Getting an ADHD Diagnosis in Adults
Many people seek a diagnose when they realize that ADHD causes them to have problems at work or in their relationships. NIMH recommends those seeking a diagnosis talk to their primary care provider or a mental health professional.
They will ask for an extensive medical history as well as conduct tests such as symptom rating scales and psychological tests. They could also undergo a physical exam to rule out medical issues that may be a sign of ADHD or seizures or thyroid problems.
Making a diagnosis
Being diagnosed with ADHD can be eye-opening and empowering, but it can also be stressful. Adults who have been struggling with the symptoms of ADHD for decades might finally decide to seek a professional opinion, prompted by frustrations at work or in their relationships or due to being informed by family members or friends that they may be suffering from ADHD. It's important to note that it may take a while for a medical professional to determine an ADHD diagnosis and the process includes more than just a series of clinical interviews or tests.
The first step is to determine if your ADHD symptoms meet criteria for the disorder: A number of them begin prior to the age of 12 years old. They are seen in two or more settings--for example, home, school, and work. They can also affect the daily activities of people.
Your healthcare provider may need to conduct additional tests in order to make an accurate diagnosis. This is because the symptoms of ADHD are also caused by mood disorders like anxiety, bipolar disorder, and various other physical ailments or illnesses. This could include clinical interviews, rating-scales for symptoms, or psychological testing to assess thinking capabilities as well as problem solving abilities and memory.
It's important to be completely honest with your health professional. And this might involve discussing how the difficulties that you're facing in various aspects of your life have affected your mood. In addition the mental health professional conducting your evaluation might ask to speak with your spouse or close family and friends members to get a more complete understanding of the challenges you've faced. They might even ask for permission to complete questionnaires about their experiences with you and then compare them to your own.
Symptoms
Adults suffering from ADHD often experience difficulties with everyday activities, especially at school and work. They may have trouble keeping jobs or maintaining relationships. They may also find it difficult to pay the bills because of their lack of attention and impulsivity, which makes it difficult for them to remember things, manage tasks or complete projects. The symptoms could be mild, moderate, or severe.
To determine ADHD, doctors use the standard tools, such as checklists, interview questions and questionnaires. They also look into medical and family history 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.
Symptoms of the inattentive type include difficulty paying attention things, focusing on details, and being to be easily distracted. Trouble following and finishing tasks, and a tendency to lose the track of time or become side-tracked are also inattentive symptoms.
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 easily and have difficulty organizing their daily activities at work or at home. They may lose phones, keys, papers or wallets frequently. They struggle to wait for their turn at school, at work or at play. They have a low tolerance for frustration or stress and experience frequent and intense mood changes.
In adults, it is more common for people suffering from ADHD to have co-occurring conditions like oppositional defiant or conduct disorders depression or anxiety, tic disorders or Tourette syndrome and substance abuse problems. Co-occurring disorders can make treatment more difficult, and make it harder to identify ADHD.
Treatment
Talking with your primary healthcare provider is the first step to getting a diagnosis if you suspect you have ADHD. They can refer you to an expert in mental health. They will look over your symptoms and concerns at school, at work or at home to assess how they affect your daily life. They will conduct an organized interview and may seek the assistance of family members or other friends who know you well. They will also review the medical and family history of your family and will conduct a physical examination.
Your doctor will also take a look at how long you've had these symptoms and the effect they have on your daily life. To be diagnosed with ADHD symptoms must have been present for at least 6 months and cannot be caused by other disorders such as anxiety or depression. They should also hinder everyday tasks like getting to school, completing assignments on time, or maintaining an occupation.
In your assessment the mental health specialist may employ standardized behavior rating scales and ADHD symptoms checklists. They will likely also conduct a cognitive test to assess your executive functioning and visual and spatial abilities. read here will also test for other conditions that could cause similar symptoms such as a seizure disorder or thyroid issue.
If your psychiatrist determines that you have ADHD they will go over the available medications and treatment options. In most cases the combination of medication and talk therapy (counseling) is best. Therapy helps you learn to manage your symptoms and improve communication with family members and co-workers. Therapy can also aid in resolving problems that may develop in relationships and marriages due to the problems ADHD can cause.
Medication
ADHD symptoms in adults are generally more mild than in childhood. However, they can still cause issues at home and at work. The disorder can lead to difficulty in getting or keeping jobs, issues with social and interpersonal relationships, academic failures, poor self-esteem and emotional distress, temper outbursts and possibly antisocial behavior.
The medications can help treat the disorder by boosting and balancing levels of neurotransmitters in the brain which regulate the flow of information in the brain. Stimulants, commonly prescribed for ADHD in adults, are the most common medications. 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 oral disintegrating tablet). Adults are also treated with the non-stimulant atomoxetine and some antidepressants, such as bupropion. These drugs work more slowly than stimulants and may be better suited to those who can't take stimulant medication due to health issues or serious side effects.
Psychotherapy (also known as cognitive-behavioral therapy) can be effective in treating disorders that are comorbid to ADHD, such as depression and anxiety. Research suggests that psychotherapy is a more effective treatment for these disorders than relying on medications in isolation. Psychotherapy focuses primarily on teaching techniques for managing the disorder and improving the performance at work, in school and in relationships. The goal is to increase the person's self-esteem, decrease problematic behavior and increase the effectiveness and performance. It is recommended that each psychotherapy program for adults ADHD sufferers include a cognitive-behavioral component. In one study, researchers found that ADHD patients who received psychotherapy and medication experienced greater improvement than those who simply took the medication.
Counseling
For adults who do not wish to take medication therapy and counseling can offer significant relief. Individual talk therapy can help with issues such as low self-esteem and feelings failure that are often associated with ADHD. It can also help improve relationships and improve communication by helping patients and their loved ones to comprehend the disorder and learn ways to cope.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is primarily focused on teaching patients to overcome 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 may also focus on developing time-management and organizational skills or teach coping techniques to manage impulse control, emotional regulation, and relationship problems that can arise from the impulsive behavior. These strategies can aid people in living a more productive and satisfying life, particularly at work.
Counseling can also guide those with ADHD in applying for work accommodations that may be provided under the Americans with Disabilities Act, which can significantly enhance job performance and satisfaction. For professionals, this could require modifying the way in which their work is structured so that they have more flexibility to meet deadlines and finish tasks on time.
It is essential to choose the appropriate therapist for adults ADHD treatment. The therapist's approach and whether they have successfully been able to treat ADHD in adults is essential when interviewing potential therapists. Checking the credentials of therapists as well as insurance coverage is a smart idea. Some providers offer sliding scale fees or online therapy services to make therapy more accessible to those who can't afford it.