ADHD Diagnosis For Adults
Many adults struggle to receive an ADHD diagnosis, since doctors follow an entirely different set of clinical guidelines for the disorder than for adolescents and children. The diagnosis requires a minimum of five symptoms in the categories of hyperactivity, inattention and an impulsive nature.
Professionals doing an evaluation will ask you questions about your childhood, your work and academic life, alcohol and drug use and the family history. They may also request to speak with your spouse or a close friend.
What is ADHD?
It's not always a good thing to receive an ADHD diagnosis in adulthood regardless of whether you're constantly losing keys, have difficulty in school or work, or have trouble staying focused in conversations. "You aren't insane, and that puts you in a better position to deal with it," says pediatrician Mary V. Solanto, Ph.D. is professor of psychology and psychiatry at Hofstra-Northwell School of Medicine on Long Island, New York.
The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition Text Revision (DSM-5) provides the guidelines that doctors and specialists use to make an ADHD diagnosis. Adults need to meet a lower threshold of symptoms than children -- 5 out of 9 over the past 6 months -- to be diagnosed with either inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive ADHD, or a combination.
An ADHD assessment usually begins with a face-to-face interview with your doctor who will go over your symptoms and the impact they have on your daily life. Bring any reports from your childhood to help the provider determine the cause of your ADHD. Your doctor might ask you to talk to a partner, spouse, family member, or a coworker who knows you well. They might inquire about your relationship, how they observe your behavior, and how it affects your life. They might also inquire what ADHD symptoms are interacted with other conditions, such as anxiety or depression.
The interview will likely include questions about your lifestyle like how often you forget to pay your bills or make appointments, and if you have trouble managing your time or organizational skills. It's important to be honest with your answers and to think about how these behaviors affect your daily life. Request your healthcare professional for a referral to another doctor or therapist if you are unsure about the symptoms. Self-tests are available as well as rating scales on the internet, but they aren't as reliable or reliable as an interview with a qualified provider. Some of these tests might even lead to a wrong diagnosis, so you should always consult with your doctor before using them.
Symptoms
If you suspect that you suffer from ADHD Begin by talking to your primary healthcare provider. They may recommend you to a mental healthcare professional for evaluation, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist. The American Psychiatric Association provides clinical guidelines for diagnosing disorders in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition Text Revision (DSM-5). It is essential to provide your doctor as much detail as you can regarding your symptoms so that they can make an accurate diagnosis.
The person who is evaluating you will inquire about your symptoms and how they affect your life. They will also talk to your spouse, children teachers, friends, coworkers and other people who know you well. Your evaluation may include tests for behavioral disorders, or neuropsychological disorders. These tests may provide your physician with additional information about your ADHD symptoms and help to rule out other conditions causing similar symptoms.
In addition to evaluating your current symptoms, the professional will determine whether you have predominantly inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive or combined type ADHD. To receive a diagnosis, you must show that you have at least six of the nine symptoms for either the inattentive or hyperactive-impulsive presentation.
The signs of a person who is mostly inattention include a lack of focus not paying attention to details, or making careless errors. The person evaluating the child will also be able to determine how these signs affect the school, work and personal life. The impulsive/hyperactive/impulsive symptoms of ADHD include fidgeting, difficulty sitting still or squirming in the chair, excessive talking and interrupting others, frequent blurting out answers before questions are finished and difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly.
Typically, these symptoms show up in the early years of childhood. They can also occur in later life. Adults may recognize their own ADHD symptoms after their children are diagnosed or after a change in their life such as getting married, a job or moving into a new home. In other cases the condition is not recognized until an adult is confronted with significant problems at work or in their relationships. This could include being dismissed from a job and having financial problems, or being in trouble with the law.
Diagnosis
If you suspect you may have ADHD An assessment is the first step towards finding a treatment. A licensed mental health professional will meet with you and examine your symptoms as well as your medical history and family history. Interview questions may also be asked about your work and school performance, and how symptoms affect you at home as well as with relationships. You might wish to bring copies of report cards, teacher notes and any other documentation that might be relevant.
The psychiatric practitioner uses the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5), to make the diagnosis. The symptoms of ADHD should be present for at least six months, and they must interfere with development or functioning in more than one environment, such as school or home. The symptoms of ADHD must not be explained by any other mental disorder such as mood disorders or anxiety.
Many people with ADHD have problems well into adulthood. The symptoms of ADHD can impact work and school. They can also cause poor health or financial issues, and strain relationships. Getting diagnosed and treated can improve the quality of your life.
Some signs of ADHD change as you age, for instance the symptoms of inattention may be more apparent as you get older and hyperactivity and impulsivity may diminish as you age. Some other factors can cause problems such as obstructive sleep apnea is more common in adults with ADHD and poor sleeping habits can exacerbate ADHD symptoms.
Many people who suffer from ADHD have co-occurring conditions like anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, and learning disabilities. Sometimes, treating the underlying disorder can eliminate ADHD symptoms. If you suffer from other conditions, it is important to inform your mental health professional because this could have a significant effect on the effectiveness of your treatment.
It is crucial to speak with your primary care physician, who can refer you to a health professional who is certified in ADHD assessments for adults. Find out if there are support groups for adults who have ADHD in your locality. They may have assistance and a list specialists with specialization. You can also contact your insurance company to inquire about health care providers who are covered by your policy.
Treatment
A thorough assessment by a healthcare professional is the best way to diagnose adult ADHD. The evaluation should include questions about your childhood, your current life and the screening for ADHD symptoms. You might be asked whether your ADHD symptoms have caused problems at school, at work or with your relationships.
There are a variety of treatments available for adults with ADHD that include counseling and medications. Psychotherapy can be a part of counseling, also known as talk therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy. These types of therapy help you learn skills to manage your symptoms and transform negative patterns of thinking to positive ones. They can also be helpful in dealing with other mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, which often co-exist with ADHD.
Psychostimulants like dextroamphetamine or methylphenidate are commonly utilized to treat adults with ADHD. These medications affect how certain brain chemicals communicate to regulate behavior. Your doctor will choose a medication that is appropriate for your body and symptoms, and alters the dosage and frequency as needed. Nonstimulants are also available which do not have the same brain pathways as psychostimulants and can be beneficial for adults suffering from ADHD. Nonstimulant medicines include atomoxetine Guanfacine and the guanfacine.
Other treatment options for adults suffering from ADHD can include mentoring or coaching to help you learn strategies and coping skills. For instance, you may be taught how to keep a planner in place or journals or shown strategies for improving your time management. You could also alter your living situation in order to accommodate your ADHD symptoms. For example, you could work at your home instead of in an office, or use apps on your smartphone to monitor your activities or schedule appointments for less busy times. adult adhd diagnosis may also want to inquire about joining clinical studies which is a research project designed to explore new methods to treat diseases and conditions. (NIMH offers information on clinical trials.
You could be referred to an expert in mental health or another health care specialist by your family doctor to assess your ADHD. You can ask a family member or family member for recommendations, or contact an local ADHD support group.