Getting an ADHD Diagnosis in Adults
Many people seek a diagnose when they realize that ADHD is causing difficulties at work or in their relationships. NIMH suggests that people seeking a diagnosis speak with their primary care provider or a mental health professional.
They will ask for an extensive medical history and take tests such as symptom-rating scales and psychological tests. They might also undergo a physical exam to determine if they have any other medical conditions that may be mistaken for ADHD, such thyroid problems or seizures.
Getting a Diagnosis
Being diagnosed with ADHD can be revealing and liberating, however it can also be distressing. Adults who have struggled with ADHD symptoms for a long time might finally seek professional advice, either because of frustrations at work, in relationships, and/or because relatives or friends have informed them that they might be suffering from ADHD. It's important to remember that it takes time for a healthcare professional to arrive at an ADHD diagnosis and the process requires more than just a series of clinical interviews or tests.
The first step in the process is to determine whether your ADHD symptoms match the requirements for the disorder: A number of them begin prior to the age of 12 years old. They are seen in a variety of settings, for example, home, school, and work. They affect daily life.
Since symptoms of ADHD can also be caused by mood disorders, like bipolar or anxiety, and other physical conditions and illnesses, your doctor might want to conduct additional evaluations before making a diagnosis. This may include clinical interviews or rating scales for symptoms, or psychological testing to assess thinking capabilities as well as problem solving abilities and memory.
It is crucial to be completely honest with the mental health professional. This could mean discussing how your mood was affected by your issues in various areas of your life. In addition the mental health professional conducting your assessment may ask you to talk to your spouse, or close family and friends members to get a more complete understanding of the challenges you've faced. They might even request that your family members fill out questionnaires to compare their experiences with yours.
Symptoms
Adults with ADHD typically find that their symptoms interfere with everyday activities, particularly at work and in school. They may have difficulty keeping a job or maintaining relationships. They may also struggle to pay the bills due to their inattention and impulsivity, making it difficult for them remember things, organize tasks, or complete projects. The symptoms could be mild or moderate. They can also be severe.
To diagnose ADHD the professionals use standard tools such as checklists as well as questionnaires and interview questions. They also check 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.
The signs of an inattentive personality include difficulty paying attention to details, daydreaming and appearing to be easily distracted. Trouble following and finishing tasks and a tendency lose track of time or get distracted are also signs of inattention.
People with the hyperactive/impulsive type often fidget, move around frequently and have trouble sitting still for long periods of time. They tend to lose things quickly and have difficulty organizing their day-to-day activities at work or at home. They may lose keys, phones, papers or wallets frequently. They are often unable to wait for their turn at school, work or play. They have a low tolerance to stress or anger and experience frequent and intense mood swings.
In adults, it's more common for people with ADHD to have co-existing conditions like conduct disorders, oppositional defiant disorder depression or anxiety, tic disorders or Tourette syndrome and substance abuse problems. The presence of co-occurring disorders can complicate treatment, and make it harder to diagnose ADHD.
Treatment
Talking to your primary care provider is the first step in receiving a diagnosis if you suspect you have ADHD. They'll likely refer you to a mental health specialist. They will assess your symptoms and issues at work at school, at home or at home to determine how much they affect your life. They will use an organized interview, and they may ask for the help of family members or close friends who know you well. They will also review your medical and family history and conduct a physical examination.
Your doctor will also take into consideration the length of time you've had these symptoms, and what impact they have on your life. To be eligible for an diagnosis of ADHD, a person's symptoms must be present for at minimum six months and cannot be explained by a different disorder, such as depression or anxiety. Additionally, undiagnosed adhd in adults should hinder daily activities, such as getting to class, completing tasks on time or maintaining the job.
When you are evaluated the mental health professional could utilize standardized scales of behavior and ADHD symptoms checklists. They will likely also perform an assessment of your cognitive abilities to test your working memory, executive functioning, as well as your spatial and visual abilities. They will also test for other conditions that can cause similar symptoms, such as seizures or thyroid condition.
If your mental health provider determines that you have ADHD the doctor will explain what medications are available and discuss the treatment options. Often, a combination of medication and talk therapy (counseling) is the best option. Therapy can help you manage your symptoms and improve communication between your family members and colleagues. It can also help with issues that could develop in relationships and marriages due to the difficulties ADHD can cause.
Medication
ADHD symptoms in adults tend to be less severe than those in childhood. However, they can still cause problems at work and at home. The disorder can result in difficulty in getting or keeping jobs, issues with relationships and social interactions academic failures, low self-esteem and emotional distress, temper tantrums and potentially antisocial behaviors.
Medication can help with the disorder by boosting and balancing the levels of neurotransmitters, brain chemicals that regulate the flow of information in the brain. Stimulants are among the most frequently prescribed drugs for ADHD in adults. Jornay, Xelstrym, Cotempla and Adhansia are just a few examples of stimulants. Adults can also be treated with Atomoxetine, a non-stimulant, and some antidepressants, such as bupropion. These medications work slower than stimulants and may be better suited to those who aren't able to take stimulant medications because of health problems or severe adverse effects.
Psychotherapy, also known as cognitive-behavioral treatment, could be beneficial in treating comorbid disorders such as depression and anxiety that are connected to ADHD. Research suggests that psychotherapy is the most efficient treatment for these conditions than relying on medications on their own. Psychotherapy is primarily focused on teaching techniques to manage the disorder and improving the performance at school, at work and with relationships. The goal is to improve confidence in oneself, reduce problematic behavior and improve their functioning and success. It is recommended that every psychotherapy approach for adult ADHD sufferers include a cognitive-behavioral component. Researchers have found that ADHD patients receiving both psychotherapy and medication showed higher improvement than those who only took pills.
Counseling
For adults who do not wish to use medications Therapy and counseling could provide significant relief. Individual therapy can address issues such as low self-esteem and feeling of failure, and frequent job changes that often are a part of ADHD. It can also improve relationships and communication by assisting patients and their loved ones to comprehend the condition and develop coping techniques.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a method of teaching patients how 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 can also concentrate on developing organizational and time-management skills or teach coping strategies to manage impulse control, emotional regulation, and relationship problems caused by the impulsive behavior. These techniques can help you live a more productive life especially at work.
Counseling can assist people with ADHD to apply for accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act. This can improve their work performance and overall satisfaction. This may include changing the structure of their work to allow them more flexibility in meeting deadlines and finishing tasks within the timeframes they have set.
It is essential to choose the right therapist for adult ADHD treatment. Asking about the therapist's approach and whether they have treated ADHD in adults is crucial when interviewing potential therapists. It is important to verify the credentials of the therapist as well as insurance coverage. Some providers offer sliding scale rates or online therapy services to make therapy more accessible to those who can't afford it.