Getting an ADHD Diagnosis in Adults
Many people seek a diagnosis after realizing they are having issues in their relationships or at work because of ADHD. NIMH suggests that those seeking diagnoses speak with their primary care physician or a mental health professional.
They will conduct a detailed history and take tests like symptom rating scales or psychological tests. They can also undergo a physical examination to rule out other medical conditions that could be misinterpreted as ADHD like thyroid issues or seizures.
Making a diagnosis
It can be liberating and eye-opening to be given the diagnosis of ADHD, but it can also be a source of anxiety. Adults who have struggled with the symptoms of ADHD for years may decide to seek a professional opinion, prompted by frustrations at work or in their relationships or after being informed by family or friends that they might have ADHD. It is important to keep in mind that it takes time for a health professional to arrive at an ADHD diagnosis and the process requires more than just interviews or tests.
The first step is to identify whether your ADHD symptoms are in line with the criteria for the disorder: Many of them occur prior to the age of 12 years old. They can be found in multiple settings, for instance, at home, school and at work. And they interfere with everyday functioning.
Your doctor may have to conduct additional tests to determine a diagnosis. This is because the symptoms of ADHD can also be caused by mood disorders such as anxiety, bipolar disorder, and other physical conditions or illnesses. This may include clinical interviews, rating-scales for symptoms, or psychological tests to test thinking capabilities as well as problem solving abilities and memory.
It is essential that you are completely honest with your mental health professional. This could mean that you discuss how your mood has been affected by your difficulties in various aspects of your life. In addition, the mental health professional doing your assessment may ask you to talk to your spouse, or close family and friends members to gain a complete picture of the struggles you've faced. They might even ask for permission to ask them to complete questionnaires about their experiences with you and compare them with your personal.
Symptoms
Adults suffering from ADHD might notice that their symptoms affect daily life, especially at school and at work. They may struggle to keep jobs or maintaining relationships. adhd diagnosis adult may also find it difficult to pay the bills due to their inattention and impulsivity, which makes it difficult for them to remember things, manage tasks or complete projects. The symptoms can be mild, moderate, or severe.
To diagnose ADHD, providers use standardized tools, such as checklists, questionnaires and 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 signs of an inattentive personality include trouble paying attention to things, focusing on details, and being easily distracted. Inattention is also manifested by a lack of focus and difficulty finishing tasks, as well being prone to getting distracted 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 also tend to forget things quickly and frequently struggle to organize their home, work or everyday activities. They might lose keys, phones or wallets often. They are often unable to wait for their turn at school, at work or play. They have a low tolerance for stress or frustration and are subject to frequent and intense mood fluctuations.
In adults, it's more common for people with ADHD to have co-occurring conditions like conduct disorders or oppositional defiant, anxiety or depression as well as tic disorders, Tourette syndrome, as well as substance abuse issues. Co-occurring disorders can make treatment more difficult and make it more difficult to determine the cause of ADHD.
Treatment
If you think you have ADHD the first step to get a diagnosis is to talk with your primary care physician. They may refer you to a specialist in mental health. The professionals will examine your symptoms and problems at school, work or at home to determine how they affect your life. They might conduct a structured interview or ask family members or close friends to assist. They will also review your family and medical background and conduct a physical exam.
Your doctor will also look at the duration of these symptoms and what effect they are having on your life. To be eligible for an diagnosis of ADHD symptoms, the person's symptoms must be present for at minimum six months and cannot be better explained by another disorder such as depression or anxiety. Additionally, they should affect daily activities such as getting to class, completing tasks on time or keeping an occupation.
In your assessment A mental health professional could employ standardized scales for behavior and ADHD symptoms checklists. They will also likely perform a cognitive test to assess your working memory, executive functioning, as well as your spatial and visual abilities. They will also test for other conditions which can cause similar symptoms, such as a seizure disorder or thyroid condition.
If your doctor determines that you have ADHD the doctor will explain the various medications available and will discuss treatment options. It is usually best to combine treatment with talk therapy (counseling). Therapy helps you learn to manage your symptoms and improve communication with your family members and colleagues. It can also help with issues that can arise in marriages and relationships due to the problems ADHD can cause.
Medication
ADHD symptoms in adults tend to be milder than in childhood. However they can cause problems both at work and at home. The disorder can lead to difficulties in getting or keeping an excellent job, issues with social interactions and relationships and academic failures, low self-esteem emotional anxiety, temper tantrums and disruptive behavior.
The medications can help treat the condition by increasing and balancing the levels of 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 medication used. 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 some antidepressants, such as bupropion. These drugs work more slowly than stimulants, and could be more suitable for people who are unable to take stimulants due to health issues or severe side effects.
Psychotherapy, also known as cognitive-behavioral treatment, could be helpful in treating comorbid disorders such as anxiety and depression related to ADHD. Research suggests that psychotherapy is an effective treatment for these conditions than relying on medications alone. Psychotherapy focuses on teaching strategies to manage the disorder and improving the performance at school, at work and with relationships. The goal is to improve the self-esteem of the individual, reduce problems with behavior, and improve performance and success. It is recommended that every psychotherapy program for adult ADHD patients contain a cognitive-behavioral component. Researchers have found that ADHD patients who received both psychotherapy and medication showed greater improvement than those who only took pills.
Counseling
For adults who aren't able to use medications therapy and counseling can offer significant relief. Individual therapy can address issues such as low self-esteem and feelings failure that are frequently associated with ADHD. It can also help improve relationships and improve communication by helping family members understand the condition and develop strategies for coping.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a method of teaching patients how to control their behavior and alter 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 help people develop strategies for impulse control, emotional regulation and relationship issues that may arise due to an impulsive behavior. These techniques can help you live an easier life, particularly at work.
Counseling can also help those with ADHD in applying for work accommodations that may be provided under the Americans with Disabilities Act, which can dramatically improve job performance and satisfaction. For professionals, this can require modifying the way in which their work is structured to allow them more flexibility to meet deadlines and complete tasks on time.
Choosing the right therapist is crucial to get the most benefit from treatment for adult ADHD. When interviewing potential therapists, it is essential to inquire about their approach and whether they have prior experience in treating ADHD in adults. It is important to check therapist credentials and insurance coverage. Some providers offer sliding scale fees or online therapy services to make treatment easier for those who can't pay for it.