ADHD in Adults - What You Need to Know
ADHD is a condition that can cause hyperactivity and focus problems. It can also cause problems at school, work as well as in relationships.
Your doctor will use the most up-to-date edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5 DSM-5) to diagnose ADHD. They will also examine how symptoms affect your daily life.
Symptoms
ADHD is often thought of as an illness that affects only children, but it's also prevalent among adults. Many people with ADHD are not diagnosed until their symptoms get severe and impact their lives. This can affect your family, work relationships, or health.
Talking to a therapist , or a doctor if you suspect you may have ADHD is a good idea. They will be able to determine the cause and prescribe treatment.
The first step in the process of diagnosing is to complete a clinical history. This includes a thorough review of your medical, personal and psychiatric records from childhood to present.
This will assist the physician elicit current symptoms accurately. The doctor should inquire about how symptoms impact a person's daily life, and if they hinder the social, school or work activities.
Based on the severity of the symptoms, there are different types of medication that are prescribed to help treat ADHD. These include stimulants such as Ritalin or Adderall as well as non-stimulant medications.
You could also try behavioral therapy or lifestyle changes. This can aid in improving your focus, reduce stress and anxiety and manage the impulsive and hyperactive behavior.
Your doctor will also conduct an examination and inquire about any mental health issues that may be causing symptoms resembling those of ADHD. They could be related to depression, anxiety or a substance use disorder like nicotine or alcohol abuse.
To assess your level of concentration in short-term memory, distractibility and focus, you will be required to accomplish a variety of tasks. The tasks can be accomplished at home or at the office.
Your doctor will also ask if you have any other mental health issues that include depression or anxiety. They will also examine your sleeping habits, diet, and other factors to determine if these are contributing to your symptoms.
The test results should reveal whether you are suffering from any symptoms.
If you are experiencing these symptoms, it is time to seek help from an expert. They may be able to diagnose ADHD and suggest treatment. This could include medication, therapy for behavioral issues or lifestyle modifications.
Diagnosis
ADHD is a behavioral disorder that causes issues with attention, behavior , and other executive functions. Although it is difficult to diagnose, the condition can be treated with medication or behavioral therapy.
Many people with ADHD symptoms first try self-assessment tools, before seeing a mental health professional or doctor. These tools include a 40-item self report form as well as an electronic screening test that can help you determine if you suffer from ADHD. These tests cannot be used to identify ADHD and aren't intended to replace professional assessments.
A specialist in the field will analyze you using a combination of interviews, questionnaires and testing to get an accurate diagnosis. This includes a thorough medical description of your medical history, a checklist of symptoms, and questions on how they affect your life in different situations. Your partner, parents or other close friends could be interviewed by the doctor.
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 symptoms are interfering with your daily life for example, at work or school as well as with your family members or friends or in other settings.
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 qualify as an diagnosis. You might be asked to read old school reports or have your parents fill out a retrospective ADHD profile that describes your behavior in childhood.
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 suffering from both and your physician will look for other conditions that can cause similar symptoms to those associated with ADHD and seizures or thyroid issues.
A doctor may also require you to fill out ADHD questionnaires. These surveys do not provide any diagnosis, but they can give background information about your symptoms as well as how they impact your daily life. These surveys aren't designed to diagnose ADHD however, they could help your healthcare professional determine whether you're suffering from it and the best way to treat it.
Treatment
ADHD treatment for adults typically requires a combination of therapy, medication, behavior strategies life skills training and therapy. It may take time to determine the right combination that works for you.
ADHD medication is the most commonly used treatment option. The medications are designed to boost and balance the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain. They also help improve concentration, decrease impulsivity and decrease hyperactivity. They can help you manage your ADHD symptoms and make you feel better.
The most popular prescription drugs are stimulants, such as methylphenidate and Adderall. They are safe for the majority of people, however they may cause side effects like constipation and lowered sex drive.
Another drug called Atomoxetine (Strattera) is the first non-stimulant to be specifically approved for ADHD. Although it's not as effective as stimulants, it doesn't suffer the exact same adverse negative effects, it's extremely effective.
Antidepressants can also be a solution for many people suffering from ADHD. These medications, like Bupropion (Wellbutrin), and Fluoxetine (Prozac), do not treat the condition , but they do decrease symptoms. These medications are frequently prescribed to treat depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems that are caused by ADHD.
If you are suffering from ADHD as well as other ailments your doctor may recommend that you see an psychiatrist or another mental health professional who specializes in treating ADHD. These specialists can assess your medical history, family history, and other signs to determine the root of your difficulties.
Your doctor will also ask you about any physical or mental health concerns, including depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and other physical and mental illnesses. These ailments can impact your ability to focus or learn and also be productive in your work, school or in relationships.
Your doctor will apply guidelines from the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) to identify your symptoms of ADHD. This is the standard handbook used by most medical professionals to diagnose.
Your healthcare doctor will conduct a series interview and test during the assessment. This includes a thorough diagnostic interview as well as DSM-5 checklists for symptoms.
Prevention
ADHD can be prevented through early detection and intervention. This can decrease the severity and interfere with school performance, enhance normal growth and development, and improve quality of life for people diagnosed with ADHD.
There are adhd symptoms test to avoid or limit the risk of developing ADHD in adulthood. These include psychotherapy, medications, and behavioral management strategies. In addition, support from close family members can be helpful.
Psychostimulants are a primary treatment for ADHD in adults. They include amphetamine salts that are sold under the brand name Adderall and methylphenidate which is sold under the names Ritalin, Concerta, Metadate and many others.
ADHD patients who can take psychostimulants on an ongoing basis usually see significant 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 taken together with a food plan, brain training, and exercise. These strategies are extremely effective for ADHD children and can be transformative for adults.
Adult patients may also benefit from educational and counseling programs. These treatments can help patients improve their coping skills, self-esteem, and change bad habits of thinking which contribute to their behavioral problems.
Counseling can assist people in managing the effects of ADHD and other mental disorders such as depression and substance misuse. It can also help them overcome resentment and stress that can be a result of ADHD.
Other strategies, like physical activity, dietary changes and stress reduction programs can also be beneficial for people with ADHD. These strategies can help improve concentration and decrease impulsive and hyperactive behaviors.
Many adults with ADHD aren't diagnosed or treated properly because of racial and cultural differences in ADHD diagnosis and treatment. For example the blacks and Hispanics are significantly less likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than whites, despite the fact that both groups have the same amount of children who are affected by 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 actual number of people suffering from this disorder is far greater than this number.