Getting an ADHD Diagnosis in Adults
Many people seek out a diagnosis after realizing they are struggling in relationships or at work due to ADHD. NIMH suggests that people seeking a diagnosis talk with their primary care physician or a mental health professional.
They will conduct a detailed background and complete tests like symptom-rating scales or psychological tests. They can be subjected to a physical examination to rule out other medical ailments that might be misinterpreted as ADHD, such thyroid problems or seizures.
Finding a Diagnostic
Being diagnosed with ADHD can be revealing and liberating, however it can also be distressing. Adults who have struggled with ADHD symptoms for years may decide to seek help from a professional due to frustrations at work, in relationships, or because family members or friends have told them they may be suffering from ADHD. It's important to note that it may take a while for a medical professional to arrive at an ADHD diagnosis and the process includes more than just clinical interviews or tests.
The first step is to determine if your ADHD symptoms are consistent with the criteria for the disorder. Many of these symptoms manifest before the age of 12. They can occur in more than one place like school, home and work. They can affect the daily functioning of a person.
Your doctor may have to perform additional evaluations in order to make an accurate diagnosis. This is because the symptoms of ADHD are also triggered by mood disorders like bipolar disorder, anxiety, and various other physical ailments or illnesses. This may include clinical interviews, rating-scales for symptoms, or psychological tests to evaluate thinking abilities as well as problem solving abilities and memory.
It's important that you are completely honest with the mental health professional. This could mean discussing how your mood was affected by your difficulties in various areas of your life. Additionally, the mental health professional doing your assessment may ask you to talk to your spouse, or close family members to gain a complete picture of the struggles you've faced. They might also ask for permission to have them complete questionnaires about their experiences with you and compare them to your own.
Symptoms
Adults with ADHD might notice that their symptoms impact the way they live their lives, particularly at school and work. They may have difficulty maintaining a job, remaining in relationships or being able to make ends meet due to the inattention and impulsivity that makes it difficult to follow instructions or remember details, plan tasks or complete projects. The symptoms could be mild or moderate. It could also be severe.
To determine ADHD doctors use standardized tools such as checklists or questionnaires, as well as interview questions. They also take into account 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.
Inattentive symptoms include difficulties paying attention to even the smallest details, daydreaming, or being easily distracted. Inability to finish tasks and follow-through and a tendency to lose the track of time or get distracted are also 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 frequently struggle to organize their work, home or everyday activities. They might lose their phones, keys or wallets often. They are often unable to wait for their turn at school, at work or at play. They are easily frustrated or stressed, and experience frequent mood shifts.
Adults with ADHD are more likely to have co-existing conditions such as oppositional defiant or conduct disorders anxiety, depression as well as tic disorders. Tourette syndrome and addiction issues. Co-occurring disorders can complicate treatment and may make it more difficult to diagnose ADHD.
Treatment
If you suspect you may have ADHD the first step towards getting a diagnosis is to speak with your primary healthcare provider. They can refer you to an expert in mental health. The professionals will look at your symptoms and issues in the workplace at school, at home or at home to determine how they interfere with your life. They will use a structured interview and may ask for the help of family members or other friends who know you well. They will also go over the medical and family history of your family and conduct a physical exam.
Your doctor will also look at how long you've experienced these symptoms, and the impact they affect your life today. 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 better explained by another disorder, such as depression or anxiety. Additionally, they should affect everyday activities like getting to class, completing tasks on time, or keeping a job.
In your assessment A mental health professional could employ standardized scales for behavior and ADHD symptoms checklists. They will likely also perform an assessment of your cognitive abilities to test your working memory, executive functioning, as well as your visual and spatial abilities. They will also check for other conditions that could cause similar symptoms, for example a thyroid problem or seizure disorder.
If your psychiatrist decides you have ADHD the doctor will explain the various medications available and discuss possible treatment options. Most often it is a combination of medications and talk therapy (counseling) is the best. Therapy can aid in managing your symptoms, and also improve communication between family members and coworkers. It can also help address issues that may be a problem in marriages and relationships due to the problems ADHD can cause at home and work.
Medication
ADHD symptoms in adults tend to be milder than in childhood. However they can still cause issues at home and at work. undiagnosed adhd in adults can lead to difficulties in obtaining or keeping an employment, difficulties with relationships and social interactions academic failures, low self-esteem and emotional distress, temper tantrums and even antisocial behaviors.
Treatment with medication can help treat the disorder by balancing and increasing the levels of brain chemicals, known as neurotransmitters that control the flow of information in the brain. The stimulants are the most commonly prescribed drugs for ADHD in adults. Jornay, Xelstrym, Cotempla and Adhansia are all examples of stimulants. Adults can also be treated with atomoxetine, a nonstimulant, and some antidepressants, such as bupropion. These drugs perform more slowly than stimulants and are more appropriate for those who can't take stimulant medication due to health issues or serious side effects.
Psychotherapy, also known as cognitive-behavioral treatment, could help in the treatment of conditions that can be comorbid like depression and anxiety that are connected to ADHD. Research suggests that psychotherapy can be the most effective treatment for these disorders than just using medications on their own. Psychotherapy focuses on teaching the skills to manage the disorder and improve performance at school, at work and in relationships. The aim is to boost the person's self esteem and reduce problematic behavior, as well as increase their functioning and overall performance. It is recommended that each psychotherapy program for adults ADHD patients include a cognitive behavior component. Researchers have found that ADHD patients receiving both psychotherapy and medication showed higher improvement than those who only took pills.
Counseling
Adults who do not want to take medication can benefit from counseling and therapy. Individual talk therapy can address issues like low self-esteem, and feelings of being insecure that are commonly associated with ADHD. It can also improve communication and strengthen relationships by helping loved ones understand the disorder and learn coping strategies.
Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on teaching patients to change their negative thinking and how to 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 developing time-management and organizational skills, or teach coping mechanisms to manage impulse control, emotional regulation and relationship issues caused by impulsive behavior. These techniques can help people live happier and more productive life, particularly in the workplace.
Counseling can also guide people with ADHD in requesting workplace accommodations that could be available under the Americans with Disabilities Act, which can dramatically improve job performance and satisfaction. For professionals, this can mean changing the way their work is structured so that they have more flexibility to meet deadlines and finish tasks on time.
It is essential to choose the right therapist for adult ADHD treatment. Asking about the therapist's approach and whether they have successfully treated ADHD in adults is crucial when interviewing potential therapists. It is also a good idea to verify the credentials of the therapist and insurance coverage. Some providers provide sliding scale fees or online therapy services to make treatment more accessible to those who cannot pay for it.