Getting an ADHD Diagnosis in Adults
Many people seek out a diagnosis after realizing they are struggling in their relationships or at work due to ADHD. NIMH suggests that those seeking diagnoses speak with their primary care provider, or mental health professional.
They will ask for an extensive medical history and perform tests like symptom rating scales and psychological tests. They could also undergo an examination to rule out medical issues that could be similar to ADHD or seizures or thyroid problems.
Finding a Diagnostic
It can be a great relief and eye-opening to be given an diagnosis of ADHD but it can also be depressing. Adults who've struggled with ADHD symptoms for a long time might finally seek professional advice, either because of frustrations at work, in their relationships, or because their relatives or friends have informed them that they could be suffering from ADHD. It's important to remember that it may take a while for a healthcare professional to arrive at an ADHD diagnosis and the process requires more than just a series of clinical interviews or tests.
The first step is to determine whether your ADHD symptoms match the criteria for the disorder. Several of these symptoms manifest before the age of 12. They occur in two or more settings--for example, home, school, and work. They interfere with daily functioning.
Your healthcare provider 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. More could include interviews with a clinical psychologist, rating-scales for symptoms, or psychological testing to assess thinking capabilities as well as problem solving abilities and memory.
It is essential that you are 100% honest with the mental health professional. This could mean that you discuss how your mood was affected by your difficulties in various areas of your life. The mental health professional who is evaluating you may also want to speak with your spouse, close family members, and friends to gain an understanding of your challenges. They might even ask permission to have your family members fill out questionnaires comparing their experiences to yours.
Signs and symptoms
Adults suffering from ADHD typically find that their symptoms interfere with daily life activities, especially at school and work. They may struggle to keep a job or maintaining relationships. They may also struggle to make ends meet due to their inattention and impulsivity, which makes it difficult for them remember things, organize tasks, or complete projects. 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 family and medical histories of patients 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 trouble paying attention to details, daydreaming and seeming easily distracted. Inattention can also be characterized by difficulty following and finishing tasks, as well as a tendency to get lost in the flow 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 tend to lose things easily and have difficulty organizing their day-to-day activities at work or at home. They may lose keys, phones or wallets often. They have difficulty waiting their turn at school, at work or during play. They have a low tolerance to stress or frustration and are subject to frequent and intense mood swings.
In adults, it is more common for those with ADHD to have co-occurring conditions like conduct disorders or oppositional defiant, anxiety or depression as well as tic disorders, Tourette syndrome and substance abuse issues. The presence of co-occurring disorders can make it difficult to treat and make it harder to identify ADHD.
Treatment
Talking to your primary care physician is the first step in receiving a diagnosis in the event that you suspect you may have ADHD. He or she may refer you to an expert in mental health. The professionals will examine your symptoms and problems at school, at work or home to see how much they interfere with your daily life. They might 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 the length of time you've been experiencing these symptoms, and the impact they affect your life today. In order to receive an diagnosis of ADHD symptoms, the person's symptoms must be present for at minimum six months and cannot be explained by a different disorder such as depression or anxiety. They must also interfere with daily tasks such as getting to school, completing assignments on time, or sustaining an occupation.
During your evaluation the mental health professional may employ standardized scales for behavior and ADHD symptoms checklists. They may also give you a cognitive test to assess your executive functioning and visual and spatial abilities. They will also check for other conditions that can cause similar symptoms, such as seizures or a thyroid disorder.
If your doctor determines that you have ADHD the doctor will inform you of the medications available and will discuss possible treatment options. It is generally recommended to combine medication with talk therapy (counseling). Therapy helps you learn to manage your symptoms and improve communication with family members and co-workers. It can also help address issues that may arise in relationships and marriages because of the difficulties that ADHD can create at home and work.
Medication
ADHD symptoms in adults are typically less severe than those in childhood. However they can still cause issues at home and at work. The disorder can lead to difficulties in obtaining or keeping a job, trouble with social and interpersonal relationships academic failures, low self-esteem and emotional distress, temper outbursts and potentially antisocial behaviors.
Medication can help treat the disorder by balancing and increasing the levels of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters that control the flow information in the brain. why not look here are the most commonly prescribed drugs for ADHD in adults. Examples include Jornay (methylphenidate extended-release tablets), Xelstrym (dextroamphetamine extended-release oral suspension), Cotempla (methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release orally disintegrating tablet) and Adhansia (methylphenidate hydrochloride immediate-release oral disintegrating tablet). The non-stimulant atomoxetine, a non-stimulant antidepressants, such as bupropion are also used to treat ADHD in adults. These medications work slower than stimulants and could be better for people who cannot take stimulant medication due to health problems or severe side effects.
Psychotherapy, also known as cognitive-behavioral treatment, could be beneficial in treating conditions that can be comorbid like anxiety and depression that are related to ADHD. Studies suggest that psychotherapy is the most effective treatment for these disorders than just using medications alone. Psychotherapy is focused on teaching techniques to manage the disorder and improve functioning at work, school and in relationships. The goal is to improve the self-esteem of the individual, reduce problematic behavior and increase performance and success. It is advised that all psychotherapy strategies for adult ADHD patients incorporate a cognitive-behavioral element. In one study, researchers discovered that ADHD patients who received both therapy and medication showed an improvement in their condition more than those who simply took the medication.
Counseling
For adults who don't want to use medication Therapy and counseling could provide significant relief. Individual therapy can help with issues such as low self-esteem and feelings failure that are frequently associated with ADHD. It can also help improve relationships and communication by assisting the patients and their families to understand the condition and develop strategies for dealing with it.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a method of teaching patients how to control 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 teach coping strategies for controlling impulses, emotional regulation and relationship issues that arise due to impulsive behavior. These strategies can aid you in living an easier life, particularly at work.
Counseling can also guide those with ADHD in applying for accommodations for work that are offered under the Americans with Disabilities Act, which can significantly improve job performance and satisfaction. This can include changing the structure of their work to allow them more flexibility in meeting deadlines and finishing tasks in time.
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 prior experience in treating ADHD in adults. Verifying the credentials of therapists and insurance coverage is also a smart idea. Some providers offer sliding scale fees or online therapy services to make therapy more accessible to those who are unable to afford it.