ADHD in Adults - What You Need to Know
ADHD is a condition that causes issues with focus and hyperactivity. It can also cause issues at work or in school as well as in relationships at home and at work.
Your healthcare provider will use the most current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5 DSM-5) to diagnose ADHD. They will also look at how your symptoms impact your daily life.
The signs
ADHD is often viewed as a condition that affects children only. However, it is also prevalent among adults. Many people suffering from ADHD are not diagnosed until their symptoms become more severe and cause disruption to their lives. This can affect your family, work relationships or even your health.
If you or a loved one suspect that you have ADHD is crucial to speak with a doctor or therapist. They are able to diagnose and recommend treatment.
The first step in the process of diagnosing is to conduct a full clinical history. This includes a thorough review of your medical, psychiatric and personal history from childhood to present.
This will help the clinician elicit current symptoms accurately. The doctor should inquire about how the symptoms affect the daily activities of a person, and whether they affect social, school or work-related functioning.
Depending on the severity of symptoms, there are different kinds of drugs that may be prescribed to help treat ADHD. These include stimulants such as Ritalin or Adderall as well as non-stimulant drugs.
Other options include behavioral therapy and lifestyle changes. This can help you focus better, lessen anxiety and stress, and reduce hyperactivity.
Your doctor will also conduct an examination and inquire about any mental health concerns that may be causing ADHD-like symptoms. These may include anxiety, depression, and other addiction disorders like nicotine or alcohol abuse.
To assess your ability to concentrate, distractibility, short-term memory and focus, you'll be asked to perform a variety of tasks. These tasks can be done at home or in an office.
Your doctor will inquire whether you suffer from mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety. Your diet, sleep habits as well as other factors will be assessed to determine if they are contributing.
The results of the test will reveal if you suffer from any of the symptoms listed below:
These signs indicate that you need professional assistance. They can diagnose you with ADHD and recommend treatment which could include medication, behavioral therapy or lifestyle changes.
Diagnosis
ADHD is a behavioral disorder that causes problems with attention, behavior and other executive functions. It isn't easy to diagnose but it is treated by medication and therapy for behavioral disorders.
Many people with ADHD symptoms will first test self-assessment software before consulting an expert in mental health or a doctor. Some of these tools include a 40-item self-report form as well as an electronic screening test that can aid in determining if you have ADHD. These tests can't be used to determine if you have ADHD, and aren't intended to replace professional assessments.
A specialist in the field will evaluate your condition using a combination of questions, tests and interviews to make an accurate diagnosis. adults adhd test may include a detailed medical background, a list of symptoms, and questions about how they affect your life in various scenarios. The clinician might also talk to your partner, parents or any other individuals who know you well.
In order to diagnose ADHD, your clinician must see that you have five or more persistent (recurring) symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity that cause significant impairment. This means that your daily life is being disrupted by the symptoms, for example, at school or work and with your family or friends or in other pursuits.
Although the symptoms may be long-lasting or new the symptoms must have been present for at least 12 years to be eligible for diagnosis. You might be asked to look over old school reports or ask your parents to fill out an retrospective ADHD report detailing your childhood behavior.
When you meet the criteria for a diagnosis, your clinician will then determine whether you have a combination of both inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity presentations or a single presentation. If you're suffering from an amalgamation of both your doctor will also be looking for other conditions that may cause similar symptoms to ADHD and seizures or thyroid problems.
A doctor can also request you to complete ADHD surveys. They don't serve as a diagnostic tool but can provide background information about your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. These surveys aren't designed to give an assessment, but they can help your healthcare practitioner determine if you suffer from ADHD and what kind of treatment you need.
Treatment
ADHD treatment for adults generally involves a combination of therapy medications, behavior strategies life skills training and therapy. It may take some time to find the best combination that will work for you.
ADHD medication is the most commonly used treatment option. They are designed to increase and balance levels of neurotransmitters that are chemicals in the brain. They also help improve concentration, decrease impulsivity and decrease hyperactivity. They can aid in managing ADHD symptoms and help you feel better.
The most common prescription medications are stimulants such as methylphenidate and Adderall. Although they work for the majority of people, they can cause constipation, side effects such as lower sexual drive and constipation might occur.
Another drug, atomoxetine (Strattera) is the first non-stimulant to be specifically approved for ADHD. Although it's not as efficient as stimulants, it doesn't suffer the same adverse consequences, it's very effective.
Antidepressants are also a possibility for many patients with ADHD. These medicines, such as bupropion (Wellbutrin) and fluoxetine (Prozac) aren't able to address the problem directly, but can ease the symptoms. They are often prescribed to treat anxiety, depression or other mental health issues that have developed as an outcome of ADHD.
If you have ADHD in addition to other disorders, your healthcare practitioner might recommend that you see a psychiatrist or another mental health professional who is specialized in treating ADHD. They can look over your medical background, family history and other symptoms to determine the source of your difficulties.
The doctor may also inquire about any other physical and mental health issues you may have, such as depression, anxiety or substance abuse. These illnesses can interfere with your ability to concentrate, learn and be productive at your work, school or in relationships.
Your physician will use guidelines from the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) to determine your symptoms of ADHD. This is the handbook that most healthcare professionals utilize to diagnose ADHD.
During the evaluation your healthcare provider will conduct a series of interviews and tests. These include a thorough diagnostic interview, DSM-5 symptom checklists and standardized behavioral rating scales for ADHD.
Prevention
Early intervention and detection may help to stop ADHD. This can decrease the severity and impact on school performance, boost normal growth and development and improve quality of life for those diagnosed with ADHD.
There are a variety of ways to prevent or reduce the development of ADHD in adulthood. These include psychotherapy, medication and behavioral management strategies. Support from family members is also helpful.
Psychostimulants are the main treatment for ADHD in adults. These include amphetamine salts, which are marketed under the brand name Adderall and methylphenidate that is sold under the names Ritalin, Concerta, Metadate and others.
If the person with ADHD is competent to take psychostimulants on a regular basis they are likely to notice an improvement in their symptoms. The patient may also learn to manage their behavior and improve their relationships with others.
ADHD medication is most effective when used in conjunction with a meal plan, brain training and exercise. These strategies are extremely efficient for ADHD children and can be transformative for adults.
In addition to medications counseling and education programs, they can be extremely beneficial for patients of all ages. These programs can help people improve their coping skills and self-esteem and help them change negative thinking patterns that cause their behavior issues.
Counseling can help people deal with the effects of ADHD and other psychiatric disorders, like depression and substance misuse. Counseling can assist people in dealing with anxiety and resentment that are often associated with ADHD.
ADHD sufferers can benefit from other treatments like dietary changes, physical activity, and stress reduction programs. These strategies can aid in improving concentration and decrease impulsive and hyperactive behaviors.
Many adults with ADHD aren't diagnosed or treated appropriately because of racial and cultural differences in ADHD diagnosis and treatment. Hispanics and blacks are more likely to be diagnosed as ADHD than whites, even though both have the same number of children suffering from the disorder.
The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that more than 4 percent of American adults have been diagnosed with ADHD. Research suggests that this figure is much higher.