ADHD Diagnosis For Adults
Many adults are unable to get an ADHD diagnosis, as doctors apply an entirely different set of clinical guidelines for the disorder than for teenagers and children. The diagnosis requires at least five symptoms in the categories of hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity.
Professionals who conduct an assessment will ask questions about your childhood, education, work, and family history. They may also ask to speak with your spouse or friend.
What is ADHD?
If you're constantly losing your keys, struggle with work or school or struggle to stay focused in conversations, getting an ADHD diagnosis as an adult can be a great relief. You're not crazy, and you are able to manage it better, says Mary V. Solanto Ph.D. Professor of Psychology at the 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-toface meeting with your doctor is typically the first step in an ADHD evaluation. They will discuss your symptoms and how they impact your daily life. It is helpful to bring reports cards or other documents from your childhood, as it will help the provider get more information about your past experiences with ADHD. Your doctor may also request to speak with a spouse, family member, co-worker or a close friend who knows you well. They may inquire about your relationship, how they observe your behavior, and how it affects your life. They could also inquire how ADHD symptoms interact with other conditions, like depression or an anxiety disorder.
You will be asked about your lifestyle during the interview, such as how often you don't make appointments or pay bills, or if you have difficulty with time management. It's crucial to be honest with your answers and consider how these habits affect your daily life. If you're unsure about your symptoms, consider asking your healthcare provider to refer you to a doctor or psychologist to conduct an evaluation. Self-tests and rating systems are available online, but these are not as reliable as an interview conducted by a qualified professional. Certain tests may even lead to a false diagnosis, so it's recommended to speak with your healthcare provider first.
Symptoms
Consult your primary healthcare provider if you suspect you may be suffering from ADHD. He or she may recommend you to a mental health specialist for an evaluation, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision DSM-5 provides guidelines for clinicians to identify mental disorders. It is essential to provide your physician as much information as you can about your symptoms, so that they can provide an accurate diagnosis.
The person doing the evaluation will examine your medical, psychological and psychiatric history, including past problems and ask you about how the symptoms affect your life. The person conducting the evaluation will also talk to your spouse, children teachers, friends, coworkers and others who know you well. Your evaluation may include neuropsychological, behavioral, or learning disability testing. These tests can provide your healthcare provider 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.
Symptoms of the predominantly inattentive type include difficulty paying attention, missing details or making mistakes. The person who evaluates the child will also be able to determine the impact these symptoms have on school, work and even 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.
Usually, these symptoms manifest in childhood. They can also occur in adulthood. Adults may notice their own ADHD symptoms when their children are diagnosed, or after an event in their lives like getting married, a job or moving into their own home. In some instances, the condition is not recognized until an adult is experiencing significant problems at work or with their relationships. This could include being dismissed, having financial problems or getting into trouble with the law.
Diagnosis
If you think you have ADHD A test is the first step in finding a treatment. A licensed mental health professional will interview you and review your symptoms as well as your medical history and family history. Interview questions may be asked about your school and work performance, and how the symptoms affect you at home as well as with relationships. You may want to bring along copies of your report cards, teacher comments, and any other documentation pertinent.
The psychiatric specialist utilizes the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5), to make the diagnosis. The symptoms of ADHD must be present for at least six months, and they must interfere with functioning or developmental progress in multiple environments, such as school or at home. In addition, the signs cannot be explained better by another mental disorder like an anxiety or mood disorder.
Many people suffering from ADHD have problems well into adulthood. These symptoms can impact education and work, lead to poor health in the financial or personal aspects and can cause stress in relationships. If diagnosed and treated, you can enjoy your life.
Certain ADHD symptoms change with the passage of time. For instance, inattention is more evident as you get older, and the ability to control impulses and hyperactivity may decrease as you age. Other factors can also contribute to difficulties. For example the condition known as obstructive sleep apnea is more prevalent in adults suffering from ADHD. Poor sleeping habits can also worsen ADHD symptoms.
Many people suffering from ADHD have co-occurring disorders like anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder and learning disabilities. Sometimes, treating the underlying disorder can help eliminate ADHD symptoms. If you have any other medical issues, it is essential to tell your mental health professional as this could have a significant effect on the effectiveness of your treatment.
It is essential to talk to your primary doctor who can refer to an experienced health professional who is trained in ADHD assessments for adults. Find out if there are support groups for adults who have ADHD in your locality. adhd diagnosis adult can offer assistance and a list specialists with specialization. You can also contact the insurance company that you have to determine which health healthcare providers are covered under the plan you have.
Treatment
A thorough evaluation by a medical professional is the best way to determine if you suffer from adult ADHD. The assessment should include questions about your childhood, as well as questions about your present life and a screening for ADHD symptoms. You could be asked about any problems that your ADHD symptoms cause at work, school or in your relationships.
There are many treatments for adults with ADHD that include medication and counseling. Counseling can include psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy. These treatments teach you how to manage your symptoms and how to transform negative thinking patterns to positive ones. They can also assist in the treatment of other mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety, that often occur in conjunction with ADHD.
Psychostimulants, such as dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate are often utilized to treat adults suffering from ADHD. These medicines affect how certain chemicals in the brain communicate to regulate behavior. Your doctor will recommend the right medication for your body and symptoms and alters the dosage and frequency when required. Nonstimulants are also used to treat adults suffering from ADHD. They do not interfere with the same brain pathways as psychostimulants do. Examples of nonstimulant medications are atomoxetine and guanfacine.
Other options for treatment for adults suffering from ADHD can include mentoring or coaching to help you learn strategies and coping abilities. You may learn to utilize a diary or planner, or you may be taught strategies for managing time. You can also benefit from altering your lifestyle to accommodate your ADHD symptoms, for instance, working from home rather than in a workplace and using apps on your phone to keep track of tasks, or scheduling appointments at times that aren't as busy. You may also want to inquire about taking part in a clinical study which is a research endeavor designed to test new methods to treat diseases and conditions. (NIMH has information about clinical trials.)
You could be referred to an expert in mental health or another health care professional by your family physician for a diagnosis of your ADHD. You can ask a friend or family member for recommendations, or contact the local ADHD support group.