Getting an ADHD Diagnosis in Adults
Many people seek a diagnosis when they realize that ADHD is causing problems at work or in their relationships. NIMH recommends that those seeking a diagnosis speak with their primary care physician or a mental health professional.
They will conduct a detailed history and complete tests such as symptom rating scales or psychological tests. They might also undergo a physical exam to rule out medical issues that could be similar to ADHD, such as thyroid problems or seizures.
Finding a Diagnostic
It can be a great relief and eye-opening to receive the diagnosis of ADHD, but it can be also distressing. Adults who have struggled with the symptoms of ADHD for a long time may decide to seek out a medical opinion, motivated by their frustrations at work or in relationships or after being told by friends or family that they may have ADHD. It is crucial to keep in mind that a doctor can take a long time to diagnose ADHD, and that the process is more than simply completing standardized tests or conducting interviews with a clinical psychologist.
The first step is to determine whether your ADHD symptoms are consistent with the criteria for the disorder. Several of these symptoms occur before the age of 12. They may occur in more than one place like home, school and work. They interfere with daily functioning.
Because symptoms of ADHD can also be caused by mood disorders, such as anxiety or bipolar and other physical conditions and illnesses, your doctor may want to do additional tests before making an assessment. This might include clinical interviews and rating scales for symptoms, as well as psychological tests to evaluate your thinking abilities, problem-solving skills, and memory.
It's important to be completely honest with your health professional. And that might mean discussing how the difficulties you're having in different areas of your life have affected your mood. In addition the mental health professional conducting your evaluation might ask to speak with your spouse or close friends and family members to gain a complete picture of how you've struggled. They may even request that your family members fill out questionnaires to compare their experiences to yours.
Symptoms
Adults with ADHD might notice that their symptoms can affect their everyday life, particularly at school and work. They may have difficulty keeping a job or maintaining relationships. They may also be struggling to pay the bills because of their lack of attention and impulsivity, making it difficult to remember things, organize tasks, or complete tasks. The symptoms may be mild, moderate or severe.
To determine ADHD doctors use standardized tools, such as checklists, questionnaires and interview questions. They also review the medical and family history of the patient and take into account other mental health problems. 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.
Symptoms of the inattentive type include difficulty paying attention details, daydreaming and seeming to be easily distracted. Problems with completing tasks and staying on task, 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 have trouble organizing their work, home or routine activities. They may lose keys, phones, papers or wallets frequently. They are often unable to wait for their turn at school, work or at play. They have a low tolerance to stress or anger and experience frequent and intense mood changes.
In adults, it's more common for those with ADHD to have co-occurring disorders like conduct disorders or oppositional defiant, anxiety or depression and tic disorders. Tourette syndrome and other substance abuse problems. Co-occurring disorders can make treatment more difficult, and make it harder to identify ADHD.
Treatment
Talking with your primary healthcare provider is the first step to getting a diagnosis when you suspect that you suffer from ADHD. They may refer you to a specialist in mental health. They will look over your symptoms and issues at school, work or home to see how much they interfere with your daily life. They will conduct an organized interview, and they may seek the assistance of family members or other friends who know you well. They will also go over the medical and family background of your family, and will conduct a physical examination.
Your doctor will also look at how long you've experienced these symptoms and what effect they have on your daily life. To be eligible for a diagnosis of ADHD symptoms, the person's symptoms must be present for at minimum six months and cannot be better explained by another disorder such as depression or anxiety. Additionally, killer deal must affect daily activities such as attending classes, completing tasks on time or keeping the job.
During your examination Your mental health professional might use standardized behavior rating scales and ADHD symptoms checklists. You will also be administered a cognitive test that will check your executive and working memory functioning and also your visual and spatial abilities. They will also test for other conditions that can cause similar symptoms like a seizure disorder or thyroid condition.
If your doctor determines that you have ADHD and you are diagnosed, they will inform you of the medications available and discuss possible treatment options. It is usually best to combine medication with talk therapy (counseling). Therapy can assist you in managing your symptoms and improve communication between your family members and colleagues. It can also help with issues that could arise in marriages and relationships because of the issues ADHD can create.
Medication
ADHD symptoms in adults are typically less severe than those in childhood. However they can still create problems at home and at work. The disorder can lead to difficulties in obtaining or keeping an employment, difficulties with relationships and social interactions, academic failures, poor self-esteem and emotional distress, temper outbursts and potentially antisocial behaviors.
Treatment with medication can help treat the disorder by increasing and balancing levels of brain chemicals, known as neurotransmitters that control the flow information in the brain. Stimulants, commonly prescribed for ADHD in adults are the most commonly prescribed drugs. Examples include Jornay (methylphenidate extended-release tablets), Xelstrym (dextroamphetamine extended-release oral suspension), Cotempla (methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release orally disintegrating tablet) and Adhansia (methylphenidate hydrochloride immediate-release oral disintegrating tablet). The non-stimulant atomoxetine as well as certain antidepressants like bupropion, are also used to treat ADHD in adults. These medications work slower than stimulants and could be a better choice for people who cannot take stimulant medication due to health problems or serious side-effects.
Psychotherapy (also known as cognitive-behavioral therapy) could be beneficial in treating comorbid disorders associated with ADHD, such as depression and anxiety. Research suggests that psychotherapy is the most effective treatment for these disorders than using medication in isolation. Psychotherapy focuses primarily on teaching strategies to manage the disorder and improving functioning at school, at work and with relationships. The goal is to increase confidence in oneself, reduce problematic behavior and increase performance and success. It is recommended that every psychotherapy approach for adults ADHD sufferers include a cognitive-behavioral component. Researchers have found that ADHD patients who received both psychotherapy and medication showed greater improvement than those who only took pills.
Counseling
For adults who do not wish to use medication, therapy and counseling may offer significant relief. Individual talk therapy can help with issues like low self-esteem, feelings of being insecure and frequent job changes that commonly are a part of ADHD. It can also help improve communication and strengthen relationships by helping family members understand the condition and learn strategies for coping.
Cognitive behavioral therapy concentrates on teaching patients the skills to manage their behavior and alter 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 can also concentrate on the development of organizational and time-management skills, or teach coping mechanisms to deal with emotional regulation, impulse control and relationship issues that may arise from impulsive behavior. These methods can help you live a more productive life particularly at work.
Counseling can assist people with ADHD to apply for accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act. This will improve their work performance and satisfaction. For professionals, this could be a matter of changing the way their work is organized to give them more flexibility to meet deadlines and complete tasks in time.
It is essential to choose the best therapist for adult ADHD treatment. When interviewing potential therapists it is important to ask about their methods and if they have prior experience in treating ADHD in adults. It is important to verify the credentials of the therapist and insurance coverage. Some providers provide sliding scale fees or online therapy services to make treatment easier for those who cannot afford it.