Getting an ADHD Diagnosis in Adults
Many people seek out a diagnosis when they realize that ADHD causes them to have difficulties at work or in their relationships. NIMH suggests that people seeking diagnosis talk to their primary care provider or a mental health professional.
They will take a thorough history and complete tests like symptom rating scales or psychological tests. They may also undergo a physical exam to determine if they have any other medical conditions that may be mistaken for ADHD like thyroid issues or seizures.
Finding a Diagnostic
It can be a great relief and enlightening to receive an diagnosis of ADHD, but it can be also distressing. Adults who have been struggling with ADHD symptoms for a long time may eventually seek out professional help, either because of frustrations at work, in relationships, or because their friends or family have told them that they might be suffering from ADHD. It is crucial to remember that a doctor can take several months to diagnose ADHD, and that the process is more than completing standard tests or conducting a series of clinical interviews.
The first step is to identify whether your ADHD symptoms match the criteria for the disorder: A number of them occur before the age of 12. They occur in two or more settings--for example, school, home and at work. And they interfere with daily functioning.
Your doctor may have to perform additional evaluations in order to make an accurate diagnosis. This is because the symptoms of ADHD are also caused by mood disorders like bipolar disorder, anxiety, and various other physical ailments or illnesses. This could include clinical interviews, rating-scales for symptoms, or psychological tests to test thinking abilities, problem solving skills, and memory.
It is crucial to be completely honest with the mental health professional. This could mean discussing how your mood was affected by your struggles in various aspects of your life. The professional who is evaluating your mental health you might also request to speak to your spouse, family members, and friends to gain an understanding of your challenges. They might also request permission to have family members fill out questionnaires to compare their experiences with yours.
Symptoms
Adults with ADHD typically experience difficulties with daily activities, especially at work and in school. They may struggle to keep jobs or maintaining relationships. They may also struggle to keep a roof over their heads because of their lack of attention and impulsivity, which makes it difficult for them to remember things, plan tasks, or complete tasks. The symptoms could be mild, moderate, or severe.
To diagnose ADHD, doctors use 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.
Inattention symptoms include difficulties paying attention to even the smallest details, daydreaming, and being easily distracted. adhd diagnosis in adults is also characterized by difficulty following and finishing tasks, as well as a tendency to get 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 quickly and have difficulty organizing their day-to-day activities at work or at home. They might lose their phones, keys or wallets a lot. They have difficulty waiting their turn at the classroom, at work or when playing. They are easily frustrated or stressed and suffer from frequent mood shifts.
Adults suffering from ADHD are more likely to suffer from co-occurring conditions such as disorder of the opposition anxiety, depression, tic disorders, Tourette syndrome and addiction issues. The presence of co-occurring disorders can make it difficult to treat and can make it more difficult to determine ADHD.
Treatment
If you suspect you may have ADHD, the first step towards getting a diagnosis is to speak with your primary healthcare provider. They can refer you to an expert in mental health. They will assess your symptoms and issues at work, at school or at home to determine if they are interfering with your life. They can conduct an organized interview or ask family members or close family members to help. They will also go over the medical and family history 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 impact they have on your life. To be diagnosed with ADHD, symptoms must have been present for at least six months and are not caused by other disorders such as anxiety or depression. Additionally, they should affect everyday activities like getting to class, completing tasks on time or keeping the job.
When you are evaluated A mental health professional could utilize standardized scales of behavior and ADHD symptoms checklists. They will also likely perform a cognitive test to check your working memory, executive functioning and spatial and visual abilities. They may also test for other conditions that could cause similar symptoms, such as a seizure disorder or thyroid issue.
If your psychiatrist decides you have ADHD, he or she will explain the various medications available and will discuss the treatment options. It is often best to combine medication with talk therapy (counseling). Therapy can aid in managing your symptoms and improve communication between family members and colleagues. It can also help with issues that can be a problem in relationships and marriages because of the issues ADHD can create.
Medication
The signs of ADHD in adults are generally more mild than in childhood, but they can still cause problems at home and work. The disorder can lead to difficulty in obtaining or maintaining an employment, difficulties with relationships and social interactions and academic failures, low self-esteem and emotional distress, temper tantrums and possibly antisocial behavior.
Medication can help with the disorder by boosting and balancing neurotransmitters in the brain that regulate the flow of information within the brain. Stimulants are the most commonly prescribed medications 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 immediate-release orally disintegrating tablet). Adults can also be treated with the non-stimulant atomoxetine and antidepressants like bupropion. These drugs perform more slowly than stimulants and are more appropriate for those who aren't able to take stimulant medications because of health problems or serious adverse effects.
Psychotherapy, also referred to as cognitive-behavioral treatment, could help in the treatment of disorders that are comorbid, such as anxiety and depression associated with ADHD. Psychotherapy is a more effective treatment than medications alone for these conditions according to research. Psychotherapy is focused on teaching techniques to manage the disorder and improve functioning at school, at work and in relationships. The goal is to improve the self-esteem of the person, decrease problematic behaviors and improve their performance and overall performance. It is recommended that every psychotherapy program for adult ADHD patients contain a cognitive-behavioral component. Researchers found that ADHD patients receiving both therapy and medication showed more improvement than those taking only pills.
Counseling
For adults who do not wish to take medication, therapy and counseling may be a great source of relief. Individual talk therapy can address issues like low self-esteem, and feelings of failure that are frequently associated with ADHD. It can also help improve relationships and communication by helping patients and their families to comprehend the condition and develop ways to cope.
Cognitive behavioral therapy concentrates on teaching patients the skills to control their behavior and change negative thoughts. 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 provide strategies for controlling impulses emotional regulation, relationship and issues that arise due to impulsive behavior. These strategies can aid you in living a more productive life, particularly at work.
Counseling can also assist those with ADHD in applying for accommodations for work that are offered under the Americans with Disabilities Act, which can greatly increase job satisfaction and performance. For professionals, this could mean changing the way their work is organized to give them more flexibility to meet deadlines and finish tasks on time.
Choosing the right therapist is essential to getting the most benefit from treatment for adult ADHD. When interviewing potential therapists it is essential to inquire about their methods and if they have prior experience in treating ADHD in adults. It is important to verify the credentials of the therapist as well as insurance coverage. Some providers provide sliding scale fees or online therapy services to make therapy more accessible to those who are unable to afford it.