ADHD Diagnosis For Adults
Many adults have difficulty getting an ADHD diagnosis, as doctors apply different guidelines for diagnosing the disorder than for adolescents and children. The diagnosis requires at least five symptoms in the categories of inattention, hyperactivity and an impulsive nature.
Professionals who conduct an evaluation will ask questions about your childhood, education as well as your work and family history. adult diagnosis of adhd may also want to talk with your spouse or other family members.
What is ADHD?
It's a relief to receive an ADHD diagnosis in your adulthood and if you're constantly losing keys, have trouble in school or work, or have trouble staying focused when talking to others. You're not alone, and you are able to manage it better, according to Mary V. Solanto Ph.D. Professor 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), provides guidelines for providers 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.
An ADHD evaluation typically begins with a face-to-face interview with your doctor who will discuss your symptoms and their impact on your life. Bring any reports from your childhood to help the provider to understand the history of your ADHD. Your provider may ask to speak to a close friend, spouse, family member or coworker who is familiar with you well. They could ask questions about your relationship and their observations of your behavior and how it affects them, as well as how your ADHD symptoms interact with other disorders like anxiety or depression.
The interview will likely be a discussion of your daily routine such as how often you forget to pay bills or go to appointments, and if you have trouble with time management or organizational skills. It is essential to be honest with your answers and consider how these habits impact your daily life. Request your healthcare professional for a referral to a different doctor or therapist if you aren't sure about your symptoms. Self-tests and rating systems are available on the internet, however they're not as reliable as an interview conducted by a trained professional. Some of these tests might result in a wrong diagnosis, so always consult your physician prior to using them.
Signs and symptoms
If you suspect you suffer from ADHD Begin talking to your primary care provider. They can refer you to an expert in mental health such as psychiatrist or psychologist, to be evaluated. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision DSM-5 provides guidelines for clinicians to diagnose mental disorders. It is important to provide as much details regarding your symptoms as you can so that your physician can determine the most accurate diagnosis.
The person who conducts the evaluation will examine your mental, psychological and medical history, including any past issues and ask you about how the symptoms affect your life. He or she might also talk to your spouse and children as well as coworkers, teachers and other people who know you. Your evaluation may include neuropsychological, behavioral, or learning disability tests. These tests can provide your provider additional information about how your ADHD symptoms affect you and 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 a person who is primarily inattentive are a lack of attention and omitting important details or making erroneous mistakes. The person who is conducting the assessment will also look at how these symptoms interfere with 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.
Often, these symptoms appear in the early years of childhood. They may also manifest in later life. Some adults recognise their own ADHD symptoms after their children are diagnosed or due to changes in their lives such as a new job or marriage or move to their own home. In other instances, the condition goes undiagnosed until the adult experiences major difficulties at work or in their relationships. This could include being dismissed from work and having financial problems, or being in trouble with the law.
Diagnosis
A screening is the first thing you should do when you suspect that you may are suffering from ADHD. A licensed mental health professional will interview you and review your symptoms along with your medical history and family history. The interview might also include questions about your work and school performance as well as how your symptoms impact your home life and in your relationships. You might wish to bring a copy of your report cards, teacher notes and any other documents that may be relevant.
The psychiatric practitioner will employ the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5) to help to determine the diagnosis. The symptoms of ADHD must be present for at least six months and they must affect functioning or developmental progress in multiple environments, such as school or home. The symptoms of ADHD must not be attributed to any other mental disorder like mood disorders or anxiety.
Many people with ADHD have problems well into adulthood. Symptoms can impact work and school, lead to poor health in the financial or personal aspects, and cause strain in relationships. Getting diagnosed and treated can improve the quality of your life.
Some symptoms of ADHD change with age, for example the symptoms of inattention may become more evident as you age, and impulsivity and hyperactivity may decrease as you age. Other factors can contribute to the difficulties. For example, obstructive sleeping apnea is more prevalent in adults suffering from ADHD. Poor sleeping habits can also worsen ADHD symptoms.
People suffering from ADHD frequently have co-occurring disorders, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and learning disabilities. Sometimes, treating the underlying condition can eliminate the symptoms of ADHD. It is crucial to inform your mental health professional if you suffer from any other condition. This could affect the effectiveness of treatment.
It is crucial to talk to your primary doctor who can refer to an expert in ADHD assessments for adults. It is also an excellent idea to inquire if there are any support groups specifically for adults suffering from ADHD in your region. They can offer assistance and a list specialists with specialization. You can also reach out to the insurance company you have to determine which health healthcare providers are covered under the plan you have.
Treatment
Generally, the best approach to determine if you have ADHD is a thorough evaluation by a health professional. The evaluation should include questions regarding your childhood, questions about your life now and a check for ADHD symptoms. You may also be asked about any problems that your ADHD symptoms cause at school, at work or in your relationships.
Counseling and medication are two of the many options for adults suffering from ADHD. Counseling is a combination of psychotherapy (also called talk therapy) and cognitive behavioral therapy. These kinds of therapies aid you in learning to manage your symptoms and change negative patterns of thinking to positive ones. They can also be helpful in dealing with other mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety, that often occur in conjunction with ADHD.
Psychostimulants, such as dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate are often used in the treatment of adults with ADHD. These medications affect the way certain chemicals in your brain communicate and regulate your behavior. Your doctor will choose the best medication for you and your symptoms and will alter the dosage and frequency according to your needs. Nonstimulants are also used to treat adults with ADHD. They are not able to affect the same brain pathways in the same way that psychostimulants do. Nonstimulant medications include atomoxetine, Guanfacine, and guanfacine.
Other options for treatment for adults with ADHD could include coaching or mentoring to teach strategies and coping techniques. For example, you might be taught how to use a planner or a journal, or you might be shown strategies for improving your time management. You can also modify your lifestyle to accommodate your ADHD symptoms. For instance, you could work at your home instead of in an office, or use apps on your smartphone to monitor your activities and schedule appointments at less busy times. You may also want to inquire about joining a clinical study, which is a research project designed to test out new ways to treat illnesses and conditions. (NIMH has information about clinical trials.)
Sometimes, your family physician will recommend you to a mental health specialist or another health medical professional to conduct an evaluation of your ADHD. You can ask a family member or family member for recommendations or contact the local ADHD support group.