Getting an ADHD Diagnosis in Adults
Many people seek a diagnose when they realize that ADHD is causing them problems at work or in their relationships. NIMH recommends that those who are seeking an assessment consult with their primary care physician or a mental health professional.
They will take a thorough background and complete tests like symptom rating scales or psychological tests. They could also undergo a physical exam to rule out medical issues that could be similar to ADHD like seizures or thyroid issues.
Diagnosis
Getting a diagnosis for ADHD can be eye-opening and liberating, but it can also be stressful. Adults who have been struggling with ADHD symptoms for years may finally seek professional advice in the wake of frustrations at work, in relationships, or because their friends or family have told them that they might be suffering from ADHD. It is important to keep in mind that it takes 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 whether your ADHD symptoms match the criteria for the disorder. Several of these symptoms manifest before the age of 12. They are seen in two or more settings--for example, home, school and at work. They can affect the daily functioning of a person.
Your healthcare provider may need to perform additional evaluations to determine an accurate diagnosis. This is because the symptoms of ADHD are also caused by mood disorders like bipolar disorder, anxiety, and other physical conditions or illnesses. This could include interviews with a clinical psychologist and rating-scales for symptoms or psychological tests to test thinking capabilities, problem solving skills, and memory.
It is crucial to be completely honest with your mental health professional. This could mean that you discuss how your mood has been affected by your difficulties in various areas of your life. The professional who is evaluating your mental health you might also request to talk to your spouse, family members and friends to get an understanding of your issues. They may even ask permission to ask them to fill out questionnaires about their experiences with you and compare them to your own.
Signs and symptoms
Adults suffering from ADHD might notice that their symptoms can affect their everyday life, particularly at school and at work. They may struggle to keep their jobs or maintaining relationships. They may also struggle to make ends meet due to their inattention and impulsivity, making it difficult for them remember things, organize tasks, or complete tasks. The symptoms may be mild, moderate or even severe.
To diagnose ADHD doctors use the standard tools, such as checklists, interview questions and questionnaires. They also analyze medical and family histories and 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 trouble paying attention to details, daydreaming and appearing easily distracted. Inattentiveness is also associated with difficulty in following and working on tasks, aswell being prone to getting distracted or lose the 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 lose things easily and have difficulty managing their daily routines either at work or at home. They may lose phones, keys and wallets, or papers frequently. They are often unable to wait for their turn at school, at work or playing. They are easily frustrated or stressed and have frequent mood shifts.
In adults, it is more common for those with ADHD to have co-occurring conditions, such as oppositional defiant or conduct disorders, anxiety or depression, tic disorders or Tourette syndrome and substance abuse issues. Co-occurring disorders may complicate treatment, and make it harder to determine the cause of ADHD.
Treatment
If you think you might have ADHD the first step in getting a diagnosis is to talk with your primary care provider. getting a adhd diagnosis or she will probably recommend you to a mental health professional. They will look over your symptoms and concerns at school, at work or at home to determine how they impact your life. They will use a structured interview and may seek the assistance of family members or close friends who know you well. They will also go over the medical and family background of your family, and will conduct a physical examination.
Your doctor will also take into consideration how long you have had these symptoms, and what effect they are having on your life. To be considered to have ADHD symptoms must be present for at minimum 6 months and are not caused by other disorders such as depression or anxiety. In addition, they must affect everyday activities like getting to class, completing tasks on time, or keeping an occupation.
During your examination, your mental health professional might employ standardized behavior rating scales and ADHD symptoms checklists. They may also conduct an assessment of your cognitive abilities to test your executive functioning and visual and spatial abilities. They will also test for any other conditions that may cause similar symptoms, like seizures or a thyroid disorder.
If your mental health professional determines that you suffer from ADHD, they will discuss the available medications and treatment options. In most cases, a combination of medication and talk therapy (counseling) is best. Therapy can help you manage your symptoms and improve communication with family members and other coworkers. It can also help address issues that may develop in marriages and relationships due to the problems ADHD can create at home and work.
Medication
ADHD symptoms in adults tend to be more mild than in childhood. However they can cause issues at home and at work. The disorder can result in difficulties in obtaining or keeping a job, trouble with relationships and social interactions, academic failures, poor self-esteem and emotional distress, temper tantrums and even antisocial behaviors.
Medication can help treat the disorder by increasing and balancing the levels of brain chemicals referred to as neurotransmitters, which regulate the flow of information within the brain. Stimulants, which are commonly prescribed for ADHD in adults, are the most common medications. 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 immediate-release orally disintegrating tablet). The non-stimulant atomoxetine as well as certain antidepressants, like bupropion, are also used to treat ADHD in adults. These drugs work slower than stimulants, and may be a better choice for people who are not able to take stimulants due to health issues or severe side-effects.
Psychotherapy, also known as cognitive-behavioral therapy, can be helpful in treating disorders that are comorbid, such as anxiety and depression that are related to ADHD. Psychotherapy may be a better treatment than medication alone for these conditions according to research. Psychotherapy is focused on teaching techniques to manage the disorder and improve functioning at work, school and in relationships. The goal is to increase the person's self-esteem, decrease problematic behavior and increase performance and success. It is recommended that each psychotherapy program for adult ADHD patients contain a cognitive-behavioral component. Researchers have found that ADHD patients who received both therapy and medication showed more improvement than those who only took pills.
Counseling
For adults who don't want to use medications Therapy and counseling could provide significant relief. Individual talk therapy can address issues like low self-esteem, and feelings of being insecure that are commonly associated with ADHD. It can also improve communication and strengthen relationships by helping patients and loved ones understand the disorder and learn strategies for coping.
Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses primarily on teaching patients how to change their negative thinking and manage 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 may also focus on developing organizational and time-management skills or teach coping techniques to deal with emotional regulation, impulse control and relationship issues that may arise from the impulsive behavior. These methods can assist you in living more productively, particularly at work.
Counseling can also help people with ADHD in applying for accommodations for work that are provided under the Americans with Disabilities Act, which can greatly improve job performance and satisfaction. For professionals, this could require modifying the way in which their work is structured to give them more flexibility to meet deadlines and finish tasks in time.
It is important to choose the appropriate therapist for adults ADHD treatment. When interviewing potential therapists it is important to ask about their treatment approach and if they have prior experience in treating ADHD in adults. Examining the credentials of therapists as well as insurance coverage is also an excellent idea. Some providers offer sliding scale fees or online therapy services to make therapy more accessible to those who cannot pay for it.