Getting an ADHD Diagnosis in Adults
Many people seek out a diagnosis after realizing they have trouble in relationships or at work due to ADHD. NIMH suggests that those seeking diagnosis talk to their primary care provider or a mental health professional.
They will take a thorough history and complete tests such as symptom rating scales or psychological tests. They might also undergo physical examinations to rule out medical conditions that could be similar to ADHD like thyroid problems or seizures.
Diagnosis
It can be liberating and eye-opening to receive an diagnosis of ADHD, but it can be also distressing. Adults who have been struggling with the symptoms of ADHD for years may decide to seek out a medical opinion, prompted by frustrations at work or in relationships or due to being informed by family members or friends that they may have ADHD. It is crucial to remember that a health professional can take several months to determine ADHD and the process requires more than simply completing standardized tests or conducting a series of clinical interviews.
The first step is to determine if your ADHD symptoms match the criteria for the disorder. Several of these symptoms are present before the age of 12. They can be present in more than one place such as school, home and at work. They affect daily life.
Your healthcare professional may need to perform additional evaluations in order to make an accurate diagnosis. This is because the symptoms of ADHD can also be caused by mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder, anxiety and various other physical ailments or illnesses. This could include interviews with a psychologist, rating scales for symptoms, and psychological testing to evaluate your thinking abilities, problem-solving skills, and memory.
It is essential that you are 100% honest with the mental health professional. This could mean discussing how your mood has been affected by your issues in different areas of life. In addition, the mental health professional conducting your evaluation might ask to 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 ask them to complete questionnaires on their experiences with you and compare them with your own.
Symptoms
Adults suffering from ADHD might find that their symptoms affect everyday life, particularly at school and work. They might have trouble finding work, staying in relationships, or even getting by due to the inattention and impulsivity which makes it difficult to follow instructions or remember details, plan tasks or complete projects. The symptoms can be mild or moderate. adult diagnosis adhd could also be severe.
To determine ADHD, doctors use common tools like checklists, interview questions and questionnaires. They also analyze 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.
Symptoms of the inattentive type include trouble paying attention to details, daydreaming and appearing to be easily distracted. Inattention can also be associated with difficulty in following and working on tasks, aswell as a tendency to get lost in the flow or lose 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 tend to forget things easily and have trouble managing their daily routines, work or home. They may lose phones, keys or wallets often. They struggle to wait for their turn at school, work or at play. They are prone to frustration or stress and experience frequent and intense mood swings.
Adults suffering from ADHD are more likely to have co-existing disorders like oppositional defiant or conduct disorders depression, anxiety, tic disorders, Tourette syndrome, and substance abuse issues. The presence of co-occurring disorders can make it difficult to treat and may make it more difficult to determine ADHD.
Treatment
If you suspect you may have ADHD the first step in getting an accurate diagnosis is to speak with your primary care provider. They will likely recommend you to a mental health specialist. They will look over your symptoms and issues at school, work or home to see how they impact your life. They can conduct an organized interview or ask family members or close friends to assist. They will also go over the medical and family history of your family and will conduct a physical examination.
Your doctor will also consider the duration of these symptoms, and the impact they have on your life. To be diagnosed with ADHD, symptoms must have been present for at minimum 6 months and cannot be explained by other disorders like depression or anxiety. Additionally, they must affect daily activities, such as getting to class, completing tasks on time or maintaining a job.
When you are evaluated the mental health professional might also employ standardized scales for behavior and ADHD symptoms checklists. They will likely also conduct an assessment of your cognitive abilities to test your working memory, executive functioning, and spatial and visual abilities. They will also check for other conditions that could cause similar symptoms, like seizure or thyroid disorder.
If your doctor determines that you suffer from ADHD the doctor will inform you of the medications available and discuss possible treatment options. Most often it is a combination of medications and talk therapy (counseling) is best. Therapy helps you learn to manage your symptoms and improve communication with family members and other coworkers. It can also help with issues that can develop in relationships and marriages because of the issues ADHD can cause.
Medication
ADHD symptoms in adults are generally less severe than those in childhood. However they can still create problems at home and at work. The disorder can lead to difficulties in getting or keeping a good job, problems with social interactions and relationships, self-esteem issues, academic failures emotional distress, temper tantrums, and an attitude that is antisocial.
Medication can help treat the disorder by increasing and balancing levels of brain chemicals referred to as neurotransmitters that control the flow information in the brain. Stimulants, which are commonly prescribed for ADHD in adults, are the most common medications. Examples include Jornay (methylphenidate extended-release tablets), Xelstrym (dextroamphetamine extended-release oral suspension), Cotempla (methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release orally disintegrating tablet) and Adhansia (methylphenidate hydrochloride instant-release orally disintegrating tablet). The non-stimulant atomoxetine, a non-stimulant antidepressants, like bupropion, also are used to treat ADHD in adults. These medications work slower than stimulants, and could be a better choice for people who are unable to take stimulants due to health problems or severe side-effects.
Psychotherapy (also known as cognitive-behavioral therapy) could be beneficial in treating disorders that are comorbid to ADHD, such as depression and anxiety. Research suggests that psychotherapy is an effective treatment for these disorders than using medication on their own. Psychotherapy focuses on teaching skills to manage the disorder and improving performance at work, in school and in relationships. The goal is to improve the person's self esteem and decrease the risk of problematic behavior. It is also a way to increase their functioning and success. It is recommended that all psychotherapy methods for adult ADHD sufferers include a cognitive element. In one study, researchers discovered that ADHD patients who received both psychotherapy and medication reported an improvement in their condition more than those who just took the medication.
Counseling
For adults who do not wish to use medications, therapy and counseling may be a great source of relief. Individual therapy can address issues like low self-esteem and feelings being insecure that are commonly associated with ADHD. It can also help improve relationships and improve communication by helping patients and their families to comprehend the disorder and learn strategies for dealing with it.
Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on teaching patients skills to control their behavior and to 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 may also focus on developing organizational and time-management skills, or teach coping mechanisms to manage emotional regulation, impulse control and relationship issues that may arise from the impulsive behavior. These techniques can aid people in living a more productive and satisfying life, particularly in the workplace.
Counseling can assist people with ADHD to apply for accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act. This can help improve their job performance and satisfaction. This can include changing the structure of their work to give them more flexibility in meeting deadlines and finishing tasks within the timeframes they have set.
It is essential to choose the best 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 crucial when interviewing potential therapists. Verifying the credentials of therapists as well as insurance coverage is also an excellent idea. Some providers provide sliding scale fees or online therapy services to make therapy more accessible to those who are unable to afford it.