ADHD Diagnosis For Adults
Adults often struggle to receive an ADHD diagnosis due to the fact that doctors use different clinical guidelines that they use for children and teenagers. The diagnosis requires at least five signs in the categories of inattention, hyperactivity and an impulsive nature.
Professionals conducting an assessment will ask you questions about your education, childhood, work, and family history. They may also ask to speak with your spouse or a friend.
What is ADHD?
It can be a relief to get an ADHD diagnosis in your adulthood, whether you're constantly losing keys, have difficulty at school or work, or are having trouble staying focused when talking to others. "You know you're not crazy, and this puts you in better position to deal with it," says pediatrician Mary V. Solanto, Ph.D., an associate professor of psychiatry and psychology at the Hofstra-Northwell School of Medicine on Long Island, New York.
The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision (DSM-5) provides the guidelines providers use to establish an ADHD diagnosis. 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.
An ADHD assessment usually begins with a face-to–face conversation with your healthcare provider who will discuss your symptoms and their impact on your daily life. It is helpful to bring reports cards or other information from your childhood, as it can aid in getting an understanding of your history with ADHD. Your doctor may suggest that you speak to a close friend, spouse, family member or coworker who is familiar with you well. They may inquire about your relationship, how they observe your behavior, and how it affects your life. They may also ask what ADHD symptoms interact with other conditions, like anxiety or depression.
The interview will likely include questions about your lifestyle such as how often you forget to pay bills or attend appointments, and whether you have trouble with time management or organizational abilities. It's crucial to be honest with your answers and to consider how these habits affect your daily life. Ask your healthcare provider for a referral to another practitioner or therapist if are unsure about the symptoms. You can find self-tests and rating scales online, but they aren't as reliable or reliable as an interview with a trained professional. Some of these tests can even result in a false diagnosis, so it's advisable to speak with your healthcare provider first.
Symptoms
If you suspect that you have ADHD begin by talking to your primary care physician. He or she might recommend you to a mental healthcare professional for assessment, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision DSM-5 offers guidelines for clinical care to diagnose mental disorders. It's important to provide as much details about your symptoms as possible so that your physician can determine the most accurate diagnosis.
The person who conducts the evaluation will review your medical, psychological, and psychiatric history, including any past issues and ask how the symptoms affect your life. The person conducting the evaluation may also interview your spouse and children, as well as teachers, colleagues, and other people who know you. Your evaluation may include testing for learning disabilities, neuropsychological disorders or behavioral problems. These tests may provide your physician with additional information about your ADHD symptoms and can help rule out other conditions that 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 signs of someone who is mostly inattention include difficulty paying attention and omitting important details or making erroneous mistakes. The person who is conducting the assessment will also look at the impact these symptoms have on work, school and social activities. 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 childhood. However, they can be present in later life. Adults may recognize their own ADHD symptoms when their children are diagnosed or because of changes in their lives such as a new job, a marriage or a move into their own home. In other cases, the condition goes undiagnosed until an adult is confronted with significant problems at work or in their relationships. This could include being dismissed from a job or having financial issues, or being in trouble with the law.
Diagnosis
If you think you have ADHD, a screening is the first step towards finding a treatment. A licensed mental health professional will interview you and evaluates your symptoms, medical background and family history. The interview might also include questions about your work and school performance as well as how your symptoms impact your life at home and in relationships. You may want to bring along copies of your report cards, teacher comments, and any other documentation pertinent.
The psychiatric practitioner will employ the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) to assist to determine the diagnosis. To be able to make the diagnosis of ADHD, the symptoms must be present for at least six months, and they must interfere with development or functioning in more than one setting for example, at school or at home. In addition, the signs are not better explained by a mental disorder that is not related to ADHD like an anxiety or mood disorder.
Many people with ADHD suffer from problems that last into adulthood. The symptoms can affect education and work, lead to poor health in the financial or personal aspects and can cause stress in relationships. Diagnosed and treated, you can enjoy your quality of life.
Some symptoms of ADHD alter as you age, for instance inattentive symptoms may become more evident as you age, and impulsivity and hyperactivity could decrease as you age. Other factors may contribute to the difficulties such as obstructive sleep apnea is more common in adults suffering from ADHD and poor sleeping habits are known to worsen ADHD symptoms.
People suffering from ADHD often have co-occurring conditions like anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder and learning disabilities. Sometimes, treating the underlying disorder can alleviate the symptoms of ADHD. If you suffer from other issues, it is essential to tell your mental health professional, as this could influence the effectiveness of your treatment.
It is essential to talk to your primary care physician, who can refer you to a health professional who is certified in ADHD assessments for adults. It is also recommended to inquire whether there exist any support groups for adults with ADHD in your region. They can offer resources and a list of professionals by specialty. adhd diagnosis in adult can also reach out to your insurance company to find out about health care providers who are covered by your policy.
Treatment
The most effective method to diagnose adult ADHD is a thorough evaluation by a health professional. The evaluation should include questions about your childhood, as well as questions about your present life and a screening for ADHD symptoms. You may be asked about any issues that your ADHD symptoms cause problems at school, at work or in your relationships.
Counseling and medication are two of the many treatment options available for adults with ADHD. Counseling includes psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy) and cognitive behavioral therapy. These kinds of therapies assist you in learning how to manage your symptoms and transform negative patterns of thinking to positive ones. They can also help in the treatment of other mental health conditions like depression and anxiety, that often co-occur with ADHD.
Adults who suffer from ADHD often involves psychostimulants, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) and dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine). These medications affect the way that certain chemicals in your brain communicate and regulate your behavior. Your doctor will choose a medication that is appropriate for your body and symptoms, and adjusts the dose and frequency as required. There are also nonstimulants available, that do not affect the same brain pathways that psychostimulants do and are effective for adults with ADHD. Nonstimulant drugs include atomoxetine guanfacine, and Guanfacine.
Coaching or mentoring can be used to teach people with ADHD strategies and coping techniques. For example, you might learn how to use a planner or keep journals or taught strategies to improve your time management. You may also benefit from adjusting your lifestyle to accommodate your ADHD symptoms, like working from home instead of working in a place of work, using smartphone apps to monitor your tasks or scheduling appointments at times that aren't as busy. You might also want to ask about participating in a clinical trial, which is a research study designed to test new methods to treat illnesses and conditions. (NIMH offers information about clinical trials.
You could be referred to an expert in mental health or another health professional by your family doctor to assess your ADHD. You could ask a friend or family member for recommendations or call a local ADHD support group.