ADHD Diagnosis For Adults
Adults are often unable to get an ADHD diagnosis because doctors follow different clinical guidelines than they do for teenagers and children. The diagnosis requires at minimum five symptoms from the categories of hyperactivity, inattention and the tendency to be impulsive.
The professionals conducting the evaluation will ask questions about your childhood, education, work, and family history. diagnosis of adhd may also want to talk to your spouse or family members.
What is ADHD?
It's not always a good thing to receive an ADHD diagnosis in your adulthood, whether you're constantly losing keys, have difficulty with work or school or have trouble staying focused during conversations. You're not crazy and can manage it better, says Mary V. Solanto Ph.D. Professor of Psychology at the Hofstra-Northwell School of Medicine in Long Island, New York.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision of the American Psychiatric Association (DSM-5) is a guideline for doctors 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.
An ADHD evaluation typically begins with a face-to–face conversation with your doctor who will discuss your symptoms and their impact on your life. It's helpful to bring report cards or other information from your childhood, as it can aid the doctor in gaining a better understanding of your history with ADHD. Your doctor may suggest that you speak to a close partner, spouse, family member or coworker who is familiar with you well. They might ask questions about your relationship and their observations of your behavior and how it affects them, and also how your ADHD symptoms are interacted with other conditions such as anxiety or depression.
The interview may be a discussion of your daily routine such as how often you don't remember to pay your bills or attend appointments, and if you struggle managing your time or organization skills. It is important to be truthful in your answers and consider how these behaviors affect your daily life. If you're not sure about your symptoms, consider asking your healthcare provider to refer you to a doctor or psychologist to conduct an evaluation. Self-tests and rating systems are available online, but these are not as reliable as an interview conducted by a qualified professional. Some of these tests may even lead to a false diagnosis, so you should always consult your physician before using them.
Signs and symptoms
Consult your primary healthcare provider if think you might be suffering from ADHD. They may recommend you to a mental healthcare specialist for an evaluation, like a psychiatrist or psychologist. 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 is crucial to provide your provider as much information as possible about your symptoms so that they can make an accurate diagnosis.
The person who conducts the evaluation will examine your medical, psychological, and psychiatric history, including any past issues and ask how the symptoms affect your life. They will also talk to your spouse, children teachers, colleagues, and other people who know you well. Your assessment could include neuropsychological, behavioral or learning disability tests. These tests will provide your doctor with additional information regarding your ADHD symptoms and can help determine if other conditions are causing 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 a person who is mostly inattention are a lack of attention, omitting details or making mistakes. The person who evaluates the child will also determine the impact these symptoms have on school, work and even 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 childhood. They may also manifest in adulthood. Some adults recognise their own ADHD symptoms when their children have been diagnosed or because of life changes such as an employment change, a marriage or a move into their own home. In other instances, the condition goes undiagnosed until the adult experiences major issues at work or with their relationships. This could mean being dismissed from work, having financial problems or getting into trouble with the law.
Diagnosis
A screening is the first step you should do in the event that you suspect you might have ADHD. A qualified mental health professional will interview you and evaluates your symptoms, medical background and family history. The interview may also include questions regarding work and school performance as well as how the symptoms affect your life at home and in relationships. You may be required to bring copies of report cards, teacher notes and any other information that could be relevant.
The psychiatric professional will use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5) to assist make the diagnosis. The symptoms of ADHD must be present for at least six months and they must affect development or functioning in multiple environments, such as school or at home. In addition, the signs must not be better explained by a mental disorder that is not related to ADHD, such as an anxiety or mood disorder.
Many people with ADHD continue to have problems into adulthood. The symptoms of ADHD can affect both school and work. They can also cause poor health or financial problems and stress relationships. If diagnosed and treated, you can make a difference in your quality of life.
Some ADHD symptoms change with age. For example, inattentiveness is more evident as you age and hyperactivity and impulse control may decrease as you get older. Other factors can contribute to the difficulties, for example obstructive sleep apnea is more common in adults with ADHD and poor sleeping habits are known to exacerbate ADHD symptoms.
Many people who suffer from ADHD have co-occurring conditions such as anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder and learning disabilities. Sometimes, treating the root disorder can alleviate ADHD symptoms. It is crucial to inform your mental health professional that you suffer from any other condition. This could influence the effectiveness of treatment.
It is crucial to speak to your primary care doctor, who will refer you to a health specialist who is trained in ADHD assessments for adults. It is also recommended to inquire whether there are any support groups specifically for people with ADHD in your area. They can offer resources as well as a list by specialization of professionals. You can also reach out to your insurance company to find out about health care providers that are covered by your policy.
Treatment
The most effective approach for diagnosing adult ADHD is a thorough evaluation by a health professional. The evaluation should contain questions about your childhood, your present life and screening for ADHD symptoms. You may be asked about any problems that your ADHD symptoms are causing at school, work or in your relationships.
diagnosis for adhd and medication are two of the many treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. Counseling is a combination of psychotherapy (also called talk therapy) and cognitive behavioral therapy. These kinds of therapies assist you in learning how to manage your symptoms and transform negative patterns of thinking to positive ones. They can also assist in dealing with other mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety, that often co-occur with ADHD.
Treatment for adults suffering from ADHD typically involves psychostimulants like the methylphenidate (Ritalin) and dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine). These medicines affect how certain chemicals in the brain communicate to regulate behavior. Your doctor will select a medication that fits your body and symptoms, and adjusts the dosage and frequency as needed. Nonstimulants are also available, which do not act on the same brain pathways like psychostimulants and are effective for adults with ADHD. Nonstimulant medications include atomoxetine, Guanfacine and the guanfacine.
Other treatment options for adults suffering from ADHD may include coaching or mentoring to teach strategies and coping techniques. For instance, you could be taught how to keep a planner in place or journals, or you might be given strategies for improving your time management. You could also benefit from changing your lifestyle to accommodate your ADHD symptoms, for instance, working from home rather than at a office and using apps on your phone to keep track of tasks, or scheduling appointments for times that are less busy. You may also want to inquire about taking part in a clinical study that is a research endeavor designed to test out new ways to treat diseases and conditions. (NIMH provides information on clinical trials.)
You could be referred to a mental specialist or another health specialist by your family doctor for a diagnosis of your ADHD. You can ask a friend or family member for recommendations or call an local ADHD support group.