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Getting a Diagnosis of ADHD in Adults Many adults aren't aware of 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 should affect your daily activities, whether at home, at work, and socially. Talk therapy can improve the communication skills and problem solving abilities. Counseling for families and marriage can be beneficial. Signs and symptoms If you're struggling with the symptoms of ADHD it might seem as if you're not living up to your potential. As an adult, you may feel overwhelmed by your responsibilities and feel like you're unable to manage the numerous tasks ahead of you. You might be working full-time, caring for aging parents or children, or managing household chores. Inability to keep up with the pace can lead to embarrassment and anger. You might also feel depressed and lose confidence. You may even feel embarrassed. It's not an issue when you suffer from ADHD. It's important to realize that there are solutions to your issues. The first step to a diagnosis. A thorough psychiatric evaluation can be used by a health professional 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 information about your medical and mental health 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 been present prior to age 12 and continue to affect your life. You may also have issues with these behavior in multiple environments, including at school, work as well as in your social relationships. You could miss appointments, make careless errors at home or at work, and fail to fulfill your obligations if lack of attention is an issue. You may have trouble managing your finances and health and may have a difficult working through everyday tasks like taking medication, or visiting the doctor for checkups. For those with ADHD who have ADHD, the tendency to act before thinking can make stressful situations more difficult. You might interrupt conversations, answer questions before others are done or have difficulty waiting in line. Your impulsiveness could lead to risky activities, such as driving too fast or spending money recklessly. Studies suggest that genetics and environmental factors play a part in the development of ADHD. The symptoms of ADHD typically be inherited from the family, and some researchers believe that problems with your central nervous system at critical developmental stages increase your risk. Diagnosis A health care professional who has a specialization in ADHD can assist those who are suffering from symptoms of the disorder. A typical assessment includes an interview, reviewing medical records, workplace or school records, family medical histories, and a mental health screening. A specialized professional also may conduct a physical examination and/or laboratory tests to identify other conditions that share similar symptoms. A diagnosis of ADHD is only given to an adult or teenager if symptoms have been present for six months or more, and are causing significant impairments in the daily routine. Undiagnosed or not treated ADHD can lead to long-term problems that could have been avoided or treated. This can cause to depression, family issues, financial stress or work-related stress, addiction to drugs, and even serious accidents like motor crashes. Undiagnosed ADHD can lead to misinterpretations by family members, friends and coworkers. They could be seen by others as irresponsible, lazy or a bad employee. In addition, people with undiagnosed ADHD are more at risk for anxiety and depression. Women are generally better at hiding their ADHD symptoms than men, which can make it difficult for them to get an accurate diagnosis. They might resort to distractions or daydreaming in order to hide their impulsivity and inattention. They may also rely on tools and techniques to help them overcome their lack of time management and lack of organization. Women with ADHD might also have trouble in recognizing their symptoms, since they are more likely than men to suffer from inattentive or hyperactive symptoms. It's important to understand that ADHD isn't an indicator of intelligence or ability. It's simply an altered 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 who suffer from ADHD still fit the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) of the American Psychiatric Association. Treatment Undiagnosed ADHD can make it difficult for people to stay on track, complete their work or school assignments and maintain healthy interpersonal relationships. The symptoms can also affect the daily routine and trigger emotional problems such as anxiety, depression or shifts in mood. People with hyperactivity or impulsive variants of the condition can appear agitated and try to do several things at once, failing to finish tasks or meet deadlines. They may have difficulty paying attention to others which can lead to miscommunications and relationship problems. The symptoms of the disorder usually remain unnoticed in childhood, and many adults with them do not know they have ADHD. They may have been described as a dreamer, goof-off or a slacker instead of struggling to keep up in school and life. Many people with ADHD experience worsening symptoms as their responsibilities grow. They're not able to handle all the balls they're trying keep in the air—pursuing an occupation, caring for family members, keeping up with chores and household chores, and trying to improve their romantic and social relationships. A health care professional or mental health professional will determine whether a person has ADHD. The evaluation includes a discussion with family members as well as friends and family members who are familiar with the individual, a physical examination, and a review a person's medical history. The person may be asked to fill out standardized ADHD ratings scales or a list of symptoms. Psychological testing can be used to determine executive function, working memory as well as spatial and visual abilities. Adults suffering from ADHD are usually treated with stimulant medications. These drugs balance and boost levels of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. They can help people with ADHD to focus better and organize their lives, recall important information and tasks, and manage impulsive behavior. Other treatments for ADHD include nonstimulant medicines like atomoxetine or antidepressants. getting an adhd diagnosis work more slowly than stimulants, but they can improve the symptoms of ADHD. People who have certain health issues like high blood pressure or diabetes must consult with their doctor before taking stimulants. Some adults with ADHD will benefit from behavioral therapy, coaching self-help groups, or vocational counseling. These programs can help adults to manage their ADHD symptoms and establish healthy relationships at home, at school, and at work. Some adults with ADHD will also be part of clinical studies. These studies help scientists learn more about new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat disorders such as ADHD. Follow-up A thorough evaluation of ADHD in adults by using a variety of assessment inventories will improve diagnostic accuracy and reduce misdiagnosis. The process often includes an extended conversation with a psychiatrist or psychologist who is skilled in treating ADHD in adults. The evaluator may also ask about the history of your child's or your own health issues as well as family dynamics and lifestyle choices. They might also look over your medical records and perform an examination of your body. Many people who suffer from ADHD have other psychiatric disorders or medical conditions, like depression and anxiety that require treatment. In fact, it's thought that people with ADHD are six times more likely to suffer from mood disorders than other people. People who suffer from ADHD also have a higher risk of substance abuse. Adults who suffer from ADHD often find it difficult to secure and maintain jobs. They also have a harder managing their finances and juggling household tasks. Adults with ADHD are at increased risk of developing health problems, like heart disease, obesity and smoking. They are also more likely to be prone to bad eating habits and to have trouble forming and maintaining romantic relationships. In one study, people with ADHD who were treated in minor mental health services as children were diagnosed with ADHD into adulthood. However the sample size was small. An expansion of the sample would have provided more details about the pathology of ADHD in adulthood and its connection to other psychiatric disorders. Research has proven ADHD to be a long-lasting and persistent disorder among adults. It has a negative impact on the quality of life, and can lead to a number of comorbid conditions like mood disorders, learning disabilities and abuse of alcohol and drugs. People who do not treat ADHD are at an increased risk for incarceration or divorce, as well as being less socioeconomically stable and more serious psychiatric problems. It is recommended that all adults who have an uncontrolled or new diagnosis of symptoms of ADHD be seen within 30 days and every month thereafter until their symptoms are managed. Adults with ADHD may need to continue receiving psychotherapy or therapy with pharmacotherapy for the remainder of their lives.