality of life, and can cause number of comorbid conditions such as learning disabilities, mood disorders and alcohol and drug abuse. Untreated ADHD increases the chance of incarceration or divorce, as well as an economic disadvantage for those with ADHD. It is recommended that all adults with new diagnoses or uncontrolled symptoms of ADHD be examined within 30 days, and then every month thereafter until their symptoms are managed. Adults who suffer from ADHD may require to receive psychotherapy and/or pharmacotherapy treatment for the rest of their lives.