ADHD Diagnosis For Adults
Many adults have difficulty getting an ADHD diagnosis, as doctors use different guidelines for treating the disorder than for children and teens. The diagnosis requires a minimum of five symptoms that fall within the categories of hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity.
Professionals doing an evaluation will ask you questions about your childhood, your work and academic life, drug and alcohol use and family history. They may also request to speak to your spouse or a friend.
What is ADHD?
It can be a relief to receive an ADHD diagnosis in adulthood regardless of whether you're constantly losing keys, are having trouble with work or school or have trouble staying focused during conversations. You know you're normal and can manage it better, says Mary V. diagnosing adhd of psychology at Hofstra-Northwell School of Medicine in Long Island, New York.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision of the American Psychiatric Association (DSM-5) offers guidelines for healthcare professionals to diagnose ADHD. Adults need to meet a lower threshold of symptoms than children -- 5 out of 9 over the past 6 months -- to be diagnosed with either inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive ADHD, or a combination.
A face-to-face meeting with your healthcare provider is typically the first step in an ADHD assessment. They will discuss your symptoms and how they affect your life. Bring along any report cards from your childhood to help the provider to understand the history of your ADHD. Your doctor might ask you to speak to a close family member, spouse, friend member or coworker who is familiar with you well. They might ask questions about your relationship and their observations of your behavior and how it affects them, and also how your ADHD symptoms can be linked to other conditions like anxiety or depression.
You'll be asked about your life during the interview, including how often you forget to make appointments or pay bills or if you're having difficulties managing your time. It's essential to be honest with your answers and think about how these behaviors affect your daily routine. If you're uncertain about your symptoms, it's worth consulting your healthcare professional to refer you to a psychologist or doctor for an assessment. There are self-tests and rating scales online, however they're not as reliable and valid as an interview with a trained professional. Certain tests could even result in the wrong diagnosis, so it's advisable to speak with your doctor first.
Symptoms
Consult your primary healthcare provider if you suspect you may be suffering from ADHD. He or she might refer you to a mental health specialist for an evaluation, like a psychiatrist or psychologist. The American Psychiatric Association provides clinical guidelines for diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision (DSM-5). It is important to provide as much details about your symptoms as you can so that your physician can determine the most accurate diagnosis.
The person doing the evaluation will review your mental, psychological and medical history, including past problems and ask you about how the symptoms affect your life. He or she will also interview your children, spouse teachers, friends, coworkers and others who know you well. Your test may include neuropsychological, behavioral, or learning disability tests. These tests can give your doctor additional information on how your ADHD symptoms affect you and help rule out other conditions that can cause similar symptoms.
In addition to evaluating your current symptoms, the professional will determine whether you have predominantly inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive or combined type ADHD. To receive a diagnosis, you must show that you have at least six of the nine symptoms for either the inattentive or hyperactive-impulsive presentation.
The symptoms of a person who is mostly inattention include a lack of focus not paying attention to details, or making mistakes. The person who is evaluating the child will also assess how these signs affect work, school and personal life. The impulsive/hyperactive/impulsive symptoms of ADHD include fidgeting, difficulty sitting still or squirming in the chair, excessive talking and interrupting others, frequent blurting out answers before questions are finished and difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly.
These symptoms often appear in the early years of childhood. However, they may also be present in adulthood. Adults may be able to recognize their own ADHD symptoms after their children are diagnosed or after changes in their lives such as the marriage, job or moving into their own home. In other instances the disorder is not diagnosed until the adult experiences significant issues at work or with their relationships. This could include being fired, facing financial problems, or being in trouble with the law.
Diagnosis
A screening is the first thing you should take if you suspect you are suffering from ADHD. A licensed mental health professional meets with you and examines your symptoms, medical history and family history. Interview questions can also be asked about your school and work performance, as well as how your symptoms affect you at home and with your relationships. You might want to bring copies of report cards, teacher notes and any other documents that could be relevant.
The psychiatric professional employs the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5), to determine the diagnosis. The symptoms of ADHD should be present for at least six months and they should affect the development of a child or their functioning in more than one environment, such as school or at home. In addition, the signs are not better explained by another mental disorder, such as an anxiety disorder or mood disorder.
Many people suffering from ADHD have issues that persist into adulthood. Symptoms can impact work and school, lead to poor health in the financial or personal aspects and can cause stress in relationships. If you are diagnosed and treated, you can enjoy your quality of life.
Certain ADHD symptoms change with the passage of time. For example, inattentiveness is more evident as you age and hyperactivity and impulse control may decrease with age. Other factors can contribute to the difficulties, for example obstructive sleep apnea is more frequent in adults suffering from ADHD and sleep disorders can exacerbate ADHD symptoms.
Many people with ADHD have co-occurring conditions such as anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder and learning disabilities. Sometimes, treating the underlying disorder can alleviate ADHD symptoms. It is essential to inform your mental health professional that you have any other conditions. This could have an impact on the effectiveness of treatment.
It is essential to talk to your primary care physician, who can refer you to a health care professional trained in ADHD evaluations for adults. It is also a good idea to ask whether there are any support groups specifically for adults with ADHD in your region. They can provide resources and a list of specialists by specialization. You can also reach out to the insurance company you have to determine which health care providers are covered under the plan you have.
Treatment
A thorough assessment by a healthcare professional is the best way to determine if you suffer from adult ADHD. The evaluation should include questions regarding your childhood, as well as questions about your present life and screening for ADHD symptoms. You may be asked whether your ADHD symptoms have caused you to have problems at work, in school or with your relationships.
Counseling and medication are two of the many options available for adults with ADHD. Psychotherapy can be a part of counseling, also called talk therapy, and cognitive therapy for behavior. These therapies help you learn how to manage your symptoms and how to transform negative patterns of thinking to positive ones. look at these guys can also help with other mental health issues, like depression and anxiety which are often associated with ADHD.
Psychostimulants like dextroamphetamine or the methylphenidate are frequently utilized in the treatment of adults suffering from ADHD. These drugs affect the way certain brain chemicals communicate to regulate behavior. Your doctor will select the right medication for you and your symptoms and adjust the dosage and frequency to suit your needs. Nonstimulants are also used to treat adults suffering from ADHD. They are not able to interfere with the same brain pathways that psychostimulants do. Nonstimulant drugs include atomoxetine guanfacine, and the guanfacine.
Coaching or mentoring can be used to teach people with ADHD strategies and coping strategies. For instance, you could learn how to keep a planner in place or journals, or you might be given strategies for improving your time management. You could also alter your living environment to accommodate your ADHD symptoms. For instance, you could work at your home instead of in an office, use smartphone apps to track your tasks, or schedule appointments at less busy times. You might also inquire about participating in a clinical study that is a research-based project that aims to explore new methods to treat diseases and conditions. (NIMH provides information on clinical trials.
Sometimes, your family physician will refer you to a mental health specialist or another medical professional to conduct an evaluation of your ADHD. You could also ask your family member or friend for suggestions, or join a local support group for those suffering from ADHD.