Getting an ADHD Diagnosis in Adults
Many people seek out a diagnosis when they realize that ADHD causes them to have problems at work or in their relationships. NIMH suggests that those seeking diagnoses speak with their primary care physician or mental health professional.
They will take a thorough background and complete tests like symptom rating scales or psychological tests. They could also undergo an examination to rule out medical issues that may be a sign of ADHD like seizures or thyroid issues.
Diagnosis
It can be liberating and enlightening to receive an 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, motivated by their frustrations at work or in relationships, or because they've been informed by family members or friends that they may be suffering from ADHD. It is important to remember that a doctor can take a long time to determine ADHD, and that the process requires more than just completing standardized tests or conducting interviews with a clinical psychologist.
The first step is to determine whether your ADHD symptoms meet criteria for the disorder: Several of them occur before the age of 12. They are seen in multiple settings, for example, school, home and at work. They interfere with daily functioning.
Since symptoms of ADHD can be triggered by mood disorders such as anxiety or bipolar, and other physical conditions and illnesses, your doctor might recommend additional tests before making an official diagnosis. This may include clinical interviews, rating-scales for symptoms, or psychological tests to evaluate thinking abilities and problem-solving skills and memory.
It is essential to be honest with your mental health professional, and this might involve talking about how the struggles that you're facing in various aspects of your life have affected your mood. The professional who is evaluating your mental health you might also request to speak with your spouse, close family members and friends to gain more insight into your struggles. They might also request permission to have family members fill out questionnaires comparing their experiences with yours.
Symptoms
Adults suffering from ADHD frequently find that their symptoms interfere with daily life activities, particularly at work and in school. They may have trouble keeping their jobs or maintaining relationships. They may also find it difficult to make ends meet due to their inattention and impulsivity, which makes it difficult to remember things, manage tasks or complete tasks. The symptoms could be mild, moderate, or severe.
To determine ADHD doctors use standardized tools such as checklists or questionnaires, as well as interview questions. They also look into the family and medical history of the person and take into account 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 difficulty paying attention things, focusing on details, and being to be easily distracted. Inattentiveness is also associated with difficulty in following and finishing tasks, as well as a tendency to get 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 tend to forget things easily and have trouble organizing their daily activities, work or home. They might lose their phones, keys or wallets a lot. They have trouble waiting for their turn at school, work or at play. They have a low tolerance for stress or anger and experience frequent and intense mood swings.
In adults, it's more common for those with ADHD to have co-existing conditions, such as conduct disorders or oppositional defiant depression or anxiety, tic disorders or Tourette syndrome and other substance abuse problems. The presence of co-occurring disorders can make it difficult to treat and may make it harder to diagnose ADHD.
Treatment
Talking to your primary care physician is the first step towards being diagnosed if you suspect you have ADHD. He or she may refer you to an expert in mental health. They will look over your symptoms and issues at work, school or at home to assess how they affect your life. They will use an organized interview and may ask for the help of family members or friends who know you well. They will also review your medical history and family history and conduct a physical exam.
Your doctor will also look at how long you've had these symptoms and what effect they have on your daily life. In order to receive a diagnosis of ADHD, a person's symptoms must be present for at least six months and can't be explained by a different disorder such as depression or anxiety. They must also interfere with daily tasks such as attending school, completing assignments on time, or sustaining an occupation.
During your evaluation the mental health professional might also employ standardized scales for behavior and ADHD symptoms checklists. You will also be given an assessment of your cognitive abilities which will test your working memory and executive functioning and also your visual and spatial capabilities. They will also test for other conditions that could cause similar symptoms, for example a thyroid problem or seizure disorder.
If your mental health professional determines that you have ADHD and they'll discuss the medications available and treatment options. Most often the combination of medication and talk therapy (counseling) is best. adult diagnosis adhd can help you 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 due to the problems ADHD can create at work and home.
Medication
ADHD symptoms in adults tend to be less severe than those in childhood. However, they can still cause issues at home and at work. The disorder can cause problems in obtaining or maintaining a good job, problems with social relationships and interactions and self-esteem issues, academic failures, emotional anxiety, temper tantrums and disruptive behavior.
Medication can help treat the disorder by increasing and balancing levels of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. They regulate the flow of information within the brain. Stimulants are the most commonly prescribed medications for ADHD in adults. Jornay, Xelstrym, Cotempla and Adhansia are just a few examples of stimulants. The nonstimulant atomoxetine and certain antidepressants like bupropion, also are used to treat ADHD in adults. These drugs work slower than stimulants, and may be better for people who cannot take stimulant medication due to health problems or severe side-effects.
Psychotherapy (also known as cognitive-behavioral therapy) could be beneficial in treating disorders that are comorbid to ADHD like depression and anxiety. Psychotherapy could be a better treatment than medication alone for these conditions according to research. Psychotherapy focuses on teaching skills to manage the disorder and improve functioning at school, work and in relationships. The aim is to boost the self-esteem of the individual, reduce problematic behavior and improve their functioning and success. It is recommended that all psychotherapy methods for adults ADHD sufferers include a cognitive element. In one study, researchers discovered that ADHD patients who received psychotherapy and medication reported a higher level of improvement than those who just took the pills.
Counseling
Adults who don't want to take medication can get relief from therapy and counseling. Individual therapy can help with issues such as low self-esteem and feelings failure that are often associated with ADHD. adult diagnosis adhd can also help improve relationships and communication by assisting patients and their loved ones to comprehend the disorder and learn strategies for dealing with it.
Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses primarily on teaching patients to overcome 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 concentrate on developing organizational and time-management skills, or teach coping mechanisms to deal with emotional regulation, impulse control, and relationship problems that may arise from an impulsive behavior. These techniques can aid you in living more productively especially at work.
Counseling can also help those with ADHD when applying for work accommodations that may be offered under the Americans with Disabilities Act, which can greatly increase job satisfaction and performance. This could include altering the structure of their work to allow them to be more flexible in meeting deadlines and finishing tasks within the timeframes they have set.
Choosing the right therapist is crucial to get the most value from treatment for adults with ADHD. When interviewing potential therapists, it is important to ask about their methods and if they have experience treating ADHD in adults. It is also a good idea to check therapist credentials and insurance coverage. Some therapists have an affordable sliding scale fee or provide therapy online that make therapy accessible to people who cannot afford to pay out from their pockets.