ADHD Diagnosis For Adults
Many adults struggle to receive an ADHD diagnosis, since doctors apply a different set of guidelines for treating the disorder than for teenagers and children. The diagnosis requires at least five symptoms that fall within the categories of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity.
Professionals conducting an assessment will ask you questions about your childhood, education work, family, and history. They might also want to speak with your spouse or a close friend.
What is ADHD?
It's not always a good thing to receive an ADHD diagnosis in adulthood and if you're constantly losing keys, are having trouble with work or school or are struggling to stay focused in conversations. 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 evaluation typically starts with a face-to-face meeting with your doctor who will discuss your symptoms and the impact they have on your life. Bring any report cards from your childhood to help your doctor understand your history of ADHD. Your provider may ask to talk to a family member, spouse, friend member or coworker who is familiar with you well. They might inquire about your relationship and their observations of your behavior and how it affects them as well as how your ADHD symptoms interact with other conditions such as anxiety or depression.
You'll be asked about your daily routine during the interview, including how often you forget to go to appointments or pay bills or if you experience difficulty with time management. It's essential to be honest in your answers and think about how these behaviors impact your daily life. Ask your healthcare provider for a referral to a different specialist or therapist if are unsure about the symptoms. Self-tests and rating systems are available on the internet, however they're not as reliable as an interview conducted by a trained professional. Certain tests could even lead to a false diagnosis, so you should always consult with your doctor before using them.
Symptoms
If you suspect that you may have ADHD begin talking to your primary care physician. He or she may recommend you to a mental healthcare professional for evaluation, such as psychologist or psychiatrist. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision DSM-5 offers guidelines for clinical care for diagnosing mental disorders. It is essential to provide your doctor as much detail as you can regarding your symptoms so that they can make an accurate diagnosis.
The person who evaluates you will inquire about your symptoms and how they impact your life. He or she will also interview your children, spouse teachers, friends, coworkers and others who know you well. Your assessment could include neuropsychological, behavioral or testing for learning disabilities. These tests may provide your physician 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 a person who is inattention-deficient include difficulty paying attention, omitting details or making erroneous mistakes. The person who is conducting the assessment will also assess how these symptoms interfere with school, work 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 the early years of childhood. They may also manifest in later life. Some adults recognize their own ADHD symptoms when their children are diagnosed, or due to changes in their lives, such as an employment change or marriage, or a move into their own home. In other instances the condition is not recognized until the adult experiences major problems at work or in their relationships. This could mean being fired, having financial problems or getting into trouble with the law.
Diagnosis
If you think you have ADHD, a screening is the first step in finding a treatment. A licensed mental health professional will meet with you and discuss your symptoms, medical history and family history. The interview could also include questions regarding work and school performance and how your symptoms impact your daily life at home and in your relationships. You may want to bring a copy of your report cards, teacher notes and any other documents that could be relevant.
The psychiatric professional will use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) to help make the diagnosis. The symptoms of ADHD should be present for at least six months, and they should affect functioning or developmental progress in multiple environments, such as school or home. In addition, the symptoms are not better explained by a mental disorder that is not related to ADHD, such as an anxiety or mood disorder.
adult diagnosis of adhd suffering from ADHD continue to struggle throughout their lives. These symptoms can impact work and school, lead to poor health and financial issues and can cause stress in relationships. The treatment and diagnosis you receive can improve your quality of life.
Some signs of ADHD change with age, for example the symptoms of inattention may become more noticeable as you age, and impulsivity and hyperactivity could lessen with age. Other factors can contribute to the difficulties. For instance, obstructive sleeping apnea is more prevalent in people with ADHD. Poor sleep habits can also cause ADHD symptoms.
People suffering from ADHD frequently have co-occurring disorders such as anxiety, depression bipolar disorder, anxiety and learning disabilities. Sometimes, treating the underlying disorder can eliminate ADHD symptoms. It is essential to inform your mental health professional that you have any other medical conditions. This can influence the effectiveness of treatment.
It is essential to talk with your primary care doctor, who will refer you to a health professional who is certified in ADHD evaluations for adults. It is also a good idea to ask if there are any support groups specifically for adults with ADHD in your region. They can provide resources and a list of specialties of specialists. get diagnosed with adhd can also contact your insurance company to learn about health care providers that are covered by your plan.
Treatment
Generally, the best approach for diagnosing adult ADHD is to have a thorough assessment by a health care professional. The assessment should include questions about your childhood, questions about your present life and a check for ADHD symptoms. You could be asked about any issues that your ADHD symptoms cause at school, work or in your relationships.
Counseling and medication are two of the many treatments that are available to adults suffering from ADHD. Psychotherapy can be a part of counseling, also called talk therapy, and cognitive therapy for behavior. These types of therapies aid you in learning to manage your symptoms and change negative thinking patterns to positive ones. They can also assist with other mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression that often co-occur with ADHD.
Treatment for adults suffering from ADHD usually involves psychostimulants like methylphenidate (Ritalin) and dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine). These medications alter the way certain chemicals within your brain communicate and regulate your behavior. Your doctor will choose the best medication for you and your specific symptoms, and adjust the dosage and frequency to suit your needs. Nonstimulants are also employed to treat people suffering from ADHD. They are not able to affect the same brain pathways as psychostimulants do. Nonstimulant medications include atomoxetine, Guanfacine, and guanfacine.
Other treatment options for adults suffering from ADHD may include coaching or mentoring to help you learn strategies and coping skills. You might learn how to utilize a diary or planner, or learn strategies for managing time. You may also benefit from changing your lifestyle to accommodate your ADHD symptoms, for instance, working from home rather than in a workplace or using apps on your smartphone to monitor your tasks or scheduling appointments for times that are less crowded. You might also inquire about joining clinical studies which is a research endeavor designed to test out new ways to treat conditions and diseases. (NIMH offers information about clinical trials.
You could be referred an expert in mental health or another health professional by your family physician to assess your ADHD. You could also ask a family member or friend for suggestions, or contact a local support group for those suffering from ADHD.