Getting an ADHD Diagnosis in Adults
Many people seek a diagnosis after realizing they are having issues in relationships or at work because of ADHD. NIMH suggests that people seeking an assessment consult with their primary care provider or mental health professional.
They will take a detailed history and take tests like symptom rating scales or psychological tests. They can be subjected to a physical examination to determine if they have any other medical conditions that could be misinterpreted as ADHD like thyroid issues or seizures.
Diagnosis
Receiving a diagnosis of ADHD can be eye-opening and liberating, however it can also be a source of anxiety. Adults who have been struggling with ADHD symptoms for a long time may decide to seek help from a professional, either because of frustrations at work, in their relationships, and/or because family members or friends have told them they may be suffering from ADHD. It's important to remember that it may take a while for a healthcare professional to arrive at an ADHD diagnosis, and the process involves more than just a series of clinical interviews or tests.
The first step in the process is to determine whether your ADHD symptoms meet criteria for the disorder: Several of them begin before the age of 12 years old. They can be found in two or more settings--for example, school, home and at work. They affect daily life.
Because symptoms of ADHD can be triggered by mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder or anxiety, and other physical conditions and illnesses, your healthcare provider might recommend additional evaluations before making an assessment. This could include clinical interviews and rating scales for symptoms, and psychological testing to evaluate your thinking abilities ability to solve problems, as well as memory.
It's important to be completely honest with your health professional. And this might involve talking about how the struggles you're experiencing in various areas of your life affect your mood. Additionally the mental health professional conducting your evaluation may request that you talk to your spouse or close friends and family members to gain a complete picture of how you've struggled. They may even ask permission to complete questionnaires on their experiences with you and then compare them to your personal.
Symptoms
Adults with ADHD typically experience difficulties with daily life activities, particularly at school and work. They might have difficulties finding work, staying in relationships, or making ends meet because of the lack of attention and impulsivity that makes it difficult to follow directions, remember things, organize tasks or complete projects. The symptoms can be mild, moderate, or severe.
To determine ADHD, providers use standardized tools, such as checklists or questionnaires, as well as questions for interviews. They also take into account the family and medical histories of patients as well as 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.
The signs of an inattentive personality include difficulty paying attention details, daydreaming and seeming easily distracted. Problems with completing tasks and staying on task and a tendency to lose the track of time or get distracted are all signs of inattention.
People with the hyperactive/impulsive type often fidget, move around frequently and have trouble sitting still for long periods of time. They tend to lose things easily and have trouble organizing their day-to-day activities, work or home. They might lose phones, keys or wallets often. They may have trouble waiting for their turn at school, at work or when playing. They are prone to stress or anger and experience frequent and intense mood changes.
Adults with ADHD are more likely to suffer from co-occurring conditions such as oppositional defiant or conduct disorders depression, anxiety and tic disorders Tourette syndrome and addiction issues. how to get diagnosed with adhd -occurring disorders can cause problems in treatment and can make it more difficult to diagnose ADHD.
Treatment
If you suspect you may have ADHD the first step towards getting an accurate diagnosis is to speak with your primary care physician. He or she will probably recommend you to a mental health specialist. The professionals will examine your symptoms and concerns at school, at work or home to see how they impact your daily life. They will use an organized interview and might seek the assistance of family members or close friends who know you well. They will also review the medical and family background of your family, and conduct a physical exam.
Your doctor will also consider the length of time you've had these symptoms, and what impact they have on your life. To be considered to have ADHD symptoms must have been present for at least 6 months and cannot be explained by other disorders like anxiety or depression. Additionally, they must interfere with daily activities, such as getting to class, finishing tasks on time, or keeping an occupation.
When you are evaluated the mental health professional could utilize standardized scales of behavior and ADHD symptoms checklists. They will likely also conduct an assessment of your cognitive abilities to test your working memory, executive functioning and spatial and visual abilities. They will also test for other conditions that could cause similar symptoms such as seizures or thyroid problem.
If your mental health professional finds that you have ADHD they will go over the available treatments and medications options. Often the combination of medication and talk therapy (counseling) is best. Therapy can aid in managing your symptoms and improve communication between family members and colleagues. It can also help address issues that can arise in relationships and marriages due to the problems ADHD can create at work and at home.
Medication
ADHD symptoms in adults are typically less severe than those in childhood. However they can still cause problems at work and at home. The disorder can result in difficulty in obtaining or maintaining a job, trouble with social and interpersonal relationships, academic failures, poor self-esteem and emotional distress, temper tantrums and potentially antisocial behaviors.
Treatment with medication can help treat the disorder by balancing and increasing the levels of brain chemicals, known as neurotransmitters. They regulate the flow of information in the brain. Stimulants, commonly prescribed for ADHD in adults are the most frequently prescribed medications. Jornay, Xelstrym, Cotempla and Adhansia are all examples of stimulants. Adults are also treated with atomoxetine, a nonstimulant, and antidepressants like bupropion. These drugs work slower than stimulants and could be better for people who cannot take stimulant medication due to health issues or severe side-effects.
Psychotherapy (also known as cognitive-behavioral therapy) can be effective in treating disorders that are comorbid to ADHD like anxiety and depression. Psychotherapy is a more effective treatment than medication alone for these disorders as per research. Psychotherapy is focused on teaching techniques to manage the disorder and improve functioning at school, work and in relationships. The goal is to improve the self-esteem of the individual, reduce problematic behavior and increase functioning and success. It is recommended that every psychotherapy approach for adults ADHD patients contain a cognitive-behavioral component. In how to get diagnosed with adhd , researchers found that ADHD patients who received both psychotherapy and medication reported a higher level of improvement than those who only took the pills.
Counseling
Adults who don't want to take medication can get relief from therapy and counseling. Individual therapy can address issues like low self-esteem and feelings of failure that are often associated with ADHD. It can also improve communication and strengthen relationships by helping loved ones to understand the disorder and develop strategies for coping.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is primarily focused on teaching patients how to change their negative thinking 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 for controlling impulses emotional regulation, relationship and issues that arise due to the impulsive behavior. These techniques can help you live more productively especially at work.
Counseling can also help people with ADHD when applying for work accommodations that may be offered under the Americans with Disabilities Act, which can greatly increase job satisfaction and performance. For professionals, this can require modifying the way in which their work is organized to allow them more flexibility to meet deadlines and complete tasks within the timeframes they need to.
It is essential to choose the best therapist for adult ADHD treatment. When interviewing potential therapists it is crucial to inquire about their approach and whether they have experience treating ADHD in adults. It is also a good idea to verify the credentials of the therapist as well as insurance coverage. Some therapists have an affordable sliding scale fee or provide online therapy, making treatment accessible for those who can't afford to pay out from their pockets.