Getting an ADHD Diagnosis in Adults
Many people seek out a diagnosis after realizing they are having issues in their relationships or at work because of ADHD. NIMH suggests that people seeking a diagnosis talk with their primary care provider or a mental health professional.
They will take a detailed background and complete tests like symptom-rating scales or psychological tests. They might also undergo physical examinations to rule out medical issues that could be similar to ADHD like seizures or thyroid issues.
Making a diagnosis
Being diagnosed with ADHD can be revealing and liberating, however it can also be stressful. Adults who have struggled with the symptoms of ADHD for years may decide to seek out a medical opinion, prompted by frustrations at work or in their relationships or after being informed by family members or friends that they might have ADHD. It is crucial to keep in mind that a health professional can take several months to determine ADHD and the process is more than just completing standardized tests or conducting interviews with a clinical psychologist.
The first step in the process is to determine whether your ADHD symptoms are in line with the requirements for the disorder: Several of them occur before the age of 12. They are seen in multiple settings, for instance, at home, school, and work. And 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 want to conduct additional tests before making an official diagnosis. This could include interviews with a clinical psychologist and rating-scales for symptoms or psychological tests to evaluate thinking abilities, problem solving skills, and memory.
It's important that you are completely honest with the mental health professional. This could mean discussing how your mood has been affected by your issues in various aspects of your life. Additionally the mental health professional doing your evaluation may request that you speak with your spouse or close friends and family members to get a fuller picture of the struggles you've faced. They might also ask for permission to ask them to complete questionnaires on their experiences with you and compare them with your own.
Signs and symptoms
Adults suffering from ADHD often notice that their issues interfere with daily life activities, particularly at school and work. They may have difficulty 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. It could also be severe.
To diagnose ADHD, doctors use common tools like checklists, interview questions, and questionnaires. They also take into account 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.
Inattentive symptoms include difficulties paying attention to even the smallest details, daydreaming, and appearing easily distracted. Inability to finish tasks and follow-through and a tendency to lose track of time or get 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 are also prone to forgetting things quickly and frequently have trouble organizing their home, work or daily activities. They may lose their phones, keys or wallets frequently. They struggle to wait for their turn at school, work or playing. They can be easily annoyed or stressed, and experience frequent mood shifts.
In adulthood, it's more typical for people with ADHD to have co-occurring conditions, such as conduct disorders, oppositional defiant disorder, anxiety or depression, tic disorders or Tourette syndrome and substance abuse issues. Co-occurring disorders can make treatment more difficult, and make it harder to identify ADHD.
Treatment
If you think you might have ADHD, the first step in getting an accurate diagnosis is to speak with your primary healthcare provider. They can refer you to an expert in mental health. They will look over your symptoms and concerns at school, work or at home to determine how they affect your daily life. They may use an organized interview or ask family members or close friends to help. 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 what effect they affect your life today. In order to be granted an diagnosis of ADHD symptoms, the person's symptoms must be present for at least six months and can't be better explained by another disorder, such as depression or anxiety. Additionally, they should interfere with everyday activities like attending classes, completing tasks on time, or keeping a job.
During your evaluation, your mental health professional may also employ standardized behavior rating scales and ADHD symptoms checklists. adult adhd diagnosis uk will also likely perform an assessment of your cognitive abilities to test your executive functioning, and spatial and visual abilities. They may also test for other conditions that could cause similar symptoms like a seizure disorder or thyroid condition.
If your mental health provider determines that you suffer from ADHD the doctor will explain the various medications available and discuss possible treatment options. In most cases it is a combination of medications and talk therapy (counseling) is the best. Therapy can aid in managing your symptoms, and improve communication between family members and colleagues. Therapy can also aid in resolving issues that can arise in marriages and relationships due to the problems ADHD can cause.
adhd adult diagnosis in adults tend to be milder than in childhood. However, they can still cause problems both at work and at home. The disorder can lead to difficulties in obtaining or keeping a job, trouble with relationships and social interactions and academic failures, low self-esteem and emotional distress, temper flares and possibly antisocial behavior.
The medications can help treat the condition by increasing and balancing the levels of neurotransmitters, brain chemicals, which control the flow of information through the brain. The stimulants, which are typically prescribed for ADHD in adults are the most frequently prescribed drugs. Jornay, Xelstrym, Cotempla and Adhansia are all examples of stimulants. The non-stimulant atomoxetine as well as certain antidepressants like bupropion, also are used to treat ADHD in adults. These medications work slower than stimulants and are more suitable for people who aren't able to take stimulant medications because of health problems or severe adverse effects.
Psychotherapy, also referred to as cognitive-behavioral treatment, could help in the treatment of conditions that can be comorbid like anxiety and depression that are associated with ADHD. Research suggests that psychotherapy can be an effective treatment for these conditions than using medication alone. Psychotherapy focuses on teaching the skills to manage the disorder and improve your performance at work, school and in relationships. The goal is to increase confidence in oneself, reduce problematic behavior and increase functioning and success. It is recommended that each psychotherapy program for adults ADHD patients include a cognitive behavior component. In one study, researchers found that ADHD patients who received both psychotherapy and medication reported a higher level of improvement than those who simply took the pills.
Counseling
For adults who don't want to use medications Therapy and counseling could be a great source of relief. Individual therapy can help with issues like low self-esteem, feeling of failure, and frequent job changes that often accompany ADHD. It can also help improve relationships and communication by assisting patients and their families to comprehend the disorder and learn strategies for dealing with it.
Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses primarily on teaching patients how to overcome 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 teach coping strategies to control impulses as well as emotional regulation and relationship issues that result from an impulsive behavior. These strategies can aid you in living a more productive life especially at work.
Counseling can assist people with ADHD seek accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act. This can help improve their work performance and overall satisfaction. This may include changing the structure of their jobs to allow them more flexibility in meeting deadlines and finishing tasks on time.
It is crucial to select the appropriate therapist for adults ADHD treatment. The therapist's approach and if they have been able to treat ADHD in adults is crucial when interviewing potential therapists. It is also a good idea to verify the credentials of the therapist as well as insurance coverage. Some providers offer sliding scale fees or online therapy services to make therapy easier for those who are unable to pay for it.