Getting an ADHD Diagnosis in Adults
Many people seek out a diagnosis after realizing they are struggling in their relationships or at work due to ADHD. NIMH recommends that those who are seeking a diagnosis speak with their primary care provider or a mental health professional.
They will request a detailed medical history and take tests such as symptom-rating scales and psychological tests. They might also undergo physical examinations to rule out medical conditions that could be similar to ADHD or thyroid problems or seizures.
Finding a Diagnostic
Being diagnosed with ADHD can be eye-opening and empowering, but it can also be stressful. Adults who've struggled with ADHD symptoms for a long time might eventually seek out professional help due to frustrations at work, in relationships, or because relatives or friends have informed them that they might be suffering from ADHD. It is crucial to remember that a healthcare professional may take an extended time to determine ADHD and the process requires more than completing standard tests or conducting interviews with a clinical psychologist.
The first step is to identify whether your ADHD symptoms match the criteria for the disorder: Several of them begin before age 12. They can occur in more than one setting like school, home and work. And they interfere with everyday functioning.
Your doctor may have to conduct additional tests to establish a diagnosis. This is because the symptoms of ADHD can also be caused by mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder, anxiety and other physical or mental illnesses. This may include clinical interviews, rating-scales for symptoms, or psychological tests to test thinking capabilities as well as problem solving abilities and 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 have impacted your mood. The professional who is evaluating your mental health you may also ask to speak with your spouse, close family members and friends to gain more insight into your issues. They might also request permission to have family members fill out questionnaires to compare their experiences with yours.
Symptoms
Adults suffering from ADHD typically experience difficulties with daily life activities, especially at school and work. They might have trouble finding work, staying in relationships or being able to make ends meet due to the inattention and impulsivity which makes it difficult to follow directions or remember details, plan tasks or complete tasks. The symptoms may be mild or moderate. It could also be severe.
To determine ADHD the professionals use standard tools, such as checklists as well as questionnaires and interview questions. here check medical and family history and take into account 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.
Inattentional symptoms include difficulty paying attention to small details, waking up and being easily distracted. Inability to finish tasks and follow-through and a tendency lose the track of time or become 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 struggle to organize their work, home or routine activities. They may lose phones, keys or wallets often. They have difficulty waiting their turn in the classroom, at work or in play. They are easily frustrated or stressed, and experience frequent mood shifts.
In adults, it is more common for people with ADHD to have co-occurring conditions, such as conduct disorders, oppositional defiant disorder depression or anxiety and tic disorders. Tourette syndrome and other substance abuse problems. The presence of co-occurring disorders can complicate treatment and make it more difficult to diagnose ADHD.
Treatment
Talking to your primary care physician is the first step in being diagnosed when you suspect that you suffer from ADHD. They will likely refer you to a mental health professional. These professionals will examine your symptoms and concerns at work, at school or at home to determine how they are interfering with your life. They will use an organized interview, and they may seek the assistance of family members or friends who know you well. They will also go over your medical and family background and conduct a physical examination.
Your doctor will also consider how long you've had these symptoms, and the impact they have on your daily life. To be diagnosed with ADHD symptoms must be present for at least 6 months and cannot be caused by other disorders such as anxiety or depression. They should also hinder daily tasks, such as attending school, completing assignments on time, or sustaining the job.
During your evaluation, a mental health professional may utilize standardized scales of behavior and ADHD symptoms checklists. You will also be given a cognitive test which will test your executive and working memory functioning as well as your visual and spatial capabilities. They will also check for other conditions that could cause similar symptoms such as seizures or thyroid condition.
If your mental health professional determines that you have ADHD they will go over the available medications and treatment options. It is usually best to combine treatment with talk therapy (counseling). Therapy can aid in managing your symptoms and improve communication between your family members and colleagues. It can also help address issues that may be a problem in marriages and relationships due to the problems ADHD can create at work and home.
Medication
The symptoms of ADHD in adults are usually less severe than they were in childhood, however they can cause issues at home and at work. The disorder can cause difficulties in obtaining or keeping an excellent job, issues with social relationships and interactions, self-esteem issues, academic lapses, emotional anxiety, temper tantrums and an attitude that is antisocial.
Medication can help treat the disorder by increasing and balancing the levels of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters, which regulate the flow information in the brain. The stimulants are the most commonly prescribed medications for ADHD in adults. Examples include Jornay (methylphenidate extended-release tablets), Xelstrym (dextroamphetamine extended-release oral suspension), Cotempla (methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release orally disintegrating tablet) and Adhansia (methylphenidate hydrochloride instant-release orally disintegrating tablet). Adults can also be treated using Atomoxetine, a non-stimulant, and antidepressants like bupropion. These drugs perform more slowly than stimulants and are more appropriate for those who aren't able to take stimulant medications because of health problems or serious adverse effects.
Psychotherapy, also referred to as cognitive-behavioral treatment, could be helpful in treating conditions that can be comorbid like anxiety and depression associated with ADHD. Studies suggest that psychotherapy is a more effective treatment for these disorders than relying on medications alone. Psychotherapy focuses on teaching skills to manage the disorder and improve your performance at school, at work and in relationships. The aim is to increase the person's self esteem and reduce problematic behavior, as well as increase their functioning and success. It is advised that all psychotherapy strategies for adults ADHD sufferers include a cognitive component. Researchers found that ADHD patients who received both therapy and medication showed more improvement than those taking only pills.
Counseling
For adults who don't want to use medications, therapy and counseling may be a great source of relief. Individual therapy can help with issues such as low self-esteem, feelings of failure and frequent job changes that commonly are a part of ADHD. It can also help improve relationships and improve communication by helping patients and family members understand the condition and develop strategies for coping.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is primarily focused on teaching patients how to change their negative thoughts 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 help people develop strategies for controlling impulses, emotional regulation and relationship issues that can arise as a result of the impulsive behavior. These strategies can assist people to live happier and more productive life, particularly in the workplace.
Counseling can assist people with ADHD apply for accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act. This will improve their job performance and satisfaction. For professionals, this may mean changing the way their work is structured to allow them more flexibility to meet deadlines and finish tasks on time.
It is important to choose the best therapist for adult ADHD treatment. It is important to inquire about the therapist's method and if they have been able to treat ADHD in adults is essential when interviewing potential therapists. Examining the credentials of therapists and insurance coverage is a smart idea. Some providers provide sliding scale fees or online therapy services to make therapy easier for those who cannot afford it.