ADHD Diagnosis For Adults
Adults are often unable to get an ADHD diagnosis because doctors use different guidelines for treating adults that they use for teenagers and children. The diagnosis must include at least five signs from the categories of hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity.
Professionals conducting an assessment will ask you questions about your childhood, education, work, and family history. They may also want to discuss your relationship with your spouse or family members.
What is ADHD?
It can be a relief to get an ADHD diagnosis in adulthood regardless of whether you're constantly losing keys, have difficulty at school or work, or have trouble staying focused during conversations. You're not crazy, and you can manage it better, according to Mary V. Solanto Ph.D. is a professor of psychology at the 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) provides the guidelines providers use to determine 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.
A face-to-face meeting with your healthcare professional is usually the first step in an ADHD assessment. They will discuss your symptoms and how they impact your life. Bring along any report cards from your childhood to help the doctor determine the cause of your ADHD. Your doctor might ask you to speak to a close family member, spouse, friend member, or a coworker who knows 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 depression or anxiety.
The interview is likely to include questions about your life, such as how often you forget to pay your bills or attend appointments, or if you have trouble with time management or organizational abilities. It's important to be honest in your answers and to think about how these behaviors impact your daily life. If you're not sure about your symptoms, you should consider asking your healthcare provider to refer you to a doctor or psychologist for an assessment. There are self-tests and rating scales online, however they're not as reliable or valid as an interview with a trained professional. Certain tests could result in a wrong diagnosis, so it is recommended to always consult your physician before using them.
Signs and symptoms
If you suspect you have ADHD begin talking to your primary healthcare provider. They may refer you to an expert in mental health, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist, to conduct an evaluation. 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 essential to provide your physician as much information as possible about your symptoms, so that they can provide an accurate diagnosis.
The person doing the evaluation will examine your mental, psychological and medical history, including past problems and ask how the symptoms affect your life. The person conducting the evaluation may also interview your spouse and children, as well as teachers, colleagues and other people who know you. Your evaluation could 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 also help determine if there are other conditions that can 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 someone who is primarily inattentive are a lack of attention not paying attention to details, or making mistakes. The person who is conducting the assessment will also assess how these symptoms impact work, school and social activities. 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.
Usually, these symptoms manifest in childhood. However, they may also be present in later life. Adults may recognize their own ADHD symptoms after their children are diagnosed or due to changes in their lives such as the start of a new job or marriage, or a move into their own home. In some instances, the condition is not recognized until an adult is experiencing significant issues at work or in their relationships. This could include being fired, having financial problems or getting into trouble with the law.
Diagnosis
If you suspect that you suffer from ADHD An assessment is the first step towards finding a treatment. A licensed mental health professional interviews you and examines your symptoms, medical history and family history. The interview could also include questions about your work and school performance, as well as how the symptoms affect your life at home and in relationships. You may want to bring along copies of your report cards, teacher's remarks, and any other documentation pertinent.
The psychiatric professional will use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5) to help make the diagnosis. To qualify for the diagnosis of ADHD, the symptoms have to be present for at least six months, and they must interfere with development or functioning in more than one setting for example, at school or at home. The symptoms of ADHD must not be attributed to any other mental disorder such as mood disorders or anxiety.
Many people suffering from ADHD have issues that persist into adulthood. The symptoms of ADHD can impact the way you work and at school. They can also lead to poor health or financial issues and can cause stress in relationships. If diagnosed and treated, you can make a difference in your quality of life.
Some symptoms of ADHD alter with age, for instance attention deficit symptoms can be more apparent as you age and impulsivity and hyperactivity could lessen as you get older. Other factors can cause problems like obstructive sleeping apnea is more frequent in adults with ADHD and poor sleeping habits are known to exacerbate ADHD symptoms.
Many people who suffer from ADHD have co-occurring disorders such as anxiety disorders bipolar disorder, and learning disabilities. Sometimes, treating the root disorder can help eliminate ADHD symptoms. It is important to inform your mental health professional that you suffer from any other condition. This could affect the effectiveness of treatment.
It is crucial to speak with your primary care physician, who can refer you to a health care professional who is certified in ADHD assessments for adults. Ask if there is a support groups for adults suffering from ADHD in your locality. They can provide information and a list of specialists with specialization. You can also contact your insurance company to find out about health care providers who are covered by your policy.
Treatment
A thorough assessment by a healthcare professional is the best method to determine if you suffer from adult ADHD. The assessment should include questions about your childhood, questions about your life now and screening for ADHD symptoms. You might be asked if your ADHD symptoms have caused problems at work, at school or with your relationships.
There are many treatments for adults with ADHD that include medication and counseling. Counseling can be described as psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy) and cognitive behavioral therapy. These therapies help you learn how to manage your symptoms and how to change negative patterns of thinking to positive ones. They can also assist in dealing with other mental health conditions like anxiety and depression, which often co-exist with ADHD.
Psychostimulants, such as dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate are commonly employed in the treatment of adults with ADHD. These medications affect the way certain chemicals within your brain communicate and regulate your behavior. Your doctor will choose the right medication for you and your specific symptoms and will alter the dosage and frequency according to your needs. Nonstimulants are also used to treat adults suffering from ADHD. They don't interfere with the same brain pathways in the same way that psychostimulants do. adhd diagnosis uk include atomoxetine guanfacine, and Guanfacine.
Coaching or mentoring can be used to teach adults suffering from ADHD strategies and coping techniques. You might learn how to make use of a diary or planner, or you may be taught strategies for managing time. You can also benefit from altering your living situation to accommodate your ADHD symptoms, for instance, working from home instead of at a office, using smartphone apps to monitor your tasks or scheduling appointments at times that are less busy. You may also wish to inquire about taking part in a clinical trial, which is a research study designed to test new methods to treat ailments and diseases. (NIMH has information about clinical trials.)
Sometimes your family physician may recommend you to a mental health specialist or other health healthcare professional to evaluate the severity of your ADHD. You can also ask a family member or friend for suggestions, or connect with a local support organization for people suffering from ADHD.