Getting an ADHD Diagnosis in Adults
Many people seek out a diagnosis after realizing they have trouble in their relationships or at work because of ADHD. NIMH suggests that people seeking a diagnosis speak with their primary healthcare provider or mental health professional.
They will take a detailed history and take tests like symptom rating scales or psychological tests. They could also undergo an examination to rule out medical conditions that may be a sign of ADHD, such as seizures or thyroid problems.
Finding a Diagnostic
Being diagnosed with ADHD can be revealing and liberating, but it can also be stressful. Adults who have been struggling with ADHD symptoms for years may decide to seek help from a professional, either because of frustrations at work, in their relationships, or because their relatives or friends have informed them that they could be suffering from ADHD. It is crucial to keep in mind that a healthcare professional may take several months to determine ADHD and that the process requires more than simply completing standardized tests or conducting interviews with a clinical psychologist.
The first step in the process is to identify whether your ADHD symptoms meet requirements for the disorder: A number of them are present before the age of 12. They can be present in more than one place such as home, school and work. They interfere with daily functioning.
Because symptoms of ADHD can also be caused by mood disorders like bipolar or anxiety and other physical conditions and illnesses, your healthcare professional may want to do additional evaluations before making a diagnosis. This may include clinical interviews and rating-scales for symptoms or psychological testing to assess thinking capabilities as well as problem solving abilities and memory.
It's important to be completely open with your health professional. And this could mean discussing how the issues you're having in different areas of your life have affected your mood. Additionally, the mental health professional doing your evaluation might ask to speak with your spouse or close family and friends members to get a more complete understanding of the challenges you've faced. They may even request that your family members complete questionnaires that compare their experiences to yours.
Signs and symptoms
Adults suffering from ADHD typically find that their symptoms interfere with everyday activities, particularly at school and work. They may have trouble keeping their jobs or maintaining relationships. They may also find it difficult to make ends meet because of their lack of attention and impulsivity, which makes it difficult to remember things, plan tasks, or complete projects. The symptoms may be mild, moderate, or severe.
To diagnose ADHD, read here use common tools like checklists, interview questions and questionnaires. They also check the family and medical history of the person and consider other mental health problems. 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 signs of an inattentive personality include difficulty paying attention to things, focusing on details, and being to be easily distracted. Inattention can also be manifested by a lack of focus and difficulty completing tasks, as well as a tendency to get lost in the flow 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 quickly and have difficulty managing their daily routines either at work or at home. They may lose their phones, keys or wallets often. They struggle to wait for their turn at school, work or at play. They are prone to stress or anger and experience frequent and intense mood fluctuations.
Adults with ADHD are more likely to suffer from co-occurring disorders like conduct or oppositional defiant disorders anxiety, depression as well as tic disorders. Tourette syndrome, and substance abuse issues. Co-occurring disorders may complicate treatment and make it difficult to identify ADHD.
Treatment
If you think you might have ADHD, the first step to get an accurate diagnosis is to speak with your primary healthcare provider. They may refer you to a specialist in mental health. They will assess your symptoms and problems in the workplace as well as at school or at home to determine how they affect your daily life. They can conduct an organized interview or ask family members or close family members to help. They will also review the medical and family history of your family and conduct a physical exam.
Your doctor will also consider the length of time you've been experiencing these symptoms and what effect they affect your life today. To be diagnosed with ADHD, symptoms must be present for at least 6 months and cannot be caused by other disorders such as depression or anxiety. Additionally, they must interfere with daily activities such as getting to class, finishing tasks on time or maintaining the job.
During your evaluation the mental health professional might also use standardized behavior ratings scales and ADHD symptoms checklists. You will also be administered an assessment of your cognitive abilities that will assess your executive and working memory functioning and also your visual and spatial abilities. They may also test for other conditions which can cause similar symptoms like seizures or thyroid problem.
If your mental health professional determines that you suffer from ADHD, they will discuss the medications available and treatment options. It is generally recommended to combine medication with talk therapy (counseling). Therapy helps you learn to manage your symptoms and improve communication with family members and co-workers. It can also help address issues that may arise in relationships and marriages because of the difficulties that ADHD can cause at work and home.
Medication
The signs of ADHD in adults are typically more mild than in childhood, but they can cause issues at home and at work. The disorder can lead to problems in obtaining or maintaining the job you want, issues with social relationships and interactions, academic failures, low self-esteem, emotional stress, temper tantrums and an attitude that is antisocial.
Medication can help with the disorder by boosting and balancing brain chemicals called neurotransmitters that regulate the flow of information in the brain. Stimulants, which are commonly prescribed for ADHD in adults, are the most common medications. Jornay, Xelstrym, Cotempla and Adhansia are all examples of stimulants. Adults can also be treated with the non-stimulant atomoxetine and some antidepressants, such as bupropion. These drugs work slower than stimulants, and could be a better choice for people who are not able to take stimulants due to health issues or serious side-effects.
Psychotherapy, also known as cognitive-behavioral treatment, may be beneficial in treating comorbid disorders such as anxiety and depression associated with ADHD. Psychotherapy is a more effective treatment than medication alone for these disorders as per research. Psychotherapy focuses on teaching skills to manage the disorder and improve your performance at work, school and in relationships. The aim is to boost the self-esteem of the individual, reduce problems with behavior, and improve performance and success. It is recommended that each psychotherapy program for adult ADHD patients include a cognitive behavior component. In one study, researchers found that ADHD patients who received both psychotherapy and medication experienced an improvement in their condition more than those who just took the medication.
Counseling
For adults who don't want to use medication, therapy and counseling may provide significant relief. Individual therapy can address issues such as low self-esteem and feelings of being insecure and frequent job changes that commonly accompany ADHD. It can also help improve relationships and communication by assisting patients and their loved ones to understand the disorder and learn coping techniques.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is primarily focused on teaching patients 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 help people develop strategies for controlling impulses as well as emotional regulation and relationship issues that may arise due to impulsive behavior. These strategies can assist people to live a more productive and satisfying life, particularly at work.
Counseling can help those with ADHD to apply for accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act. This can improve their work performance and overall satisfaction. This can include changing the structure of their work to give them more flexibility in meeting deadlines and finishing tasks within the timeframes they have set.
It is crucial to select the right therapist for adult ADHD treatment. Asking about the therapist's approach and if they have dealt with ADHD in adults is important when interviewing potential therapists. It is also a good idea to verify the credentials of the therapist as well as insurance coverage. Some providers offer sliding scale fees or online therapy services to make treatment more accessible to those who cannot afford it.