ADHD Diagnosis For Adults
Finding a reliable diagnosis of ADHD can aid in reducing symptoms that can cause issues at home as well as in your professional life. Symptoms of ADHD can also result in depression and anxiety.
A thorough assessment will involve an extensive interview with you and may include screening questionnaires for other conditions that may look like ADHD or coexist with it, for example depression or anxiety. Your healthcare professional may also ask you to speak with your loved ones.
Diagnosis
It is important to have a licensed health professional assess your situation if you suspect you may have ADHD. This may be a psychologist, psychiatrist or a family doctor or nurse practitioner that specializes in mental health disorders. The assessment will include a discussion of your symptoms, the problems they cause, and how you have overcome them. The healthcare professional will go over your medical history, including any past mental health issues and any medication you are taking.
To make a diagnosis, the healthcare provider must identify at least six traits (symptoms) of ADHD. They must be present in at minimum two different environments (home school, social situations) and significantly affect your functioning. The symptoms must be present for at least six months, and they must be consistent over time. In addition, your healthcare provider must determine whether your symptoms are inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive or a combination of both.
The signs of inattention include forgetting things, loosing things, and not paying attention. Problems with school are also common. People with inattention ADHD can have trouble adhering to instructions or completing assignments. They may also have difficulty submitting work on time. They may have trouble sitting still, paying attention to others, or keeping track of themselves. They frequently interrupt and blurt answers before the questions are finished. They have trouble waiting for their turn in games or conversations.
Hyperactive/impulsive ADHD symptoms include restlessness, fidgeting or excessively tapping hands and speaking without thinking. This type of ADHD can lead to problems at home, school and at work. These issues are usually related to problems in relationships and becoming financially strained.
The person conducting the assessment will likely want to speak with your teachers, parents, or parents and look over any documentation you have of your issues with behavior as an infant. They'll likely conduct an examination of your body to rule out any medical conditions which may be contributing to the symptoms you're experiencing, such as seizures or thyroid problems.
If you have problems at work, in school or with your relationships, they could recommend additional psychological, educational disabilities, or neuropsychological tests. These tests don't diagnose ADHD, but they can provide important information about the disorder.
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If you suspect that your child or you is suffering from ADHD It is important to find a qualified medical expert who can assess your symptoms. You can ask your doctor for a referral. Contact your insurance provider. Or search online for professionals that specialize in ADHD evaluations of adults. You can also join an adult ADHD support group to get recommendations.
During the evaluation the person who conducts it could ask you or your child questions about your past and present life to help you gain a better understanding of what is going on. They may also want to talk to teachers or other people who knew you as in your youth. They might inquire about your medical history and past ailments to determine if you have any symptoms that may be connected to ADHD like anxiety or depression.
The evaluator can also employ rating scales and questionnaires to determine the severity of certain ADHD behaviors, as well as how often they occur. These tools allow them to compare your or child's symptoms with those of other children and adults who have been diagnosed with ADHD. This is to make sure you or your child is in line with standardized criteria for the diagnosis. They may also conduct a physical or your child a physical and a neurological exam. They could also look for medical issues that may be a cause of ADHD such as thyroid problem or seizures.
For children to be diagnosed with ADHD, they need to consistently demonstrate six or more of the behavioral symptoms listed in two categories -- inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity -- over the course of six months. For adults, five established symptoms in one category are needed -- either inattention or hyperactivity/impulsivity. adhd diagnoses can't be explained better by a different mental disorder, such as an anxiety disorder or a mood disorder. Your evaluator will use the results of the test and interview to determine an official diagnosis of ADHD. The evaluator will draft an account of his or her findings and recommends treatment options. They will probably give you or your child with a copy of the report.
Treatment
ADHD can cause problems at work and in the family. The most common symptoms are impulsivity and forgetfulness, which can lead to financial difficulties or problems at work or school. Family and marriage therapy can assist in addressing the issues that people with ADHD face in their relationships. Individual psychotherapy (also called talk therapy) can help address the feelings of frustration and inadequacy that often accompany a diagnosis of ADHD. It is essential to find a therapist who has experience working with individuals who suffer from ADHD and can relate to the unique challenges this disorder can bring up.
Health professionals employ different methods to assess whether someone is suffering from ADHD by observing them in several environments, asking about their symptoms and how they impact their lives, examining their past behavior, taking psychological and neuropsychological tests and medical examinations. They can also talk to teachers and caregivers in order to obtain a complete picture of the individual's life. This includes their home, workplace and social surroundings.
The symptoms are required to be present in at least two settings and disrupt daily functioning. They must be present for at minimum six months. Symptoms must have been occurring prior to age 12 and they cannot be better explained by other mental disorders, for example depression or anxiety.
Older teens and adults must meet the criteria for both the inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive types of ADHD to be diagnosed with this disorder. They must demonstrate at minimum five of the following symptoms in a variety of settings.
A therapist can assist in teaching skills that help reduce symptoms of ADHD. These include planning ahead, keeping track of schedules and using the planner, notebook or diary and also establishing and sticking to routines. They can also help you improve your communication and problem-solving skills that will help you manage symptoms. Treatment options also include medication, lifestyle adjustments and accommodations--tools or changes in the environment that make it easier for people with a condition to function, like step stools that allow short people to reach things that are high up.
Support
Many people feel relieved after receiving a diagnosis as an adult. They feel like they've finally found out what's wrong. It's also often a time of grief due to missed opportunities at school or at work or relationships that have gone wrong. It's particularly difficult for women and girls, those whose symptoms might have been overlooked in their childhood or not fully appreciated when they reached maturity, Matlen said.
A specialist or doctor will examine the entire life history of the individual, including the adolescent years and childhood. They will review documents from work and school, interview the person and anyone else who is familiar with them and ask questions about symptoms. They will check to ensure that the symptoms aren't more easily explained by a mental health condition such as anxiety or depression and also ensure that the person is not suffering from a physical problem like low blood pressure or hearing or vision impairment.
The specialist may also suggest cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in addition to the physical exam. The aim of CBT is to help the patient change their thinking and actions so they can manage their ADHD more efficiently. The therapist will teach the person strategies to improve their organizational skills, time management, and impulse control. They will also instruct the person to identify and avoid triggers for their ADHD symptoms.
Some doctors will refer the patient to a psychiatrist who has experience treating adults with ADHD. They will be able to talk about the problems that the person is having at work, at home and in relationships. They can recommend support groups and other resources for adults with ADHD.
If a person is having difficulty finding an expert They can request their primary care physician to refer them or search the online directory of their health insurance company. You can also ask family and friends for suggestions or contact an adult local ADHD support group. The specialist can help the person find a neurologist or psychiatrist to monitor their medication as well as an therapist or a life coach to help them develop strategies to manage their symptoms and make positive changes to their daily lives.