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Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder in children, but it can also affect adults. While ADHD studies and online questionnaires can help you understand some symptoms of ADHD in adults, this article will help you identify the steps you need to take. want to take to obtain an official diagnosis of ADHD.
ADHD is a neuroprogressive disorder, which means it affects the progression and function of the brain. Although ADHD is most diagnosed in childhood, ADHD symptoms can persist into adulthood and diagnosis can occur later in life. It is estimated that between 2 and 7% of international adults suffer from ADHD[1]Ginapp CM, Macdonald-Gagnon G, Angarita GA, Bold KW, Potenza MN. The lived experiences of adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a quick review of the qualitative evidence. Front Psychiatrie. 2022;11:13:949321. [2] Williams OC, Prasad S, McCrary A, et al. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in adults: a comprehensive review. Ann Med Surg (London). 2023; 85(5):1802-1810. .
ADHD affects executive functions located in the frontal lobe of the brain, says Billy Roberts, a licensed independent social worker, qualified ADHD therapist, and clinical director of Focused Mind ADHD Counseling in Columbus, Ohio. “These resolutions come with the ability to plan ahead, eliminate distractions and stay focused, maintain effort and power toward goals, self-regulate, short-term things (aka working memory), and get organized,” he says.
Although researchers don’t know the exact cause of ADHD, certain genetic and environmental factors may play a role. These points include:
There is no known cure for ADHD, but a combination of remedies can help decrease symptoms and quality of life. These remedies include:
Regardless of age, other people with ADHD have structural differences in their brains compared to other people without ADHD. That said, symptoms can appear in children and adults. “One of the main reasons is that the ‘adult world’ has a different set of expectations and social norms than the world of the formative years,” Roberts says.
In addition, the symptoms of ADHD in adults can be varied and complicated, and “even if a user has many symptoms that appear to be caused by ADHD, there may still be other causes,” says Jennifer Minami, M. D. Array assistant professor in the Department. of Psychiatry. at the Loma Linda University School of Medicine.
ADHD symptoms fall into two categories: inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity. Adults may experience maximum and non-unusual symptoms of inattention, maximum and non-unusual symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity, or a combination of both. Some of the most common symptoms of ADHD in adults include:
Adults with ADHD have difficulty staying focused and tend to avoid responsibilities that require prolonged intellectual effort. Inattention can manifest as distraction during conversations or meetings or simple distraction during responsibilities, Roberts says.
Procrastination is one of the hallmarks of ADHD, and studies suggest that it is the most common functional impairment among adults diagnosed. According to Roberts, adults with ADHD not only have a tendency to procrastinate on tasks, but they may also have difficulty completing projects.
“This begins to create much greater disruption in adulthood, when Americans are expected to pay their bills, fulfill their responsibilities at work, and engage in longer-term projects,” Dr. Minami adds.
Adults with ADHD may enjoy memory problems, and studies show reduced functionality in short-term memory tasks. In fact, according to one small study, participants with adult ADHD reported being teased or criticized for their forgetfulness. [3]Beaton DM, Sirois F, Milne E. Critical experiences in adults with ADHD: a qualitative study. PLoS Un. 2022; 17(2):e0263366. . ” During childhood, forgetting may have fewer consequences because a child has an adult figure who helps him not to forget things and to organize himself,” says Dr. Minami.
“ADHD in adults can cause chronic feelings of failure, laziness, or not knowing one’s future due to procrastination or not completing work while having the skills and wisdom to perform better,” says Dr. Minami. In studies, adults with ADHD have reported poor educational or artistic performance, having difficulty focusing on a task, multitasking, or resuming a task when interrupted.
In one review, adults with ADHD reported feeling misunderstood or rejected in social settings and having difficulty picking up on social cues. qualitative evidence. Rev. of the JBI database system, 2017; 15(4):1080-1153. According to Dr. Minami, the tendency to interrupt others or react with intense emotions can also make it difficult for adults with ADHD to handle certain social situations.
Although studies show that hyperactivity is a more noticeable symptom in children, adults with ADHD may experience restlessness and difficulty relaxing. This restlessness can also cause adults with ADHD to stand up when they are supposed to be sitting still, Roberts says.
If you think you may have ADHD, tell your GP. Even if they may not give you a formal diagnosis, they may put you in touch with a specialist.
“The way to know if you have ADHD is to seek a comprehensive evaluation through a psychiatrist, psychologist, or ADHD psychiatric nurse,” says Dr. Minami.
The diagnostic procedure for ADHD includes an evaluation of:
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), an adult can be diagnosed with ADHD if they have had at least ADHD symptoms for at least six months.
Even if some of the above symptoms may sound familiar, “diagnosing ADHD in adulthood is a complex procedure because the diagnosing user will want to be able to distinguish true ADHD from other situations that could possibly have an effect on concentration or self-help. “control. ” Roberts said.
So why aren’t other people diagnosed with ADHD until they’re older?Roberts says diagnosis in adulthood can occur when ADHD is overlooked for a variety of reasons. For example, he says, some young people make up for it with perfectionism or superiority. intelligence, or they have an intelligent formula at home and at school. “Once other people with ADHD succeed in adulthood, they may find that their current situation is creating a tipping point and that their old tactics of dealing with attention disorders are no longer valid. it’s no longer effective,” Roberts says.
Because some situations (such as anxiety or trauma) can have symptoms similar to those of ADHD, it’s vital that you let your doctor know if you’ve been diagnosed with and treated for ADHD, but don’t feel any improvement. This may simply be a sign of a misdiagnosis.
While an online self-assessment can be a starting point and perhaps inspire you to reach out to a specialist, it’s only a first step. An online ADHD quiz or AI-powered chatbot can help you stay informed about ADHD and even offer advice. about what to do next, but it is more productive to leave the diagnosis and remedy to professionals, such as psychiatrists, psychologists, and neurologists.
It’s vital not to forget that answering “yes” to many self-assessment questions doesn’t guarantee a diagnosis, Dr. Minami says. In addition, he says, self-diagnosis can lead to a narrow view of therapeutic approaches, because ADHD is related to other psychiatric comorbidities. In other words, adults diagnosed with ADHD typically suffer from depression and/or bipolar disorder, substance abuse, anxiety, and personality disorders.
“We need to improve the quality of life for Americans through reduced stress, better relationships and functioning at work and school, and increased confidence and self-esteem through, as it should be, identifying the fundamental reasons for what what’s happening and then execute it appropriately. says Dr. Minami.
Finding out you have ADHD later in life can bring up a complex mix of emotions, adding anger and remorse after years of feeling misunderstood. It can also bring hope and comfort. “A diagnosis of ADHD in an adult brings a sense of relief and validation,” Roberts says. “After a diagnosis, a door opens and the key was knowing that so many difficulties were due to an overlooked neurological disease and not to willpower or a character defect. ”
While many symptoms of ADHD can be considered obstacles in an adult’s life, they can also be considered strengths. In a study of adults seeking mental help for their diagnosis, participants noted several positive characteristics of ADHD. For example, maximum energy, creativity, the ability to think outdoors is the norm and regularly searching for new reports can lead to positive results at home and in the workplace[5]Nordby ES, Guribye F, Nordgreen T, Lundervold AJ. The Positives of ADHD: A Thematic Analysis of the Positive Experiences of Adults Living with ADHD. BMJ open. 2023; 13(10):E072052. .
To locate a qualified intellectual fitness professional who can compare you to ADHD, you can start by asking for a referral to your number one care physician. You can also check the CHADD pro directory to locate the local specialist that suits you best.
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