ADHD in Adults - What You Need to Know
ADHD is an illness that causes excessive focus and hyperactivity. It can also lead to problems at work or in school or at home, as well as relationships.
To diagnose ADHD, your healthcare practitioner will follow the guidelines in the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). They will also look at how symptoms affect your daily life.
Symptoms
ADHD is often thought of as a condition that is only affecting children. However, it's also prevalent for adults. Many people suffering from ADHD are not diagnosed until their symptoms are severe and cause disruption to their lives. This can result in problems with your family and work relationships or your health.
If you or someone close to you suspect that you suffer from ADHD is crucial to consult a doctor or therapist. They can diagnose you and suggest treatment.
A complete clinical history is the first step to diagnosing your condition. This includes a complete review of your medical and psychiatric histories from childhood through the present.
This will assist the physician detect current symptoms in a more accurate manner. The physician should inquire how the symptoms affect the person's daily routine, and whether they affect social, school or work performance.
There are numerous medications that can be prescribed to treat ADHD in accordance with the severity of the symptoms. These include stimulants such as Ritalin or Adderall as well as non-stimulant drugs.
You can also consider the behavioral therapy or lifestyle change. This will help you improve your focus, reduce stress and anxiety and manage your impulsive and hyperactivity.
In addition to a physical examination Your doctor will also inquire with you about any other mental health issues that can cause similar symptoms to those of ADHD. These include depression, anxiety, and other addiction disorders like nicotine or alcohol abuse.
You will be asked to do a number of tasks to help evaluate your focus, distractibility and short-term memory. These tasks can be completed at home or at the office.
Your doctor will ask whether you suffer from mental health problems, like anxiety or depression. They will also assess your sleeping habits, your diet, and other factors to determine if these are contributing to your symptoms.
The results of the test will reveal if you suffer from any of the following symptoms:
These signs are indicators that you need professional help. They can diagnose you with ADHD and suggest treatment which may include medications, behavioral therapy, or lifestyle adjustments.
Diagnosis
ADHD is a disorder of the mind that causes issues with attention, behavior and other executive functions. Although it can be difficult to diagnose, the condition can be treated with medication or therapy for behavioral disorders.
Many people who have ADHD symptoms will first try self-assessment tools, before seeing an expert in mental health or a doctor. These tools include a 40-item self report form and an online screening test that will help you determine if you are suffering from ADHD. However, these tests can't be utilized to make a clinical diagnosis and don't substitute for an assessment by a professional.
To diagnose you accurately, experts in the field will employ an assortment of questionnaires, interviews, and testing. This includes a review of your symptoms, a list of symptoms, and questions about how they impact you in different situations. Your partner, parents 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 life is being impacted by the symptoms, for example at work or school as well as with family members or friends as well as in other activities.
The symptoms you're experiencing could be brand new or have been present for a long time but they must be consistently present before the age of 12 in order to qualify as a diagnosis. You may be asked go through 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're suffering from two of them your doctor will also look for other conditions that could cause similar symptoms to those of ADHD like seizures or thyroid issues.
A doctor might also require you to fill out ADHD questionnaires. These questionnaires don't offer the diagnosis, but provide background information on your symptoms as well as how they impact your daily life. These surveys are not intended to diagnose ADHD however they can aid your healthcare professional in determining whether you're suffering from the condition and the best course of treatment for you.
Treatment
Treatment for ADHD for adults is typically a combination of medicine behaviors, behavioral strategies, life skills training and therapy. It can take some time to find the right combination that works for you.
The most commonly used medication is treatment option for ADHD. These medications are meant to regulate and increase brain neurotransmitters, which are brain chemicals. They also help improve concentration, decrease impulsivity and decrease hyperactivity. They can help you manage ADHD symptoms and make it easier to feel better.
The most popular prescription drugs are stimulants like methylphenidate and Adderall. They are effective for most people, however, they can cause side effects, such as constipation and lowered sex drive.
Another drug, atomoxetine or strattera, has been approved for ADHD. It is not as effective as stimulants, however it does not have the same adverse consequences.
Antidepressants can also be a solution for many people suffering from ADHD. These medicines, such as bupropion (Wellbutrin) and fluoxetine (Prozac) do not treat the condition in any way, but can ease the symptoms. They are usually prescribed for depression, anxiety or other mental health disorders that have developed as due to ADHD.
Your doctor may suggest that you consult psychiatrists if you suffer from ADHD and other disorders. Iampsychiatry can review your medical history, family history and other symptoms to determine the cause of your difficulties.
The doctor may also inquire about any other physical or mental health issues you may have, such as anxiety, depression or substance abuse. These diseases can hinder your ability to concentrate, learn and be productive at work, school or relationships.
To diagnose 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 that is used by the majority of medical professionals to make a diagnosis.
Your healthcare provider will conduct a series of interview and tests during the assessment. This includes a thorough diagnostic interview and DSM-5 checklists of symptoms.
Prevention
ADHD can be prevented through early detection and intervention. This can reduce the severity and interfere with school functioning, increase normal growth and development and improve the quality of life for people diagnosed with ADHD.
There are a variety of ways to reduce or prevent the risk of developing ADHD in adulthood. These include psychotherapy, medication and behavioral management strategies. Additionally, support from immediate family members can help.
Psychostimulants are a primary treatment for ADHD in adults. They include amphetamine salts which are marketed under the brand name Adderall and methylphenidate which is sold under names Ritalin, Concerta, Metadate and many others.
If the person with ADHD is capable of taking psychostimulants regularly they are likely to notice a dramatic improvement in their symptoms. The patient might also learn to manage their behavior and improve their relationships with others.
ADHD medication is most effective when taken in conjunction with a food program, brain training and exercise. These methods are highly effective in treating children with ADHD and are likely to be transformative for adults as well.
In addition to medication counseling and educational programs are also very beneficial for patients of all ages. These therapies can help individuals improve their coping skills and self-esteem and help them change negative thinking patterns that cause their behavior problems.
Counseling can aid people with ADHD and other psychiatric conditions like depression and substance abuse. Counseling can help individuals deal with stress and resentment often associated with ADHD.
ADHD sufferers can also benefit from other strategies such as diet modifications as well as physical activity and stress reduction programs. These strategies can improve focus and decrease impulsive or hyperactive behaviors.
Yet, many people suffering from ADHD are not diagnosed or treated because of racial and ethnic differences 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 share the same number 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 Americans. However, research suggests that the true number of people suffering from this disorder is much greater than this number.