Getting an ADHD Diagnosis in Adults
Many people seek a diagnosis when they realize they are having issues in their relationships or at work because of ADHD. NIMH recommends those seeking a diagnoses speak with their primary care provider, or mental health professional.
They will ask for an extensive medical history and perform tests like symptom rating scales and psychological tests. They may also undergo a physical exam to rule out other medical conditions that could be misinterpreted as ADHD, such thyroid problems or seizures.
Finding a Diagnostic
Receiving a diagnosis of ADHD can be revealing and empowering, but it can also be distressing. Adults who have struggled with the symptoms of ADHD for decades might finally decide to seek out a medical opinion, prompted by frustrations at workplace or in their relationships, or because they've been informed by family members or friends that they may be suffering from ADHD. It's important to note that it can take time for a health professional to make an ADHD diagnosis and the process requires more than just interviews or tests.
The first step in the process is to determine whether your ADHD symptoms meet requirements for the disorder: A number of them occur before the age of 12 years old. They can occur in more than one setting such as school, home and at work. They can affect the daily functioning of a person.
Your healthcare professional may need to conduct additional tests to establish a diagnosis. This is because symptoms of ADHD can also be caused by mood disorders like bipolar disorder, anxiety and various other physical ailments or illnesses. This could include interviews with a psychologist, rating scales for symptoms, and psychological tests to evaluate your thinking abilities ability to solve problems, as well as memory.
It's important to be completely honest with your mental health professional, and that might mean talking about how the struggles you're having in different areas of your life have impacted your mood. Additionally, the person who is conducting your evaluation might ask to talk to your spouse or close friends and family members to gain a complete picture of the struggles you've faced. They might even ask for permission to ask them to complete questionnaires about their experiences with you and then compare them to your own.
Symptoms
Adults suffering from ADHD typically find that their symptoms interfere with daily activities, especially at school and work. They may have trouble keeping a job or maintaining relationships. They may also struggle to keep a roof over their heads because of their lack of attention and impulsivity, which makes it difficult for them remember things, plan tasks, or complete projects. The symptoms may be mild, moderate, or severe.
To determine ADHD the professionals use standard tools, such as checklists or questionnaires, as well as questions for interviews. They also check medical and family history and consider 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.
Symptoms of the inattentive type include difficulty paying attention to details, daydreaming and appearing easily distracted. Trouble following and finishing tasks, and a tendency to lose 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 are also prone to forgetting things quickly and often have trouble organizing their home, work or everyday activities. They might lose phones, keys or wallets often. They struggle to wait for their turn at school, at work or play. They have a low tolerance to frustration or stress and experience frequent and intense mood fluctuations.
In adults, it is more common for people suffering from ADHD to have co-occurring conditions, such as conduct disorders or oppositional defiant, anxiety or depression as well as tic disorders, Tourette syndrome and substance abuse issues. Co-occurring disorders can cause problems in treatment and can make it harder to determine ADHD.
Treatment
If you think you might have ADHD, the first step towards getting a diagnosis is to talk with your primary healthcare provider. He or she may refer you to a specialist in mental health. They will assess your symptoms and problems in the workplace at school, at home or at home to determine how they affect your daily life. They will use an organized interview, and they may seek the assistance of family members or close friends who know you well. They will also review your medical and family history and conduct a physical examination.
Your doctor will also look at the duration of these symptoms, and what impact they have on your life. In order to be granted a diagnosis of ADHD symptoms, the person's symptoms must be present for at minimum six months and cannot be explained better by another disorder, such as depression or anxiety. They also have to interfere with everyday tasks like getting to school, completing assignments on time, or maintaining an occupation.
In your assessment, a mental health professional may use standardized behavior ratings scales and ADHD symptoms checklists. You will also receive an assessment of cognitive function which will test your working memory and executive functioning and also your spatial and visual abilities. They may also test for other conditions that could cause similar symptoms such as a seizure disorder or thyroid condition.
If your doctor determines that you have ADHD, he or she will explain the various medications available and will discuss treatment options. It is generally recommended to combine medication with talk therapy (counseling). how to get diagnosed with adhd can help you manage your symptoms and improve communication with family members and other coworkers. getting diagnosed with adhd can also aid in resolving issues that could arise in marriages and relationships because of the issues ADHD can cause.
Medication
ADHD symptoms in adults are typically milder than in childhood. However adhd adult diagnosis can cause issues at work and at home. The disorder can result in difficulties in obtaining or keeping jobs, issues with social and interpersonal relationships academic failures, low self-esteem and emotional distress, temper outbursts and even antisocial behaviors.
Medication can help treat the disorder by increasing and balancing levels of brain chemicals, known as neurotransmitters, which regulate the flow of information within the brain. Stimulants are among the most frequently prescribed drugs for ADHD in adults. Jornay, Xelstrym, Cotempla and Adhansia are all examples of stimulants. The non-stimulant atomoxetine, a non-stimulant antidepressants like bupropion, also are used to treat ADHD in adults. These drugs work more slowly than stimulants and are more suitable for people who are unable to take stimulants due to health issues or serious adverse effects.
Psychotherapy, also referred to as cognitive-behavioral therapy, can help in the treatment of conditions that can be comorbid like anxiety and depression related to ADHD. Research suggests that psychotherapy can be an effective treatment for these conditions than relying on medications alone. Psychotherapy focuses primarily on teaching skills to manage the disorder and improving functioning at school, at work and in relationships. The goal is to improve the self-esteem of the person and reduce problematic behavior, as well as improve their performance and performance. It is recommended that every psychotherapy program for adults ADHD patients include a cognitive behavior component. In one study, researchers found that ADHD patients who received both therapy and medication showed greater improvement than those who simply took the pills.
Counseling
For adults who aren't able to use medications Therapy and counseling could offer significant relief. Individual therapy can help with issues like low self-esteem, feelings of failure and frequent job changes that often occur with ADHD. It can also help improve relationships and communication by helping the patients and their families to comprehend the condition and develop ways to cope.
Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses primarily on teaching patients how to change their negative thinking and manage 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, emotional regulation and relationship issues that arise due to impulsive behavior. These strategies can assist you in living a more productive life especially at work.
Counseling can assist people with ADHD to apply for accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act. This will improve their job performance and satisfaction. For professionals, this can mean changing the way their work is structured to give them more flexibility to meet deadlines and complete tasks on time.
It is crucial to select the right therapist for adult ADHD treatment. Asking about the therapist's approach and whether they have treated ADHD in adults is crucial when interviewing potential therapists. It is important to check therapist credentials and insurance coverage. Some providers provide sliding scale fees or online therapy services to make therapy more accessible to those who can't afford it.