Getting an ADHD Diagnosis in Adults
Many people seek a diagnosis when they realize they have trouble in their relationships or at work because of ADHD. NIMH recommends that those who are seeking an assessment consult with their primary care provider or mental health professional.
They will request an extensive medical history and perform tests like symptom rating scales and psychological tests. They can also undergo a physical examination to rule out other medical conditions that could be misinterpreted as ADHD or thyroid issues, for example or seizures.
Diagnosis
It can be a great relief and enlightening to receive an diagnosis of ADHD, but it can also be depressing. Adults who've struggled with ADHD symptoms for years may finally seek professional advice in the wake of frustrations at work, in relationships, or because family members or friends have told them that they could be suffering from ADHD. It is crucial to keep in mind that a healthcare professional may take several months to determine ADHD, and that the process is more than just completing standardized tests or conducting a series of clinical interviews.
The first step in the process is to determine if your ADHD symptoms match the criteria for the disorder: A number of them are present before the age of 12. They occur in multiple settings, for example, school, home, and work. They can affect the daily functioning of a person.
Your healthcare professional may need to perform additional evaluations to establish a diagnosis. This is because symptoms of ADHD can also be caused by mood disorders such as bipolar disorder, anxiety, and other physical conditions or illnesses. This could 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 that you are 100% honest with the mental health professional. This could mean that you discuss how your mood was affected by your difficulties in different areas of life. Additionally the person who is conducting your evaluation may request that you talk to your spouse or close family and friends members to gain a complete understanding of the challenges you've faced. They might even ask for permission to have them fill out questionnaires about their experiences with you and then compare them to your own.
Symptoms
Adults suffering from ADHD typically notice that their issues interfere with daily life activities, especially at work and school. They may have difficulty keeping jobs or maintaining relationships. They may also be struggling to pay the bills due to their inattention and impulsivity, making it difficult for them remember things, manage tasks or complete projects. The symptoms may be mild, moderate, or severe.
To diagnose ADHD the professionals use standard tools such as checklists or questionnaires, as well as questions for interviews. They also look at medical and family histories and 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 inattention issues with small details, daydreaming, and appearing easily distracted. Inability to finish tasks and follow-through and a tendency 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 are also prone to forgetting things quickly and frequently have difficulty organizing their home, work or daily activities. They may lose keys, phones and wallets, or papers frequently. They are often unable to wait for their turn at school, work or play. They have a low tolerance for stress or frustration and are subject to frequent and intense mood swings.
In adults, it's more common for those with ADHD to have co-existing conditions, such as oppositional defiant or conduct disorders depression or anxiety and tic disorders. Tourette syndrome and substance abuse issues. Co-occurring disorders can cause problems in treatment and make it harder to determine ADHD.
Treatment
Talking to your primary care physician is the first step in getting a diagnosis if you suspect you have ADHD. He or she may refer you to an expert in mental health. These professionals will examine your symptoms and problems in the workplace, at school or at home to determine if they interfere with your life. They will conduct an organized interview, and they might seek the assistance of family members or close friends who know you well. They will also review the medical and family history of your family and perform a physical examination.
Your doctor will also look at how long you've experienced these symptoms and the effect they have on your life now. To be able to be diagnosed with ADHD symptoms must be present for at least 6 months and are not explained by other conditions like anxiety or depression. They also have to interfere with everyday tasks like getting to school, finishing assignments on time, or maintaining an occupation.
In your assessment the mental health specialist may utilize standardized scales for assessing behavior and ADHD symptom checklists. You will also be administered an assessment of your cognitive abilities that will assess your executive and working memory functioning, as well as your visual and spatial capabilities. They will also test for other conditions that could cause similar symptoms, such as seizures or thyroid issue.
If your mental health professional finds that you have ADHD, they will discuss the medications available and treatment options. It is generally recommended to combine therapy with medication (counseling). Therapy can assist you in managing your symptoms, and improve communication between your family members and colleagues. It also helps to address issues that can develop in marriages and relationships due to the problems ADHD can cause at work and home.
Medication
ADHD symptoms in adults are generally more mild than in childhood. However, they can still create problems at work and at home. The disorder can cause difficulties in obtaining or keeping a job, trouble with social relationships and relationships, academic failures, poor self-esteem and emotional distress, temper tantrums and even antisocial behaviors.
The medication can treat the disorder by balancing and increasing the levels of brain chemicals, known as neurotransmitters, which regulate the flow information in the brain. The stimulants, which are typically prescribed for ADHD in adults are the most frequently prescribed medication used. Jornay, Xelstrym, Cotempla and Adhansia are just a few examples of stimulants. Adults can also be treated with Atomoxetine, a non-stimulant, and certain antidepressants such as bupropion. These medications are slower to work than stimulants, and could be beneficial for those who cannot take stimulant medication due to health problems or severe side-effects.
Psychotherapy, also referred to as cognitive-behavioral therapy, can be helpful in treating disorders that are comorbid, such as depression and anxiety that are connected to ADHD. Psychotherapy could be a better treatment than medication alone for these disorders according to research. Psychotherapy is primarily focused on teaching strategies to manage the disorder and improving the performance at work, in school and with relationships. The goal is to increase the person's self-esteem, decrease problematic behavior and improve their performance and success. It is recommended that every psychotherapy approach for adult ADHD patients include a cognitive behavior component. Researchers found that ADHD patients who received both psychotherapy and medication showed higher improvement than those taking only pills.
Counseling
For adults who don't want to use medications therapy and counseling can be a great source of relief. I Am Psychiatry can address issues such as low self-esteem and feelings of failure that are frequently associated with ADHD. It can also help improve relationships and communication by helping patients and their loved ones to understand the condition and develop coping techniques.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is primarily focused on teaching patients to change their negative thoughts 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 help people develop strategies to control impulses, emotional regulation and relationship issues that can arise as a result of the impulsive behavior. These techniques can aid you in living an easier life especially at work.
Counseling can help those with ADHD apply for accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act. This can improve their work performance and satisfaction. This could include altering the structure of their work to allow them to be more flexible in meeting deadlines and finishing tasks within the timeframes they have set.
It is crucial to select the right therapist for adult ADHD treatment. It is important to inquire about the therapist's method and whether they have successfully been able to treat ADHD in adults is important when interviewing potential therapists. It is important to check therapist credentials and insurance coverage. Some providers offer sliding scale rates or online therapy services to make treatment easier for those who are unable to afford it.