Getting an ADHD Diagnosis in Adults
Many people seek out a diagnosis when they realize that ADHD is causing them issues at work or in their relationships. NIMH suggests that people seeking an assessment consult with their primary care provider or mental health professional.
They will request an extensive medical history as well as take tests such as symptom-rating scales and psychological tests. They might also undergo physical examinations to rule out medical issues that may be a sign of ADHD like seizures or thyroid issues.
Diagnosis
It can be a great relief and eye-opening to be given a diagnosis of ADHD but it can be also distressing. Adults who have struggled with the symptoms of ADHD for decades might finally decide to seek a professional opinion, prompted by frustrations at workplace or in their relationships or due to being informed by family members or friends that they might have ADHD. It's important to note that it can take time for a medical professional to determine an ADHD diagnosis, and the process involves more than just interviews or tests.
The first step is to determine if your ADHD symptoms match the requirements for the disorder: Many of them occur prior to the age of 12 years old. They can occur in more than one place, such as school, home and at work. And they interfere with the daily activities of people.
Your doctor may have to conduct additional tests to establish an accurate diagnosis. This is because the symptoms of ADHD are also caused by mood disorders like anxiety, bipolar disorder, and other physical or mental illnesses. This may include clinical interviews or rating scales for symptoms, or psychological tests to evaluate thinking capabilities and problem-solving skills and memory.
It's crucial to be open with your health professional. And that might mean discussing how the issues you're experiencing in various areas of your life have impacted your mood. In adult adhd diagnosis uk doing your evaluation might ask to talk to your spouse, or close family members to get a more complete picture of how you've struggled. They might also ask for permission to have them fill out questionnaires about their experiences with you and compare them with your own.
Symptoms
Adults suffering from ADHD might find that their symptoms can affect their the way they live their lives, particularly at work and school. They might have trouble keeping a job, staying in relationships or being able to make ends meet due to the inattention and impulsivity which makes it difficult to follow instructions or remember details, plan tasks or complete tasks. The symptoms can be mild or moderate. They can also be severe.
To determine ADHD the professionals use standard tools called checklists or questionnaires, as well as questions for interviews. 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 difficulty paying attention to details, daydreaming and appearing to be easily distracted. Inattention is also associated with difficulty in following and completing tasks, as well being prone to getting sidetracked 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 forget things easily and have difficulty organizing their daily activities, work or home. They may lose their keys, phones or wallets a lot. They are unable to wait their turn at school, at work, or when playing. They have a low tolerance for stress or frustration and are subject to frequent and intense mood fluctuations.
In adults, it is more common for people suffering from ADHD to have co-existing conditions like oppositional defiant or conduct disorders depression or anxiety, tic disorders or Tourette syndrome and other substance abuse issues. Co-occurring disorders can make treatment more difficult, and make it harder to determine the cause of ADHD.
Treatment
If you suspect you may have ADHD the first step in getting an accurate diagnosis is to speak with your primary care provider. They may refer you to an expert in mental health. These professionals will examine your symptoms and issues at work as well as at school or at home to determine how they interfere with your daily life. They will conduct a structured interview and may ask for the help of family members or close friends who know you well. They will also go over your medical and family background and conduct a physical examination.
Your doctor will also look at the duration of these symptoms and what impact they have on your life. To be considered to have ADHD symptoms must have been present for at minimum 6 months and are not explained by other conditions like depression or anxiety. They must also interfere with daily tasks, such as getting to school, completing assignments on time, or maintaining the job.
During your examination, your mental health professional may also utilize standardized scales for assessing behavior and ADHD symptom checklists. You will also be given an assessment of your cognitive abilities that will assess your executive and working memory functioning as well as your visual and spatial abilities. They will also look for other conditions that can cause similar symptoms, like a thyroid problem or seizure disorder.
If your mental health provider decides you have ADHD, he or she will explain the various medications available and discuss the treatment options. It is usually best to combine medication with talk therapy (counseling). Therapy can aid in managing your symptoms, and improve communication between your family members and colleagues. Therapy can also aid in resolving problems that may arise in marriages and relationships because of the issues ADHD can cause.
Medication
ADHD symptoms in adults are generally milder than in childhood. However they can still cause problems at home and at work. The disorder can cause difficulties in obtaining or keeping an excellent job, issues with relationships and social interaction and academic failures, low self-esteem, emotional stress, temper tantrums and antisocial behavior.
The medication can treat the disorder by increasing and balancing levels of brain chemicals referred to as neurotransmitters that control the flow information in the brain. The stimulants 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 instant-release orally disintegrating tablet). Adults can also be treated using Atomoxetine, a non-stimulant, and antidepressants like bupropion. These drugs work more slowly than stimulants and are more suitable for people who aren't able to take stimulant medications because of health problems or severe adverse reactions.
Psychotherapy, also known as cognitive-behavioral therapy, can be beneficial in treating disorders that are comorbid, such as anxiety and depression associated with ADHD. Research suggests that psychotherapy can be a more effective treatment for these disorders than just using medications on their own. adhd adult diagnosis focuses on teaching skills for managing the disorder and improving functioning at school, work and in relationships. The goal is to improve the person's self esteem and decrease the risk of problematic behavior. It is also a way to increase their functioning and overall performance. It is recommended that all psychotherapy approaches for adult ADHD patients include a cognitive-behavioral component. Researchers have found that ADHD patients receiving both psychotherapy and medication showed higher improvement than those who only took pills.
Counseling
For adults who do not wish to use medications therapy and counseling can be a great source of relief. Individual therapy can address issues like low self-esteem and feelings failure that are often associated with ADHD. It can also improve relationships and communication by helping the patients and their families to understand the condition and develop strategies for dealing with it.
Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on teaching patients how to change their negative thinking and control their behavior. 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 concentrate on developing time-management and organizational skills or teach coping strategies for dealing with emotional regulation, impulse control and relationships issues that may arise from the impulsive behavior. These techniques can assist people to live a more productive and satisfying life, particularly in the workplace.
Counseling can help people with ADHD to apply for accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act. This can improve their job performance and overall satisfaction. This can include changing the structure of their work to allow them more flexibility in meeting deadlines and finishing tasks on time.
Choosing the right therapist is essential to getting the most value from treatment for adult ADHD. It is important to inquire about the therapist's method and whether they have successfully been able to treat ADHD in adults is essential when interviewing potential therapists. It is also a good idea to verify the credentials of the therapist and insurance coverage. Some providers offer sliding scale fees or online therapy services to make therapy easier for those who can't afford it.