Getting an ADHD Diagnosis in Adults
Many people seek a diagnosis when they realize they are having issues at work or with relationships due to ADHD. NIMH recommends that those seeking an assessment consult with their primary healthcare provider or mental health professional.
They will take a thorough history and complete tests like symptom-rating scales or psychological tests. They might be subjected to a physical examination to rule out other medical ailments that might be misinterpreted as ADHD like thyroid issues or seizures.
Making a diagnosis
It can be a great relief and enlightening to receive an diagnosis of ADHD, but it can be also distressing. Adults who've struggled with ADHD symptoms for a long time might eventually seek out professional help, either because of frustrations at work, in their relationships, and/or because relatives or friends have informed them that they might be suffering from ADHD. It is important to keep in mind that it takes time for a healthcare 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 meet criteria for the disorder: Several of them begin prior to the age of 12 years old. They may occur in more than one place like school, home and at work. They can affect the daily functioning of a person.
Your healthcare provider may need to perform additional evaluations to establish a diagnosis. This is because symptoms of ADHD are also caused by mood disorders such as bipolar disorder, anxiety, and other physical or mental illnesses. This could include interviews with a clinical psychologist or rating scales for symptoms, or psychological tests to test thinking abilities and problem-solving skills and memory.
It's important to be completely honest with your mental health professional, and that might mean talking about how the struggles you're having in different areas of your life affect your mood. The mental health professional evaluating you may also want to speak with your spouse, close family members and friends to gain more insight into your challenges. They might even ask for permission to fill out questionnaires about their experiences with you and then compare them to your own.
Signs and symptoms
Adults with ADHD typically experience difficulties with daily life activities, particularly at work and school. They may have difficulty keeping a job, staying in relationships, or even making ends meet because of the lack of attention and impulsivity that makes it difficult to follow directions, remember things, organize tasks or complete projects. The symptoms can be mild, moderate or severe.
To determine ADHD doctors use standardized tools such as checklists, questionnaires and questions for interviews. They also take into account medical and family histories and 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 things, focusing on details, and being easily distracted. Inattention is also associated with difficulty in following and finishing tasks, as well being prone to getting distracted or lose 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 are also prone to forgetting things quickly and frequently have trouble organizing their home, work or daily activities. They may lose their phones, keys or wallets often. They struggle to wait for their turn at school, work or playing. They have a low tolerance to stress or anger and experience frequent and intense mood changes.
Adults with ADHD are more likely to suffer from co-occurring conditions such as disorder of the opposition, anxiety, depression and tic disorders Tourette syndrome, and substance abuse issues. The presence of co-occurring disorders can make it difficult to treat and can make it more difficult to identify ADHD.
Treatment
Talking to your primary care physician is the first step in receiving a diagnosis if you suspect you have ADHD. He or she will probably refer you to a mental health professional. The professionals will look at your symptoms and concerns in the workplace, at school or at home to determine how much they are interfering with your daily life. adhd uk diagnosis might conduct an organized interview or ask family members or close family members to help. They will also review the medical and family background of your family, and perform a physical examination.
Your doctor will also take into consideration the duration of these symptoms, and the effect they are having on your life. To be considered to have ADHD, symptoms must have been present for at minimum 6 months and cannot be caused by other disorders such as depression or anxiety. Additionally, they should interfere with everyday activities like getting to class, finishing tasks on time, or keeping the job.
During your examination Your mental health specialist may employ standardized behavior rating scales and ADHD symptom checklists. You will also receive an assessment of your cognitive abilities which will test your working memory and executive functioning and also your visual and spatial abilities. They will also test for other conditions that can cause similar symptoms, for example seizure or thyroid disorder.
If your psychiatrist determines that you suffer from ADHD they will go over the medications available and treatment options. Most often the combination of medication and talk therapy (counseling) is best. Therapy can aid in managing your symptoms, and improve communication between your family members and colleagues. Therapy can also aid in resolving issues that could develop in relationships and marriages because of the issues ADHD can create.
Medication
ADHD symptoms in adults are generally less severe than those in childhood. However they can cause problems both at work and at home. The disorder can result in difficulty in obtaining or maintaining a job, trouble with social and interpersonal relationships and academic failures, low self-esteem and emotional distress, temper tantrums and even antisocial behaviors.
The medications can help treat the disorder by boosting and balancing levels of neurotransmitters, brain chemicals that regulate the flow of information through the brain. The stimulants are the most commonly prescribed drugs for ADHD in adults. 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). The non-stimulant atomoxetine as well as certain antidepressants, such as bupropion, also are used to treat ADHD in adults. These medications work slower than stimulants, and may be better for people who are unable to take stimulants due to health issues or severe side-effects.
Psychotherapy (also known as cognitive-behavioral treatment) can be effective in treating disorders that are comorbid to ADHD, such as depression and anxiety. Psychotherapy could be a better treatment than medications alone for these conditions according to research. Psychotherapy is primarily focused on teaching skills for managing the disorder and improving functioning at work, in school and in relationships. The aim is to increase the person's self esteem, decrease problematic behaviors and increase their efficiency and overall performance. It is recommended that every psychotherapy method for adult ADHD patients contain a cognitive-behavioral component. In one study, researchers discovered that ADHD patients who received both psychotherapy and medication reported an improvement in their condition more than those who only took the pills.
Counseling
For adults who don't want to use medications, therapy and counseling may offer significant relief. Individual talk therapy can help address issues such as low self-esteem and feeling of failure, and frequent job changes that often occur with ADHD. It can also help improve relationships and communication by helping patients and their loved ones to understand the condition and develop strategies for dealing with it.
Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on teaching patients to change their negative thoughts and 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 concentrate on developing organizational and time-management skills or teach coping strategies to manage emotional regulation, impulse control and relationship issues that can arise from an impulsive behavior. These strategies can aid people in living happier and more productive life, particularly in the workplace.
Counseling can also help those with ADHD when applying for workplace accommodations that could be provided under the Americans with Disabilities Act, which can significantly increase job satisfaction and performance. For professionals, this could require modifying the way in which their work is structured to allow them more flexibility to meet deadlines and complete tasks within the timeframes they need to.
Selecting the right therapist is essential to get the most value from treatment for adult ADHD. When interviewing potential therapists, it is essential to inquire about their treatment approach and if they have expertise in treating ADHD in adults. Examining the credentials of therapists as well as insurance coverage is an excellent idea. Some providers provide sliding scale fees or online therapy services to make treatment easier for those who cannot afford it.