Adult ADD ll
Adult ADHD ll
Adult ADD/ADHD
Symptoms ll
Treatment
ll Medications (Adderall,
Concerta,
Ritalin,
Strattera) ll
Natural Alternatives ll
Adult ADD Test ll
Diagnosing the ADD Adult ll
Adult ADD and Depression ll
Coping with Adult ADD
The Adult ADD Diagnosis / Adult ADHD
Diagnosis.
Diagnosing adult ADD is a difficult task. While
the criteria for an adult
ADD diagnosis or adult ADHD diagnosis is
fairly straight-forward, getting a timely and
precise diagnosis is often the real problem.
The difficulty in diagnosing adult ADD is often
the result of doctors not being completely
knowledgeable about the adult ADD diagnosis.
This is not a knock against doctors, but more a
statement of the unique difficulties of
diagnosing adult ADD.
A 2004 study of adult ADHD diagnosed patients
reviewed 537 psychiatrists medical records and
317 primary care doctor medical records. Of the
patients with no prior diagnosis, 56 percent
stated that they complained about ADHD symptoms
to other health professionals without being
diagnosed.
A New York University Medical Center and School
of Medicine survey found that almost 50 percent
of primary-care doctors surveyed reported a lack
of confidence in diagnosing adult ADD. Only 34
percent of the 400 doctors surveyed reported
being "very" or "extremely" knowledgeable about
diagnosing adult ADD. A full 85 percent said
they would take a more active role in diagnosing
adult ADHD if they had better screening tools.
Difficulties in Diagnosing Adult ADD.
The greatest difficulty in diagnosing adult ADD
is that other conditions commonly found
alongside adult ADD can mimic
adult ADHD symptoms.
Comorbidity, the coexistence of another disease
or condition, is more the rule than the
exception with adult ADHD. Depression, bipolar
disorder, anxiety, substance abuse and
personality disorders commonly cluster with
adult ADD. Separating symptoms to determine
which is the true condition to treat makes
diagnosing the adult ADD incredibly difficult.
Depression and adult ADD share the symptoms of
poor concentration, attention and memory, and
difficult completing tasks. Bipolar and adult
ADHD share the symptoms of hyperactivity, mood
swings and difficulty maintaining attention and
focus. Anxiety and adult ADD and adult ADHD
share the symptoms of fidgeting and difficulty
concentrating. Substance abuse and adult ADD and
adult ADHD share the symptoms of mood swings and
poor concentration, attention and memory.
Personality disorders and adult ADD and adult
ADHD share the symptoms of impulsivity.
The "chicken or egg" aspect of which condition
came first is always a question in diagnosing
adult ADD. Did a lifetime of dealing with
undiagnosed ADD symptoms produce depression or
is the depression independent of Attention
Deficit Disorder? Is the adult ADHD self
medicating through substance abuse or did the
substance abuse precipitate ADD symptoms? If
comorbid conditions exist, the patient needs to
understand that treatment can resolve the adult
ADD symptoms but the other psychiatric condition
might need additional treatment.
To make the adult ADD diagnosis and the adult
ADHD diagnosis even more difficult is the fact
that Attention Deficit presents about six
different types - some of which have a
depressive tone, others that have tones of
anxiety and personality disorder. The depressed
adult with ADD, for instance, might have a
depressive variation of Attention Deficit
Disorder, might have two seperate conditions or
depression because of the ADD symptoms. Knowing
which condition to treat is likely unclear.
Medical conditions can also mimic adult ADHD.
Hyperthyroidism, seizure disorders, hearing
difficulties, lead toxicity, previous head
injuries, sleep apnea and drug interactions can
all cause problems with inattention,
concentration, memory and hyperactivity. For a
thorough adult ADD diagnosis or adult ADHD
diagnosis, the evaluating doctor should rule out
these medical condition.
Physicians often use an assessment checklist of
symptoms to determine the presence of Attention
Deficit Disorder. The doctor performing an
assessment of adult ADHD can use the standard
ADHD criteria but this assessment better
reflects childhood ADHD symptoms. Adults often
retain some, but not all, of their childhood
symptoms. Furthermore, the adult ADD diagnosis
symptoms often take on different forms.
Hyperactivity, for example, is a common feature
in children but tends to be less overt in
adults.
Criteria for an Adult ADD
Diagnosis / Adult ADHD Diagnosis.
- The ADD or ADHD symptoms were present in childhood.
- The adult symptoms are present in more than one settings
- work, social settings or at home.
- There is clear evidence that the adult ADHD symptoms
cause a significant impairment functioning in these
settings.
- The adult ADD symptoms cannot be better accounted for by
another mental disorders or medical condition.
Additionally, many of these symptoms should be present to
reach an adult ADD diagnosis / adult ADHD diagnosis;
- Poor concentration.
- Employment problems.
- Relationship problems.
- Inability to monitor behavior.
- Rapid and extreme mood changes within a very short
period of time and without appropriate external reasons.
- Hot temper or difficulty controlling anger.
- Inability to complete tasks / procrastination.
- Disorganization / poor organization skills.
- Low stress or frustration tolerance.
- Impulsivity.
- Difficulty relaxing.
- Restlessness or chronic boredom.
- A feeling of being chronically "on edge."
- Chronic lateness and forgetfulness.
- Anxiety.
- Low self-esteem.
- Substance abuse or addiction.
- Depression.
Attention Deficit Disorder does not have clear physical signs
that can be seen in an x-ray or a lab test. Therefore, the adult
ADD diagnosis or the adult ADHD diagnosis is subjective and
rests on observing symptoms and ruling out other factors.
For an accurate adult ADD diagnosis, the doctor will take a
history of the patient's childhood behavior and interview the
patient's partner, parent, close friend, or other close
associate. To rule out other medical or mental factors, the
doctor should perform a physical examination and psychological
tests. The best adult ADHD diagnosis is made by a
multidisciplinary team that might include various doctors,
psychiatrists or other behavioral specialists.
To receive prescription ADHD treatment, the person must receive
an adult ADD diagnosis. However, there are many
non-prescription means of treating
Attention Deficit Disorder. These treatment methods should
be explored, especially if you are having trouble receiving an
adult ADD diagnosis.
