Getting an ADHD Diagnosis in Adults
Many people seek a diagnose when they realize that ADHD is causing them issues at work or in their relationships. NIMH suggests that people seeking diagnosis consult their primary care provider, or a mental health professional.
They will take a thorough history and take tests like symptom rating scales or psychological tests. They can also undergo a physical examination to rule out other medical conditions that may be misinterpreted as ADHD, such thyroid problems or seizures.
Getting a Diagnosis
Being diagnosed with ADHD can be revealing and empowering, but it can also be distressing. Adults who have been struggling with the symptoms of ADHD for a long time may decide to seek a professional opinion, motivated by their frustrations at work or in relationships or due to being told by friends or family that they may have ADHD. It is important to keep in mind that it may take a while for a medical professional to make an ADHD diagnosis and the process requires more than just clinical interviews or tests.
The first step is to determine whether your ADHD symptoms are consistent with the criteria for the disorder. Many of these symptoms manifest before the age of 12. They can be found in two or more settings--for instance, at home, school, and work. They also interfere with the daily activities of people.
Since symptoms of ADHD can be triggered by mood disorders, such as anxiety or bipolar and other physical ailments and illnesses, your healthcare professional might recommend additional evaluations before making an assessment. This could include clinical interviews or rating scales for symptoms, or psychological tests to test thinking abilities, problem solving skills, and memory.
It is essential that you are 100% honest with the mental health professional. This could mean you talk about the ways in which your mood has been affected by your issues in different areas of life. The professional who is evaluating your mental health you may also ask to speak with your spouse, close family members and close friends to get an understanding of your struggles. They might also request that your family members complete questionnaires that compare their experiences with yours.
Symptoms
Adults suffering from ADHD may find that their symptoms impact the way they live their lives, particularly at school and at work. They may have trouble keeping a job or maintaining relationships. They may also struggle to keep a roof over their heads due to their inattention and impulsivity, making it difficult for them to remember things, plan tasks, or complete projects. The symptoms could be mild, moderate, or severe.
To diagnose ADHD, providers use standardized tools such as checklists, questionnaires and interview questions. They also review medical and family history and consider other mental health problems. If a person has several of the 9 symptoms, their provider uses guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition Text Revision (DSM-5-TR) to assign a diagnosis: inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive or combined type.
The signs of an inattentive personality include difficulty paying attention things, focusing on details, and being easily distracted. Inability to finish tasks and follow-through, and a tendency to lose track of time or get side-tracked are also inattentive symptoms.
People with the hyperactive/impulsive type often fidget, move around frequently and have trouble sitting still for long periods of time. They tend to forget things quickly and often struggle to organize their home, work or routine activities. They may lose their keys, phones or wallets often. They are unable to wait their turn at the classroom, at work or when playing. They are prone to frustration or stress and experience frequent and intense mood fluctuations.
view it now suffering from ADHD are more likely to have co-existing disorders like oppositional defiant or conduct disorders anxiety, depression and tic disorders Tourette syndrome and issues with substance abuse. The presence of co-occurring disorders can complicate treatment and make it more difficult to determine the cause of ADHD.
Treatment
Talking with your primary healthcare provider is the first step in receiving a diagnosis if you suspect you have ADHD. They will likely recommend you to a mental health specialist. These professionals will review your symptoms and issues at school, at work or at home to determine how they impact your life. They might conduct an organized interview or ask family members or close friends to assist. They will also go over the medical and family history of your family and perform a physical examination.
Your doctor will also look at the length of time you've been experiencing these symptoms and the effect they have on your life now. In order to be granted an diagnosis of ADHD symptoms, the person's symptoms must be present for at minimum six months, and they cannot be better explained by another disorder such as depression or anxiety. In addition, they must interfere with everyday activities like getting to class, completing tasks on time, or keeping the job.
In your assessment, your mental health professional may also utilize standardized scales for assessing behavior and ADHD symptom checklists. They will also likely give you a cognitive test to check your executive functioning, as well as your visual and spatial abilities. They will also test for other conditions that can cause similar symptoms, such as a seizure disorder or thyroid problem.
If your mental health provider decides you have ADHD the doctor will explain what medications are available and discuss treatment options. It is often best to combine treatment with talk therapy (counseling). Therapy can assist you in managing your symptoms and improve communication between family members and colleagues. Therapy can also aid in resolving problems that may develop in relationships and marriages due to the difficulties ADHD can create.
Medication
ADHD symptoms in adults are typically milder than in childhood. However, they can still cause problems at work and at home. The disorder can lead to difficulties in obtaining or keeping an excellent job, issues with relationships and social interaction and self-esteem issues, academic lapses, emotional distress, temper tantrums, and disruptive behavior.
Treatment with medication can help treat the disorder by balancing and increasing the levels of brain chemicals, known as neurotransmitters. They regulate the flow information in the brain. The stimulants, which are typically prescribed for ADHD in adults, are the most common medication used. Jornay, Xelstrym, Cotempla and Adhansia are all examples of stimulants. The non-stimulant atomoxetine as well as certain antidepressants, like bupropion are also used to treat ADHD in adults. These drugs work more slowly than stimulants and are more suitable for people who aren't able to take stimulant medications due to health issues or severe side effects.
Psychotherapy (also known as cognitive-behavioral treatment) may be useful for treating disorders that are comorbid with ADHD, such as anxiety and depression. Psychotherapy could be a better treatment than medication alone for these conditions as per research. Psychotherapy focuses on teaching techniques to manage the disorder as well as improving performance at school, work and in relationships. The aim is to increase the self-esteem of the person and reduce problematic behavior, as well as increase their functioning and performance. It is recommended that each psychotherapy program for adults ADHD patients include a cognitive behavior component. In one study, researchers discovered that ADHD patients who received both psychotherapy and medication experienced an improvement in their condition more than those who simply took the medication.
Counseling
Adults who don't want to take medication can find relief through counseling and therapy. Individual therapy can help with issues such as low self-esteem and feelings of failure and frequent job changes that typically occur with ADHD. It can also improve relationships and improve communication by helping patients and loved ones to understand the disorder and learn strategies for coping.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a method of teaching patients how to manage their behavior and change negative thoughts. This type of treatment can reduce symptoms of inattentive ADHD and hyperactive-impulsive ADHD, as well as comorbid mood disorders such as depression and anxiety disorders.
Therapists can also concentrate on developing organizational and time-management skills or teach coping strategies to manage emotional regulation, impulse control and relationships issues that may arise from the impulsive behavior. These techniques can assist you in living more productively, particularly at work.
Counseling can also help those with ADHD when applying for accommodations for work that are available under the Americans with Disabilities Act, which can greatly enhance job performance and satisfaction. For professionals, this may be a matter of changing the way their work is structured to allow them more flexibility to meet deadlines and complete tasks on time.
Choosing the right therapist is essential to get the most benefit from treatment for adults with ADHD. When interviewing potential therapists, it is crucial to inquire about their methods and if they have prior experience in treating ADHD in adults. It is also a good idea to verify the credentials of the therapist as well as insurance coverage. Some providers offer sliding scale fees or online therapy services to make therapy more accessible to those who can't afford it.