ADHD Diagnosis For Adults
Adults are often unable to get an ADHD diagnosis because doctors follow different guidelines for treating adults that they use for teenagers and children. The diagnosis requires at least five signs from the categories of hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity.
Professionals doing an evaluation will ask you questions about your childhood, your work and academic life, drug and alcohol usage, and the family history. They may also discuss your relationship with your spouse or other family members.
What is ADHD?
Whether you keep losing your keys, have difficulty with work or school or are having trouble staying focused in conversations, getting an ADHD diagnosis as an adult can be a great relief. You're not alone, and you can manage it better, according to Mary V. Solanto Ph.D. is a 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) contains the guidelines used by professionals to determine 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.
A face-toface meeting with your healthcare professional is typically the first step in an ADHD assessment. They will discuss your symptoms and how they impact your daily life. Bring any reports from your childhood to help the provider to understand the history of your ADHD. Your doctor might ask you to speak to a close family member, spouse, friend member, or a coworker who knows you well. They may inquire about your relationship, how they observe your behavior and how it affects your life. adhd diagnostic could also inquire what ADHD symptoms are interacted with other conditions, like depression or an anxiety disorder.
You'll be asked about your lifestyle during the interview, including how often you forget to go to appointments or pay bills or if you're having difficulty with time management. It's essential to be honest with your answers and to think about how these behaviors affect your daily life. If you're unsure about your symptoms, consider asking your healthcare provider to refer you to a psychologist or doctor for an evaluation. Self-tests are available as well as rating scales on the internet, but they're not as reliable or as valid as an appointment with a qualified provider. Certain tests could even lead to the wrong diagnosis, so it's advisable to speak with your doctor first.
Symptoms
If you suspect that you may have ADHD begin by speaking to your primary care provider. They may refer you to a mental health professional, such as psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct an evaluation. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision DSM-5 offers guidelines for clinical care to identify mental disorders. It's important to provide as much information about your symptoms as possible to enable your doctor to make an accurate assessment.
The person who evaluates you will inquire about your symptoms and how they affect your life. They could also interview your spouse and children and teachers, coworkers and other people who know you. Your assessment could include neuropsychological, behavioral, or learning disability testing. These tests will give your doctor additional information on 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, not noticing details or making careless mistakes. The person who is conducting the assessment will also assess the impact these symptoms have on work, school 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 typically manifest in the early years of childhood. However, they can also be present in later life. Adults may be able to recognize their own ADHD symptoms when their children are diagnosed or after a change in their life such as the marriage, job or moving into their own home. In other cases the disorder is not diagnosed until an adult is confronted with significant issues at work or with their relationships. This could mean being fired, having financial problems or getting into trouble with the law.
Diagnosis
A screening is the first thing you should do in the event that you suspect you might have ADHD. A licensed mental health professional will interview you and examines your symptoms, medical history and family history. Interview questions could be asked about your school and work performance, and how the symptoms affect you at home as well as with relationships. You may be required to bring copies of report cards, teacher's comments and any other documents that may be relevant.
The psychiatric practitioner utilizes the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5) to establish the diagnosis. For the diagnosis of ADHD symptoms, they have to be present for at least six months and interfere with development or functioning in more than one setting for example, at school or at home. The symptoms of ADHD need to not be explained by other mental disorder such as anxiety or mood disorders.
Many people with ADHD continue to have problems throughout their adulthood. The symptoms of ADHD can affect both school and work. They can also lead to poor health or financial problems, and strain relationships. If you are diagnosed and treated, you can make a difference in your life.
Certain ADHD symptoms can change with age. For example, inattentiveness can become more evident as you get older, and impulse control and hyperactivity can diminish with age. Other factors can cause problems. For instance, obstructive sleeping apnea is more prevalent in adults with ADHD. Poor sleeping habits can also exacerbate ADHD symptoms.
People with ADHD often suffer from co-occurring illnesses, such as depression, anxiety bipolar disorder, anxiety and learning disabilities. Sometimes, treating the underlying condition can help eliminate the symptoms of ADHD. If you have other illnesses, it is crucial to tell your mental health professional as this can affect the effectiveness of your treatment.
It is crucial to talk to your primary doctor who can refer to a health professional trained in ADHD assessments for adults. It is also an excellent idea to inquire if there are any support groups specifically for people with ADHD in your area. They can provide you with resources and a list of specialties of professionals. You can also contact the insurance company you have to determine which health medical professionals are covered by your plan.
Treatment
A thorough assessment by a healthcare professional is the best method to determine if you suffer from adult ADHD. The evaluation should include questions about your childhood, as well as questions about your life now and screening for ADHD symptoms. You might be asked if your ADHD symptoms have caused problems at school, at work or in your relationships.
Counseling and medication are two of the many options for adults suffering from ADHD. Counseling can be described as psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy) and cognitive behavioral therapy. These types of therapies aid you in learning to manage your symptoms and transform negative thinking patterns to positive ones. They can also assist with other mental health issues such as anxiety and depression which are often associated with ADHD.
Psychostimulants like dextroamphetamine or methylphenidate are commonly used for treating adults with ADHD. These drugs affect the way certain brain chemicals communicate to regulate behavior. Your doctor will recommend the right medication for you and your symptoms, and alter the dosage and frequency according to your needs. Nonstimulants are also available, which do not act on the same brain pathways as psychostimulants and are effective for adults with ADHD. Examples of nonstimulant medications are atomoxetine and guanfacine.
Coaching or mentoring may be used to teach adults with ADHD strategies and coping techniques. For example, you might be taught how to use a planner or keep journals or given strategies for improving your time management. You could also alter your lifestyle to accommodate your ADHD symptoms. For instance you could work from home instead of at an office, utilize smartphone apps to keep track of your tasks, or schedule appointments at less busy times. You may also wish to inquire about joining clinical trials that is a research study designed to test new methods to treat illnesses and conditions. (NIMH has information on clinical trials.)
You may be referred to an expert in mental health or another health care professional by your family doctor to assess your ADHD. You may also ask your family member or a friend for suggestions, or connect with a local support organization for people suffering from ADHD.