Getting an ADHD Diagnosis in Adults
Many people seek a diagnosis when they realize that ADHD causes them to have issues at work or in their relationships. NIMH suggests that people seeking a diagnosis talk with their primary care physician 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 can also undergo a physical exam to determine if they have any other medical conditions that may be mistaken for ADHD like thyroid issues or seizures.
Diagnosis
Being diagnosed with ADHD can be eye-opening and liberating, but it can also be a source of anxiety. Adults who have struggled with the symptoms of ADHD for a long time may decide to seek out a medical opinion, prompted by frustrations at workplace or in their relationships or due to being informed by family or friends that they may have ADHD. It is crucial to remember that a doctor can take a long time to diagnose ADHD and the process involves much more than just completing standardized tests or conducting interviews with a clinical psychologist.
The first step is to determine whether your ADHD symptoms are in line with the criteria for the disorder: Many of them begin prior to the age of 12 years old. They can be found in a variety of settings, for instance, at home, school and at work. how is adhd diagnosed in adults interfere with daily functioning.
Your healthcare professional may need to perform additional evaluations to establish a diagnosis. This is because symptoms of ADHD are also triggered by mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder, anxiety, and other physical conditions or illnesses. This could include interviews with a clinical psychologist and rating-scales for symptoms or psychological tests to test thinking capabilities, problem solving skills, and memory.
It's important that you are completely honest with the mental health professional. This could mean you talk about the ways in which your mood has been affected by your struggles in various areas of your life. Additionally the mental health professional doing your evaluation may request that you talk to your spouse or close family and friends members to get a more complete understanding of the challenges you've faced. They might also ask for permission to complete questionnaires on their experiences with you and then compare them to your personal.
Symptoms
Adults with ADHD often experience difficulties with daily activities, particularly at work and school. They may struggle to keep jobs or maintaining relationships. They may also struggle to pay the bills because of their lack of attention and impulsivity, which makes it difficult for them remember things, organize tasks, or complete projects. The symptoms could be mild, moderate, or severe.
To determine ADHD doctors use standardized tools called checklists or questionnaires, as well as interview questions. They also review the medical and family history of the patient 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.
Symptoms of the inattentive type include difficulty paying attention details, daydreaming and appearing easily distracted. Inattention is also characterized by difficulty following and completing tasks, as well as a tendency to get distracted or lose the track of time.
People with the hyperactive/impulsive type often fidget, move around frequently and have trouble sitting still for long periods of time. They tend to forget things easily and have difficulty organizing their daily activities at work or at home. They might lose their phones, keys or wallets a lot. They have difficulty waiting their turn at school, at work or during play. They have a low tolerance for stress or frustration and are subject to frequent and intense mood changes.
In adulthood, it's more typical for people suffering from ADHD to have co-occurring conditions, such as conduct disorders, oppositional defiant disorder, anxiety or depression, tic disorders or Tourette syndrome, as well as substance abuse problems. Co-occurring disorders may complicate treatment, and make it harder to determine the cause of ADHD.
Treatment
If you think you might have ADHD, the first step towards getting a diagnosis is to talk with your primary care provider. They can refer you to a specialist in mental health. These professionals will examine your symptoms and issues in the workplace as well as at school or at home to determine how much they affect your life. They will conduct an organized interview and may seek the assistance of family members or close friends who know you well. They will also review your medical history and family background and conduct a physical examination.
Your doctor will also look at how long you've experienced these symptoms and the effect they affect your life today. To be considered to have ADHD, symptoms must have been present for at least six months and cannot be explained by other disorders like anxiety or depression. Additionally, they must affect everyday activities like getting to class, finishing tasks on time or keeping an occupation.
In your assessment, a mental health professional might also use standardized behavior ratings scales and ADHD symptoms checklists. They will likely also give you a cognitive test to check your executive functioning, and spatial and visual abilities. They will also look for other conditions that can cause similar symptoms, such as a thyroid problem or seizure disorder.
If your mental health provider decides you have ADHD and you are diagnosed, they will explain the various medications available and discuss treatment options. It is often best to combine treatment with talk therapy (counseling). Therapy can help you manage your symptoms and improve communication with your family members and colleagues. It can also address problems that can develop in marriages and relationships due to the issues that ADHD can cause at home and work.
Medication
ADHD symptoms in adults are generally more mild than in childhood. However, they can still create problems at home and at work. The disorder can lead to difficulties in obtaining or keeping a job, trouble with social relationships and relationships and academic failures, low self-esteem and emotional distress, temper tantrums and potentially antisocial behaviors.
Medication can help treat the disorder by balancing and increasing the levels of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters that control the flow of information within the brain. Stimulants, which are 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 orally disintegrating tablet). Adults can also be treated with atomoxetine, a nonstimulant, and some antidepressants, such as bupropion. These medications work slower than stimulants and are more suitable for people who are unable to take stimulants because of health problems or severe adverse reactions.
Psychotherapy (also called cognitive-behavioral therapy) could be beneficial in treating disorders that are comorbid with ADHD like depression and anxiety. Psychotherapy is a more effective treatment than medication alone for these conditions according to research. Psychotherapy focuses on teaching skills to manage the disorder as well as improving functioning at work, in school and with relationships. The aim is to boost the self-esteem of the person and reduce problematic behavior, as well as improve their performance and success. It is recommended that each psychotherapy approach for adults ADHD sufferers include a cognitive-behavioral component. Researchers have found that ADHD patients receiving both psychotherapy and medication showed higher improvement than those who were only taking pills.
Counseling
For adults who do not wish to use medications therapy and counseling can offer 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 improve communication by helping patients and their loved ones to comprehend the disorder and learn strategies for dealing with it.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is primarily focused on teaching patients to change their negative thoughts and how to manage their behavior. 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 provide strategies for impulse control as well as emotional regulation and relationship issues that may arise due to impulsive behavior. These strategies can help people live an enjoyable and productive life, particularly at work.
Counseling can help people with ADHD to apply for accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act. This can help improve their job performance and overall satisfaction. For professionals, this could be a matter of changing the way their work is organized to allow them more flexibility to meet deadlines and complete tasks on time.
It is essential to choose the best therapist for adult ADHD treatment. When interviewing potential therapists, it is essential to inquire about their methods and if they have experience treating ADHD in adults. It is important to verify the credentials of the therapist and insurance coverage. Some providers offer a sliding scale fee or provide online therapy which make therapy accessible to people who cannot afford to pay out from their pockets.