ADHD Diagnosis For Adults
Adults are often unable to get an ADHD diagnosis because doctors use different clinical guidelines than they do for children and teenagers. The diagnosis requires a minimum of five symptoms that fall within the categories of inattention, hyperactivity and an impulsive nature.
Professionals who conduct an evaluation will ask questions about your education, childhood, work, and family history. They may also request to speak to your spouse or a friend.
What is ADHD?
Whether you keep losing your keys, have difficulty with school or work or struggle to stay focused in conversations, getting an ADHD diagnosis as an adult can be a great relief. You know you're normal, and you can manage it better, according to Mary V. Solanto Ph.D. a professor of psychology at the Hofstra-Northwell School of Medicine in Long Island, New York.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision of the American Psychiatric Association (DSM-5) offers guidelines for healthcare professionals to diagnose ADHD. 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 evaluation typically begins with a face-to-face interview with your healthcare provider who will discuss your symptoms and their impact on your life. It's helpful to bring report cards or other documents from your childhood to aid in getting an understanding of your experience with ADHD. Your doctor may also request to talk to your spouse or family member, a co-worker or close friend who knows you well. They may ask questions about your relationship and their observations of your behavior and how it affects them and also how your ADHD symptoms can be linked to other disorders like depression or anxiety.
You'll be asked questions about your lifestyle during the interview, such as how often you don't attend appointments or pay bills, or if you have difficulties managing your time. It is essential to be honest with your answers and take note of the impact these behaviors have on your daily life. If you're not sure about your symptoms, it's worth asking your healthcare provider to refer you to a different doctor or psychologist to conduct an evaluation. You can find self-tests and rating scales online, however they're not as reliable or reliable as an interview with a licensed professional. Certain tests could even result in an incorrect diagnosis, so it's best to speak with your doctor first.
Symptoms
Consult your primary healthcare provider if suspect you may have ADHD. They may refer you to a mental health professional like psychiatrist or psychologist, to conduct an evaluation. The American Psychiatric Association provides clinical guidelines for diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision (DSM-5). It's crucial to give your provider as much information as you can regarding your symptoms so that they can provide an accurate diagnosis.
The person who is evaluating you will inquire about your symptoms and how they affect your life. The person conducting the evaluation will also interview your children, spouse teachers, friends, coworkers and other people who know you well. Your evaluation may include neuropsychological, behavioral, or learning disability tests. These tests will give your provider additional information about how your ADHD symptoms affect you and help rule out other conditions that can cause 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 someone who is inattention-deficient include a lack of focus, omitting details or making erroneous mistakes. The person who evaluates the child will also determine how these symptoms affect work, school 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.
These symptoms typically manifest in the early years of childhood. However, they can also be present in later life. Some adults recognise their own ADHD symptoms after their children have been diagnosed or due to life changes such as a new job or marriage, or a move to their own home. In other cases the disorder is not diagnosed until the adult experiences major issues at work or with their relationships. This could mean being dismissed from a job and having financial problems, or being in trouble with the law.
Diagnosis
A screening is the first thing to do in the event that you suspect you might have ADHD. A qualified mental health professional interviews you and examines your symptoms, medical history and family history. The interview may also include questions regarding work and school performance as well as how your symptoms impact your life at home and in relationships. You might want to bring copies of your reports, teacher's comments and any other documents relevant.
The psychiatric specialist uses the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5) to determine the diagnosis. To qualify for a diagnosis of ADHD symptoms, they have to be present for at least six months and interfere with functioning or development in more than one environment for example, at school or at home. In addition, the symptoms cannot be explained better by a mental disorder that is not related to ADHD, such as a mood disorder or anxiety disorder.
Many people with ADHD are still struggling into adulthood. The symptoms of ADHD can impact work and school. They can also lead to poor health or financial problems and stress relationships. Diagnosed and treated, you can enjoy your quality of life.
Certain symptoms of ADHD alter with age, for example attention deficit symptoms can become more noticeable as you get older and hyperactivity and impulsivity may diminish as you age. Other factors can contribute to the difficulties. For example sleep apnea, also known as obstructive, is more prevalent in adults with ADHD. Poor sleeping habits can also worsen ADHD symptoms.
People suffering from ADHD often suffer from co-occurring illnesses, such as anxiety, depression bipolar disorder, anxiety and learning disabilities. Sometimes, treating the root disorder can alleviate ADHD symptoms. It is crucial to inform your mental health professional that you suffer from any other condition. This could affect the effectiveness of treatment.
It is important that you speak to your primary physician who can refer to an experienced health professional who is trained in ADHD assessments for adults. Ask if there is a support groups for adults suffering from ADHD in your locality. They can offer assistance and a list specialists by specialization. You can also contact your insurance company to find out about health care providers who are covered by your policy.
Treatment
The most effective approach to diagnose adult ADHD is a thorough evaluation by a health care professional. The evaluation should include questions about your childhood, questions about your current life, and a check for ADHD symptoms. You might be asked whether your ADHD symptoms have caused issues at school, at work or with your relationships.
diagnosed with adhd and medication are two of the many treatment options that are available to adults suffering from ADHD. Counseling includes psychotherapy (also called talk therapy) and cognitive behavioral therapy. These types of therapy aid you in learning to manage your symptoms and transform negative patterns of thinking to positive ones. They can also be helpful in dealing with other mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety, that frequently occur in conjunction with ADHD.
Adults who suffer from ADHD usually involves psychostimulants such as the methylphenidate (Ritalin) and dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine). These drugs alter the way that certain chemicals in your brain communicate and regulate behavior. Your doctor will recommend a medication that is appropriate for your body and symptoms, and alters the dosage and frequency when required. Nonstimulants can also be used to treat adults suffering from ADHD. They do not affect the same brain pathways in the same way that psychostimulants do. Examples of nonstimulant medications are atomoxetine and guanfacine.
Coaching or mentoring can be used to teach adults with ADHD strategies and coping strategies. For example, you might learn how to use a planner or keep journals or shown strategies for improving your time management. You could also benefit from altering your lifestyle to accommodate your ADHD symptoms, such as working from home rather than at a office and using apps on your phone to keep track of tasks, or scheduling appointments at times that are less crowded. You might also want to inquire about participating in a clinical study which is a research project designed to test new methods to treat illnesses and conditions. (NIMH has information about clinical trials.)
Sometimes your family doctor will recommend you to a mental health specialist or another medical professional to conduct an evaluation of your ADHD. You may also ask your family member or a friend for suggestions, or join a local support group for people with ADHD.
