Getting an ADHD Diagnosis in Adults
Many people seek a diagnosis when they realize they have trouble in relationships or at work due to ADHD. NIMH recommends those seeking a diagnosis consult their primary care physician or mental health professional.
They will conduct a detailed history and complete tests such as symptom rating scales or psychological tests. They might be subjected to a physical examination to rule out other medical ailments that might be misinterpreted as ADHD like thyroid issues or seizures.
Diagnosis
Being diagnosed with ADHD can be revealing and empowering, but it can also be distressing. Adults who have been struggling with the symptoms of ADHD for a long time may decide to seek a professional opinion, motivated by their frustrations at work or in their relationships or after being informed by family or friends that they may have ADHD. It's important to note that it may take a while for a medical professional to determine an ADHD diagnosis, and the process involves more than just a series of clinical 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 can occur in more than one setting such as home, school and work. They can affect the daily functioning of a person.
Since symptoms of ADHD can also be caused by mood disorders such as anxiety or bipolar, and other physical conditions and illnesses, your healthcare professional might recommend additional tests before making a diagnosis. This could include interviews with a psychologist as well as rating scales to assess symptoms, and psychological testing to assess your thinking abilities ability to solve problems, as well as memory.
It is crucial to be completely honest with your mental health professional. This could mean you talk about how your mood was affected by your difficulties in different areas of life. In addition the mental health professional conducting your evaluation might ask to talk to your spouse, or close family and friends members to get a more complete picture of the struggles you've faced. They might even ask permission to have your family members complete questionnaires that compare their experiences with yours.
Signs and symptoms
Adults suffering from ADHD frequently notice that their issues interfere with daily life activities, particularly at work and school. adhd diagnosis in adults might have difficulties finding work, 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, moderate or even severe.
To determine ADHD, doctors use the standard tools, such as checklists, interview questions and questionnaires. They also review medical and family history 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 symptoms of an inattentive person include trouble paying attention to things, focusing on details, and being to be easily distracted. Trouble following and finishing tasks, and a tendency to lose the track of time or get side-tracked are also inattentive symptoms.
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 day-to-day activities at work or at home. They may lose their phones, keys or wallets frequently. They are often unable to wait for their turn at school, at work or play. They have a low tolerance for frustration or stress and experience frequent and intense mood changes.
Adults with ADHD are more likely to suffer from co-occurring disorders like conduct or oppositional defiant disorders, anxiety, depression and tic disorders Tourette syndrome and issues with substance abuse. Co-occurring disorders may complicate treatment and make it difficult to diagnose ADHD.
Treatment
Talking with your primary healthcare provider is the first step towards getting a diagnosis if you suspect you have ADHD. They will likely recommend you to a mental health specialist. These professionals will review your symptoms and concerns at school, at work or home to see how they impact your daily life. They might conduct a structured interview or ask family members or close friends to assist. They will also go over your medical history and family history and conduct a physical examination.
Your doctor will also take a look at how long you've had these symptoms and the effect they have on your life now. In order to be granted an diagnosis of ADHD the symptoms must be present for at minimum six months, and they cannot be explained by a different disorder like anxiety or depression. In addition, they must interfere with everyday activities like getting to class, finishing tasks on time or maintaining a job.
During your examination Your mental health professional might use standardized behavior rating scales and ADHD symptoms checklists. They will likely also conduct a cognitive test to assess your executive functioning, as well as your spatial and visual abilities. They may also test for other conditions that could cause similar symptoms, such as seizures or thyroid problem.
If your mental health provider determines that you suffer from ADHD and they'll discuss the available medications and treatment options. Most often, a combination of medication and talk therapy (counseling) is the best. Therapy helps you learn to manage your symptoms and improve communication with family members and other coworkers. It can also help address issues that can arise in relationships and marriages because of the difficulties that ADHD can create at work and at home.
Medication
The symptoms of ADHD in adults are generally much milder than they were in childhood, but they can still create problems at work and home. The disorder can cause difficulty in getting or keeping an employment, difficulties with relationships and social interactions academic failures, low self-esteem and emotional distress, temper outbursts and potentially antisocial behaviors.
Medication can help with the condition by increasing and balancing neurotransmitters in the brain, which control the flow of information within the brain. Stimulants, which are commonly prescribed for ADHD in adults are the most frequently prescribed drugs. Jornay, Xelstrym, Cotempla and Adhansia are just a few examples of stimulants. The non-stimulant atomoxetine as well as certain antidepressants, like bupropion, also are used to treat ADHD in adults. These medications work slower than stimulants, and could be beneficial for those who are not able to take stimulants due to health issues or serious side-effects.
Psychotherapy, also known as cognitive-behavioral therapy, can be helpful in treating conditions that can be comorbid like anxiety and depression related to ADHD. Psychotherapy could be a better treatment than medications alone for these conditions as per research. Psychotherapy focuses on teaching the skills to manage the disorder and improve functioning at work, school and in relationships. The goal is to improve the person's self-esteem, decrease problematic behavior and increase performance and success. It is recommended that every psychotherapy approach for adults 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 do not wish to take medication therapy and counseling can offer significant relief. Individual talk therapy can help address issues such as low self-esteem, feelings of failure and frequent job changes that often accompany ADHD. It can also improve communication and strengthen relationships by helping patients and family members understand the condition and learn coping strategies.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is primarily focused on teaching patients to change their negative thoughts 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 can also teach coping strategies for impulse control emotional regulation, relationship and issues that arise as a result of an impulsive behavior. These methods can help you live more productively, particularly at work.
Counseling can also guide people with ADHD when applying for workplace accommodations that could be provided under the Americans with Disabilities Act, which can dramatically enhance job performance and satisfaction. For professionals, this could be a matter of changing the way their work is structured to give them more flexibility to meet deadlines and finish tasks on time.
Finding the right therapist crucial to get the most benefit from treatment for adults with ADHD. The therapist's approach and whether they have successfully been able to treat ADHD in adults is crucial when interviewing potential therapists. It is also a good idea to verify the credentials of the therapist and insurance coverage. Some providers have a sliding scale fee, or offer online therapy services, making treatment accessible for people who cannot afford to pay out from their pockets.