ADHD Diagnosis For Adults
Many adults have difficulty getting an ADHD diagnosis, as doctors follow different guidelines for diagnosing the disorder than those for teenagers and children. adult diagnosis adhd requires a minimum of five symptoms that fall within the categories of hyperactivity, inattention and the tendency to be impulsive.
Evaluations by professionals will ask you questions about your childhood, work and academic life, your alcohol and drug use and family history. They might also want to speak with your spouse or a close friend.
What is ADHD?
If you're constantly losing your keys, struggle with school or work or are having trouble staying engaged in conversations, getting an ADHD diagnosis as an adult can be a great relief. You're not crazy, and you can deal with it better, according to Mary V. Solanto Ph.D. Professor of Psychology at Hofstra-Northwell School of Medicine in Long Island, New York.
The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision (DSM-5) offers the guidelines providers use to make an ADHD diagnosis. 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 assessment usually begins with a face-to–face conversation with your doctor who will go over your symptoms and their impact on your daily life. It's helpful to bring report cards or other evidence from your childhood, as it can aid in getting more information about your experience with ADHD. Your doctor might ask you to speak with a close family member, spouse, friend member or coworker who is familiar with you well. They could inquire about your relationship and their observations of your behavior and how it affects them as well as how your ADHD symptoms are interacted with other conditions such as anxiety or depression.
The interview will likely include questions about your lifestyle like how often you forget to pay bills or make appointments, and if you struggle managing your time or organization skills. It is essential to be honest in your answers and consider how these habits impact your daily life. If you're unsure about your symptoms, it's worth consulting your healthcare professional to refer you to a different doctor or psychologist for an evaluation. You can find self-tests and rating scales online, however they're not as reliable or reliable as an interview with a licensed professional. Some of these tests can even lead to a false diagnosis, so it's recommended to talk to your doctor first.
Symptoms
Talk to your primary healthcare provider if think you might have ADHD. They can refer you to a mental health professional like psychiatrist or psychologist, to conduct an evaluation. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision DSM-5 offers guidelines for clinical care to identify mental disorders. It's important to provide as much detail about your symptoms as you can to enable your doctor to determine the most accurate diagnosis.
The person conducting the assessment will review your medical, psychological and psychiatric history, including past problems and ask you about how the symptoms affect your life. They might also talk to your children and spouse as well as teachers, coworkers and others who know you. Your test may include behavioral, neuropsychological or learning disability tests. These tests can provide your provider with additional information regarding your ADHD symptoms and 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 someone who is mostly inattention include difficulty paying attention not paying attention to details, or making mistakes. The person conducting the assessment will also assess the impact these symptoms have on work, school and social 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.
Typically, these symptoms show up in childhood. However, they can be present in later life. Adults may recognize their own ADHD symptoms when their children are diagnosed or after a change in their life like getting married, a job or moving into a new home. In some cases the condition isn't recognized until a person has significant issues at work or with their relationships. This could mean being dismissed, having financial difficulties or getting in trouble with the law.
Diagnosis
A screening is the first thing you should take in the event that you suspect you might have ADHD. A licensed mental health professional will meet with you and discuss your symptoms as well as your medical history, and family history. The interview may also include questions about work and school performance as well as how your symptoms impact your daily life at home and in relationships. You may wish to bring copies of your report cards, teacher comments and any other documents that could be relevant.
The psychiatric specialist will use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5) to assist make the diagnosis. For the diagnosis of ADHD symptoms, they must be present for at least six months and interfere with the development or functioning of multiple settings for example, at school or at home. Additionally, the symptoms must not be better explained by a mental disorder that is not related to ADHD like an anxiety disorder or mood disorder.
Many people suffering from ADHD are still struggling throughout their adulthood. Symptoms can impact work and school, lead to poor health and financial issues, and cause strain in relationships. Being diagnosed and treated can enhance your quality of life.
Certain ADHD symptoms may change as you the passage of time. For example, inattentiveness can become more evident as you age and the ability to control impulses and hyperactivity may decrease as you age. Other factors may contribute to the difficulties such as obstructive sleep apnea occurs more often in adults suffering from ADHD and sleep disorders are known to worsen ADHD symptoms.
People with ADHD frequently have co-occurring disorders, such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder and learning disabilities. Sometimes, treating the underlying disorder can alleviate the symptoms of ADHD. If you suffer from other issues, it is essential to tell your mental health professional, as this can have a significant effect on the effectiveness of your treatment.
It is important to talk to your primary doctor, who will refer you to a medical professional who is certified in ADHD assessments for adults. Find out if there are support groups for adults suffering from ADHD in your locality. They can offer resources and a list of specialties of professionals. You can also reach out to your insurance company to find out about the health care providers who are covered under your plan.
Treatment
A thorough assessment by a health professional is the best way to determine the severity of adult ADHD. The evaluation should contain questions about your childhood, your current life, and screening for ADHD symptoms. You may be asked whether your ADHD symptoms have caused problems at work, at school or in your relationships.
Counseling and medication are two of the many options available for adults with ADHD. Psychotherapy can be a part of counseling, also called talk therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy. These therapies help you learn how to manage your symptoms and how to transform negative thinking patterns into positive ones. They can also be helpful in addressing other mental health conditions like depression and anxiety, that frequently occur in conjunction with ADHD.
Psychostimulants like dextroamphetamine or methylphenidate are commonly utilized for treating adults suffering from ADHD. These medications affect how certain chemicals in the brain communicate to regulate behavior. Your doctor will choose the right medication for your body and symptoms, and alters the dosage and frequency as needed. Nonstimulants are also available, which do not act on the same brain pathways as psychostimulants and can be beneficial for adults suffering from ADHD. Nonstimulant medicines include atomoxetine Guanfacine and guanfacine.
Other treatment options for adults suffering from ADHD could include mentoring or coaching to teach strategies and coping techniques. You may learn to make use of a diary or planner, or be shown time management strategies. You may also benefit from adjusting your living situation to accommodate your ADHD symptoms, for instance, working from home rather than working in a place of work, using smartphone apps to track tasks or scheduling appointments for times that are less crowded. You may also want to inquire about joining clinical trials, which is a research investigation designed to test the effectiveness of new ways of treating illnesses and conditions. (NIMH offers information about clinical trials.
You may be referred to an expert in mental health or another health care professional by your family doctor for an assessment of your ADHD. You could ask a friend or family member for recommendations, or contact a local ADHD support group.