Getting an ADHD Diagnosis in Adults
Many people seek a diagnose when they realize that ADHD causes them to have problems at work or in their relationships. NIMH suggests that those seeking diagnosis talk to their primary care provider or a mental health professional.
They will ask for an extensive medical history as well as perform tests like symptom rating scales and psychological tests. They may also get an examination to rule out medical conditions that could be similar to ADHD, such as thyroid problems or seizures.
Getting a Diagnosis
It can be empowering and eye-opening to be given the diagnosis of ADHD but it can also be depressing. Adults who have been struggling with the symptoms of ADHD for a long time may decide to seek a professional opinion, due to frustrations at workplace or in their relationships or due to being informed by family or friends that they may be suffering from ADHD. It is crucial to keep in mind that a health professional can take an extended time to determine ADHD, and that the process is more than completing standard tests or conducting a series of clinical interviews.
diagnosed with adhd is to determine if your ADHD symptoms match the criteria for the disorder. Many of these symptoms manifest before the age of 12. They may occur in multiple settings, such as school, home and work. They interfere with daily functioning.
Your doctor may have to perform additional evaluations in order to make a 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 may include clinical interviews or rating scales for symptoms, or psychological tests to test thinking capabilities and problem-solving skills and memory.
It is essential to be honest with your health professional. And this could mean discussing how the issues you're experiencing in various areas of your life have impacted your mood. The mental health professional who is evaluating you may also want to speak with your spouse, family members and friends to gain an understanding of your challenges. They might also ask permission to have your family members fill out questionnaires to compare their experiences to yours.
Symptoms
Adults with ADHD might notice that their symptoms can affect their everyday life, particularly at school and at work. They may have difficulty finding work, staying in relationships, or making ends meet because of the inattention and impulsivity that makes it difficult to follow directions, remember things, organize tasks or complete projects. The symptoms could be mild, moderate, or severe.
To diagnose ADHD the professionals use standard tools such as checklists as well as questionnaires and interview questions. They also check the family and medical history of the person and take into account 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.
The symptoms of an inattentive person include difficulty paying attention details, daydreaming and seeming easily distracted. Trouble following and finishing tasks, 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 easily and have trouble managing their daily routines, work or home. They might lose keys, phones, papers or wallets frequently. They struggle to wait for their turn at school, at work or play. They have a low tolerance for frustration or stress and experience frequent and intense mood fluctuations.
Adults with ADHD are more likely to suffer from co-occurring disorders like oppositional defiant or conduct disorders anxiety, depression as well as tic disorders. Tourette syndrome and issues with substance abuse. Co-occurring disorders can complicate treatment and make it harder to diagnose ADHD.
Treatment
If you think you have ADHD, the first step in getting a diagnosis is to talk with your primary care physician. They will likely refer you to a mental health specialist. They will look over your symptoms and problems at work, school or at home to assess how they impact your daily life. They may use a structured interview or ask family members or close friends to help. They will also go over the medical and family history of your family and will conduct a physical examination.
Your doctor will also look at how long you've experienced these symptoms and the effect they have on your life now. To be able to be diagnosed with ADHD, symptoms must have been present for at least six months and cannot be explained by other conditions like anxiety or depression. They also have to interfere with daily tasks, such as getting to school, completing assignments on time, or maintaining the job.
During your evaluation Your mental health specialist may utilize standardized scales for assessing behavior and ADHD symptom checklists. They may also give you a cognitive test to assess your working memory, executive functioning and spatial and visual abilities. They will also look for other conditions that could cause similar symptoms, such as a thyroid problem or seizure disorder.
If your doctor decides you have ADHD and you are diagnosed, they will explain what medications are available and discuss the treatment options. Most often the combination of medication and talk therapy (counseling) is the best. Therapy can aid in managing your symptoms, and also improve communication between family members and coworkers. Therapy can also aid in resolving problems that may develop in relationships and marriages due to the problems ADHD can create.
Medication
The signs of ADHD in adults are typically much milder than they were in childhood, however they can still cause problems at work and home. The disorder can result in difficulties in obtaining or keeping a good job, problems with relationships and social interaction, academic failures, low self-esteem emotional stress, temper tantrums and antisocial behavior.
Medication can help with the condition by increasing and balancing brain chemicals called neurotransmitters, which control the flow of information in the brain. Stimulants, commonly prescribed for ADHD in adults are the most frequently prescribed drugs. Jornay, Xelstrym, Cotempla and Adhansia are all examples of stimulants. The non-stimulant atomoxetine as well as certain antidepressants, such as bupropion, also are used to treat ADHD in adults. These medications are slower to work than stimulants, and may be better for people who cannot take stimulant medication due to health issues or severe side effects.
Psychotherapy, also referred to as cognitive-behavioral therapy, can be beneficial in treating disorders that are comorbid, such as anxiety and depression that are connected to ADHD. Psychotherapy is a more effective treatment than medications alone for these conditions as per research. Psychotherapy is primarily focused on teaching techniques to manage the disorder as well as improving functioning at work, in school and with relationships. The goal is to increase confidence in oneself, reduce problematic behavior and increase the effectiveness and performance. It is recommended that every psychotherapy program for adults ADHD patients include a cognitive behavior component. In one study, researchers discovered that ADHD patients who received both therapy and medication showed a higher level of improvement than those who simply took the medication.
Counseling
For adults who don't want to use medication Therapy and counseling could be a great source of relief. Individual therapy can address issues like low self-esteem, feeling of failure, and frequent job changes that typically occur with ADHD. It can also help improve relationships and improve communication by helping the patients and their families to comprehend the disorder and learn ways to cope.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is primarily focused on teaching patients to overcome negative thoughts 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 and relationship issues that arise as a result of an impulsive behavior. These strategies can aid people in living happier and more productive life, particularly in the workplace.
Counseling can help people with ADHD seek accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act. This will improve their job performance and satisfaction. This can include changing the structure of their work to allow them to be more flexible in meeting deadlines and finishing tasks in time.
Selecting the right therapist is essential to getting the most value from treatment for adults with ADHD. Asking about the therapist's approach and whether they have dealt with ADHD in adults is crucial when interviewing potential therapists. Examining the credentials of therapists as well as insurance coverage is an excellent idea. Some providers have a sliding scale fee or provide online therapy which make therapy accessible to those who can't afford to pay out from their pockets.