Getting an ADHD Diagnosis in Adults
Many people seek a diagnosis after realizing they are having issues in their relationships or at work because of ADHD. NIMH recommends that those seeking a diagnosis speak with their primary care physician or a mental health professional.
They will request a detailed medical history and perform tests like symptom rating scales and psychological tests. They might also undergo physical examinations to rule out medical conditions that could be similar to ADHD, such as thyroid problems or seizures.
Diagnosis
Receiving a diagnosis of ADHD can be revealing and empowering, but it can also be distressing. Adults who have been struggling with the symptoms of ADHD for decades might finally decide to seek a professional opinion, prompted by frustrations at work or in relationships or after being informed by family or friends that they may have 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 interviews with a clinical psychologist.
The first step in the process is to determine whether your ADHD symptoms meet requirements for the disorder: A number of them are present prior to the age of 12 years old. They can be present in more than one setting such as school, home and at work. They interfere with daily functioning.
Your doctor may have to conduct additional tests to establish an accurate diagnosis. This is because symptoms of ADHD are also triggered by mood disorders such as anxiety, bipolar disorder, and other physical conditions or illnesses. This could include interviews with a clinical psychologist or rating scales for symptoms, or psychological testing to assess thinking capabilities, problem solving skills, and memory.
It's important to be completely open with your mental health professional, and this could mean discussing how the difficulties that you're facing in various aspects of your life affect your mood. In addition, the mental health professional doing your assessment may ask you to talk to your spouse or close family members to get a more complete picture of how you've struggled. They might also request permission to have family members fill out questionnaires comparing their experiences to yours.
Signs and symptoms
Adults with ADHD frequently notice that their issues interfere with everyday activities, especially at school and work. They may have difficulty maintaining a job, remaining in relationships or making ends meet because of the lack of attention and impulsivity that make it difficult to follow instructions, remember things, organize tasks or complete tasks. The symptoms could be mild or moderate. It could also be severe.
To determine ADHD doctors use standard tools such as checklists, interview questions and questionnaires. They also look into medical and family history and consider 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.
Inattention symptoms include difficulties paying attention to even the smallest details, daydreaming, and appearing easily distracted. Problems with completing tasks and staying on task, 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 tend to forget things quickly and have difficulty managing their daily routines at work or at home. They might lose their keys, phones or wallets a lot. They struggle to wait for their turn at school, at work or playing. They can be easily annoyed or stressed, and experience frequent mood swings.
In adults, it is more common for people suffering from ADHD to have co-existing conditions, such as conduct disorders or oppositional defiant, anxiety or depression, tic disorders or Tourette syndrome, as well as substance abuse issues. The presence of co-occurring disorders can make it difficult to treat and may make it more difficult to identify ADHD.
Treatment
Talking to your primary care physician is the first step towards receiving a diagnosis in the event that you suspect you may have ADHD. They can refer you to a specialist in mental health. These professionals will examine your symptoms and concerns in the workplace, at school or at home to determine how they interfere with your life. They will conduct an organized interview, and they might seek the assistance of family members or other friends who know you well. They will also go over your medical history and family background and conduct a physical exam.
Your doctor will also take a look at the length of time you've been experiencing these symptoms and the effect they have on your life now. To be considered to have ADHD, symptoms must be present for at least 6 months and cannot be explained by other disorders like anxiety or depression. Additionally, they should hinder daily activities, such as attending classes, completing tasks on time, or keeping a job.
During your evaluation the mental health professional might employ standardized behavior rating scales and ADHD symptoms checklists. You will also be administered a cognitive test which will test your executive and working memory functioning and also your visual and spatial abilities. They may also test for other conditions that can cause similar symptoms like seizures or thyroid condition.
If your psychiatrist finds that you have ADHD, they will discuss the medications available and treatment options. In most cases, a combination of medication and talk therapy (counseling) is the best. Therapy can assist you in managing your symptoms and improve communication between your family members and colleagues. It can also help address issues that may arise in relationships and marriages due to the problems ADHD can cause at work and at home.
Medication
The signs of ADHD in adults are typically much milder than they were in childhood, but they can cause issues at home and work. The disorder can result in difficulties in getting or keeping the job you want, issues with social interactions and relationships, self-esteem issues, academic lapses emotional stress, temper tantrums and disruptive behavior.
Medication can help treat the disorder by increasing and balancing levels of brain chemicals referred to as neurotransmitters, which regulate the flow of information in the brain. Stimulants, commonly prescribed for ADHD in adults, are the most common drugs. Jornay, Xelstrym, Cotempla and Adhansia are all examples of stimulants. how to diagnosis adhd -stimulant atomoxetine, a non-stimulant antidepressants, such as bupropion are also used to treat ADHD in adults. These medications work slower than stimulants, and could be more suitable for people who can't take stimulant medication because of health problems or severe adverse reactions.
Psychotherapy, also known as cognitive-behavioral therapy, can help in the treatment of comorbid disorders such as anxiety and depression that are connected to ADHD. Psychotherapy could be a better treatment than medication alone for these conditions according to research. Psychotherapy focuses on teaching skills to manage the disorder and improve your performance at school, at work and in relationships. The goal is to improve the person's self esteem and reduce problematic behavior, as well as improve their performance and overall performance. It is advised that all psychotherapy strategies for adult ADHD sufferers include a cognitive component. In one study, researchers found that ADHD patients who received both psychotherapy and medication experienced a higher level of improvement than those who simply took the medication.
Counseling
For adults who do not wish to use medication, therapy and counseling may offer significant relief. Individual talk therapy can address issues such as low self-esteem and feelings of being insecure that are commonly associated with ADHD. It can also improve relationships and improve communication by helping patients and their loved ones to understand the condition and develop coping techniques.
Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses primarily on teaching patients how to overcome 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 may also focus on developing time-management and organizational skills, or teach coping mechanisms to deal with emotional regulation, impulse control and relationship issues that can arise from the impulsive behavior. These strategies can assist you in living an easier life especially at work.
Counseling can assist people with ADHD seek accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act. This can help improve their work performance and satisfaction. For professionals, this could be a matter of changing the way their work is structured to give them more flexibility to meet deadlines and complete tasks within the timeframes they need to.
Finding the right therapist crucial to get the most out of treatment for adults with ADHD. Asking about the therapist's approach and whether they have dealt with ADHD in adults is essential when interviewing potential therapists. It is important to verify the credentials of the therapist as well as insurance coverage. Some providers have a sliding scale fee or offer online therapy services which make therapy accessible to people who cannot afford to pay out from their pockets.