ADHD in Adults - What You Need to Know
ADHD is a condition that causes hyperactivity and focus problems. It can also lead to difficulties at school, at work at home, and in relationships.
Your healthcare provider will utilize the most up-to-date version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5 DSM-5) to diagnose ADHD. They will also assess how your symptoms affect your everyday life.
Symptoms
ADHD is often seen as a condition that is only affecting children. However, it's also prevalent for adults. Many people with ADHD go undiagnosed until their symptoms become more severe and impact their lives. This can affect your family, work relationships, or health.
If you or a loved one suspect that you suffer from ADHD, it's important 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 take a thorough clinical history. This includes a comprehensive review of your personal, medical and psychiatric records from childhood through the present.
This will allow the doctor to identify the current symptoms. The doctor should inquire about a person's everyday activities and whether they impact their school, work or social activities.
There are numerous medications that can be prescribed to treat ADHD in accordance with the severity of the symptoms. These include stimulants like Ritalin or Adderall, as well as non-stimulant drugs.
You could also try behavioral therapy or lifestyle changes. This can aid in improving your concentration, decrease stress and anxiety and manage hyperactivity and impulsive behavior.
In addition to a physical examination the doctor will also ask you about other mental health problems that could produce similar symptoms to those of ADHD. These can include depression, anxiety or a substance abuse disorder like alcohol or nicotine abuse.
To help assess your level of concentration as well as your distractibility, short-term memory and focus, you'll be asked to perform a variety of tasks. These can be done at the office or at home.
Your doctor will inquire whether you suffer from mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety. Your habits with regard to sleep, diet as well as other factors will be assessed to determine if they're contributing to.
The results of the test will reveal if you suffer from any of the symptoms listed below:
These symptoms are indications to seek professional help. They can identify you as having ADHD and recommend treatment which could include medications, behavioral therapy, or lifestyle adjustments.
Diagnosis
ADHD is a behavioral disorder that causes problems with attention, behavior , and other executive functions. It is difficult to identify, but it can be treated with medication and behavioral therapy.
Many people with symptoms of ADHD will test themselves using self-assessment instruments prior to visiting a doctor or mental health professional to seek the diagnosis. These tools include a 40-item self-report form as well as an electronic screening test to help determine if you have ADHD. However, these tests aren't used to make a medical diagnosis and aren't able to substitute for an assessment from an expert.
A specialist in the field will evaluate you through a combination questions, tests and interviews to get an accurate diagnosis. This includes a review of your symptoms, a checklist of symptoms and questions on how they impact you in various scenarios. Your parents, partner or other close relatives may be interviewed by the physician.
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 life, for example in your school or work environment; with friends or relatives; or in other activities.
The symptoms you're experiencing may be new or happening for a long time, but they must have been present before age 12 to qualify for a diagnosis. You may be asked to read old school reports or ask your parents to fill out a retrospective ADHD profile describing 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're experiencing a combination of both and your physician will examine other conditions which can trigger similar symptoms as those of ADHD and seizures or thyroid issues.
A doctor might also require you to fill out ADHD questionnaires. iampsychiatry don't provide an answer to a diagnosis, but they do give background information about your symptoms as well as how they affect your daily life. These surveys aren't designed to give a diagnosis but can assist your healthcare provider determine if you have ADHD and what treatment you'll require.
Treatment
ADHD treatment for adults typically includes a combination therapy including medication, behavior strategies, life skills training, and therapy. It may take time to find the right combination that works for you.
ADHD medication is the most commonly used treatment option. The drugs are designed to boost and balance the levels of neurotransmitters that are chemicals in the brain. They also help improve concentration, decrease impulsivity and decrease hyperactivity. They can help you manage your ADHD symptoms and help you feel better.
Stimulants such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) or amphetamine (Adderall), are the most commonly prescribed prescription medications. They are safe for the majority of people, but they do have side effects such as constipation and decreased sex drive.
Another drug, atomoxetine or strattera, was approved to treat ADHD. Although it isn't as effective as stimulants but doesn't come with the same negative side negative effects, it's extremely effective.
Antidepressants are also a possibility for many patients with ADHD. These medications, like Bupropion (Wellbutrin) and Fluoxetine (Prozac) are not able to treat the condition , but they can reduce symptoms. These medications are frequently prescribed to treat depression, anxiety and other mental health conditions that are caused by ADHD.
If you are suffering from ADHD along with other conditions Your healthcare provider may recommend that you see a psychiatrist or other mental health professional who specializes in treating ADHD. These professionals can analyze your medical background, family history, and other symptoms to identify the root of your issues.
Your doctor will also inquire with you about any physical or mental health concerns, including depression, anxiety and substance abuse as well as other physical and mental illnesses. These illnesses can interfere with your ability to concentrate or learn and also be productive at schools, work or in relationships.
To determine ADHD symptoms, your doctor will use the Fifth Edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). This is the standard handbook most healthcare professionals utilize to diagnose ADHD.
Your healthcare doctor will conduct a series interviews and tests as part of the examination. These include a thorough diagnostic interview, DSM-5 symptom checklists and an standardized scale for rating behavior for ADHD.
Prevention
Early intervention and detection may help to stop ADHD. This will reduce the severity of symptoms, reduce the impact on school performance as well as enhance normal growth and development and improve the quality of life for people diagnosed with ADHD.
There are many ways to reduce or prevent the development of ADHD in adulthood. These include psychotherapy, medications, and behavioral management strategies. In addition, the support of immediate family members can aid.
Psychostimulants are the main treatment for ADHD in adults. These include amphetamine salts, which are marketed under the brand name Adderall, and methylphenidate, which is available under the names Ritalin, Concerta, Metadate and others.
ADHD patients who can take psychostimulants on a regular basis are often able to see significant improvement in their symptoms. In addition, the patient might learn to manage their behaviors and improve their relationships with other people.
ADHD medication is most effective if used in conjunction with a meal program, brain training and exercise. These methods are extremely effective in treating children with ADHD and are likely to be transformative for adults too.
In addition to medications counseling and educational programs can be extremely efficient for patients of adulthood. These treatments can help patients improve their coping skills and self-esteem as well as alter bad habits of thinking that can lead to their behavior problems.
Counseling can assist people suffering from ADHD and other mental disorders such as addiction and depression. It can also assist them to cope with resentment and stress that are sometimes associated with ADHD.
ADHD sufferers can also benefit from other interventions such as dietary changes and physical activity as well as stress reduction programs. These strategies can improve focus and decrease hyperactive or impulsive behavior.
However, many people suffering from ADHD aren't diagnosed or treated because of racial and ethnic differences in the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD. Hispanics and blacks are less likely to be diagnosed as ADHD than whites, despite having the same number 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 actual number of people suffering from this disorder is much greater than this number.