ADHD Diagnosis For Adults
Adults often have trouble getting an ADHD diagnosis due to the fact that doctors use different guidelines for treating adults that they use for children and teenagers. The diagnosis requires a minimum of five symptoms that fall within the categories of hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity.
Professionals conducting an assessment will ask questions about your education, childhood as well as your work and family history. They may also request to speak with your spouse or a friend.
What is ADHD?
If you're constantly losing your keys, have difficulty with work or school or struggle to stay engaged in conversations, getting an ADHD diagnosis as an adult can be a huge relief. You know you're normal, and you can deal with it better, says Mary V. Solanto Ph.D. a professor of psychology at 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 that doctors and specialists use 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.
An ADHD assessment usually begins with a face-to-face interview with your healthcare provider, who will review your symptoms and the impact they have on your daily life. Bring any report cards from your childhood to help the doctor to understand the history of your ADHD. Your provider may also ask to speak to a spouse or family member, a co-worker or a close friend who knows you well. They might inquire about your relationship, how they perceive your behavior and how it affects you. They could also inquire how ADHD symptoms interact with other conditions, such as depression or an anxiety disorder.
You'll be asked about your lifestyle during the interview, and this includes how often you forget to attend appointments or pay bills or if you're having difficulty with time management. It's essential to be honest in your answers and think about how these behaviors affect your daily routine. If you're unsure about your symptoms, you should consider asking your healthcare professional to refer you to another doctor or psychologist to conduct an evaluation. Self-tests and rating systems are available on the internet, but they are not as reliable as an interview conducted by a qualified professional. Certain tests may even lead to the wrong diagnosis, so it's advisable to speak with your doctor first.
Signs and symptoms
If you suspect you may have ADHD, start by speaking to your primary care physician. He or she might recommend you to a mental health specialist for an assessment, such as psychologist or psychiatrist. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision DSM-5 offers guidelines for clinical care to identify mental disorders. It is essential to provide as much detail about your symptoms as you can so that your physician can make a precise diagnosis.
The person evaluating you will ask about your symptoms and how they impact your life. He or she could also interview your children and spouse and teachers, colleagues and other people who know you. Your evaluation could include testing for learning disabilities, behavioral disorders, or neuropsychological disorders. These tests will provide your doctor with additional information regarding your ADHD symptoms and help to rule out other conditions causing 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 trouble paying attention, not noticing details or making careless mistakes. The person doing the evaluation will also look at how these symptoms impact work, school and social interactions. 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 be present in adulthood. Adults may recognize their own ADHD symptoms after their children are diagnosed, or after changes in their lives like a job, marriage or moving into their own home. In other cases, the condition goes undiagnosed until an adult is confronted with significant issues at work or with their relationships. This could include being dismissed from a job, having financial problems or being in trouble with the law.
Diagnosis
If you suspect that you suffer from ADHD A test is the first step in finding a treatment. A licensed mental health professional meets with you and reviews your symptoms, medical background and family history. The interview could also include questions about work and school performance and how your symptoms impact your daily life at home and in your relationships. You might want to bring copies of your reports, teacher's comments, and any other documentation pertinent.
The psychiatric professional utilizes the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5), to establish the diagnosis. For a diagnosis of ADHD, the symptoms must be present for at least six months and interfere with functioning or development in multiple settings like school or at home. Additionally, the symptoms are not better explained by a mental disorder that is not related to ADHD, such as an anxiety disorder or mood disorder.
Many people with ADHD suffer from problems that last into adulthood. These symptoms can impact the school and work environment, leading to poor health and financial issues and stress in relationships. If diagnosed and treated, you can make a difference in your quality of life.
Certain symptoms of ADHD change with age, for example inattentive symptoms may become more evident as you age, and hyperactivity and impulsivity may lessen with age. Other factors can also contribute to the difficulties. For example the condition known as obstructive sleep apnea is more prevalent in adults suffering from ADHD. Poor sleeping habits can also exacerbate ADHD symptoms.
People suffering from ADHD often suffer from co-occurring illnesses such as depression, anxiety bipolar disorder, and other learning disabilities. Sometimes, treating the underlying condition can help eliminate the symptoms of ADHD. It is crucial to inform your mental health professional that you have any other conditions. This can have an impact on the effectiveness of treatment.
It is essential to talk to your primary physician, who can refer you to a health care specialist who is trained in ADHD assessments for adults. It is also a good idea to ask if there are any support groups for people with ADHD in your area. They can provide resources as well as a list by specialization of professionals. You can also contact the insurance company you have to find out which health care providers are covered under the plan you have.
Treatment
A thorough assessment by a healthcare professional is the best way to determine if you suffer from adult ADHD. The examination should include questions regarding your childhood, your current life, and screening for ADHD symptoms. You may be asked if your ADHD symptoms have caused issues at work, at school or in your relationships.
visit your url and medication are two of the many options that are available to adults suffering from ADHD. Psychotherapy can be a part of counseling, also known as talk therapy and cognitive therapy for behavioral disorders. visit your url teach you how to manage your symptoms and how to transform negative thinking patterns to positive ones. They can also be helpful in the treatment of other mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, which frequently co-occur with ADHD.
Psychostimulants, such as dextroamphetamine and the methylphenidate are frequently used in the treatment of adults suffering from ADHD. These drugs alter the way that certain chemicals in your brain communicate and regulate your behavior. Your doctor will select the right medication for your needs and the symptoms you are experiencing and alter the dosage and frequency according to your needs. Nonstimulants are also available, which do not act on the same brain pathways like psychostimulants and are beneficial for people with ADHD. Examples of nonstimulant drugs are atomoxetine as well as guanfacine.
Coaching or mentoring is a way to teach adults with ADHD strategies and coping strategies. For instance, you could be taught how to use a planner or keep journals or shown strategies for improving your time management. You can also modify your living situation in order to accommodate your ADHD symptoms. For example you could choose to work from home instead of at an office, use smartphone apps to monitor your activities and schedule appointments at less busy times. You might also want to inquire about taking part in clinical studies that is a research project designed to test out new ways to treat illnesses and conditions. (NIMH offers information about clinical trials.
You may be referred to the mental specialist or other health professional by your family physician to assess your ADHD. You could also ask your family member or a friend for suggestions, or join a local support group for those suffering from ADHD.