Getting an ADHD Diagnosis in Adults
Many people seek a diagnosis when they realize that ADHD is causing them difficulties at work or in their relationships. NIMH suggests that people seeking diagnosis talk to their primary care provider, or mental health professional.
They will ask for an extensive medical history as well as take tests such as symptom-rating scales and psychological tests. They might also undergo a physical exam to rule out other medical conditions that could be mistaken for ADHD like thyroid issues or seizures.
Diagnosis
Getting a diagnosis for ADHD can be revealing and empowering, but it can also be a source of anxiety. Adults who have struggled with ADHD symptoms for a long time might decide to seek help from a professional due to frustrations at work, in their relationships, and/or because relatives or friends have informed them that they might be suffering from ADHD. It's important to note that it takes time for a health professional to make an ADHD diagnosis, and the process involves more than just interviews or tests.
The first step is to determine if your ADHD symptoms are in line with the criteria for the disorder: Many of them occur before age 12 years old. adhd diagnosed can be present in more than one setting like school, home and work. They can also affect everyday functioning.
Your healthcare professional may need to perform additional evaluations to establish a diagnosis. This is because symptoms of ADHD are also triggered by mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder, anxiety and various other physical ailments or illnesses. This could include clinical interviews as well as rating scales to assess symptoms, as well as psychological tests to assess your thinking abilities ability to solve problems, as well as memory.
It is essential to be honest with your health professional. And that might mean talking about how the struggles you're having in different areas of your life have impacted your mood. Additionally the mental health professional conducting your assessment may ask you to speak with your spouse or close friends and family members to get a fuller picture of how you've struggled. They might even ask permission to have your family members fill out questionnaires comparing their experiences with yours.
Symptoms
Adults with ADHD might notice that their symptoms affect everyday life, particularly at work and school. They may have difficulty keeping jobs 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, manage tasks or complete tasks. The symptoms can be mild, moderate or severe.
To diagnose ADHD the professionals use standard tools called checklists or questionnaires, as well as interview questions. They also review the medical and family history of the patient 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.
Symptoms of the inattentive type include difficulty paying attention things, focusing on details, and being easily distracted. Inattention can also be associated with difficulty in following and completing tasks, as well being prone to getting distracted or lose 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 struggle to organize their home, work or daily activities. They might lose their phones, keys or wallets often. They may have trouble waiting for their turn in the classroom, at work or during play. They are easily frustrated or stressed and suffer from frequent mood shifts.
Adults with ADHD are more likely to have co-existing conditions such as disorder of the opposition, anxiety, depression and tic disorders Tourette syndrome, and substance abuse issues. The presence of co-occurring disorders can complicate treatment and make it more difficult to diagnose ADHD.
Treatment
Talking with your primary healthcare provider is the first step towards receiving a diagnosis in the event that you suspect you may have ADHD. They can refer you to an expert in mental health. These professionals will review your symptoms and issues at work, school or home to see how they impact your daily life. They will conduct an organized interview, and they may ask for the help of family members or other friends who know you well. They will also go over your family and medical background and conduct a physical examination.
Your doctor will also look at the length of time you've had these symptoms and what effect they are having on your life. To be able to be diagnosed with ADHD symptoms must be present for at minimum 6 months and cannot be explained by other conditions like anxiety or depression. They also have to interfere with daily tasks, such as attending school, completing assignments on time, or maintaining the job.
During your examination Your mental health professional may also utilize standardized scales for assessing behavior and ADHD symptom checklists. They may also give you a cognitive test to assess your working memory, executive functioning, and spatial and visual abilities. They will also check for any other conditions that may cause similar symptoms, such as a thyroid problem or seizure disorder.
If your mental health provider determines that you suffer from ADHD they will go over the medications available and treatment options. It is often best to combine treatment with talk therapy (counseling). Therapy helps you to manage your symptoms and improve communication with family members and co-workers. It can also help address issues that can be a problem in marriages and relationships due to the problems ADHD can create at home and work.
Medication
The signs of ADHD in adults are typically more mild than in childhood, but they can still create problems at work and home. The disorder can result in difficulties in obtaining or keeping a job, trouble with relationships and social interactions and academic failures, low self-esteem and emotional distress, temper tantrums and potentially antisocial behaviors.
Medication can help treat the disorder by increasing and balancing levels of brain chemicals referred to as neurotransmitters. They regulate the flow information in the brain. Stimulants are among the most frequently prescribed drugs for ADHD in adults. Jornay, Xelstrym, Cotempla and Adhansia are all examples of stimulants. Adults can also be treated using Atomoxetine, a non-stimulant, and antidepressants like bupropion. These medications are slower to work than stimulants, and could be better for people who are not able to take stimulants due to health issues or severe side effects.
Psychotherapy (also called cognitive-behavioral therapy) may be useful for treating disorders that are comorbid to ADHD, such as anxiety and depression. Psychotherapy is a more effective treatment than medication alone for these conditions according to research. Psychotherapy focuses on teaching skills to manage the disorder and improve performance at work, school and in relationships. The goal is to improve the self-esteem of the individual and decrease the risk of problematic behavior. It is also a way to increase their functioning and success. It is recommended that each psychotherapy approach for adults ADHD patients include a cognitive behavior component. Researchers found that ADHD patients who received both therapy and medication showed more improvement than those who only took pills.
Counseling
Adults who do not want to take medication can benefit from counseling and therapy. Individual talk therapy can address issues such as low self-esteem and feelings being insecure that are commonly associated with ADHD. It can also improve communication and strengthen relationships by helping patients and family members understand the condition and develop strategies for coping.
Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on teaching patients skills to manage their behavior and to 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 to control impulses as well as emotional regulation and relationship issues that may result from the impulsive behavior. These methods can assist people to live a more productive and satisfying life, especially at work.
Counseling can assist people with ADHD seek accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act. This can help improve their job performance and satisfaction. For professionals, this could be a matter of changing the way their work is organized so that they have more flexibility to meet deadlines and complete tasks within the timeframes they need to.
It is crucial to select the right therapist for adult ADHD treatment. When interviewing potential therapists it is important to ask about their methods and if they have experience treating ADHD in adults. Checking the credentials of therapists as well as insurance coverage is an excellent idea. Some providers provide sliding scale fees or online therapy services to make therapy more accessible to those who can't afford it.