Getting an ADHD Diagnosis in Adults
Many people seek a diagnosis when they realize that ADHD is causing them difficulties at work or in their relationships. NIMH recommends those seeking a diagnosis consult their primary care physician 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 a physical exam to determine if they have any other medical ailments that might be mistaken for ADHD, such thyroid problems or seizures.
Finding a Diagnostic
Receiving a diagnosis of ADHD can be revealing and liberating, however it can also be stressful. Adults who have been struggling with the symptoms of ADHD for years may decide to seek a professional opinion, prompted by frustrations at work or in their relationships, or because they've been informed by family members or friends that they may be suffering from ADHD. It is important to keep in mind that it can take time for a medical professional to make an ADHD diagnosis and the process includes more than just a series of clinical interviews or tests.
The first step is to determine if your ADHD symptoms match the criteria for the disorder. Several of these symptoms occur before the age of 12. They occur in multiple settings, for example, school, home, and work. They can also affect daily functioning.
Your healthcare provider may need to conduct additional tests to determine a diagnosis. This is because the symptoms of ADHD are also caused by mood disorders, such as anxiety, bipolar disorder, and various other physical ailments or illnesses. This could include interviews with a clinical psychologist, rating-scales for symptoms, or psychological testing to assess thinking abilities as well as problem solving abilities and memory.
It's crucial to be open with your mental health professional, and this might involve talking about how the struggles you're having in different areas of your life have affected your mood. In addition, the person who is 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 have them fill out questionnaires about their experiences with you and then compare them to your own.
Signs and symptoms
Adults with ADHD might find that their symptoms affect daily life, especially at school and at work. They may have trouble keeping jobs or maintaining relationships. They may also find it difficult to pay the bills because of their lack of attention and impulsivity, which makes it difficult for them to remember things, organize tasks, or complete tasks. The symptoms may be mild, moderate, or severe.
To diagnose ADHD the professionals use standard tools called checklists or questionnaires, as well as interview questions. They also check medical and family history and take into account other mental health problems. 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, daydreaming, or appearing easily distracted. Inability to finish tasks and follow-through, 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. I Am Psychiatry tend to lose things easily and have trouble managing their daily routines, work or home. They might lose phones, keys and wallets, or papers frequently. They have trouble waiting for their turn at school, at work or playing. They are easily frustrated or stressed and suffer from frequent mood shifts.
Adults with ADHD are more likely to have co-existing disorders like oppositional defiant or conduct disorders anxiety, depression and tic disorders Tourette syndrome and addiction issues. Co-occurring disorders may complicate treatment, and make it harder to determine the cause of ADHD.
Treatment
Talking to your primary care physician is the first step to being diagnosed when you suspect that you suffer from ADHD. They will likely refer you to a mental health professional. These professionals will review your symptoms and concerns at school, at work or at home to determine how they affect your daily life. They will use an organized interview and might seek the assistance of family members or friends who know you well. They will also review your family and medical background and conduct a physical examination.
Your doctor will also take a look at how long you've had these symptoms and the effect they have on your life now. To be diagnosed with ADHD, symptoms must be present for at least six months and cannot be explained by other disorders like depression or anxiety. They must also interfere with daily tasks such as getting to school, completing assignments on time, or maintaining a career.
In your assessment, a mental health professional might also utilize standardized scales of behavior and ADHD symptoms checklists. You will also be given an assessment of your cognitive abilities which will test your working memory and executive functioning, as well as your visual and spatial capabilities. They will also test for any other conditions that may cause similar symptoms, such as seizure or thyroid disorder.
If your mental health provider determines that you suffer from ADHD, he or she will inform you of the medications available and will discuss treatment options. It is usually best to combine treatment with talk therapy (counseling). Therapy can help you manage 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 issues that ADHD can create at home and work.
Medication
The signs of ADHD in adults are usually much milder than they were in childhood, however they can cause issues at home and work. The disorder can cause problems in obtaining or maintaining the job you want, issues with relationships and social interaction, self-esteem issues, academic failures emotional anxiety, temper tantrums and disruptive behavior.
The medication can treat the disorder by increasing and balancing levels of brain chemicals referred to as neurotransmitters. They regulate the flow information in the brain. Stimulants, which are commonly prescribed for ADHD in adults, are the most common medication used. Jornay, Xelstrym, Cotempla and Adhansia are all examples of stimulants. The non-stimulant atomoxetine, a non-stimulant antidepressants like bupropion are also used to treat ADHD in adults. These medications work slower than stimulants and may be more suitable for people who are unable to take stimulants because of health problems or severe adverse reactions.
Psychotherapy, also known as cognitive-behavioral treatment, could be helpful in treating conditions that can be comorbid like anxiety and depression that are related to ADHD. Research suggests that psychotherapy can be the most efficient treatment for these conditions than just using medications alone. Psychotherapy focuses primarily on teaching techniques to manage the disorder and improving functioning at school, work and in relationships. The aim is to increase the self-esteem of the person, decrease problematic behaviors and increase their efficiency and success. It is recommended that each psychotherapy method 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 were only taking pills.
Counseling
Adults who aren't ready to take medication can benefit 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 help improve communication and strengthen relationships by helping patients and loved ones understand the disorder and learn coping strategies.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a method of teaching patients how to manage their behavior and change negative thoughts. 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 techniques to deal with impulse control, emotional regulation and relationship issues that can arise from the impulsive behavior. These methods can help you live an easier life particularly at work.
Counseling can also assist those with ADHD when applying for work accommodations that may be provided under the Americans with Disabilities Act, which can dramatically improve job performance and satisfaction. For professionals, this can require modifying the way in which their work is organized to give them more flexibility to meet deadlines and finish tasks in time.
It is important to choose the best therapist for adult ADHD treatment. When interviewing potential therapists it is important to ask about their approach and whether they have prior experience in treating ADHD in adults. 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 more accessible to those who can't afford it.