ADHD Diagnosis For Adults
Getting a proper diagnosis of ADHD can help you manage the symptoms that can cause trouble at home as well as in your professional life. Symptoms of ADHD can also lead to anxiety and depression.
A thorough assessment will include an extensive interview with you. It could also include screening questionnaires for other conditions that may look like ADHD or coexist with it, like depression or anxiety. Your healthcare provider may ask to interview a family member.
Diagnosis
If you suspect that you may have ADHD, it is important to get an evaluation by an authorized health care professional. why not look here could be a psychologist, psychiatrist, family doctor or nurse practitioner who specializes in mental health disorders. The assessment will include talking about your symptoms, the issues they cause, and how you've tried to deal with them. The healthcare provider will review your medical background, including any previous mental health problems and any other medications you're taking.
To make a diagnosis, the healthcare provider must be able to identify at least six characteristics (symptoms) of ADHD. They must be present in at minimum two environments (home, school, and social situations) and be significantly impairing your functioning. The symptoms should be present for at least six months and they must be constant over time. In addition, your healthcare provider must determine whether your symptoms are inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive or a combination of both.
Inattentive symptoms include trouble paying attention, ignoring details, and losing things. School problems are also common. People who aren't attentive ADHD might have difficulty adhering to instructions, completing assignments or submitting work on time. They aren't able to sit still, paying attention to others or keeping track of their own possessions. They often interrupt and blurt answers before they have finished their questions. They don't want to wait for their turn during games or conversations.
Hyperactive/impulsive ADHD symptoms include restlessness, fidgeting or excessively tapping hands and speaking without thinking. This type of ADHD can cause difficulties at work, school and home. These problems are usually linked to financial issues and strained relationships.
The person conducting the assessment is likely to want to talk with your teachers and parents and review any records you have of your issues with behavior as a child. They'll probably conduct an examination to rule out any other medical conditions that may be contributing to your symptoms, like seizures or thyroid problems.
If you are experiencing difficulties at work, in school, or with your relationships, they could recommend additional psychological, learning disabilities, and/or neuropsychological testing. These tests aren't able to diagnose ADHD, but they can give you valuable information about the disorder.
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If you suspect that your child or you may have ADHD It's crucial to find a certified medical professional who can evaluate your symptoms. Ask your doctor for a referral. Contact your insurance provider. You can also search the internet for professionals that specialize in ADHD assessments of adults. You can also seek recommendations from an adult ADHD support group.
During the evaluation the person who is conducting it will talk to you or your child about your childhood and present life to get a better understanding of what's happening. They might also request to talk to your teachers or others who knew you as a child. They might ask about your medical history and past ailments to determine if have any problems that look like symptoms of ADHD like depression or anxiety.
The evaluator also uses ratings scales and questionnaires to determine how often you or your child displays certain ADHD behaviors and how severe they are. These tools allow them to evaluate your child's behavior with the symptoms of other children and adults who have been diagnosed. This will help ensure that you or your child meets the standard criteria for diagnosis. Your child or you may undergo a neurological and physical exam. They could also look for medical conditions that could be a cause of ADHD, such a thyroid problem or seizures.
For children to be diagnosed with ADHD, they need to consistently demonstrate six or more of the behavioral symptoms listed in two categories -- inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity -- over the course of six months. For adults, five established symptoms in one category are needed -- either inattention or hyperactivity/impulsivity. The symptoms can't be better explained by another mental disorder, like depression or anxiety. Your evaluator will use the results of the tests and interview to arrive at an official diagnosis of ADHD. The evaluator will draft an account of his or her findings and recommends treatments. You or your child are likely to receive an electronic copy.
Treatment
Having ADHD can cause problems in many areas of life, including family and work. The most common symptoms are forgetfulness and impulsiveness, which can lead to financial issues or issues at work or at school. Family therapy and marriage counseling can aid those suffering from ADHD overcome the challenges they encounter in their relationships. Individual psychotherapy, also referred to as talk therapy, can address feelings of frustration and inadequacy that are often a result of an ADHD diagnosis. Finding a therapist with expertise in working with ADHD patients and who can relate to their unique challenges is important.
Health care professionals employ a variety of methods to determine if someone has ADHD by monitoring them in different situations and asking them about their symptoms and how they impact their lives, examining their past behavior, taking tests of neuropsychology and psychological, as well as medical examinations. They may also consult with teachers and caregivers to get an accurate picture of an individual's life, including home, work and social environment.
The symptoms must be present in at least two settings and interfere with the daily activities. They must be present for a minimum of 6 months. Symptoms must have been occurring prior to age 12 and they are not explained by other mental disorders, such as anxiety or depression.
Older teens and adults must meet the criteria for both the inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive types of ADHD to be diagnosed with this disorder. They must exhibit at least five of the following symptoms in a variety of settings.
A therapist can teach skills that can help reduce the symptoms of ADHD by planning ahead and keeping track of timetables using a planner or notebook, and developing and sticking to routines. They can also help with communication and problem-solving skills that can aid in managing symptoms. Treatment options also include medication, lifestyle adjustments and accommodations--tools or changes in the environment that make it easier for people with a condition to function, like step stools that allow short people to reach things that are high up.
Support
For many, receiving an adult diagnosis can be a relief and a sense of finally knowing what's going on. It can also be a time of grief, whether for lost opportunities in school or relationships or jobs that have been ruined. Matlen explained that it's especially difficult for girls and women who's symptoms might have been overlooked in their childhood or not fully understood as they grew.
A specialist or doctor will examine the patient's life history, including childhood and adolescence. They will review the person's school and work records and interview them and anyone other person who is familiar with them. They will also ask about the symptoms. They will make sure that the symptoms aren't better explained by mental health issues like anxiety or depression.
In addition to a physical examination, the specialist may suggest cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). The goal of CBT is to help the person change their thoughts and actions to help them manage their ADHD more effectively. The therapist will help the person develop strategies to improve their time management, organizational skills and impulse control. They will also teach the person to identify and avoid triggers that cause ADHD symptoms.
Some doctors may refer the patient to a psychologist or psychiatrist who has expertise in treating adults with ADHD. They can talk about the problems that the patient is experiencing at work, at home and in relationships. They will be able recommend support groups and other resources for adults with ADHD.
If someone is having trouble finding an expert they can contact their primary healthcare provider to refer them to a specialist or search the online directory of their health insurance company. You can also ask family and friends for recommendations, or contact an adult local ADHD support group. The specialist can also assist to locate a neurologist or psychiatrist to monitor their medication and a life coach or therapist to give them practical strategies to manage their symptoms and make positive changes to their day-to-day lives.