Getting an ADHD Diagnosis in Adults
Many people seek a diagnosis when they realize that ADHD is causing them difficulties at work or in their relationships. NIMH suggests that people seeking diagnosis talk to their primary care physician or mental health professional.
They will request a detailed medical history and take tests such as symptom-rating scales and psychological tests. They may also get physical examinations to rule out medical issues that could look like ADHD or thyroid problems or seizures.
Diagnosis
It can be empowering and eye-opening to receive an diagnosis of ADHD however, it can also be a source of anxiety. Adults who have been struggling with the symptoms of ADHD for years may decide to seek a professional opinion, prompted by frustrations at work or in relationships or after being told by friends or family that they may have ADHD. It is crucial to keep in mind that a health professional can take several months to diagnose ADHD, and that the process is more than just completing standardized tests or conducting clinical interviews.
The first step is to determine whether your ADHD symptoms are in line with the criteria for the disorder: Several of them are present before age 12 years old. They can be found in two or more settings--for example, home, school and at work. They can affect the daily functioning of a person.
Your healthcare provider may need to conduct additional tests in order to make an accurate diagnosis. This is because the symptoms of ADHD can also be caused by mood disorders like anxiety, bipolar disorder, and other physical conditions or illnesses. This might include clinical interviews as well as rating scales to assess symptoms, and psychological tests to evaluate your thinking abilities, problem-solving skills, and memory.
It's crucial to be open with your health professional. And that might mean talking about how the struggles that you're facing in various aspects of your life affect your mood. Additionally, the mental health professional doing your assessment may ask you to talk to your spouse, or close friends and family members to get a fuller picture of the struggles you've faced. They may even request permission to have family members fill out questionnaires to compare their experiences with yours.
Symptoms
Adults suffering from ADHD may find that their symptoms affect the way they live their lives, particularly at school and at work. They might have difficulties finding work, staying in relationships or being able to make ends meet due to the inattention and impulsivity which make it difficult to follow instructions and remember things, manage tasks or complete projects. The symptoms may be mild or moderate. They can also be severe.
To diagnose ADHD doctors use standardized tools called checklists as well as questionnaires and questions for interviews. 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 difficulty paying attention to small details, waking up and appearing easily distracted. Inability to finish tasks and follow-through and a tendency lose the track of time or become 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 quickly and frequently struggle to organize their home, work or routine activities. They might lose keys, phones or wallets often. They may have trouble waiting for their turn at school, at work, or when playing. They have a low tolerance for stress or frustration and are subject to frequent and intense mood fluctuations.
Adults with ADHD are more likely to have co-existing conditions like conduct or oppositional defiant disorders, anxiety, depression as well as tic disorders. Tourette syndrome, and substance abuse issues. The presence of co-occurring disorders can make it difficult to treat and make it more difficult to diagnose ADHD.
Treatment
Talking to your primary care provider is the first step in receiving a diagnosis if you suspect you have ADHD. They will likely recommend you to a mental health professional. The professionals will examine your symptoms and concerns at school, work or at home to assess how they affect your life. They may use an organized interview or ask family members or close friends to assist. They will also go over the medical and family history of your family, and perform a physical examination.
Your doctor will also take a look at how long you've experienced these symptoms, and the impact they affect your life today. To be eligible for a diagnosis of ADHD, a person's symptoms must be present for at minimum six months and cannot be better explained by another disorder, such as depression or anxiety. In addition, they must interfere with daily activities, such as getting to class, finishing tasks on time or keeping an occupation.
During your evaluation the mental health professional may also use standardized behavior rating scales and ADHD symptom checklists. They will also likely give you an assessment of your cognitive abilities to test your executive functioning, as well as your visual and spatial abilities. They will also check for other conditions which can cause similar symptoms like a seizure disorder or thyroid condition.
If your mental health provider determines that you have ADHD the doctor will explain what medications are available and will discuss the treatment options. Often the combination of medication and talk therapy (counseling) is the best option. how to diagnosis adhd can assist you in managing your symptoms, and improve communication between your family members and colleagues. It can also help with problems that may develop in relationships and marriages due to the problems ADHD can create.
Medication
The signs of ADHD in adults are usually much milder than they were in childhood, but they can still cause problems at home and work. The disorder can result in difficulties in getting or keeping a good job, problems with social relationships and interactions, self-esteem issues, academic lapses, emotional stress, temper tantrums and an attitude that is antisocial.
The medication can aid in the disorder by boosting and balancing the levels of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters, which control the flow of information in the brain. The stimulants, which are typically prescribed for ADHD in adults are the most commonly prescribed medication used. Jornay, Xelstrym, Cotempla and Adhansia are all examples of stimulants. Adults can also be treated using the non-stimulant atomoxetine and antidepressants like bupropion. These drugs work more slowly than stimulants, and could be more suitable for people who aren't able to take stimulant medications because of health problems or serious adverse reactions.
Psychotherapy, also referred to as cognitive-behavioral treatment, may help in the treatment of comorbid disorders such as depression and anxiety that are 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 performance at school, at work and in relationships. The goal is to increase confidence in oneself, reduce problematic behavior and improve their performance and success. It is recommended that each psychotherapy method for adults ADHD patients include a cognitive behavior component. Researchers have found that ADHD patients who received both psychotherapy and medication showed greater improvement than those who were only taking pills.
Counseling
For adults who do not wish to use medications therapy and counseling can be a great source of relief. Individual therapy can help with issues such as low self-esteem, and feelings of failure that are often associated with ADHD. It can also improve communication and strengthen relationships by helping patients and loved ones understand the disorder and learn coping strategies.
Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on teaching patients to change their negative thoughts and control 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 for dealing with emotional regulation, impulse control, and relationship problems that may arise from impulsive behavior. These techniques can assist you in living more productively particularly at work.
Counseling can help those with ADHD to apply for accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act. This can improve their job performance and overall satisfaction. This may include changing the structure of their work to give them more flexibility in meeting deadlines and completing tasks in time.
Finding the right therapist essential to get the most benefit from treatment for adult ADHD. The therapist's approach and whether they have treated ADHD in adults is crucial when interviewing potential therapists. It is also a good idea to check therapist credentials and insurance coverage. Some providers provide sliding scale fees or online therapy services to make treatment more accessible to those who are unable to afford it.