Getting an ADHD Diagnosis in Adults
Many people seek a diagnosis after realizing they have trouble at work or with relationships due to ADHD. NIMH suggests that those seeking diagnosis consult their primary care physician or a mental health professional.
They will take a thorough history and take tests such as symptom rating scales or psychological tests. They may be subjected to a physical examination to rule out other medical conditions that may be mistaken for ADHD like thyroid issues or seizures.
Diagnosis
Getting a diagnosis for ADHD can be revealing and liberating, but it can also be stressful. Adults who have struggled with ADHD symptoms for a long time might eventually seek out professional help, either because of frustrations at work, in relationships, and/or because relatives or friends have informed them that they could be suffering from ADHD. It is important to remember that a healthcare professional may take several months to diagnose ADHD and that the process is more than simply completing standardized tests or conducting a series of clinical interviews.
The first step is to determine whether your ADHD symptoms are consistent with the criteria for the disorder. Several of these symptoms are present before the age of 12. They may occur in more than one setting like school, home and at work. They can also affect everyday functioning.
Because symptoms of ADHD can also be caused by mood disorders, like bipolar or anxiety, and other physical conditions and illnesses, your doctor may want to do additional tests before making an assessment. This may include clinical interviews, rating-scales for symptoms, or psychological tests to evaluate thinking capabilities and problem-solving skills and memory.
It is crucial to be completely honest with your mental health professional. This could mean discussing how your mood has been affected by your issues in various areas of your life. The professional who is evaluating your mental health you might also request to talk to your spouse, close family members, and friends to get more insight into your challenges. They might even request permission to have family members fill out questionnaires to compare their experiences to yours.
Signs and symptoms
Adults suffering from ADHD typically notice that their issues interfere with daily life activities, particularly at work and in school. They may struggle to keep jobs or maintaining relationships. They may also find it difficult to make ends meet due to their inattention and impulsivity, which makes it difficult for them to remember things, manage tasks or complete projects. The symptoms could be mild or moderate. It could also be severe.
To determine ADHD doctors use standardized tools, such as checklists or questionnaires, as well as questions for interviews. They also take into account the medical and family history as well as other mental health issues. 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.
Inattentional symptoms include difficulty paying attention to small details, daydreaming, or appearing easily distracted. Inattention is also associated with difficulty in following and working on tasks, aswell as a tendency to get sidetracked or lose the track of time.
People with the hyperactive/impulsive type often fidget, move around frequently and have trouble sitting still for long periods of time. They are also prone to forgetting things quickly and frequently have difficulty organizing their work, home or everyday activities. They might lose keys, phones or wallets often. They have trouble waiting for their turn at school, at work or at play. They are easily frustrated or stressed and have frequent mood swings.
Adults suffering from ADHD are more likely to have co-existing disorders like disorder of the opposition depression, anxiety, tic disorders, Tourette syndrome and issues with substance abuse. Co-occurring disorders may complicate treatment and make it difficult to identify ADHD.
Treatment
Talking with your primary healthcare provider is the first step towards getting a diagnosis if you suspect you have ADHD. They will likely recommend you to a mental health professional. The professionals will look at your symptoms and issues at work at school, at home or at home to determine how they are interfering with your life. They will conduct a structured interview and may ask for the help of family members or close friends who know you well. They will also review your family and medical background and conduct a physical examination.
Your doctor will also take into consideration how long you have had these symptoms, and the impact they have on your life. To be eligible for an diagnosis of ADHD the symptoms must be present for at least six months and can't be explained better by another disorder such as depression or anxiety. They should also hinder daily tasks such as getting to school, completing assignments on time, or maintaining a career.
During your examination, your mental health professional may also utilize standardized scales for assessing behavior and ADHD symptoms checklists. They may also perform a cognitive test to check your working memory, executive functioning and spatial and visual abilities. They will also test for other conditions that can cause similar symptoms such as seizures or thyroid condition.
If your mental health provider determines that you suffer from ADHD the doctor will inform you of the medications available and will discuss possible treatment options. adhd adults diagnosis is often best to combine therapy with medication (counseling). Therapy helps you learn to manage your symptoms and improve communication with family members and other coworkers. Therapy can also aid in resolving issues that could develop in relationships and marriages due to the problems ADHD can create.
Medication
ADHD symptoms in adults are generally more mild than in childhood. However they can still cause issues at work and at home. The disorder can cause difficulties in getting or keeping an excellent job, issues with relationships and social interaction and academic failures, low self-esteem, emotional stress, temper tantrums and antisocial behavior.
Treatment with medication can help treat the disorder by increasing and balancing levels of brain chemicals referred to as neurotransmitters. They regulate the flow of 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 nonstimulant atomoxetine and certain antidepressants like bupropion are also used to treat ADHD in adults. These medications work slower than stimulants, and may be beneficial for those who cannot take stimulant medication due to health issues or severe side effects.
Psychotherapy (also known as cognitive-behavioral therapy) could be beneficial in treating comorbid disorders associated with ADHD, such as anxiety and depression. Research suggests that psychotherapy is a more effective treatment for these disorders than using medication alone. Psychotherapy is focused on teaching techniques to manage the disorder and improve your performance at school, at work and in relationships. The goal is to improve the person's self-esteem, decrease problematic behavior and increase the effectiveness and performance. It is recommended that every psychotherapy approach for adults ADHD sufferers include a cognitive-behavioral component. Researchers have found that ADHD patients receiving both psychotherapy and medication showed higher improvement than those who were only taking pills.
Counseling
Adults who do not want to take medication can benefit from counseling and therapy. Individual therapy can help with issues such as low self-esteem, and feelings of being insecure that are commonly associated with ADHD. It can also improve relationships and improve communication by helping loved ones to understand the disorder and develop strategies for coping.
Cognitive behavioral therapy concentrates on teaching patients the skills 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 help people develop strategies for impulse control, emotional regulation and relationship issues that may result from the impulsive behavior. These strategies can aid people in living an enjoyable and productive life, particularly in the workplace.
Counseling can also assist people with ADHD in requesting workplace accommodations that could be offered under the Americans with Disabilities Act, which can greatly enhance job performance and satisfaction. For professionals, this could require modifying the way in which their work is organized to allow them more flexibility to meet deadlines and complete tasks in time.
It is important to choose the appropriate therapist for adults ADHD treatment. When interviewing potential therapists it is important to ask about their treatment approach and if they have experience treating ADHD in adults. It is also a good idea to verify the credentials of the therapist as well as insurance coverage. Some providers have an affordable sliding scale fee or provide therapy online that make therapy accessible to people who cannot afford to pay out from their pockets.