Getting an ADHD Diagnosis in Adults
Many people seek out a diagnosis after realizing they have trouble at work or with relationships because of ADHD. NIMH recommends those seeking a diagnosis consult their primary care provider, or a mental health professional.
They will take a thorough history and take tests such as symptom rating scales or psychological tests. They may also get physical examinations to rule out medical issues that could be similar to ADHD like seizures or thyroid problems.
Diagnosis
Receiving a diagnosis of ADHD can be revealing and liberating, but it can also be distressing. Adults who have struggled with the symptoms of ADHD for decades might finally decide to seek a professional opinion, due to frustrations at workplace or in their relationships, or because they've been informed by family or friends that they may have ADHD. It is important to keep in mind that it may take a while for a health professional to determine an ADHD diagnosis and the process includes more than just clinical interviews or tests.
The first step is to determine whether your ADHD symptoms match the criteria for the disorder. Many of these symptoms manifest before the age of 12. They occur in multiple settings, for instance, at home, school and at work. They can affect the daily functioning of a person.
Because symptoms of ADHD can be triggered by mood disorders such as anxiety or bipolar and other physical ailments and illnesses, your healthcare professional may want to do additional tests before making an official diagnosis. This could include clinical interviews or rating scales for symptoms, or psychological testing to assess thinking abilities and problem-solving skills and memory.
It is essential that you are 100% honest with the mental health professional. This could mean that you discuss how your mood has been affected by your issues in various areas of your life. In addition, the mental health professional conducting your evaluation might ask to speak with your spouse or close family and friends members to get a more complete picture of how you've struggled. They may even request that your family members complete questionnaires that compare their experiences with yours.
Signs and symptoms
Adults suffering from ADHD may find that their symptoms affect the way they live their lives, particularly at work and school. They might have difficulties finding work, staying in relationships, or being able to make ends meet due to the lack of attention and impulsivity that makes it difficult to follow instructions or remember details, plan tasks or complete projects. The symptoms could be mild, moderate, or severe.
To determine ADHD, doctors use standard tools such as checklists, interview questions, and questionnaires. They also look into the family and medical history of the person and consider other mental health issues. 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.
The symptoms of an inattentive person include difficulty paying attention to details, daydreaming and seeming easily distracted. Trouble following and finishing tasks, and a tendency to lose the track of time or become side-tracked are also inattentive symptoms.
People with the hyperactive/impulsive type often fidget, move around frequently and have trouble sitting still for long periods of time. They also tend to forget things quickly and often struggle to organize their work, home or daily activities. They might lose their keys, phones or wallets often. They struggle to wait for their turn at school, at work or playing. They are easily frustrated or stressed and suffer from frequent mood shifts.
In adults, it's more common for people with ADHD to have co-occurring conditions, such as conduct disorders or oppositional defiant depression or anxiety, tic disorders or Tourette syndrome and other substance abuse issues. The presence of co-occurring disorders can make it difficult to treat and make it more difficult to determine ADHD.
Treatment
If you think you have ADHD, the first step towards getting an accurate diagnosis is to speak with your primary care provider. They can refer you to a specialist in mental health. how to get diagnosed with adhd as an adult will look over your symptoms and concerns at school, work or at home to determine how they impact your life. They can conduct an organized interview or ask family members or close family members to help. They will also review the medical and family history of your family, and conduct a physical exam.
Your doctor will also look at the length of time you've been experiencing these symptoms and the effect they affect your life today. In order to receive a diagnosis of ADHD the symptoms must be present for at minimum six months, and they cannot be better explained by another disorder, such as depression or anxiety. Additionally, they must interfere with everyday activities like getting to class, finishing tasks on time or maintaining the job.
During your evaluation A mental health professional might also employ standardized scales for behavior and ADHD symptoms checklists. You will also receive an assessment of cognitive function that will assess your executive and working memory functioning as well as your visual and spatial capabilities. They will also look for other conditions that can cause similar symptoms, such as seizure or thyroid disorder.
If your psychiatrist finds that you have ADHD they will go over the available medications and treatment options. Often it is a combination of medications and talk therapy (counseling) is the best. Therapy helps you to manage your symptoms and improve communication with family members and other coworkers. It can also address problems that may be a problem in marriages and relationships due to the issues that ADHD can create at work and at home.
Medication
The symptoms of ADHD in adults are typically more mild than in childhood, however they can cause issues at home and work. The disorder can cause problems in obtaining or maintaining a good job, problems with social interactions and relationships, academic failures, low self-esteem emotional distress, temper tantrums, and disruptive behavior.
Treatment with medication can help treat the disorder by increasing and balancing levels of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters that control the flow of information within the brain. Stimulants are among the most frequently prescribed medications for ADHD in adults. Jornay, Xelstrym, Cotempla and Adhansia are just a few examples of stimulants. Adults can also be treated using atomoxetine, a nonstimulant, and antidepressants like bupropion. These medications are slower to work than stimulants and could be better for people who are unable to take stimulants due to health issues or severe side effects.
Psychotherapy, also referred to as cognitive-behavioral treatment, could help in the treatment of conditions that can be comorbid like anxiety and depression related to ADHD. Studies suggest that psychotherapy is a more effective treatment for these disorders than using medication on their own. Psychotherapy focuses on teaching strategies to manage the disorder as well as improving functioning at school, work and with relationships. The goal is to improve the self-esteem of the person and decrease the risk of problematic behavior. It is also a way to increase their functioning and success. It is advised that all psychotherapy strategies for adults ADHD patients incorporate a cognitive-behavioral component. Researchers found that ADHD patients receiving both therapy and medication showed more improvement than those who only took pills.
Counseling
Adults who do not want to take medication can benefit from therapy and counseling. Individual talk therapy can help with issues such as low self-esteem and feelings of being insecure that are commonly associated with ADHD. It can also help improve relationships and improve communication by helping patients and loved ones to understand the disorder and develop strategies for coping.
Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on teaching patients skills to control their behavior and change negative thoughts. 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 may also focus on the development of organizational and time-management skills or teach coping techniques to deal with impulse control, emotional regulation, and relationship problems caused by an impulsive behavior. These techniques can aid people in living happier and more productive life, particularly in the workplace.
Counseling can also guide people with ADHD in applying for workplace accommodations that could be available under the Americans with Disabilities Act, which can dramatically enhance job performance and satisfaction. For professionals, this may require modifying the way in which their work is organized to allow them more flexibility to meet deadlines and complete tasks in time.
Finding the right therapist crucial to get the most benefit from treatment for adults with ADHD. When interviewing potential therapists it is important to ask about their methods and if they have experience treating ADHD in adults. It is also a good idea to verify the credentials of the therapist as well as insurance coverage. Some providers offer sliding scale fees or online therapy services to make treatment easier for those who can't afford it.