Getting an ADHD Diagnosis in Adults
Many people seek a diagnosis when they realize they are having issues at work or with relationships because of ADHD. NIMH suggests that people seeking an assessment consult with their primary care physician or a mental health professional.
They will conduct a detailed history and take tests like symptom rating scales or psychological tests. They might be subjected to a physical examination to rule out other medical conditions that could be misinterpreted as ADHD like thyroid issues or seizures.
Finding a Diagnostic
It can be a great relief and eye-opening to be given a diagnosis of ADHD but it can also be depressing. Adults who have been struggling with the symptoms of ADHD for decades might finally decide to seek a professional opinion, due to frustrations at work or in their relationships or due to being informed by family members or friends that they may be suffering from ADHD. It is crucial to remember that a healthcare professional may take an extended time to diagnose ADHD and the process involves much more than just completing standardized tests or conducting a series of clinical interviews.
The first step is to determine whether your ADHD symptoms are in line with the requirements for the disorder: Several of them are present prior to the age of 12 years old. They can be found in multiple settings, for example, home, school and at work. They interfere with daily functioning.
Since adhd diagnosis for adults of ADHD can be triggered by mood disorders such as anxiety or bipolar and other physical conditions and illnesses, your healthcare professional may want to do additional evaluations before making a diagnosis. This could include clinical interviews and rating-scales for symptoms or psychological tests to test thinking abilities as well as problem solving abilities and memory.
It's crucial to be open with your health professional. And that might mean discussing how the difficulties that you're facing in various aspects of your life have impacted your mood. In addition the mental health professional conducting your evaluation may request that you talk to your spouse or close friends and family members to get a more complete picture of how you've struggled. They may even request that your family members fill out questionnaires comparing their experiences with yours.
Signs and symptoms
Adults suffering from ADHD might notice that their symptoms can affect their daily life, especially at work and school. They may have trouble keeping jobs or maintaining relationships. They may also struggle to pay the bills because of their lack of attention and impulsivity, which makes it difficult for them remember things, organize tasks, or complete projects. The symptoms may be mild, moderate or severe.
To diagnose ADHD doctors employ standard tools such as checklists, interview questions and questionnaires. 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.
Inattention symptoms include difficulty paying attention to small details, daydreaming, and appearing easily distracted. Inattention can also be manifested by a lack of focus and difficulty finishing tasks, as well being prone to getting sidetracked or lose the track of time.
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 routine activities. They might lose keys, phones or wallets often. They may have trouble waiting for their turn at the classroom, at work or when playing. They have a low tolerance to stress or anger and experience frequent and intense mood fluctuations.
Adults with ADHD are more likely to suffer from co-occurring conditions like disorder of the opposition anxiety, depression as well as tic disorders. Tourette syndrome and addiction issues. Co-occurring disorders may complicate treatment and make it more difficult to diagnose ADHD.
Treatment
If you suspect you may have ADHD the first step to get an accurate diagnosis is to speak with your primary care physician. They will likely refer you to a psychiatrist or mental health specialist. These professionals will review your symptoms and problems at school, at work or at home to assess how they affect your life. They will use a structured interview and might seek the assistance of family members or close friends who know you well. They will also go over the medical and family background of your family, and conduct a physical exam.
Your doctor will also look at how long you've experienced these symptoms and what effect they affect your life today. To be considered to have ADHD symptoms must be present for at minimum 6 months and are not caused by other disorders such as anxiety or depression. Additionally, they must affect everyday activities like getting to class, completing tasks on time or keeping a job.
When you are evaluated the mental health professional might also employ standardized scales for behavior and ADHD symptoms checklists. You will also be administered a cognitive test that will check your executive and working memory functioning and also your spatial and visual abilities. They will also check for any other conditions that may cause similar symptoms, like a thyroid problem or seizure disorder.
If your mental health provider finds that you have ADHD they will go over the available treatments and medications options. Most often it is a combination of medications and talk therapy (counseling) is best. Therapy helps you to manage your symptoms and improve communication with your family members and colleagues. It can also help address issues that can arise in relationships and marriages because of the difficulties that ADHD can cause at home and work.
Medication
The symptoms of ADHD in adults are generally more mild than in childhood, but they can cause issues at home and at work. The disorder can lead to difficulty in obtaining or maintaining jobs, issues with social and interpersonal relationships and academic failures, low self-esteem and emotional distress, temper tantrums and potentially antisocial behaviors.
The medication can aid in the condition by increasing and balancing the levels of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters which regulate the flow of information in the brain. The stimulants, which are typically prescribed for ADHD in adults, are the most common medications. Jornay, Xelstrym, Cotempla and Adhansia are all examples of stimulants. The non-stimulant atomoxetine, a non-stimulant antidepressants like bupropion, also are used to treat ADHD in adults. These drugs work slower than stimulants, and may be better for people who are not able to take stimulants due to health issues or severe side effects.
Psychotherapy (also called cognitive-behavioral therapy) could be beneficial in treating comorbid disorders associated with ADHD like depression and anxiety. Psychotherapy may be a better treatment than medications alone for these conditions according to research. Psychotherapy focuses on teaching the skills to manage the disorder and improve functioning at school, work and in relationships. The goal is to improve confidence in oneself, reduce problematic behavior and improve their performance and success. It is recommended that each psychotherapy program for adult ADHD sufferers include a cognitive-behavioral component. In one study, researchers found that ADHD patients who received both psychotherapy and medication reported a higher level of improvement than those who simply took the medication.
Counseling
Adults who do not want to take medication can find relief through counseling and therapy. Individual talk therapy can address issues like low self-esteem, feelings of being insecure and frequent job changes that typically occur with ADHD. It can also help improve communication and strengthen relationships by helping patients and loved ones to understand the disorder and learn coping strategies.
Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses primarily on teaching patients how 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 teach coping strategies for impulse control emotional regulation, relationship and issues that arise as a result of the impulsive behavior. click hyperlink can help you live an easier life especially at work.
Counseling can help people with ADHD seek accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act. This can improve their job performance and overall satisfaction. This can include changing the structure of their work to allow them more flexibility in meeting deadlines and completing tasks on time.
Choosing the right therapist is crucial to get the most value from treatment for adult ADHD. Asking about the therapist's approach and if they have been able to treat ADHD in adults is crucial when interviewing potential therapists. Checking the credentials of therapists as well as insurance coverage is an excellent idea. Some providers offer sliding scale fees or online therapy services to make treatment more accessible to those who are unable to pay for it.