ADHD Diagnosis For Adults
Adults are often unable to get an ADHD diagnosis because doctors follow different clinical guidelines that they use for children and teenagers. The diagnosis must include at least five symptoms from the categories of hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity.
The professionals conducting the evaluation will ask questions about your childhood, education as well as your work and family history. They might also want to speak to your spouse or a close friend.
What is ADHD?
It's a relief to get an ADHD diagnosis in your adulthood regardless of whether you're constantly losing keys, have difficulty with work or school or are having trouble staying focused during conversations. You're not crazy and can deal with it better, according to Mary V. Solanto Ph.D. Professor of Psychology at the Hofstra-Northwell School of Medicine in Long Island, New York.
The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision (DSM-5) provides the guidelines providers use to make an ADHD diagnosis. Adults need to meet a lower threshold of symptoms than children -- 5 out of 9 over the past 6 months -- to be diagnosed with either inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive ADHD, or a combination.
An ADHD evaluation typically starts with a face-to-face meeting with your healthcare provider who will go over your symptoms and their impact on your daily life. getting diagnosed with adhd to bring report cards or other documents from your childhood, as it will aid in getting a better understanding of your history with ADHD. Your doctor may suggest that you speak to a close family member, spouse, friend member or coworker who is familiar with you well. They may inquire about your relationship, how they observe your behavior and how it affects your life. They could also inquire how ADHD symptoms are interacted with other conditions, like anxiety or depression.
The interview will likely include questions about your lifestyle like how often you forget to pay your bills or attend appointments, or if you struggle managing your time or organization abilities. It's essential to be honest with your answers and think about how these behaviors affect your daily routine. Ask your healthcare professional for a referral to another specialist or therapist if are unsure about the symptoms. Self-tests and rating systems are accessible on the internet, however they're not as reliable as an interview conducted by a qualified professional. Certain tests may even lead to the wrong diagnosis, so it's recommended to speak with your healthcare provider first.
Symptoms
If you suspect that you may have ADHD Begin talking to your primary care physician. They can refer you to an expert in mental health, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist, for evaluation. The American Psychiatric Association provides clinical guidelines for diagnosing disorders in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition Text Revision (DSM-5). It's important to provide as much detail regarding your symptoms as you can so that your physician can determine the most accurate diagnosis.
The person who is evaluating you will ask questions about your symptoms and how they affect your life. They will also talk to your spouse, children, teachers, co-workers and others who know you well. Your assessment could include behavioral, neuropsychological or testing for learning disabilities. These tests will give your provider additional information about how your ADHD symptoms affect you and can help rule out other conditions that cause similar symptoms.
In addition to evaluating your current symptoms, the professional will determine whether you have predominantly inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive or combined type ADHD. To receive a diagnosis, you must show that you have at least six of the nine symptoms for either the inattentive or hyperactive-impulsive presentation.
The symptoms of the primarily inattentional type include difficulty paying attention, missing details or making careless mistakes. The person conducting the assessment will also examine the impact these symptoms have on school, work and social activities. The impulsive/hyperactive/impulsive symptoms of ADHD include fidgeting, difficulty sitting still or squirming in the chair, excessive talking and interrupting others, frequent blurting out answers before questions are finished and difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly.
These symptoms often appear in childhood. However, they can be present in adulthood. Adults may notice their own ADHD symptoms after their children are diagnosed or after changes in their lives like getting married, a job or moving into their own home. In other cases the condition is not recognized until the adult experiences significant problems at work or in their relationships. This could mean being fired, having financial problems or getting into trouble with the law.
Diagnosis
If you suspect that you suffer from ADHD, a screening is the first step in finding a treatment. A licensed mental health professional meets with you and evaluates your symptoms, medical background and family history. The interview might also include questions regarding work and school performance, as well as how your symptoms impact your life at home and in your relationships. You may want to bring along copies of your report cards, teacher's remarks as well as any other documentation pertinent.
The psychiatric professional uses the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5), to determine the diagnosis. The symptoms of ADHD must be present in at least six months, and they should affect the development of a child or their functioning in multiple environments like school or at home. The symptoms of ADHD should not be explained by other mental disorder like mood disorders or anxiety.
Many people suffering from ADHD continue to struggle throughout their adulthood. Symptoms can impact education and work, lead to poor health and financial issues and stress in relationships. Being diagnosed and treated can improve your quality of life.
Certain symptoms of ADHD develop with age, for instance the symptoms of inattention may become more evident as you age, and impulsivity and hyperactivity could lessen with age. Other factors can also contribute to difficulties. For instance, obstructive sleeping apnea is more common among adults with ADHD. Poor sleeping habits can also exacerbate ADHD symptoms.
People with ADHD frequently have co-occurring disorders like anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder and learning disabilities. Sometimes, treating the root disorder can alleviate the symptoms of ADHD. If you have any other medical illnesses, it is crucial to inform your mental health professional as this could influence the effectiveness of your treatment.
It is essential to consult your primary physician who can refer to an expert in ADHD assessments for adults. It is also recommended to inquire if there are any support groups for adults with ADHD in your area. They may have assistance and a list specialists with specialization. You can also reach out to the insurance company that you have to find out which health care providers are covered under the plan you have.
Treatment
Generally, the best approach to determine if you have ADHD is to have a thorough assessment by a health professional. The examination should include questions regarding your childhood, your current life and the screening for ADHD symptoms. You may be asked whether your ADHD symptoms have caused issues at work, in school or in your relationships.
There are many treatments for adults suffering from ADHD that include counseling and medication. Counseling is a combination of psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy) and cognitive behavioral therapy. These types of therapy help you learn skills to manage your symptoms and change negative patterns of thinking into positive ones. They can also help with other mental health issues, like depression and anxiety, which often co-occur along with ADHD.
Psychostimulants, such as dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate are commonly employed for treating adults with ADHD. These medicines affect how certain brain chemicals communicate to regulate behavior. Your doctor will recommend the right medication for your needs and the symptoms you are experiencing and will adjust the dosage and frequency to suit your needs. There are also nonstimulants available, which do not have the same brain pathways as psychostimulants and can be beneficial for people with ADHD. Nonstimulant medicines include atomoxetine Guanfacine and guanfacine.
Coaching or mentoring can be used to teach adults with ADHD strategies and coping methods. For instance, you may be taught how to use a planner or a journal or shown strategies for improving your time management. You can also benefit from altering your lifestyle to accommodate your ADHD symptoms, such as working from home rather than at a office, using smartphone apps to keep track of tasks, or scheduling appointments for times that aren't as busy. You may also want to inquire about joining clinical trials, which is a research investigation designed to test the effectiveness of new methods of treating illnesses and conditions. (NIMH has information on clinical trials.)
You could be referred to the mental specialist or other health professional by your family physician to assess your ADHD. You can also ask your family member or a friend for recommendations, or join a local support group for people suffering from ADHD.