ADHD in Adults - What You Need to Know
ADHD is a condition that can cause hyperactivity and problems with focus. It can also cause problems at school, work, home and in relationships.
To determine ADHD, your healthcare practitioner will follow guidelines from the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). They will also examine how your symptoms impact your daily life.
Signs and symptoms
ADHD is often thought of as a disorder that affects only children. However, it is also common among adults. Many people suffering from ADHD are not diagnosed until their symptoms become severe and affect their lives. This can lead to issues in family relationships, work and health.
Talking with a therapist or a doctor if it is suspected that you may have ADHD is a good idea. They'll be able diagnose the problem and provide treatment.
A complete clinical history is the first step in diagnosing your symptoms. This includes a full review of your personal, medical and psychiatric history from childhood until the present.
This will help the clinician elicit current symptoms accurately. The physician should ask about how the symptoms impact an individual's daily life and if they hinder social, academic or work activities.
There are numerous medications that can be prescribed to treat ADHD depending on the severity of the symptoms. These include stimulants like Ritalin or Adderall, as well as non-stimulant medications.
Other treatments include behavior therapy and lifestyle adjustments. This will help you improve your focus, reduce stress and anxiety and manage hyperactivity and impulsive behavior.
In addition to a physical examination the doctor will also ask you about any other mental health issues that can produce similar symptoms to those of ADHD. This could include depression, anxiety, and addiction disorders such as alcohol or nicotine abuse.
You will be asked to perform several tasks to help evaluate your concentration, distractibility, and short-term memory. These tasks can be completed at home or at the office.
Your doctor will also ask if you have any other mental health issues, including anxiety or depression. They will also take a look at your habits with regard to sleep, diet and other factors to see if they are contributing to your symptoms.
The results of the test should determine if you are suffering from any of the following symptoms:
If you experience these symptoms If you are experiencing these symptoms, it is time to seek out a specialist. They can identify you as having ADHD and suggest treatment which could include medications, behavioral therapy, or lifestyle modifications.
Diagnosis
ADHD is a mental disorder that affects behavior, attention, and other executive functions. It can be difficult to diagnose but it can be treated with medication and behavioral therapy.
Many people with symptoms of ADHD will try self-assessment tools prior to visiting a doctor or mental health professional for an assessment. These tools include a self report with 40 items form and an electronic screening test that will help you determine if you are suffering from ADHD. But, these tests cannot be utilized to make a clinical diagnosis and cannot substitute for an assessment from an expert.
A specialist in the field will analyze you with a combination of questions, tests and interviews to make an accurate diagnosis. This includes a history of your symptoms, a list of symptoms, and a discussion of how they affect you in different situations. 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 symptoms are interfering with your daily life, for example in school or at work with family or friends or in any other activity.
Although the symptoms may be new or long-standing the symptoms must have been present for at least 12 years in order to qualify for diagnosis. You may be asked to look over old school reports or ask your parents to fill in an 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 are both or both, your doctor will check for other conditions that may cause similar symptoms to ADHD.
A doctor may also ask you to complete ADHD questionnaires. These questionnaires don't offer the diagnosis, but provide information about your symptoms as well as how they impact your daily life. These surveys aren't designed to give an assessment, but they can assist your healthcare provider determine if you have ADHD and the type of treatment you'll require.
Treatment
Treatment for ADHD in adults is generally comprised of medications and behavior strategies, as well as life skills training and therapy. It can take some time to find the best combination that is effective for you.
Medicines are the most popular treatment option for ADHD. These drugs are intended to regulate and increase brain neurotransmitters. They also help improve focus, reduce impulsivity and reduce hyperactivity. They can aid in managing ADHD symptoms and make it easier to feel better.
Stimulants such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) or amphetamine (Adderall), are the most popular prescription medications. They are effective for most people, however, they can cause side effects like constipation and lowered sex drive.
Another drug called atomoxetine (Strattera) is the first non-stimulant to be approved specifically for ADHD. It is not as effective as stimulants, but it does not have the same adverse negative effects.
Many ADHD patients are able to treat themselves with antidepressants. These medications, such as bupropion (Wellbutrin) and fluoxetine (Prozac) do not treat the condition directly but can help reduce the symptoms. They are frequently prescribed for depression, anxiety or other mental health disorders that are result of ADHD.
If you are suffering from ADHD in addition to other disorders your doctor might suggest that you visit an psychiatrist or another mental health professional who specializes in treating ADHD. These doctors can evaluate your medical background, family history, and other symptoms to identify the root of your issues.
Your doctor will also ask you about any physical or mental health issues, like depression, anxiety or substance abuse, as well as other physical and mental conditions. These conditions can impact your ability to concentrate and learn and be productive at school, at work or in relationships.
To diagnose ADHD symptoms the doctor will refer you to the Fifth Edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). This is the most commonly used handbook by health professionals to diagnose.
adhd test for adults will conduct a series interviews and tests during the assessment. This includes a thorough diagnostic interview as well as DSM-5 checklists of symptoms.
Prevention
Early intervention and detection can aid to stop ADHD. This can reduce the severity of the condition and hinder school performance, enhance the normal development and growth, and improve the quality of life for people diagnosed with ADHD.
Many measures can be utilized to stop or slow the development of adult ADHD, including psychotherapy, medication, and other management strategies. The support of family members can also be helpful.
The main type of treatment for adult ADHD is the use of medications referred to as psychostimulants. They include amphetamines salts that are sold under the brand Adderall, and methylphenidate which is sold under the name Ritalin Concerta Metadate.
ADHD patients who are able to take psychostimulants on an ongoing basis usually see significant improvement in their symptoms. Additionally, the patient may learn to control their behaviors and improve their relationships with others.
ADHD medication is most effective when used in conjunction with a meal plan, brain training, and exercise. These methods are extremely effective in treating children with ADHD and will likely to transform for adults too.
In addition to medication counseling and educational programs, counseling can also prove to be beneficial for patients of all ages. These programs can help individuals develop the skills to cope, boost self-esteem and alter negative thoughts that contribute to their behavioral issues.
Counseling can assist people suffering from ADHD and other psychiatric disorders , such as addiction to drugs and depression. Counseling can help individuals deal with the stress and resentment commonly associated with ADHD.
ADHD sufferers may also benefit from other strategies such as diet changes or physical activity, as well as stress reduction programs. These strategies can improve focus and decrease hyperactive or impulsive behavior.
Despite this, many people suffering from ADHD go undiagnosed or undertreated because of racial and ethnic disparities in the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD. Hispanics and blacks are less likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than whites, even though both have the same amount of children suffering from the disorder.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, ADHD has been diagnosed in more than 4 percent of Americans. However research suggests that the true number of adults with this disorder is far greater than this figure.