ADHD Diagnosis For Adults
Adults often have trouble getting an ADHD diagnosis because doctors follow different clinical guidelines than they do for children and teenagers. The diagnosis must include at least five symptoms from the categories of hyperactivity, inattention and an impulsiveness.
The professionals conducting the evaluation will ask you questions about your childhood, academic and work life, drug and alcohol use and family history. They may also ask to speak to your spouse or a friend.
What is ADHD?
It can be a relief to get an ADHD diagnosis in your adulthood regardless of whether you're constantly losing your keys, have difficulty with work or school or have trouble staying focused in conversations. "You know you're not insane, and that puts you in a better position to manage it," says pediatrician Mary V. Solanto, Ph.D., a professor of psychology and psychiatry at Hofstra-Northwell School of Medicine on Long Island, New York.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision of the American Psychiatric Association (DSM-5), provides guidelines for providers to diagnose ADHD. Adults need to meet a lower threshold of symptoms than children -- 5 out of 9 over the past 6 months -- to be diagnosed with either inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive ADHD, or a combination.
A face-toface meeting with your doctor is typically the first step in an ADHD evaluation. They will discuss your symptoms and how they impact your daily life. Bring any reports from your childhood to help the doctor understand your history of ADHD. Your doctor may suggest that you speak with a close partner, spouse, family member, or a coworker who knows you well. They might ask questions about your relationship as well as their observations of your behavior and how it affects them and also how your ADHD symptoms can be linked to other conditions such as depression or anxiety.
You'll be asked questions about your daily routine during the interview, including the frequency you fail to go to appointments or pay bills or if you experience difficulty with time management. It's crucial to be honest in your answers, and to consider how these habits affect your daily routine. Request your healthcare professional for a referral to a different doctor or therapist if you are unsure about the symptoms. Self-tests are available as well as rating scales online, but they're not as reliable and reliable as an interview with a trained professional. Some of these tests might even lead to a wrong diagnosis, so always consult with your doctor prior to using them.
Signs and symptoms
Consult your primary healthcare provider if you think you might have ADHD. He or she may recommend you to a mental healthcare specialist for an evaluation, such as psychologist or psychiatrist. The American Psychiatric Association provides clinical guidelines for diagnosing in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition Text Revision (DSM-5). It's crucial to give your doctor as much detail as you can regarding your symptoms so that they can provide an accurate diagnosis.
The person conducting the assessment will review your mental, psychological and medical background, including past issues and ask how the symptoms affect your life. They may also interview your spouse and children and teachers, colleagues and others who know you. Your assessment could include neuropsychological, behavioral or learning disability tests. These tests can provide your provider additional information about how your ADHD symptoms affect you, and also help determine if there are other conditions that can cause similar symptoms.
In addition to evaluating your current symptoms, the professional will determine whether you have predominantly inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive or combined type ADHD. To receive a diagnosis, you must show that you have at least six of the nine symptoms for either the inattentive or hyperactive-impulsive presentation.
The signs of someone who is inattention-deficient include a lack of focus not paying attention to details, or making erroneous mistakes. The person who is evaluating the child will also be able to determine how these symptoms affect the school, work and personal life. The impulsive/hyperactive/impulsive symptoms of ADHD include fidgeting, difficulty sitting still or squirming in the chair, excessive talking and interrupting others, frequent blurting out answers before questions are finished and difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly.
Often, these symptoms appear in the early years of childhood. However, they can be present in later life. Adults may recognize their own ADHD symptoms after their children are diagnosed, or due to changes in their lives, such as an employment change, a marriage or a move to their own home. In other instances the disorder is not diagnosed until the adult experiences significant problems at work or in their relationships. This can include being dismissed from a job or having financial issues, or a saga with the law.
Diagnosis
A screening is the first thing you should take if you suspect you are suffering from ADHD. A licensed mental health professional will talk to you and review your symptoms as well as your medical history and family history. The interview could also include questions regarding work and school performance, as well as how the symptoms affect your life at home and in your relationships. You may be required to bring copies of report cards, teacher comments and any other documents that could be relevant.
The psychiatric specialist utilizes the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5), to establish the diagnosis. The symptoms of ADHD should be present for at least six months and they should affect functioning or developmental progress in multiple environments like school or home. In addition, the signs cannot be explained better by another mental disorder, such as a mood disorder or anxiety disorder.
Many people suffering from ADHD have problems well into adulthood. Symptoms can impact work and school, lead to poor health in the financial or personal aspects, and cause strain in relationships. If diagnosed and treated, you can improve your life.
Certain symptoms of ADHD develop with age, for example inattentive symptoms may become more noticeable as you get older and impulsivity and hyperactivity could lessen with age. Other factors may contribute to difficulties, for example obstructive sleep apnea occurs more often in adults suffering from ADHD and sleep habits that are not optimal are known to worsen ADHD symptoms.
Many people who suffer from ADHD suffer from co-occurring illnesses such as anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder and learning disabilities. Sometimes, treating the root disorder can help eliminate ADHD symptoms. It is crucial to inform your mental health professional that you have any other medical conditions. This could influence the effectiveness of treatment.
It is important that you speak to your primary physician who can refer you to a health professional trained in ADHD assessments for adults. Ask if there is a support groups for adults with ADHD in your locality. They can offer information and a list of specialists by specialization. You can also reach out to your insurance company to find out about the health care providers who are covered by your plan.
Treatment
A thorough assessment by a healthcare professional is the best way to determine if you suffer from adult ADHD. The examination should include questions about your childhood, your current life and screening for ADHD symptoms. You could also be asked about any problems that your ADHD symptoms are causing at school, work or in your relationships.
Counseling and medication are two of the many treatment options available for adults with ADHD. Counseling can be described as psychotherapy (also called talk therapy) and cognitive behavioral therapy. These types of therapy aid you in learning to manage your symptoms and transform negative patterns of thinking to positive ones. They can also help with other mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, which often co-occur along with ADHD.
Iam Psychiatry for adults suffering from ADHD typically involves psychostimulants such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) and dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine). These medicines affect how certain brain chemicals communicate to regulate behavior. Your doctor will recommend a medication that is right for you and your symptoms, and alter the dosage and frequency accordingly. Nonstimulants are also available, which do not act on the same brain pathways as psychostimulants, and they can be beneficial for adults suffering from ADHD. Nonstimulant drugs include atomoxetine Guanfacine, and guanfacine.
Other treatment options for adults suffering from ADHD may include mentoring or coaching to help you learn strategies and coping skills. You might learn how to utilize a diary or planner, or you may be taught strategies for managing time. You could also benefit from changing your lifestyle to accommodate your ADHD symptoms, like working at home instead of working in a place of work and using apps on your phone to keep track of tasks, or scheduling appointments for times that aren't as busy. You may also wish to inquire about joining clinical trials which is a study investigation designed to test the effectiveness of new methods of treating diseases and conditions. (NIMH has information about clinical trials.)
Sometimes your family physician may recommend you to a mental health specialist or another care professional for an evaluation of your ADHD. You can ask a family member or family member for recommendations or call a local ADHD support group.