ADHD Diagnosis For Adults
Adults are often unable to get an ADHD diagnosis because doctors use different clinical guidelines than they do for adolescents and children. The diagnosis requires at minimum five signs from the categories of hyperactivity, inattention, and an impulsiveness.
Professionals conducting an assessment will ask you questions about your childhood, education as well as your work and family history. They may also talk with your spouse or other family members.
What is ADHD?
If you're constantly losing your keys, have trouble with work or school or struggle to stay focused during conversations, obtaining an ADHD diagnosis as an adult can be a huge relief. adhd diagnoses know you're normal, and you are able to manage it better, says Mary V. Solanto Ph.D. 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) contains the guidelines used by professionals to establish 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 usually begins with a face-to-face interview with your healthcare provider who will discuss your symptoms and their impact on your daily life. It is beneficial to bring your report cards or other information from your childhood to aid in getting an understanding of your past experiences with ADHD. Your provider may also ask to talk to your spouse or family member, a co-worker or a close friend who knows you well. They may inquire about your relationship, how they perceive your behavior and how it affects your life. They could also inquire what ADHD symptoms are interacted with other conditions, such as depression or an anxiety disorder.
You'll be asked about your life during the interview, including the frequency you fail to make appointments or pay bills or if you're having difficulties managing your time. It's crucial to be honest in your answers and to think about how these behaviors impact your daily life. Ask your healthcare provider for a referral to a different practitioner or therapist if aren't sure about your symptoms. Self-tests are available as well as rating scales online, however they're not as reliable and as valid as an appointment with a licensed professional. Some of these tests might even lead to a false diagnosis, so you should always consult your healthcare provider prior to using them.
Symptoms
Talk to your primary healthcare provider if you think you might be suffering from ADHD. They may recommend you to a mental healthcare specialist for an assessment, such as psychologist or psychiatrist. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision DSM-5 provides clinical guidelines for diagnosing mental disorders. It is important to provide as much details regarding your symptoms as you can so that your provider can make an accurate assessment.
The person conducting the assessment will examine your medical, psychological, and psychiatric history, including past problems and ask you about how the symptoms affect your life. The person conducting the evaluation will also interview your spouse, children teachers, friends, coworkers and other people who know you well. Your evaluation could include tests for learning disabilities, behavioral disorders, or neuropsychological disorders. These tests can provide your provider with additional details about your ADHD symptoms and can 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 symptoms of a person who is inattention-deficient include a lack of focus, omitting details or making erroneous mistakes. The person evaluating the child will also determine the impact these symptoms have on work, school 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.
These symptoms typically manifest in childhood. They may also manifest in later life. Adults may be able to recognize their own ADHD symptoms after their children are diagnosed or after an event in their lives like getting married, a job or moving into a new home. In some cases, the condition is not recognized until an adult is experiencing significant issues at work or with their relationships. This can include being fired from a job and having financial problems, or getting into trouble with the law.
Diagnosis
A screening is the first thing you should take when you suspect that you may are suffering from ADHD. A licensed mental health professional will talk to you and examine your symptoms along with your medical history and family history. Interview questions can also be asked about your work and school performance, as well as how your symptoms affect you at home as well as with relationships. You might want to bring copies of your reports, teacher's comments, and any other documentation pertinent.
The psychiatric professional utilizes the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5) to make the diagnosis. The symptoms of ADHD should be present for at least six months and they must affect the development of a child or their functioning in multiple environments like school or at home. In addition, the signs cannot be explained better by a mental disorder that is not related to ADHD like a mood disorder or anxiety disorder.
Many people with ADHD suffer from problems that last into adulthood. The symptoms of ADHD can be detrimental to both school and work. They can also lead to poor health or financial issues and stress relationships. The treatment and diagnosis you receive can improve the quality of your life.
Some signs of ADHD change with age, for instance the symptoms of inattention may be more apparent as you age and impulsivity and hyperactivity may lessen as you get older. Other factors may contribute to the difficulties like obstructive sleeping apnea occurs more often in people with ADHD and sleep disorders are known to exacerbate ADHD symptoms.
People with ADHD often have co-occurring conditions like anxiety, depression bipolar disorder, anxiety and learning disabilities. Sometimes, treating the underlying disorder can alleviate the symptoms of ADHD. If you have other illnesses, it is crucial to tell your mental health professional because this could influence the effectiveness of your treatment.
It is important that you talk to your primary doctor who can refer you to an expert in ADHD assessments for adults. Find out if there are support groups for adults who have ADHD in your area. They can provide resources and a list of specialties of professionals. You can also reach out to your insurance company to inquire about the health care providers who are covered by your policy.
Treatment
A thorough evaluation by a medical professional is the best way to determine if you suffer from adult ADHD. The evaluation should contain questions regarding your childhood, current life and screening for ADHD symptoms. You may be asked whether your ADHD symptoms have caused issues at work, at school or with your relationships.
Counseling and medication are two of the many treatment options available for adults with ADHD. Counseling can be described as psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy) and cognitive behavioral therapy. These therapies teach you how to manage your symptoms and how to transform negative thinking patterns to positive ones. They can also help with other mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression which are often associated with ADHD.
Psychostimulants like dextroamphetamine or methylphenidate are often used to treat adults suffering from ADHD. These drugs affect the way certain chemicals in the brain communicate to regulate behavior. Your doctor will choose a medication that is right for your needs and the symptoms you are experiencing, and adjust the dosage and frequency accordingly. Nonstimulants can also be used to treat adults suffering from ADHD. They don't interfere with the same brain pathways as psychostimulants do. Nonstimulant drugs include atomoxetine Guanfacine, and Guanfacine.
Other treatment options for adults suffering from ADHD can include mentoring or coaching to teach strategies and coping abilities. For instance, you could learn how to keep a planner in place or a journal, or you might be taught strategies to improve your time management. You may also benefit from changing your lifestyle to accommodate your ADHD symptoms, such as working at home instead of at a office, using smartphone apps to monitor your tasks or scheduling appointments at times that are less busy. You might also want to ask about participating in a clinical trial that is a research investigation designed to test the effectiveness of new methods of treating ailments and diseases. (NIMH has information on clinical trials.)
Sometimes your family physician may refer you to a psychiatrist health specialist or other health care professional for an evaluation of your ADHD. You can ask a family member or family member for recommendations, or contact a local ADHD support group.