ADHD Diagnosis For Adults
Adults are often unable to get an ADHD diagnosis because doctors follow different guidelines for clinical diagnosis than they do for teenagers and children. The diagnosis must include at least five signs from the categories of hyperactivity, inattention, and an impulsiveness.
Professionals conducting an assessment will ask you questions about your childhood, education as well as your work and family history. They may also discuss your relationship with your spouse or family members.
What is ADHD?
It's not always a good thing to receive an ADHD diagnosis in your adulthood, whether you're constantly losing your keys, have trouble at school or work, or are having trouble staying focused in conversations. You know you're normal, and you can manage it better, according to Mary V. Solanto Ph.D. a professor of psychology at 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), provides guidelines for providers 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.
A face-toface meeting with your healthcare provider is usually the first step in an ADHD evaluation. They will discuss your symptoms and how they impact your life. It is beneficial to bring your report cards or other information from your childhood, as it will help the provider get more information about your experience with ADHD. Your doctor might ask you to talk to a family member, spouse, friend member or co-worker who knows you well. They might inquire about your relationship, the way they view your behavior, and how it affects you. They could also inquire how ADHD symptoms interact with other conditions, like depression or an anxiety disorder.
You'll be asked questions about your life during the interview, including how often you don't attend appointments or pay bills or if you experience issues with managing time. It is essential to be truthful in your answers and think about how these behaviors affect your daily life. If you're unsure about your symptoms, you should consider asking your healthcare provider to refer you to a different psychologist or doctor to conduct an evaluation. You can find self-tests and rating scales online, however they aren't as reliable or reliable as an interview with a licensed professional. Certain tests could even lead to a false diagnosis, so always consult your physician prior to using them.
Signs and symptoms
If you suspect that you may have ADHD begin by speaking to your primary healthcare provider. He or she may refer you to an expert in mental health, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist, for 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 is crucial to provide your doctor as much detail as you can about your symptoms, so they can make an accurate diagnosis.
The person doing the evaluation will examine your medical, psychological, and psychiatric background, including past issues, and ask about how the symptoms affect your life. They will also interview your children, spouse teachers, colleagues, and other people who know you well. Your evaluation could include testing for neuropsychological disorders or behavioral problems. These tests may provide your physician with additional details about your ADHD symptoms and can help rule out other conditions that 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 symptoms of the primarily inattentional type include trouble paying attention, ignoring details or making careless mistakes. The person evaluating the child will also determine how these signs 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.
Typically, these symptoms show up in childhood. They can also occur in adulthood. Some adults recognize their own ADHD symptoms after their children are diagnosed, or due to changes in their lives such as an employment change or marriage, or a move into their own home. In other instances the condition is not recognized until the adult experiences 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
A screening is the first step you should take when you suspect that you may have ADHD. A licensed mental health professional will meet with you and examine your symptoms along with your medical history and family history. The interview may also include questions about work and school performance, as well as how your symptoms impact your daily life at home and in your relationships. You may want to bring copies of your reports, teacher's comments as well as any other documentation relevant.
The psychiatric specialist will use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5) to assist determine the diagnosis. For a diagnosis of ADHD, the symptoms have to be present for at least six months and interfere with the development or functioning of multiple settings, such as at school or at home. In addition, the signs cannot be explained better by another mental disorder, such as an anxiety disorder or mood disorder.
Many people with ADHD are still struggling throughout their lives. Symptoms can impact the school and work environment, leading to poor health and financial issues and can cause stress in relationships. If you are diagnosed and treated, you can make a difference in your quality of life.
Some ADHD symptoms may change as you age. For instance, inattention may become more apparent as you age and the ability to control impulses and hyperactivity may decrease with age. Some other factors can contribute to the difficulties such as obstructive sleep apnea is more frequent in adults with ADHD and poor sleeping habits are known to worsen ADHD symptoms.
People suffering from ADHD often have co-occurring conditions, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and learning disabilities. Sometimes, treating the root condition can help eliminate the symptoms of ADHD. If you suffer from other issues, it is essential to tell your mental health professional because this could have a significant effect on the effectiveness of your treatment.
It is essential to consult your primary physician who can refer you to an expert in ADHD assessments for adults. It is also recommended to inquire if there are any support groups specifically for people with ADHD in your area. They may have assistance and a list professionals by specialty. You can also reach out to your insurance company to inquire about health care providers that are covered under your plan.
Treatment
A thorough evaluation by a health professional is the best method to diagnose adult ADHD. The evaluation should include questions about your childhood, as well as questions about your present life and a check for ADHD symptoms. You may be asked whether your ADHD symptoms have caused you to have problems at school, at work or in your relationships.
Counseling and medication are two of the many treatment options available for adults with ADHD. Psychotherapy can be a part of counseling, also called talk therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy. These treatments teach you how to manage your symptoms and how to change negative thinking patterns into positive ones. They can also be helpful in addressing other mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression, which frequently co-occur with ADHD.
Medication for adults with ADHD often involves psychostimulants, such as the methylphenidate (Ritalin) and dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine). These medicines affect how certain brain chemicals communicate to regulate behavior. Your doctor will select the right medication for you and your specific symptoms and will alter the dosage and frequency according to your needs. Nonstimulants can also be employed to treat people suffering from ADHD. They don't affect the same brain pathways in the same way that psychostimulants do. Nonstimulant drugs include atomoxetine Guanfacine, and guanfacine.
Coaching or mentoring may be used to teach adults with ADHD strategies and coping techniques. You may be taught how to make use of a diary or planner, or learn time management strategies. You can also benefit from changing your living situation to accommodate your ADHD symptoms, such as working from home instead of at a office or using apps on your smartphone to keep track of tasks, or scheduling appointments at times that aren't as busy. You might also inquire about joining a clinical study that is a research endeavor designed to test new methods to treat conditions and diseases. (NIMH provides information on clinical trials.)
You could be referred to an expert in mental health or another health professional by your family physician to assess your ADHD. More may also ask your family member or a friend for suggestions, or join a local support group for people with ADHD.