It is possible to get a proper diagnosis and treatment of ADHD as an adult. There are several factors that make it difficult to diagnose ADHD in adults. One of them is a lack of proper training for treating this disorder. A specialist who is experienced in treating adults with ADHD is much more likely to be able to give you a proper diagnosis. Listed below are some of the key aspects of adult ADHD diagnosis and treatment.
Comorbidities
For a 9-year-old boy, a diagnosis of ADHD can change his life dramatically. His self-esteem has plummeted, and he wants to stop going to school. His social interactions with other kids have diminished as a result of his hyperactivity and impulsivity. As a result, he’s lost his social connections and has little self-confidence.
A person with ADHD may experience racing thoughts, trouble concentrating, and fatigue at night. While nighttime provides the opportunity to work on a project, distractions can interfere with sleep. Worse, insomnia may worsen as a result of stress related to bedtime. Other symptoms of ADHD include daytime sleepiness and frequent night awakenings. While treatment may focus on treating ADHD, it may also be accompanied by other symptoms that can negatively affect a person’s quality of life.
Lack of training in the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD in adults
A recent study examined the experience of people with ADHD in their adulthood. In total, almost half of the participants had been diagnosed for more than one year, and almost a third were diagnosed after waiting for more than a year. Most reported that their symptoms worsened over time, while one-third had experienced only occasional difficulties. Of these individuals, only one-fifth reported being diagnosed when they were younger. And of those who were diagnosed at younger ages, over a third were frustrated with how many doctors they had to see before a diagnosis was made. Another third said they experienced difficulties despite being treated for ADHD and felt their doctors were sceptical.
A recent study looked at the functional brain connectivity among people with ADHD, and found that regions involved in reward and threat processing had stronger connections than those involved in attention and emotion processing. This suggests that treating ADHD in adults with behavioral strategies may improve the quality of life of the individuals who suffer from it. This is a promising direction for future research, because there are more treatment options that are effective, Check out here.
Group therapy
There are many factors affecting the quality of life of adults with ADHD. Stigma associated with ADHD and stimulant abuse may prevent some from seeking a diagnosis. However, 75% of ADHD-afflicted adults have another psychiatric diagnosis. These other diagnoses may include mood disorders, anxiety, personality disorders, substance abuse, sleep disorders, and pain. This study examined whether group therapy for adults with ADHD improves quality of life.
In a recent study, the authors evaluated the effectiveness of a psychoeducational group treatment for adults with ADHD. The program combines psychoeducational techniques with pharmacological treatments to increase participants’ knowledge and involvement in treatment. The aim of the intervention was to improve the quality of life of the participants, as well as their families. The groups were facilitated by a senior clinical group leader, as well as several lecturers from the clinical department.
Medications
Medications for ADHD in adults have shown to improve quality of life and reduce symptoms. However, not all people will respond to these treatments. While these drugs may work to improve symptoms in some cases, they have serious side effects and can have harmful effects on the patient’s health. Consequently, health care providers should discuss the benefits and risks of using these medications with their patients. In addition, they should emphasize the benefits of psychological treatment as well, which helps the patient to improve their coping, stress management, and organization skills.
Often, ADHD in adults is not diagnosed because of the stigma associated with it. This stigma is based on the idea that people with ADHD are abusers of stimulants. However, studies have shown that more than half of all adults who have been diagnosed with ADHD experience significant improvements in quality of life and reduced symptoms over time. Furthermore, comorbid conditions such as anxiety and depression are highly treatable.