ADHD in Adults - What You Need to Know
ADHD is a condition that causes problems with concentration and hyperactivity. It can also cause problems in school or work, home life and relationships.
To determine if you have ADHD your healthcare professional will be guided by the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). They will also look at how the symptoms impact your daily life.
The signs
ADHD is often viewed as an illness that affects only children, however it is also common among adults. Many people with ADHD are not diagnosed until their symptoms are severe and disrupt their lives. This can cause problems in your family, work relationships, or health.
Talking with a therapist or a doctor if you suspect that you may have ADHD is an excellent idea. They will be able to make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment.
A thorough medical history is the first step in diagnosing your condition. This includes a thorough review of your medical, mental, and personal medical history from childhood until today.
This will allow the doctor to accurately identify the present symptoms. The doctor should inquire about a person's daily routine and whether or not they impact work, school or social interactions.
There are testing for adhd in adults of medications that can be prescribed to treat ADHD depending on the severity of the symptoms. These include stimulants such as Ritalin or Adderall, as well as non-stimulant medications.
You may also try the behavioral therapy or lifestyle change. This can help you focus better, reduce anxiety and stress, as well as control hyperactivity.
In addition to a physical examination, your doctor will ask you about any other mental health issues that could cause similar symptoms as those of ADHD. These may include depression, anxiety, and substance abuse disorders like alcohol or nicotine abuse.
You will be asked to do a number of tasks to help evaluate your ability to concentrate, distractibility, and short-term memory. These tasks can be performed in the office or at home.
Your doctor will ask whether you have any mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression. They will also take a look at your sleep habits, diet and other factors to see if they are contributing to your symptoms.
The results of the test will determine if you are suffering from any of the symptoms listed below:
These signs indicate that you should seek professional assistance. They will be able to diagnose you with ADHD and recommend treatment which could include treatment with medication, behavioral therapy or lifestyle adjustments.
Diagnosis
ADHD is a behavioral disorder that can affect attention, behavior and other executive functions. Although it is difficult to identify, ADHD can be treated by medication or behavioral therapy.
Many people who have symptoms of ADHD will try self-assessment tools prior to visiting a doctor or mental health professional for the diagnosis. These tools include a 40-item self report form as well as an electronic screening test that will help you determine if you suffer from ADHD. However, these tests can't be utilized to make a clinical diagnosis and can't substitute for an assessment by a professional.
A specialist in the field will examine you with a combination of interviews, questionnaires and testing to get an accurate diagnosis. This includes a detailed history, a checklist of symptoms, and questions on how they affect your life in various scenarios. Your parents, your partner, or other close friends may be interviewed by the clinician.
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 affected by the symptoms, such as at school or at work as well as with family members or friends or in other pursuits.
Although the symptoms may be new or long-standing, they must have been present for at least 12 years to be eligible for diagnosis. You may be asked to read old school reports or request your parents to complete a retrospective ADHD profile of 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 have both and your doctor is looking for other conditions that may cause similar symptoms to ADHD.
A doctor may also request you to complete ADHD surveys, which don't serve as a diagnostic tool, but can provide information about your symptoms and how they impact your daily life. They're not designed to make diagnoses but can help your healthcare practitioner determine if you have ADHD and what kind of treatment you require.
Treatment
Treatment for ADHD for adults is typically an amalgamation of medication and behavior strategies, as well as life skills training, and therapy. It may take some time to find the right combination that is effective for you.
ADHD medication is the most widely used treatment option. They are designed to improve brain balance and boost chemicals known as neurotransmitters. They also help improve focus in addition to reducing impulsivity. They can also decrease hyperactivity. They can help you control your ADHD symptoms and make you feel better.
The most frequently prescribed prescription medications are stimulants like methylphenidate or Adderall. They are effective for most people, but they do cause side effects, such as constipation and lower sex drive.
Another medication, atomoxetine, or strattera, was approved for ADHD. It's not as effective as stimulants, but it doesn't have the same negative side negative effects.
Antidepressants are a good option for patients suffering from ADHD. These medications, like bupropion (Wellbutrin) and fluoxetine (Prozac) do not address the problem directly, but can alleviate its symptoms. They are typically prescribed for anxiety, depression or other mental health conditions that are due to ADHD.
If you are suffering from ADHD in addition to other disorders your doctor might suggest that you visit a psychiatrist or another mental health professional with expertise in treating ADHD. These specialists can assess your medical background, family history and other signs to determine the source of your difficulties.
Your doctor will also inquire with you about any physical or mental health concerns, including depression, anxiety and substance abuse as well as other mental and/or physical conditions. These diseases can affect your ability to concentrate, learn, and be efficient at school, work or in relationships.
Your physician will use guidelines from the latest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) to identify your symptoms of ADHD. This is the typical handbook used by many health professionals to determine a diagnosis.
During the examination your healthcare professional will conduct a series of tests and interviews. They will conduct a thorough diagnostic interview and DSM-5 symptom checklists.
Prevention
Early intervention and detection can help to help to prevent ADHD. This can reduce the severity and impact on school performance, boost normal growth and development and improve the quality of life for those diagnosed with ADHD.
There are many methods to stop or slow the development of ADHD in adulthood. These include psychotherapy, medication, and behavioral management strategies. In addition, the support of close family members can be helpful.
Psychostimulants are a primary treatment for ADHD in adults. They include amphetamines salts which are sold under the brand Adderall, and methylphenidate which is sold under the name Ritalin Concerta Metadate.
If a person suffering from ADHD is in a position to regularly take psychostimulants, they will often notice an immediate improvement in their symptoms. The patient could also learn to control their behavior and improve their relationships with other people.
ADHD medication is most effective if used in conjunction with a meal plan, brain-training, and exercise. These techniques are highly efficient in treating children suffering from ADHD and are likely to be transformative for adults too.
In addition to medications counseling and education programs, they are also very efficient for patients of adulthood. These therapies can help individuals learn the skills to cope, boost self-esteem and alter negative mental patterns that contribute to their issues with their behavior.
Counseling can aid people with ADHD and other psychiatric disorders like addiction and depression. Counseling can help individuals deal with stress and resentment often associated with ADHD.
Other strategies, like physical activity, diet changes and stress reduction programs, are also beneficial to those with ADHD. These strategies can help improve focus and reduce impulsive and hyperactive behaviors.
Many adults suffering from ADHD are not properly diagnosed or treated due to racial and cultural differences in ADHD diagnosis and treatment. Hispanics and blacks are less likely be diagnosed with ADHD than whites, despite both having the same number of children with the disorder.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, ADHD has been diagnosed in more than 4 percent of American. However, research suggests that the true number of adults with this disorder is far greater than this number.