ADHD in Adults - What You Need to Know
ADHD is an illness that can cause hyperactivity and focus problems. It can also cause problems at work or at school, home life and relationships.
To diagnose ADHD Your healthcare provider will be guided by the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). They will also assess how symptoms impact your daily life.
The signs
ADHD is often thought of as a condition that affects children only. However, it's also common among adults. Many people suffering from ADHD are not diagnosed until their symptoms get severe and impact their lives. This can lead to problems in family relationships, work and health.
If you or someone close to you suspect that you have ADHD or other disorders, it's crucial to consult the doctor or therapist. They'll be able to diagnose the problem and provide treatment.
The first step in the diagnosis process is to complete a clinical history. This includes a complete review of your personal, medical and psychiatric history from childhood to present.
This will enable the doctor to accurately identify the current symptoms. The physician should inquire the impact of the symptoms on the daily activities of a person, and whether they impact social, school or work-related functioning.
Based on the severity of symptoms, there are many different types of medication which can be prescribed to help treat ADHD. These can include stimulants like Adderall or Ritalin and non-stimulant medications.
Other options include behavioral therapy and lifestyle changes. This can help you focus better, lessen anxiety and stress, and control hyperactivity.
Your doctor will also conduct a physical exam and ask about any mental health concerns that could be causing the symptoms similar to those of ADHD. These include depression, anxiety or a substance abuse disorder such as nicotine or alcohol abuse.
To assess your ability to concentrate and distractibility, short-term memory, and focus, you will be asked to accomplish a variety of tasks. These tasks can be performed at home or in an office.
Your doctor will also ask you whether you suffer from any other mental health issues, including 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 reveal if you suffer from any of the following symptoms:
If you are experiencing these symptoms, it is time to seek help from an expert. They may be able to determine ADHD and suggest treatment. This could include medication, behavioral therapy or lifestyle changes.
Diagnosis
ADHD is a mental disorder that affects attention, behavior and other executive functions. It isn't easy to diagnose but it can be treated with medication and behavioral therapy.
Many people who have symptoms of ADHD are able to test their self-assessment skills before seeing a physician or mental health professional to seek a diagnosis. Some of these tools include a self-report of 40 items form and an electronic screening test that can help you find out whether you are suffering from ADHD. These tests aren't able to identify ADHD and aren't meant to replace the expertise of a professional.
A specialist in the field will examine you through a combination tests, interviews and questionnaires to get an accurate diagnosis. This may include a detailed medical description of your medical history, a checklist of symptoms, and a discussion of how they affect your life in various situations. Your parents, your partner, or other close friends might be questioned 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 impacted by the symptoms, like at school or at work, with friends or family, or in other activities.
The symptoms you're experiencing could be brand new or have been present for a long time but they must have been consistently present prior to age 12 to meet the criteria for the diagnosis. You may be asked look over old school reports or have your parents fill out a retrospective ADHD profile that describes 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 are both and your doctor is looking for other medical conditions that could cause similar symptoms to ADHD.
A doctor might also ask you to complete ADHD questionnaires. These surveys aren't intended to provide the diagnosis, but provide background information on your symptoms as well as how they affect your life. These surveys aren't meant to diagnose ADHD however, they could aid your healthcare professional in determining whether you're suffering from it and the best treatment option for you.
Treatment
Treatment for ADHD in adults is generally consisting of medication, behavior strategies, life skills training, and therapy. It could take some time to determine the right combination that is right for you.
ADHD medication is the most popular treatment option. These medications are meant to balance and boost brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. They also help improve focus, reduce impulsivity and decrease hyperactivity. They can assist you in managing ADHD symptoms and help you feel better.
The most frequently prescribed prescription medications are stimulants like methylphenidate and Adderall. They are safe for the majority of people, however, they can have side effects such as constipation and decreased sex drive.
Another drug called atomoxetine (Strattera) is the first drug that is not stimulant to be approved specifically for ADHD. It's not as effective as stimulants, but it doesn't have the same negative side effects.
Antidepressants can also be a solution for many people suffering from ADHD. These medications, such as Bupropion (Wellbutrin), and Fluoxetine (Prozac), do not cure the condition but may alleviate symptoms. These drugs are usually prescribed to treat depression, anxiety and other mental health problems that result from ADHD.
Your healthcare provider may recommend that you see an Psychologist if you suffer from ADHD and other conditions. These specialists can examine your medical history, family history and other symptoms to identify the causes of your problems.
Your doctor will also ask you about any mental or physical health concerns, including depression, anxiety addiction, substance abuse, and other physical and mental illnesses. These illnesses can interfere with your ability to focus and learn, as well as be productive at the workplace, at school or in your 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 diagnose your symptoms of ADHD. This is the standard handbook that is used by the majority of health professionals to make a diagnosis.
During the evaluation your healthcare provider will conduct a series of tests and interviews. These include a thorough diagnostic interview, DSM-5 symptom checklists and standardized behavioral rating scales for ADHD.
Prevention
ADHD can be prevented with early detection and intervention. This can help reduce the severity of symptoms, lessen the impact on school performance, enhance normal growth and development and improve the quality of life for people diagnosed with ADHD.
Several measures can be used to stop or slow the onset of adult ADHD such as psychotherapy, medication and behavioral strategies for managing. Family members' support can also be helpful.
Adult ADHD symptoms test for adults with ADHD is drugs referred to as psychostimulants. These include amphetamine salts, which are advertised under the brand name Adderall and methylphenidate which is available under the names Ritalin, Concerta, Metadate and others.
If a person suffering from ADHD is able to take psychostimulants regularly, they will often notice an immediate improvement in their symptoms. The patient may also learn to control their behavior and improve their relationships with others.
They are most effective when taken in conjunction with an ADHD diet, brain training and exercise. These strategies are highly effective in treating children with ADHD and will likely to transform for adults too.
Adult patients can also benefit from educational and counseling programs. These therapies can help individuals learn how to manage their emotions, boost self-esteem and change negative habits of thinking that contribute to their issues with their behavior.
Counseling can help people with ADHD and other psychiatric disorders like depression and substance abuse. Counseling can help people deal with anxiety and resentment that are often associated with ADHD.
ADHD sufferers may also benefit from other therapies such as diet changes as well as physical activity and programs for stress reduction. These strategies can improve focus and decrease hyperactive or impulsive behavior.
Yet, many adults suffering from ADHD are not diagnosed or treated due to racial and ethnic disparities in the treatment and diagnosis of ADHD. For instance, blacks and Hispanics are significantly less likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than whites, despite the fact that both groups have the exact same number of children affected by the disorder.
The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that more than 4 percent of American adults have been diagnosed with ADHD. However research suggests that the actual amount of people suffering from this disorder is much higher than this figure.