Getting an ADHD Diagnosis in Adults
Many people seek a diagnose when they realize that ADHD is causing issues at work or in their relationships. NIMH suggests that people seeking diagnosis consult 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 may also get physical examinations to rule out medical issues that could look like ADHD like seizures or thyroid problems.
Finding a Diagnostic
It can be a great relief and eye-opening to receive the diagnosis of ADHD however, it can also be depressing. Adults who have been struggling with ADHD symptoms for years may finally seek professional advice, either because of frustrations at work, in relationships, or because their family members or friends have told them that they could be suffering from ADHD. It's important to note that it can take time for a healthcare professional to arrive at an ADHD diagnosis, and the process involves more than just clinical interviews or tests.
The first step in the process is to identify whether your ADHD symptoms are in line with the criteria for the disorder: Several of them occur before the age of 12 years old. They are seen in a variety of settings, for example, school, home, and work. And they interfere with the daily activities of people.
Since symptoms of ADHD can also be caused by mood disorders, such as anxiety or bipolar and other physical conditions and illnesses, your healthcare professional might recommend additional tests before making a diagnosis. This may include clinical interviews, rating-scales for symptoms, or psychological tests to test thinking abilities as well as problem solving abilities and memory.
It is essential to be honest with your mental health professional, and this might involve talking about how the struggles you're experiencing in various areas of your life have affected your mood. The professional who is evaluating your mental health you may also ask to speak to your spouse, family members and close friends to gain a better understanding of your issues. They might even request that your family members fill out questionnaires to compare their experiences with yours.
Symptoms
Adults suffering from ADHD might notice that their symptoms can affect their daily life, especially at school and at work. They may have difficulty keeping a job or maintaining relationships. They may also struggle to pay the bills due to their inattention and impulsivity. This makes it difficult for them to remember things, manage tasks or complete projects. The symptoms can be mild or moderate. It could also be severe.
To determine ADHD, providers use standardized tools such as checklists as well as questionnaires and questions for interviews. They also review 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 seeming to be easily distracted. Trouble following and finishing tasks, and a tendency to lose the 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 tend to forget things quickly and frequently have trouble organizing their home, work or routine activities. They may lose keys, phones or wallets often. They have difficulty waiting their turn in school, at work or during play. They have a low tolerance for frustration or stress and experience frequent and intense mood changes.
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, tic disorders or Tourette syndrome and other substance abuse issues. Co-occurring disorders can cause problems in treatment and may make it more difficult to identify ADHD.
Treatment
Talking to your primary care physician is the first step in being diagnosed when you suspect that you suffer from ADHD. They'll likely refer you to a mental health specialist. These professionals will examine your symptoms and concerns at work, at school or at home to determine if they are interfering with your daily life. They will conduct an organized interview and may seek the assistance of family members or other friends who know you well. They will also review your medical history and family background and conduct a physical exam.
Your doctor will also look at how long you've had these symptoms, and the impact they affect your life today. In order to receive a diagnosis of ADHD, a person's symptoms must be present for at minimum six months and cannot be explained better by another disorder such as depression or anxiety. Additionally, they should affect daily activities, such as attending classes, completing tasks on time or keeping a job.
During your evaluation the mental health professional might utilize standardized scales for assessing behavior and ADHD symptoms checklists. You will also be given a cognitive test that will check your working memory and executive functioning as well as your visual and spatial abilities. They may also test for other conditions that can cause similar symptoms like seizures or thyroid issue.
If your mental health provider finds that you have ADHD and they'll discuss the available treatments and medications options. Most often the combination of medication and talk therapy (counseling) is the best option. Therapy can help you manage your symptoms and improve communication between family members and coworkers. It can also address problems that may arise in relationships and marriages due to the problems ADHD can create at home and work.
Medication
The signs of ADHD in adults are typically much milder than they were in childhood, however they can cause issues at home and work. The disorder can cause difficulties in obtaining or keeping an employment, difficulties with relationships and social interactions academic failures, low self-esteem and emotional distress, temper flares and even antisocial behaviors.
Medication can help treat the disorder by balancing and increasing the levels of brain chemicals referred to as neurotransmitters that control the flow of information within 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 the non-stimulant atomoxetine and antidepressants like bupropion. These drugs work slower than stimulants, and may be better for people who are not able to take stimulants due to health problems or severe side-effects.
Psychotherapy, also known as cognitive-behavioral treatment, could be helpful in treating conditions that can be comorbid like anxiety and depression that are associated with ADHD. Research suggests that psychotherapy is the most effective treatment for these conditions than relying on medications 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 the self-esteem of the individual, reduce problematic behavior and improve their functioning and success. It is recommended that each psychotherapy approach for adult ADHD patients contain a cognitive-behavioral component. Researchers have found that ADHD patients receiving both psychotherapy and medication showed greater improvement than those who only took pills.
Counseling
For adults who aren't able to take medication, therapy and counseling may offer significant relief. Individual therapy can help with issues such as low self-esteem and feelings failure that are frequently associated with ADHD. It can also improve communication and strengthen relationships by helping patients and loved ones to understand the disorder and develop strategies for coping.
Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses primarily on teaching patients 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 concentrate on the development of organizational and time-management skills or teach coping strategies to deal with emotional regulation, impulse control, and relationship problems caused by impulsive behavior. adult adhd diagnosis can aid you in living an easier life especially at work.
Counseling can also help people with ADHD in requesting work accommodations that may be provided under the Americans with Disabilities Act, which can dramatically improve job performance and satisfaction. This may include changing the structure of their jobs to allow them to be more flexible in meeting deadlines and completing tasks on time.
It is crucial to select the right therapist for adult ADHD treatment. how to diagnosis adhd about the therapist's approach and whether they have treated ADHD in adults is crucial when interviewing potential therapists. It is important 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 cannot pay for it.