Getting an ADHD Diagnosis in Adults
Many people seek a diagnosis when they realize they are struggling at work or with relationships because of ADHD. NIMH recommends that those who are seeking an assessment consult with their primary care physician or mental health professional.
They will request a detailed medical history and conduct tests such as symptom rating scales and psychological tests. They could also undergo a physical exam to rule out medical issues that could look like ADHD or seizures or thyroid issues.
Diagnosis
It can be empowering and enlightening to receive the diagnosis of ADHD however, it can also be a source of anxiety. Adults who have been struggling with the symptoms of ADHD for decades might finally decide to seek a professional 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 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 interviews or tests.
The first step is to determine if your ADHD symptoms meet requirements for the disorder: A number of them are present before age 12. They can be found in a variety of settings, for instance, at home, school and at work. diagnosis of adhd affect daily life.
Because symptoms of ADHD can also be caused by mood disorders, such as anxiety or bipolar and other physical conditions and illnesses, your doctor might want to conduct additional evaluations before making a diagnosis. This may include clinical interviews, rating-scales for symptoms, or psychological testing to assess thinking capabilities, problem solving skills, and memory.
It's important that you are completely honest with your mental health professional. This could mean you talk about how your mood has been affected by your difficulties in various aspects of your life. In addition, the person who is conducting your evaluation may request that you talk to your spouse or close family members to get a fuller understanding of the challenges you've faced. They might even ask permission to have your family members fill out questionnaires to compare their experiences with yours.
Signs and symptoms
Adults suffering from ADHD often experience difficulties with daily life activities, especially at work and school. They might have difficulties maintaining a job, remaining in relationships or making ends meet because of the lack of attention and impulsivity that make it difficult to follow instructions, remember things, organize tasks or complete projects. The symptoms can be mild or moderate. It could also be severe.
To diagnose ADHD doctors use common tools like checklists, interview questions and questionnaires. They also look into the family and medical history of the person and consider 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 trouble paying attention to details, daydreaming and seeming easily distracted. Trouble following and finishing tasks, and a tendency to lose track of time or get distracted are all 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 also tend to forget things quickly and frequently have trouble organizing their home, work or daily activities. They may lose keys, phones or wallets often. They may have trouble waiting for their turn in the classroom, at work or in play. They are prone to stress or frustration and are subject to frequent and intense mood swings.
In adults, it's more common for people with ADHD to have co-occurring conditions, such as conduct disorders or oppositional defiant depression or anxiety, tic disorders or Tourette syndrome and substance abuse problems. The presence of co-occurring disorders can complicate treatment and make it more difficult to determine the cause of ADHD.
Treatment
If you think you have ADHD, the first step in getting a diagnosis is to talk with your primary care provider. They may refer you to a specialist in mental health. These professionals will examine your symptoms and problems in the workplace, at school or at home to determine if they are interfering with your daily life. They may use a structured interview or ask family members or close friends to assist. They will also review the medical and family history of your family, and perform a physical examination.
Your doctor will also consider the length of time you've been experiencing these symptoms and the effect they affect your life today. To be considered to have ADHD symptoms must be present for at least 6 months and cannot be explained by other conditions like depression or anxiety. Additionally, they should hinder daily activities, such as getting to class, completing tasks on time or keeping the job.
In your assessment, a mental health professional may employ standardized scales for behavior and ADHD symptoms checklists. You will also be given an assessment of your cognitive abilities that will assess your executive and working memory functioning and also your spatial and visual capabilities. They may also test for other conditions that can cause similar symptoms like a seizure disorder or thyroid issue.
If your psychiatrist decides you have ADHD the doctor will inform you of the medications available and discuss the treatment options. In most cases it is a combination of medications and talk therapy (counseling) is the best option. Therapy can help you manage your symptoms, and improve communication between your family members and colleagues. Therapy can also aid in resolving issues that could arise in marriages and relationships due to the problems ADHD can create.
Medication
The symptoms of ADHD in adults are usually much milder than they were in childhood, but they can cause issues at work and home. The disorder can lead to difficulties in obtaining or keeping a good job, problems with social interactions and relationships, academic failures, low self-esteem emotional anxiety, temper tantrums and disruptive behavior.
Medication can help treat the disorder by increasing and balancing levels of brain chemicals referred to as neurotransmitters. They regulate the flow of information within the brain. The stimulants are the most commonly prescribed medications for ADHD in adults. Jornay, Xelstrym, Cotempla and Adhansia are just a few examples of stimulants. The non-stimulant atomoxetine, a non-stimulant antidepressants, like bupropion, are also used to treat ADHD in adults. These drugs work more slowly than stimulants and are better suited to those who aren't able to take stimulant medications due to health issues or severe side effects.
Psychotherapy, also known as cognitive-behavioral therapy, can help in the treatment of conditions that can be comorbid like depression and anxiety that are related to ADHD. Psychotherapy could be a better treatment than medication alone for these conditions according to research. Psychotherapy focuses on teaching the skills to manage the disorder and improve your performance at school, work and in relationships. The goal is to improve the person's self-esteem, decrease problematic behavior and improve their performance and success. It is recommended that each psychotherapy approach for adult ADHD patients contain a cognitive-behavioral component. In one study, researchers discovered that ADHD patients who received both therapy and medication showed a higher level of improvement than those who simply took the pills.
Counseling
For adults who don't want to use medications, therapy and counseling may offer significant relief. Individual therapy can help address issues such as low self-esteem and feelings of failure and frequent job changes that often occur with ADHD. It can also help improve communication and strengthen relationships by helping loved ones understand the disorder and learn strategies for coping.
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 teach coping strategies for impulse control, emotional regulation and relationship issues that can arise due to an impulsive behavior. These methods can aid you in living more productively especially at work.
Counseling can also help those with ADHD in applying for workplace accommodations that could be available under the Americans with Disabilities Act, which can dramatically enhance job performance and satisfaction. This can include changing the structure of their jobs to allow them to be more flexible in meeting deadlines and finishing tasks within the timeframes they have set.
Selecting the right therapist is essential to getting the most out of treatment for adult ADHD. When interviewing potential therapists it is crucial to inquire about their methods and if they have prior experience in treating ADHD in adults. Verifying 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 therapy easier for those who can't afford it.