ADHD Diagnosis For Adults
Many adults are unable to get an ADHD diagnosis, as doctors apply different guidelines for diagnosing the disorder than they do for children and teens. The diagnosis requires at least five symptoms in the categories of hyperactivity, inattention and an impulsive nature.
Evaluations by professionals will ask you questions about your childhood, your work and academic life, alcohol and drug usage, and the family history. They might also want to speak with your spouse or friend.
What is ADHD?
It's not always a good thing to get an ADHD diagnosis in adulthood, whether you're constantly losing your keys, are having trouble with work or school or have trouble staying focused when talking to others. "You aren't crazy, and it puts you in better position to deal with it," says pediatrician Mary V. Solanto, Ph.D. is an associate professor of psychiatry and psychology 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) offers guidelines for healthcare professionals 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 healthcare professional is usually the first step in an ADHD assessment. They will discuss your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. It is beneficial to bring your report cards or other documents from your childhood, as it can aid the doctor in gaining a better understanding of your experience with ADHD. adhd adults diagnosis may also request to speak to a spouse or family member, a co-worker or a close friend who know you well. They might inquire about your relationship, their observations of your behavior and how it affects them as well as how your ADHD symptoms interact with other conditions like anxiety or depression.
You will be asked about your life during the interview, including the frequency you fail to go to appointments or pay bills, or if you have difficulties managing your time. It is crucial to be truthful in your answers and think about the impact these behaviors have on your daily life. Ask your healthcare professional for a referral to a different practitioner or therapist if are unsure of your symptoms. Self-tests are available as well as rating scales online, but they aren't as reliable or as valid as an appointment with a trained professional. Some of these tests might result in a wrong diagnosis, so always consult your physician prior to using them.
Signs and symptoms
If you suspect that you have ADHD begin by speaking to your primary care physician. He or she may recommend you to a mental health specialist for an assessment, such as psychologist or psychiatrist. The American Psychiatric Association provides clinical guidelines for diagnosing disorders in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision (DSM-5). It is essential to provide as much detail about your symptoms as you can to enable your doctor to make an accurate assessment.
The person evaluating you will inquire about your symptoms and how they affect your life. They will also talk to your children, spouse, teachers, co-workers and others who know you well. Your evaluation may include tests for learning disabilities, behavioral disorders, or neuropsychological disorders. These tests can provide your provider additional information about how your ADHD symptoms affect you and help rule out other conditions that 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 an inattention type include difficulty paying attention, missing details or making mistakes. The person evaluating the child will also 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. They can also occur in later life. Adults may recognize their own ADHD symptoms after their children are diagnosed, or after a change in their life like a job, marriage or moving into a new home. In some instances the condition isn't diagnosed until an adult has significant problems at work or with their relationships. This could mean being dismissed from work or having financial issues, or getting into trouble with the law.
Diagnosis
A screening is the first thing you should do when you suspect that you may have ADHD. A licensed mental health professional will interview you and evaluates your symptoms, medical background and family history. Interview questions can also be asked about your school and work performance, and how the symptoms affect you at home as well as with your relationships. You may wish to bring copies of your report cards, teacher's remarks as well as any other documentation relevant.
The psychiatric specialist will use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5) to help to determine the diagnosis. The symptoms of ADHD must be present in at least six months and they must interfere with functioning or developmental progress in multiple environments like school or home. In addition, the signs cannot be explained better by another mental disorder like a mood disorder or anxiety disorder.
Many people suffering from ADHD have problems well into adulthood. The symptoms can affect work and school, lead to poor financial or personal health and stress in relationships. Being diagnosed and treated can improve your quality of life.
Certain symptoms of ADHD alter with age, for instance inattentive symptoms may become more evident as you age and impulsivity and hyperactivity could diminish with age. Other factors may contribute to difficulties such as obstructive sleep apnea is more common in people with ADHD and poor sleeping habits can exacerbate ADHD symptoms.
People suffering from ADHD often have co-occurring conditions like depression, anxiety bipolar disorder, and other learning disabilities. Sometimes, treating the underlying disorder can eliminate ADHD symptoms. It is essential to inform your mental health professional if you have any other medical conditions. This can have an impact on the effectiveness of treatment.
It is crucial to speak to your primary care physician, who can refer you to a health professional who is certified in ADHD assessments for adults. It is also recommended to inquire whether there exist any support groups for adults suffering from ADHD in your region. They can provide assistance and a list specialists by specialization. You can also contact the insurance company you are with to determine which health medical professionals are covered by your plan.
Treatment
The most effective approach for diagnosing adult ADHD is to have a thorough assessment by a health care professional. The evaluation should include questions about your childhood, questions about your current life, and a screening for ADHD symptoms. You may be asked if your ADHD symptoms have caused you to have problems at school, at work or with your relationships.
There are a myriad of treatment options for adults suffering from ADHD that include medication and counseling. Counseling is a combination of psychotherapy (also called talk therapy) and cognitive behavioral therapy. These treatments teach you how to manage your symptoms, and how to change negative thought patterns into positive ones. They can also assist in addressing other mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety, that often co-occur with ADHD.
Psychostimulants, such as dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate are commonly employed to treat adults with ADHD. These medications affect how certain chemicals in the brain communicate to regulate behavior. Your doctor will select a medication that fits your body and the symptoms and adjusts the dosage and frequency when needed. Nonstimulants are also available which do not act on the same brain pathways like psychostimulants and can be beneficial for people with ADHD. Nonstimulant medicines include atomoxetine Guanfacine, and the guanfacine.
Coaching or mentoring is a way to teach adults suffering from ADHD strategies and coping techniques. For instance, you may be taught how to keep a planner in place or a journal or given strategies for improving your time management. You can also benefit from changing your lifestyle to accommodate your ADHD symptoms, like working at home instead of at a office or using apps on your smartphone to keep track of tasks, or scheduling appointments at times that are less busy. You may also wish to ask about participating in a clinical trial which is a study investigation designed to test the effectiveness of new methods of treating illnesses and conditions. (NIMH has information on 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 contact an local ADHD support group.