Getting an ADHD Diagnosis in Adults
Many people seek out a diagnosis after realizing they are struggling in their relationships or at work because of ADHD. NIMH suggests that people seeking a diagnosis talk with their primary healthcare provider or a mental health professional.
They will take a detailed background and complete tests like symptom rating scales or psychological tests. They can also undergo a physical exam to rule out other medical ailments that might be mistaken for ADHD or thyroid issues, for example or seizures.
Finding a Diagnostic
Getting a diagnosis for ADHD can be revealing and liberating, but it can also be stressful. Adults who have been struggling with the symptoms of ADHD for a long time may decide to seek out a medical opinion, motivated by their frustrations at workplace or in their relationships or after being informed by family or friends that they may be suffering from ADHD. It's important to remember that it takes time for a health professional to make an ADHD diagnosis, and the process involves more than just clinical interviews or tests.
The first step is to determine whether your ADHD symptoms match the requirements for the disorder: Many of them are present before age 12 years old. They occur in a variety of settings, for example, home, school, and work. They can affect the daily functioning of a person.
Since symptoms of ADHD can be triggered by mood disorders, like bipolar or anxiety and other physical ailments and illnesses, your doctor may want to do additional tests prior to making an official diagnosis. This could include clinical interviews and rating scales for symptoms, as well as psychological tests to assess your thinking abilities as well as your problem-solving abilities and memory.
It's important that you are 100% honest with the mental health professional. This could mean that you discuss how your mood has been affected by your issues in various aspects of your life. In addition the mental health professional conducting your assessment may ask you to speak with your spouse or close family and friends members to get a fuller picture of how you've struggled. They might even ask for permission to have them complete questionnaires on their experiences with you and compare them with your personal.
Signs and symptoms
Adults with ADHD may find that their symptoms affect everyday life, particularly at school and at work. They may have trouble keeping their jobs or maintaining relationships. They may also struggle to pay the bills due to their inattention and impulsivity. This makes it difficult for them remember things, plan tasks, or complete tasks. The symptoms may be mild, moderate or severe.
To diagnose ADHD, doctors use common tools like 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 difficulty paying attention things, focusing on details, and being easily distracted. Trouble following and finishing tasks and a tendency lose the track of time or get distracted are also signs of inattention.
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, work or home. They may lose their phones, keys or wallets frequently. They have trouble waiting for their turn at school, at work or at play. They are easily frustrated or stressed and have frequent mood swings.
Adults with ADHD are more likely to suffer from co-occurring conditions like conduct or oppositional defiant disorders anxiety, depression and tic disorders Tourette syndrome, and substance abuse issues. The presence of co-occurring disorders can make it difficult to treat and may make it harder to diagnose ADHD.
Treatment
If you think you might have ADHD the first step to get an accurate diagnosis is to speak with your primary care physician. They may refer you to an expert in mental health. They will look over your symptoms and issues at school, work or at home to assess how they impact your daily life. They will use an organized interview, and they might seek the assistance of family members or close friends who know you well. They will also review the medical and family history of your family and will conduct a physical examination.
Your doctor will also consider the length of time you've been experiencing these symptoms, and the impact they have on your daily life. In order to receive an diagnosis of ADHD, a person's symptoms must be present for at least six months and can't be explained better by another disorder like anxiety or depression. Additionally, they must affect daily activities, such as getting to class, finishing tasks on time, or keeping an occupation.
When you are evaluated the mental health professional could use standardized behavior ratings scales and ADHD symptoms checklists. They may also perform an assessment of your cognitive abilities to test your executive functioning, as well as your visual and spatial abilities. They will also test for other conditions that can cause similar symptoms such as seizures or thyroid condition.
If your mental health provider finds that you have ADHD, they will discuss the medications available and treatment options. It is usually best to combine therapy with medication (counseling). Therapy can help you manage your symptoms and improve communication with family members and co-workers. Therapy can also aid in resolving issues that could be a problem in relationships and marriages because of the issues ADHD can create.
Medication
ADHD symptoms in adults are typically more mild than in childhood. However they can still cause issues both at work and at home. The disorder can result in problems in obtaining or maintaining an excellent job, issues with relationships and social interaction as well as self-esteem issues, academic lapses emotional anxiety, temper tantrums and antisocial behavior.
adhd diagnosis in adult with medication can help treat the disorder by balancing and increasing the levels of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. They regulate the flow of information within the brain. The stimulants, which are typically prescribed for ADHD in adults, are the most common drugs. 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 oral disintegrating tablet). Adults can also be treated using the non-stimulant atomoxetine and certain antidepressants such as bupropion. These medications are slower to work than stimulants and could be better for people who are not able to take stimulants due to health issues or severe side effects.
Psychotherapy (also called cognitive-behavioral therapy) can be effective in treating disorders that are comorbid with ADHD, such as depression and anxiety. Research suggests that psychotherapy is an effective treatment for these conditions than using medication in isolation. Psychotherapy focuses primarily on teaching skills for managing the disorder and improving performance at school, work and with relationships. The aim is to increase the person's self esteem and reduce problematic behavior, as well as increase their functioning and performance. It is recommended that every psychotherapy program for adults ADHD patients include a cognitive behavior component. Researchers found that ADHD patients who received both psychotherapy and medication showed greater improvement than those who were only taking pills.
adhd in adults undiagnosed
For adults who don't want to take medication, therapy and counseling may offer significant relief. Individual talk therapy can address issues such as low self-esteem and feeling of failure, and frequent job changes that typically accompany ADHD. It can also help improve relationships and communication by assisting patients and their families to comprehend the condition and develop ways to cope.
Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on teaching patients 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 concentrate on developing time-management and organizational skills or teach coping strategies to manage emotional regulation, impulse control and relationship issues caused by the impulsive behavior. These strategies can assist you in living a more productive life particularly at work.
Counseling can also help those with ADHD in requesting workplace accommodations that could be available under the Americans with Disabilities Act, which can significantly enhance job performance and satisfaction. For professionals, this may mean changing the way their work is organized so that they have more flexibility to meet deadlines and finish tasks on time.
It is crucial to select the best therapist for adult ADHD treatment. When interviewing potential therapists it is important to ask about their treatment approach and if they have experience treating ADHD in adults. Checking the credentials of therapists as well as insurance coverage is also an excellent idea. Some therapists have a sliding scale fee or offer online therapy services that make therapy accessible to those who are unable to pay out from their pockets.