Can Adults Be Diagnosed With ADHD If They Weren"t Diagnosed As A Child?
ADHD stands for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
While this very common mental health condition is well known today we must keep in mind that only 15 years ago most people hadn't even heard of the condition, and if they had they knew it as ADD.
It would not be all that surprising for an adult to put 2 and 2 together after taking to friend, having a child diagnosed with the condition, or reading an informative article online to come to the conclusion that they have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
But for those who failed to receive a diagnosis as a child the road to confirmation and ultimately treatment could become a rocky ride since there is no single test to confirm the existence of adult ADHD.
In other words receiving a diagnosis will be a subjective determination by a medical professional based on hours of written testing, an evaluation of childhood history, and contacting people who may have experienced your symptoms way back when.
One could make the observation that this type of intrusive diagnostic criteria is about the last thing an adult with ADHD wants to experience.
Imagine of the horror of a friend you haven't seen in 20 years calling you to ask why they are being contacted about your ADHD! Talk about putting a chill on a past relationship or friendship.
Factoid: The primary symptoms of adult ADHD likely almost generally include a combination of inattention, impulsiveness, restlessness, forgetfulness, and disorganization.
It is also important to point out that symptoms of adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder may be much different than those in children due to brain evolution and development which has occurred over time.
The quest for a diagnosis may also be overcomplicated by the overlap between the symptoms of adult ADHD and other common mental health conditions such as depression and substance abuse.
Surprisingly overlapping mental health condition are present in about seven out of every ten cases of adult ADHD.
But let's say that despite all odds you ultimately meet the diagnostic criteria.
Will pharmaceutical help be on the way in the form of a prescription medication? The answer is maybe! Yes, your medical professional may not feel comfortable evaluating and treating an adult with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
This is especially true if no history of the condition can be found.
One of the reasons that medical professionals balk at diagnosing ADHD is that the primary treatment for the condition are stimulant drugs (Ritalin, Adderall) which have a high potential for abuse.
In fact, the DEA has raised them to a level 1 category risk.
So it is not surprising that they think twice prescribing these drugs on their own subjective evaluation.
Even worse, when in doubt medical professionals will often kick the can down the road by referring you to an adult ADHD specialist where you will be retested and evaluated.
It is easy to see how an adult with ADHD cry for help could turn into an arduous and expensive journey possible ending without a positive diagnosis an empty wallet.
Are there other options? The answer is absolutely yes! While many still believe the only answer for ADHD symptoms are either stimulant or non-stimulant prescription medications there are many other options which could prove to be both more effective and deliver longer lasting results.
The two that come to mind initially are cognitive behavioral therapy and homeopathic ADHD remedies.
Additionally, numerous studies have shown that a multiple treatment approach produces better results most of the time.
In conclusion, it is not easy for an adult who was not diagnosed with ADHD as a child to be diagnosed as an adult.
That said, this obstacle should not stop you from learning more about adult ADHD and seeking alternative treatments to managing your symptoms.
While this very common mental health condition is well known today we must keep in mind that only 15 years ago most people hadn't even heard of the condition, and if they had they knew it as ADD.
It would not be all that surprising for an adult to put 2 and 2 together after taking to friend, having a child diagnosed with the condition, or reading an informative article online to come to the conclusion that they have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
But for those who failed to receive a diagnosis as a child the road to confirmation and ultimately treatment could become a rocky ride since there is no single test to confirm the existence of adult ADHD.
In other words receiving a diagnosis will be a subjective determination by a medical professional based on hours of written testing, an evaluation of childhood history, and contacting people who may have experienced your symptoms way back when.
One could make the observation that this type of intrusive diagnostic criteria is about the last thing an adult with ADHD wants to experience.
Imagine of the horror of a friend you haven't seen in 20 years calling you to ask why they are being contacted about your ADHD! Talk about putting a chill on a past relationship or friendship.
Factoid: The primary symptoms of adult ADHD likely almost generally include a combination of inattention, impulsiveness, restlessness, forgetfulness, and disorganization.
It is also important to point out that symptoms of adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder may be much different than those in children due to brain evolution and development which has occurred over time.
The quest for a diagnosis may also be overcomplicated by the overlap between the symptoms of adult ADHD and other common mental health conditions such as depression and substance abuse.
Surprisingly overlapping mental health condition are present in about seven out of every ten cases of adult ADHD.
But let's say that despite all odds you ultimately meet the diagnostic criteria.
Will pharmaceutical help be on the way in the form of a prescription medication? The answer is maybe! Yes, your medical professional may not feel comfortable evaluating and treating an adult with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
This is especially true if no history of the condition can be found.
One of the reasons that medical professionals balk at diagnosing ADHD is that the primary treatment for the condition are stimulant drugs (Ritalin, Adderall) which have a high potential for abuse.
In fact, the DEA has raised them to a level 1 category risk.
So it is not surprising that they think twice prescribing these drugs on their own subjective evaluation.
Even worse, when in doubt medical professionals will often kick the can down the road by referring you to an adult ADHD specialist where you will be retested and evaluated.
It is easy to see how an adult with ADHD cry for help could turn into an arduous and expensive journey possible ending without a positive diagnosis an empty wallet.
Are there other options? The answer is absolutely yes! While many still believe the only answer for ADHD symptoms are either stimulant or non-stimulant prescription medications there are many other options which could prove to be both more effective and deliver longer lasting results.
The two that come to mind initially are cognitive behavioral therapy and homeopathic ADHD remedies.
Additionally, numerous studies have shown that a multiple treatment approach produces better results most of the time.
In conclusion, it is not easy for an adult who was not diagnosed with ADHD as a child to be diagnosed as an adult.
That said, this obstacle should not stop you from learning more about adult ADHD and seeking alternative treatments to managing your symptoms.
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