ADHD Diagnosis For Adults
Adults often struggle to receive an ADHD diagnosis because doctors use different guidelines for treating adults than they do for teenagers and children. The diagnosis must include at least five signs from the categories of hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity.
Professionals conducting an evaluation will ask questions about your education, childhood, work, and family history. They may also ask to speak with your spouse or friend.
What is ADHD?
Whether you keep losing your keys, have difficulty with school or work or are having trouble staying focused in conversations, getting an ADHD diagnosis as an adult can be a huge relief. You're not alone, and you are able to manage it better, says Mary V. Solanto Ph.D. is a 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), provides guidelines for providers 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 starts with a face-to-face meeting with your healthcare professional who will go over your symptoms and the impact they have on your daily life. It's helpful to bring report cards or other documents from your childhood to help the provider get an understanding of your experience with ADHD. Your provider may ask to speak to a close family member, spouse, friend member or coworker who is familiar with you well. They might inquire about your relationship, how they perceive your behavior, and how it affects you. They might also inquire what ADHD symptoms interact with other conditions, such as anxiety or depression.
The interview may include questions about your lifestyle, such as the frequency you fail to pay your bills or make appointments, and whether you struggle with time management or organizational abilities. It's essential to be honest with your answers and think about how these behaviors affect your daily routine. Ask your healthcare professional for a referral to a different practitioner or therapist if are unsure about the symptoms. You can find self-tests and rating scales online, however they're not as reliable or reliable as an interview with a qualified provider. Certain tests may even result in a false diagnosis, so it's advisable to talk to your healthcare provider first.
Symptoms
If you suspect you may have ADHD Begin talking to your primary healthcare provider. He or she may recommend you to a mental health specialist for an assessment, such as 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's crucial to give your physician as much information as you can about your symptoms so they can make an accurate diagnosis.
The person who evaluates you will ask about your symptoms and how they affect your life. They could also interview your spouse and children, as well as teachers, colleagues, and other people who know you. Your evaluation may include behavioral, neuropsychological or learning disability testing. These tests will give your provider additional information about how your ADHD symptoms affect you, and also help determine if there are 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 symptoms of a person who is mostly inattention include difficulty paying attention not paying attention to details, or making erroneous mistakes. The person conducting the assessment will also assess how these symptoms interfere with work, school and social interactions. 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.
These symptoms typically manifest in the early years of childhood. However, they can be present in later life. Some adults recognize their own ADHD symptoms after their children are diagnosed, or due to changes in their lives such as an employment change, a marriage or a move into their own home. In some instances the condition isn't recognized until an adult is experiencing significant issues at work or in their relationships. This could include being dismissed from a job and having financial problems, or being in trouble with the law.
Diagnosis
If you think you have ADHD, a screening is the first step in finding treatment. A licensed mental health professional will interview you and reviews your symptoms, medical history and family history. The interview may also include questions about your work and school performance, as well as how the symptoms affect your daily life at home and in your relationships. You may want to bring a copy of your report cards, teacher comments and any other documentation that may be relevant.
The psychiatric professional employs the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5) to make the diagnosis. To qualify for a diagnosis of ADHD, the symptoms have to be present for at least six months and interfere with functioning or development in multiple settings, such as at school or at home. The symptoms of ADHD should not be explained by any other mental disorder such as mood disorders or anxiety.
Many people with ADHD suffer from problems that last into adulthood. The symptoms of ADHD can impact the way you work and at school. They can also lead to financial or health issues and stress relationships. Getting diagnosed and treated can enhance your quality of life.
Certain ADHD symptoms can change with age. For instance, inattention may become more apparent as you get older, and impulse control and hyperactivity can decrease as you age. Some 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.
People suffering from ADHD frequently have co-occurring disorders such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder and learning disabilities. Sometimes, treating the underlying disorder can eliminate ADHD symptoms. If you have other illnesses, it is crucial to inform your mental health professional as this can have a significant effect on the effectiveness of your treatment.
It is important that you speak to your primary physician who can refer you to an experienced health professional who is trained in ADHD assessments for adults. Find out if there are support groups for adults with ADHD in your locality. They can provide assistance and a list specialists with specialization. You can also contact your insurance company to inquire about health care providers that are covered by your plan.
Treatment
The most effective approach for diagnosing adult ADHD is a thorough evaluation by a health professional. The assessment should include questions about your childhood, as well as questions about your current life, and a 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 a variety of treatments available for adults suffering from ADHD, including counseling and medications. Psychotherapy can be a part of counseling, also known as 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 into positive ones. They can also be helpful in the treatment of other mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety, that frequently co-exist with ADHD.
Adults who suffer from ADHD typically involves psychostimulants such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) and dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine). These drugs affect the way certain chemicals in the brain communicate to regulate behavior. adhd diagnosis adult will choose a medication that is right for you and your specific symptoms and will alter the dosage and frequency accordingly. There are also nonstimulants available, that do not affect the same brain pathways as psychostimulants, and they can be beneficial for people with ADHD. Nonstimulant medications include atomoxetine, Guanfacine, and the guanfacine.
Coaching or mentoring may be used to teach people with ADHD strategies and coping methods. For instance, you may learn how to use a planner or a journal, or you might be taught strategies to improve your time management. You can also benefit from altering your lifestyle to accommodate your ADHD symptoms, like working at home instead of at a office or using apps on your smartphone to track tasks or scheduling appointments at times that are less busy. You may also want to inquire about participating in a clinical study, which is a research project designed to explore new methods to treat conditions and diseases. (NIMH provides information on clinical trials.
You could be referred to the mental specialist or other health care specialist by your family doctor for an assessment of your ADHD. You could also ask your family member or friend for recommendations, or you can contact a local support group for people suffering from ADHD.