Getting an ADHD Diagnosis in Adults
Many people seek a diagnosis when they realize they have trouble in relationships or at work due to ADHD. NIMH recommends those seeking a diagnoses speak with their primary care physician or mental health professional.
They will request an extensive medical history and conduct tests such as symptom rating scales and psychological tests. They may also get a physical exam to rule out medical issues that could be similar to ADHD, such as seizures or thyroid problems.
Finding a Diagnostic
Being diagnosed with ADHD can be eye-opening and liberating, however it can also be a source of anxiety. Adults who have struggled with the symptoms of ADHD for years may decide to seek out a medical opinion, prompted by frustrations at workplace or in their relationships, or because they've been told by friends or family that they may be suffering from ADHD. It's important to note that it may take a while for a medical professional to determine an ADHD diagnosis and the process includes more than just interviews or tests.
The first step is to determine if your ADHD symptoms are in line with the requirements for the disorder: Many of them are present prior to the age of 12 years old. They may occur in more than one setting like school, home and work. They interfere with daily functioning.
Because symptoms of ADHD can also be caused by mood disorders, such as anxiety or bipolar and other physical ailments and illnesses, your healthcare provider may want to do additional tests prior to making an official diagnosis. This could include interviews with a psychologist, rating scales for symptoms, and psychological tests to determine your thinking capabilities as well as your problem-solving abilities and memory.
It is essential that you are completely honest with your mental health professional. This could mean you talk about how your mood was affected by your difficulties in different areas of life. In addition the mental health professional conducting your evaluation may request that you speak with your spouse or close friends and family members to get a more complete picture of the struggles you've faced. They may even ask permission to ask them to complete questionnaires on their experiences with you and compare them to your own.
Signs and symptoms
Adults suffering from ADHD frequently find that their symptoms interfere with daily activities, particularly at school and work. They may have difficulty finding work, staying in relationships or making ends meet because of the lack of attention and impulsivity that make it difficult to follow directions, remember things, organize tasks or complete tasks. The symptoms can be mild, moderate, or severe.
To diagnose ADHD doctors use standard tools such as checklists, interview questions, and questionnaires. 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.
The symptoms of an inattentive person include difficulty paying attention to details, daydreaming and seeming easily distracted. Inattentiveness is also associated with difficulty in following and completing tasks, as well being prone to getting distracted 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 routine activities. They might lose keys, phones and wallets, or papers frequently. They have trouble waiting for their turn at school, work or at play. They are easily frustrated or stressed and suffer from frequent mood swings.
In adults, it is more common for people suffering from ADHD to have co-occurring disorders like conduct disorders, oppositional defiant disorder depression or anxiety and tic disorders. Tourette syndrome and other substance abuse issues. The presence of co-occurring disorders can complicate treatment and make it difficult to identify ADHD.
Treatment
Talking to your primary care provider is the first step in getting a diagnosis if you suspect you have ADHD. They will likely refer you to a mental health professional. The professionals will examine your symptoms and issues at work, school or home to see how they affect your daily life. adults diagnosed with adhd can conduct a structured interview or ask family members or close friends to help. They will also review the medical and family history of your family and will conduct a physical examination.
Your doctor will also look at how long you've experienced these symptoms and what effect they have on your life now. To be eligible for a diagnosis of ADHD, a person's symptoms must be present for at least six months and can't be explained by a different disorder, such as depression or anxiety. In addition, they must hinder daily activities such as attending classes, completing tasks on time, or keeping a job.
During your evaluation, your mental health professional might employ standardized behavior rating scales and ADHD symptom checklists. You will also be administered an assessment of your cognitive abilities that will assess your working memory and executive functioning and also your spatial and visual abilities. They will also test for other conditions that can cause similar symptoms, such as seizure or thyroid disorder.
If your doctor decides you have ADHD and you are diagnosed, they will explain the various medications available and will discuss treatment options. It is usually best to combine medication with talk therapy (counseling). Therapy helps you learn to manage your symptoms and improve communication with your family members and colleagues. It can also help with problems that may develop in relationships and marriages due to the problems ADHD can cause.
Medication
The signs of ADHD in adults are generally less severe than they were in childhood, but they can cause issues at home and at work. The disorder can lead to difficulties in obtaining or keeping jobs, issues with social relationships and relationships academic failures, low self-esteem and emotional distress, temper outbursts and even antisocial behaviors.
Medication can help with the condition by increasing and balancing levels of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters, which control the flow of information within the brain. Stimulants are the most commonly prescribed drugs for ADHD in adults. Jornay, Xelstrym, Cotempla and Adhansia are all examples of stimulants. Adults can also be treated with atomoxetine, a nonstimulant, and antidepressants like bupropion. These medications work slower than stimulants and may be more suitable for people who aren't able to take stimulant medications due to health issues or serious side effects.
Psychotherapy (also known as cognitive-behavioral treatment) may be useful for treating comorbid disorders associated with ADHD, such as anxiety and depression. Studies suggest that psychotherapy is an effective treatment for these conditions than using medication alone. Psychotherapy is primarily focused on teaching strategies for managing the disorder and improving the performance at school, at work and in relationships. The goal is to increase the person's self-esteem, decrease problems with behavior, and improve the effectiveness and performance. It is recommended that all psychotherapy methods for adult ADHD patients incorporate a cognitive-behavioral element. Researchers have found that ADHD patients who received both psychotherapy and medication showed greater improvement than those who were only taking pills.
Counseling
For adults who aren't able to use medications therapy and counseling can be a great source of relief. Individual talk therapy can help address issues like low self-esteem, feelings of being insecure and frequent job changes that typically are a part of ADHD. It can also help improve relationships and improve communication by helping family members understand the condition and learn coping strategies.
Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses primarily on teaching patients to change their negative thoughts and control their behavior. 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 provide strategies for controlling impulses emotional regulation, relationship and issues that arise due to impulsive behavior. These methods can help you live more productively, particularly at work.
Counseling can assist people with ADHD to apply for accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act. This will improve their job performance and satisfaction. This may include changing the structure of their jobs to allow them more flexibility in meeting deadlines and finishing tasks on time.
It is important to choose the right therapist for adult ADHD treatment. When interviewing potential therapists it is crucial to inquire about their methods 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 therapists have an affordable sliding scale fee or provide therapy online that make therapy accessible to those who are unable to pay out of pocket.