ADHD Diagnosis For Adults
Adults often have trouble getting an ADHD diagnosis due to the fact that doctors use different clinical guidelines that they use for adolescents and children. The diagnosis requires a minimum of five signs in the categories of inattention, hyperactivity and the tendency to be impulsive.
diagnosis adhd conducting the evaluation will ask you questions about your childhood, academic and work life, drug and alcohol usage, and your family history. They might also want to speak with your spouse or friend.
What is ADHD?
Whether you keep losing your keys, have difficulty with work or school or are having trouble staying focused in conversations, getting an ADHD diagnosis as an adult can be a massive relief. "You know you're not crazy, and this puts you in better position to manage it," says pediatrician Mary V. Solanto, Ph.D., an associate professor of psychiatry and psychology at the Hofstra-Northwell School of Medicine on 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 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 typically starts with a face-to-face meeting with your healthcare professional who will go over your symptoms and their impact on your life. Bring any report cards from your childhood to help the doctor determine the cause of your ADHD. Your doctor might also ask to speak with a spouse or a family member, coworker or a close friend who know you well. They might 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, like depression or an anxiety disorder.
You'll be asked about your daily routine during the interview, such as how often you forget to make appointments or pay bills, or if you have difficulties managing your time. It's crucial to be honest with your answers and to think about how these behaviors impact your daily life. Ask your healthcare professional for a referral to another doctor or therapist if you are unsure of your symptoms. Self-tests and rating systems are accessible on the internet, but they are not as reliable as an interview conducted by a trained professional. Certain tests could result in a wrong diagnosis, so you should always consult with your doctor before using them.
Symptoms
Consult your primary healthcare provider if you think you might have ADHD. They may refer you to an expert in mental health such as psychiatrist or psychologist, to be evaluated. The American Psychiatric Association provides clinical guidelines for diagnosing disorders in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision (DSM-5). It is essential to provide as much details about your symptoms as you can to enable your doctor to determine the most accurate diagnosis.
The person who conducts the evaluation will examine your mental, psychological and medical history, including any past issues and ask you about how the symptoms affect your life. The person conducting the evaluation might also talk to your children and spouse as well as coworkers, teachers and other people who know you. Your evaluation may include testing for learning disabilities, behavior problems or neuropsychological disorders. These tests can provide your provider with additional information regarding your ADHD symptoms and can 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 mostly inattention are a lack of attention not paying attention to details, or making erroneous mistakes. adhd diagnosis adults who is evaluating the child will also determine the impact these symptoms have on school, work and even 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 the early years of childhood. However, they can be present in adulthood. Adults may recognize their own ADHD symptoms when their children are diagnosed or after changes in their lives such as the marriage, job or moving into a new home. In other cases the condition is not recognized until an adult is confronted with significant issues at work or with their relationships. This can include being dismissed, having financial difficulties or getting in trouble with the law.
Diagnosis
If you suspect that you suffer from ADHD, a screening is the first step to finding a treatment. A qualified mental health professional will interview you and evaluates your symptoms, medical history and family history. Interview questions may be asked about your school and work performance, as well as how your symptoms affect you at home and with relationships. You might want to bring copies of your report cards, teacher notes and any other documentation that might be relevant.
The psychiatric practitioner utilizes the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5), to determine 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 must not be better explained by a mental disorder that is not related to ADHD like an anxiety or mood disorder.
Many people suffering from ADHD have issues that persist into adulthood. The symptoms can affect education and work, lead to poor health and financial issues and can cause stress in relationships. Getting diagnosed and treated can improve the quality of your life.
Some signs of ADHD alter as you age, for instance attention deficit symptoms can become more evident as you age, and impulsivity and hyperactivity could lessen with age. Some other factors can contribute to difficulties such as obstructive sleep apnea occurs more often in adults with ADHD and sleep habits that are not optimal are known to exacerbate ADHD symptoms.
Many people who suffer from ADHD have co-occurring conditions like anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder and learning disabilities. Sometimes, treating the underlying condition can eliminate the symptoms of ADHD. It is important to inform your mental health professional if you have any other conditions. This can affect the effectiveness of treatment.
It is important that you speak to your primary physician who can refer you to an expert in ADHD assessments for adults. Find out if there are support groups for adults with ADHD in your area. They can provide you with resources and a list of specialties of professionals. You can also reach out to your insurance company to learn about health care providers who are covered by your plan.
Treatment
Generally, the best approach for diagnosing adult ADHD is to undergo a thorough examination by a health professional. The evaluation should contain questions about your childhood, current life and screening for ADHD symptoms. You may be asked if your ADHD symptoms have caused issues at work, at school or with your relationships.
There are many treatments for adults with ADHD, including counseling and medication. Counseling can include psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy and cognitive therapy for behavioral disorders. These kinds of therapies aid you in learning to manage your symptoms and change negative patterns of thinking to positive ones. They can also aid with other mental health issues like depression and anxiety, which often co-occur along with ADHD.
Treatment for adults suffering from ADHD often involves psychostimulants, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) and dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine). These medications affect the way certain chemicals within your brain communicate and regulate your behavior. Your doctor will select the best medication for you and your specific symptoms and alter the dosage and frequency accordingly. Nonstimulants are also available, which do not act on the same brain pathways like psychostimulants and are effective for adults with ADHD. Nonstimulant drugs include atomoxetine Guanfacine and Guanfacine.
Coaching or mentoring is a way to teach adults with ADHD strategies and coping techniques. For instance, you may be taught how to keep a planner in place or journals, or you might be given strategies for improving your time management. You could also alter your living situation in order to accommodate your ADHD symptoms. For example you could work from your home instead of in an office, utilize smartphone apps to keep track of your tasks, or schedule appointments at less busy times. You may also wish to inquire about joining a clinical trial which is a study trial designed to test new methods of treating ailments and diseases. (NIMH offers information on clinical trials.
You may be referred to a mental specialist or another health care specialist by your family doctor for an assessment of your ADHD. You can also ask a family member or friend for recommendations, or you can connect with a local support organization for people suffering from ADHD.