Getting an ADHD Diagnosis in Adults
Many people seek out a diagnosis when they realize that ADHD causes them to have issues at work or in their relationships. NIMH suggests that people seeking an assessment consult with their primary care physician or mental health professional.
They will ask for a detailed medical history and conduct tests such as symptom rating scales and psychological tests. They might also undergo an examination to rule out medical issues that could be similar to ADHD, such as seizures or thyroid problems.
Diagnosis
Being diagnosed with ADHD can be revealing and liberating, however it can also be stressful. Adults who've struggled with ADHD symptoms for years may finally seek professional advice due to frustrations at work, in their relationships, and/or because relatives or friends have informed them that they could be suffering from ADHD. It is crucial to keep in mind that a healthcare professional may take several months to diagnose ADHD and that the process requires more than simply completing standardized tests or conducting clinical interviews.
The first step in the process is to determine if your ADHD symptoms are in line with the criteria for the disorder: Many of them begin before age 12 years old. They can be found in multiple settings, for example, school, home, and work. They also interfere with everyday functioning.
Since how to diagnosis adhd of ADHD can also be caused by mood disorders such as anxiety or bipolar and other physical conditions and illnesses, your doctor may want to do additional tests before making an assessment. This could include clinical interviews and rating scales for symptoms, as well as psychological tests to assess your thinking abilities as well as your problem-solving abilities and memory.
It's crucial to be open with your mental health professional, and this could mean discussing how the issues that you're facing in various aspects of your life affect your mood. In addition, the mental health professional conducting your evaluation might ask to talk to your spouse or close family members to gain a complete picture of how you've struggled. They might also ask for permission to complete questionnaires about their experiences with you and compare them with your personal.
Signs and symptoms
Adults with ADHD might find that their symptoms impact the way they live their lives, particularly at school and at work. They may have difficulty keeping jobs or maintaining relationships. They may also struggle 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 diagnose ADHD doctors employ common tools like checklists, interview questions, and questionnaires. They also look into medical and family history and take into account 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.
Inattention symptoms include inattention issues with small details, daydreaming, or appearing easily distracted. Problems with completing tasks and staying on task, and a tendency to lose track of time or get distracted are all signs of inattention.
People with the hyperactive/impulsive type often fidget, move around frequently and have trouble sitting still for long periods of time. They also tend to forget things quickly and often have difficulty organizing their work, home or everyday activities. They may lose their keys, phones or wallets a lot. They have trouble waiting for their turn at school, at work or at play. They can be easily annoyed or stressed and suffer from 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 can make treatment more difficult, and make it harder to determine the cause of ADHD.
Treatment
If you suspect you may have ADHD the first step to get a diagnosis is to talk with your primary care physician. They will likely refer you to a psychiatrist or mental health professional. They will assess your symptoms and issues at work at school, at home or at home to determine how much they interfere with your life. They can conduct a structured interview or ask family members or close friends to help. They will also go over your family and medical background and conduct a physical examination.
Your doctor will also consider how long you have had these symptoms and what effect they are having on your life. To be considered to have ADHD, symptoms must have been present for at minimum 6 months and are not caused by other disorders such as anxiety or depression. They must also interfere with daily tasks such as attending school, completing assignments on time, or maintaining the job.
During your evaluation, a mental health professional might also use standardized behavior ratings scales and ADHD symptoms checklists. You will also receive an assessment of cognitive function that will check your working memory and executive functioning as well as your spatial and visual capabilities. They may also test for other conditions that can cause similar symptoms like a seizure disorder or thyroid condition.
If your mental health provider finds that you have ADHD they will go over the available medications and treatment options. Most often, a combination of medication and talk therapy (counseling) is the best. Therapy helps you learn to manage your symptoms and improve communication with family members and co-workers. It can also help with problems that may develop in relationships and marriages due to the difficulties ADHD can cause.
Medication
The symptoms of ADHD in adults are generally more mild than in childhood, however they can cause issues at work and home. The disorder can lead to difficulty in obtaining or maintaining jobs, issues with social relationships and relationships, academic failures, poor self-esteem and emotional distress, temper flares and potentially antisocial behaviors.
Medication can help treat the disorder by increasing and balancing levels of brain chemicals, known as neurotransmitters, which regulate the flow information in the brain. Stimulants, commonly prescribed for ADHD in adults are the most commonly prescribed medication used. Jornay, Xelstrym, Cotempla and Adhansia are all examples of stimulants. Adults can also be treated with Atomoxetine, a non-stimulant, and certain antidepressants such as bupropion. These medications are slower to work than stimulants, and may be a better choice for people who are unable to take stimulants due to health problems or serious side-effects.
Psychotherapy (also called cognitive-behavioral therapy) can be effective in treating comorbid disorders associated with ADHD like anxiety and depression. Psychotherapy may be a better treatment than medications alone for these conditions according to research. Psychotherapy is focused on teaching techniques to manage the disorder and improve performance at school, work and in relationships. The goal is to improve the self-esteem of the person and reduce problematic behavior, as well as improve their performance and performance. It is recommended that each psychotherapy approach for adults ADHD patients contain a cognitive-behavioral component. Researchers found that ADHD patients receiving both psychotherapy and medication showed higher improvement than those who were only taking pills.
Counseling
For adults who aren't able to use medications Therapy and counseling could provide significant relief. Individual talk therapy can address issues such as low self-esteem and feelings of failure that are often associated with ADHD. It can also help improve relationships and improve communication by helping patients and family members understand the condition and learn coping strategies.
Cognitive behavioral therapy concentrates on teaching patients the skills to manage their behavior and alter 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 provide strategies for impulse control, emotional regulation and relationship issues that arise as a result of an impulsive behavior. These techniques can assist you in living a more productive life especially at work.
Counseling can also help those with ADHD in requesting workplace accommodations that could be provided under the Americans with Disabilities Act, which can greatly enhance job performance and satisfaction. For professionals, this may require modifying the way in which their work is organized to give them more flexibility to meet deadlines and finish tasks on time.
Selecting the right therapist is crucial to get the most value from treatment for adults with ADHD. When interviewing potential therapists, it is important to ask about their approach and whether they have expertise in treating ADHD in adults. It is also a good idea to verify the credentials of the therapist and insurance coverage. Some providers offer sliding scale fees or online therapy services to make treatment easier for those who cannot pay for it.