Getting an ADHD Diagnosis in Adults
Many people seek a diagnose when they realize that ADHD is causing difficulties at work or in their relationships. NIMH recommends that those who are seeking a diagnosis talk with their primary healthcare provider or a mental health professional.
They will take a thorough background and complete tests like 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 or thyroid issues, for example or seizures.
Diagnosis
Getting a diagnosis for ADHD can be revealing and empowering, but it can also be distressing. Adults who have been struggling with ADHD symptoms for years may eventually seek out professional help due to frustrations at work, in their relationships, or because their friends or family have told them that they could be suffering from ADHD. It is crucial to keep in mind that a doctor can take several months to determine ADHD and 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. adhd diagnosis in adult of these symptoms are present before the age of 12. They can be present in multiple settings such as school, home and at work. They interfere with daily functioning.
Because symptoms of ADHD can also be caused by mood disorders such as bipolar disorder or anxiety and other physical conditions and illnesses, your healthcare provider might want to conduct additional tests before making an official diagnosis. This could include interviews with a clinical psychologist, rating-scales for symptoms, or psychological testing to assess thinking capabilities and problem-solving skills and memory.
It is essential that you are completely honest with your mental health professional. This could mean that you discuss how your mood has been affected by your issues in various aspects of your life. Additionally, the mental health professional conducting your evaluation might ask to talk to your spouse, or close family members to gain a complete understanding of the challenges you've faced. They may even request that your family members fill out questionnaires comparing their experiences with yours.
Symptoms
Adults with ADHD often notice that their issues interfere with everyday activities, especially at work and school. They may have difficulty finding work, staying in relationships, or even getting by due to the inattention and impulsivity which make it difficult to follow directions, remember things, organize tasks or complete tasks. The symptoms can be mild, moderate or severe.
To diagnose ADHD, providers use standardized tools such as checklists, questionnaires and interview questions. They also look at 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 signs of an inattentive personality include difficulty paying attention details, daydreaming and appearing to be easily distracted. Trouble following and finishing tasks and a tendency lose the 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 tend to lose things quickly and have difficulty managing their daily routines at work or at home. They might lose keys, phones and wallets, or papers frequently. They are often unable to wait for their turn at school, at work or play. They are prone to frustration or stress and experience frequent and intense mood swings.
In adults, it is more common for people suffering from ADHD to have co-existing conditions like conduct disorders or oppositional defiant depression or anxiety as well as tic disorders, Tourette syndrome and other substance abuse problems. Co-occurring disorders can make treatment more difficult and make it more difficult to diagnose ADHD.
Treatment
If you think you have ADHD the first step to get a diagnosis is to speak with your primary care provider. They will likely recommend you to a mental health professional. The professionals will look at your symptoms and issues in the workplace at school, at home or at home to determine how they are interfering with your life. They might conduct an organized interview or ask family members or close friends to help. They will also review your medical and family history and conduct a physical examination.
Your doctor will also consider the length of time you've been experiencing these symptoms and what effect they have on your life now. In order to be granted a diagnosis of ADHD symptoms, the person's symptoms must be present for at least six months and can't be better explained by another disorder such as depression or anxiety. They also have to interfere with daily tasks such as getting to school, finishing assignments on time, or sustaining an occupation.
During your evaluation the mental health professional might also use standardized behavior ratings scales and ADHD symptoms checklists. You will also be administered a cognitive test which will test your working memory and executive functioning and also your spatial and visual capabilities. They will also look for other conditions that could cause similar symptoms, for example seizures or a thyroid disorder.
If your doctor determines that you have ADHD the doctor will explain what medications are available and discuss possible treatment options. It is generally recommended to combine treatment with talk therapy (counseling). Therapy helps you learn to manage your symptoms and improve communication with family members and other coworkers. It can also address problems that may develop in marriages and relationships due to the issues that ADHD can cause at work and home.
Medication
The symptoms of ADHD in adults are usually more mild than in childhood, but they can still cause problems at home and at work. The disorder can lead to problems in obtaining or maintaining an excellent job, issues with social relationships and interactions as well as self-esteem issues, academic lapses, emotional anxiety, temper tantrums and antisocial behavior.
The medication can aid in the disorder by boosting and balancing levels of neurotransmitters in the brain, which control the flow of information in the brain. Stimulants, commonly prescribed for ADHD in adults, are the most common drugs. Jornay, Xelstrym, Cotempla and Adhansia are just a few 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 appropriate for those who can't take stimulant medication because of health problems or severe side effects.
Psychotherapy, also known as cognitive-behavioral therapy, can be helpful in treating disorders that are comorbid, such as anxiety and depression that are related to ADHD. Studies suggest that psychotherapy is a more effective treatment for these conditions than using medication alone. Psychotherapy focuses primarily on teaching strategies for managing the disorder and improving functioning at school, at work and with relationships. The goal is to improve the self-esteem of the individual, reduce problematic behavior and improve their functioning and success. It is recommended that every psychotherapy method for adults ADHD patients contain a cognitive-behavioral component. In one study, researchers discovered that ADHD patients who received both psychotherapy and medication reported a higher level of improvement than those who simply took the medication.
Counseling
Adults who don't want to take medication can get relief from therapy and counseling. Individual talk therapy can address issues like low self-esteem, feelings of being insecure and frequent job changes that often accompany ADHD. It can also improve relationships and communication by assisting the patients and their families to comprehend the condition and develop strategies for dealing with it.
Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses primarily on teaching patients how to change their negative thinking and manage 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 teach coping strategies to control impulses as well as emotional regulation and relationship issues that may arise due to the impulsive behavior. These strategies can aid you in living a more productive life especially at work.
Counseling can help people with ADHD to apply for accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act. This will improve their work performance and overall satisfaction. For professionals, this may be a matter of changing the way their work is organized so that they have more flexibility to meet deadlines and finish tasks within the timeframes they need to.
Finding the right therapist essential to getting the most benefit from treatment for adults with ADHD. When interviewing potential therapists, it is important to ask about their methods and if they have expertise in treating ADHD in adults. Checking the credentials of therapists and insurance coverage is also a smart idea. Some therapists have a sliding scale fee or provide online therapy that make therapy accessible to people who cannot afford to pay out from their pockets.