Getting an ADHD Diagnosis in Adults
Many people seek a diagnosis when they realize they are struggling in their relationships or at work due to ADHD. NIMH suggests that people seeking diagnosis consult their primary care physician or a mental health professional.
They will take a detailed history and complete tests like symptom rating scales or psychological tests. They could also undergo a physical exam to rule out medical issues that could look like ADHD, such as seizures or thyroid problems.
Making a diagnosis
Getting a diagnosis for ADHD can be revealing and liberating, but it can also be stressful. Adults who've struggled with ADHD symptoms for years may decide to seek help from a professional due to frustrations at work, in their relationships, and/or because friends or family have told them that they could be suffering from ADHD. It is crucial to keep in mind that a healthcare professional may take an extended time to diagnose ADHD and that the process involves much more than just completing standardized tests or conducting interviews with a clinical psychologist.
The first step is to determine if your ADHD symptoms match the criteria for the disorder. Many of these symptoms are present before the age of 12. They can be present in more than one setting like school, home and work. They interfere with daily functioning.
Your healthcare professional may need to perform additional evaluations to establish an accurate diagnosis. This is because the symptoms of ADHD are also triggered by mood disorders like bipolar disorder, anxiety and various other physical ailments or illnesses. This might include clinical interviews and rating scales for symptoms, as well as psychological tests to evaluate your thinking abilities as well as your problem-solving abilities and memory.
It's crucial to be honest with your mental health professional, and that might mean discussing how the difficulties you're experiencing in various areas of your life affect your mood. Additionally the person who is conducting your assessment may ask you to speak with your spouse or close friends and family members to get a fuller picture of the struggles you've faced. They might even request permission to have family members fill out questionnaires to compare their experiences with yours.
Symptoms
Adults with ADHD typically experience difficulties with daily activities, especially at work and in school. They may have difficulty maintaining a job, remaining in relationships or being able to make ends meet due to the lack of attention and impulsivity that makes it difficult to follow directions, remember things, organize tasks or complete projects. The symptoms can be mild, moderate, or severe.
To determine ADHD doctors employ common tools like checklists, interview questions, and questionnaires. They also check medical and family history and take into account other mental health problems. 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.
Inattentional symptoms include difficulties paying attention to even the smallest details, daydreaming, and appearing easily distracted. Problems with completing tasks and staying on task and a tendency lose the track of time or get distracted are all 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 are also prone to forgetting things quickly and often have trouble organizing their work, home or everyday activities. They may lose keys, phones and wallets, or papers frequently. They struggle to wait for their turn at school, at work or at play. They have a low tolerance to stress or anger and experience frequent and intense mood swings.
In adults, it is more common for people with ADHD to have co-occurring disorders like oppositional defiant or conduct disorders, anxiety or depression as well as tic disorders, Tourette syndrome and substance abuse issues. Co-occurring disorders can cause problems in treatment and may make it harder to determine ADHD.
Treatment
Talking to your primary care provider is the first step to being diagnosed in the event that you suspect you may have ADHD. He or she will probably refer you to a mental health specialist. They will look over your symptoms and issues at work, school or home to see how they affect your life. They might conduct an organized interview or ask family members or close friends to help. They will also go over your family and medical background and conduct a physical examination.
Your doctor will also take into consideration how long you have had these symptoms, and what effect they are having on your life. In order to receive a diagnosis of ADHD symptoms, the person's symptoms must be present for at minimum six months, and they cannot be explained by a different disorder like anxiety or depression. In addition, they must interfere with everyday activities like getting to class, finishing tasks on time or keeping a job.
In your assessment A mental health professional could use standardized behavior ratings scales and ADHD symptoms checklists. You will also be administered a cognitive test that will check your working memory and executive functioning, as well as your spatial and visual abilities. They will also look for other conditions that can cause similar symptoms, for example a thyroid problem or seizure disorder.
If your mental health provider determines that you suffer from ADHD and they'll discuss the medications available and treatment options. Often the combination of medication and talk therapy (counseling) is the best. Therapy helps you to manage your symptoms and improve communication with family members and co-workers. It can also address problems that can be a problem in marriages and relationships because of the difficulties that ADHD can cause at work and home.
Medication
The signs of ADHD in adults are usually much milder than they were in childhood, but they can still create problems at home and work. The disorder can cause difficulties in obtaining or keeping jobs, issues with relationships and social interactions academic failures, low self-esteem and emotional distress, temper tantrums and possibly antisocial behavior.
The medication can treat the disorder by increasing and balancing levels of brain chemicals, known as neurotransmitters, which regulate the flow of information within the brain. Stimulants, which are commonly prescribed for ADHD in adults are the most frequently prescribed medication used. Jornay, Xelstrym, Cotempla and Adhansia are just a few examples of stimulants. The non-stimulant atomoxetine as well as certain antidepressants, such as bupropion are also used to treat ADHD in adults. These medications work slower than stimulants, and could be a better choice for people who are unable to take stimulants due to health problems or severe side-effects.
Psychotherapy (also known as cognitive-behavioral treatment) may be useful for treating disorders that are comorbid to ADHD like depression and anxiety. Psychotherapy may be a better treatment than medication alone for these conditions, according to research. Psychotherapy focuses on teaching skills to manage the disorder and improve your performance at work, school and in relationships. The goal is to improve confidence in oneself, reduce problems with behavior, and improve performance and success. It is recommended that all psychotherapy approaches for adults ADHD patients include a cognitive-behavioral element. In one study, researchers discovered that ADHD patients who received psychotherapy and medication experienced greater improvement than those who simply took the medication.
Counseling
Adults who do not want to take medication can benefit from counseling and therapy. Individual talk therapy can address issues like low self-esteem and feelings being insecure that are commonly associated with ADHD. It can also help improve relationships and improve communication by helping patients and family members understand the condition and learn strategies for coping.
Click On this page focuses primarily on teaching patients how to change their 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 help people develop strategies for impulse control, emotional regulation and relationship issues that may result from the impulsive behavior. These techniques can assist you in living more productively particularly at work.
Counseling can also guide those with ADHD when applying for work accommodations that may be offered under the Americans with Disabilities Act, which can dramatically increase job satisfaction and performance. For professionals, this can be a matter of changing the way their work is structured so that they have more flexibility to meet deadlines and complete tasks on time.
Selecting the right therapist is essential to getting the most value from treatment for adults with ADHD. When interviewing potential therapists, it is important to ask about their approach and whether they have experience treating ADHD in adults. It is important to check therapist credentials and insurance coverage. Some providers offer sliding scale fees or online therapy services to make therapy easier for those who are unable to pay for it.