ADHD Diagnosis For Adults
Many adults are unable to get an ADHD diagnosis, as doctors follow a different set of guidelines for diagnosing the disorder than for teenagers and children. The diagnosis must include at least five signs from the categories of hyperactivity, inattention and the tendency to be impulsive.
Professionals who conduct an assessment will ask you questions about your education, childhood as well as your work and family history. They may also discuss your relationship with your spouse or friends.
What is ADHD?
It's a relief to get an ADHD diagnosis in adulthood and if you're constantly losing your keys, are having trouble with work or school or are struggling to stay focused when talking to others. "You know you're not insane, and that puts you in an ideal position to deal with it," says pediatrician Mary V. Solanto, Ph.D. who is professor of psychology and psychiatry at Hofstra-Northwell School of Medicine on Long Island, New York.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision of the American Psychiatric Association (DSM-5) is a guideline for doctors to diagnose ADHD. 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 doctor is typically the first step in an ADHD assessment. They will discuss your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. It is beneficial to bring your report cards or other evidence from your childhood to aid the doctor in gaining more information about your experience with ADHD. Your provider may ask to speak to a close friend, spouse, family member, or a coworker who knows you well. They may inquire about your relationship as well as their observations of your behavior and how it affects them and also how your ADHD symptoms interact with other conditions like anxiety or depression.
You'll be asked questions about your life during the interview, including how often you don't attend appointments or pay bills or if you're having difficulty with time management. It is crucial to be truthful in your answers and think about how these behaviors affect your daily life. If you're uncertain about your symptoms, it's worth consulting your healthcare professional to refer you to a different doctor or psychologist for an evaluation. Self-tests are available as well as rating scales online, however they're not as reliable or as valid as an appointment with a qualified provider. Certain tests could even lead to a wrong diagnosis, so always consult your physician prior to using them.
Signs and symptoms
Talk to your primary healthcare provider if you suspect that you be suffering from ADHD. He or she might recommend you to a mental health specialist for an evaluation, like psychologist or psychiatrist. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision DSM-5 provides guidelines for clinicians for diagnosing mental disorders. It's crucial to give your provider as much information as you can about your symptoms so they can make an accurate diagnosis.
The person evaluating you will ask questions about your symptoms and how they impact your life. The person conducting the evaluation might also talk to your spouse and children and coworkers, teachers and other people who know you. Your evaluation may include behavioral, neuropsychological or learning disability tests. These tests can provide your provider with additional information about your ADHD symptoms and help 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 signs of someone who is primarily inattentive include difficulty paying attention and omitting important details or making careless errors. The person evaluating the child will also assess how these signs affect the school, work and personal life. 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.
Usually, these symptoms manifest in childhood. They may also manifest in later life. Adults may recognize their own ADHD symptoms after their children are diagnosed, or after an event in their lives such as the marriage, job or moving into their own home. In other instances, the condition goes undiagnosed until the adult experiences significant problems at work or in their relationships. This could mean being fired from a job and having financial problems, or a saga with the law.
Diagnosis
A screening is the first step you should take in the event that you suspect you might have ADHD. A qualified mental health professional interviews you and evaluates your symptoms, medical background and family history. Interview questions can be asked about your work and school performance, as well as how your symptoms affect you at home and with relationships. You might want to bring along copies of your report cards, teacher comments and any other documents pertinent.
The psychiatric practitioner will employ the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5) to assist determine the diagnosis. To qualify for a diagnosis of ADHD, the symptoms must be present for at minimum six months and be interfering with functioning or development in multiple settings like school or at home. In addition, the symptoms are not better explained by another mental disorder, such as an anxiety disorder or mood disorder.
Many people suffering from ADHD suffer from problems that last into adulthood. The symptoms can affect the school and work environment, leading to poor health and financial issues and can cause stress in relationships. Diagnosed and treated, you can enjoy your quality of life.
adult diagnosis adhd of ADHD develop with age, for instance attention deficit symptoms can become more noticeable as you get older and hyperactivity and impulsivity may decrease as you age. Other factors may contribute to the difficulties such as obstructive sleep apnea is more common in adults suffering from ADHD and sleep disorders are known to exacerbate ADHD symptoms.
Many people who suffer from ADHD have co-occurring conditions like anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, and learning disabilities. Sometimes, treating the root disorder can alleviate the symptoms of ADHD. If you have other illnesses, it is crucial to inform your mental health professional, as this can have a significant effect on the effectiveness of your treatment.
It is essential to talk to your primary doctor, who will refer you to a health care professional trained in ADHD evaluations for adults. Find out if there are support groups for adults suffering from ADHD in your locality. They can offer resources and a list of professionals by specialty. You can also contact your insurance company to learn about health care providers that are covered by your policy.
Treatment
A thorough evaluation by a medical professional is the best method to determine if you suffer from adult ADHD. The evaluation should include questions regarding your childhood, questions about your current life, and a check for ADHD symptoms. You may be asked about any problems that your ADHD symptoms cause at work, school or in your relationships.
Counseling and medication are two of the many treatment options for adults suffering from ADHD. Psychotherapy is a form of counseling that can include also known as talk therapy and cognitive therapy for behavioral disorders. These therapies help you learn how to manage your symptoms, and how to change negative thinking patterns into positive ones. They can also assist in the treatment of other mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety, that often occur in conjunction with ADHD.
Psychostimulants, such as dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate are commonly utilized for treating adults with ADHD. These medicines affect how certain chemicals in the brain communicate to regulate behavior. Your doctor will recommend the best medication for you and your specific symptoms and alter the dosage and frequency to suit your needs. Nonstimulants are also available which do not act on the same brain pathways that psychostimulants do and can be effective for adults with ADHD. Nonstimulant medications include atomoxetine, Guanfacine and Guanfacine.
Other treatment options for adults suffering from ADHD may include mentoring or coaching to help you learn strategies and coping skills. You might learn how to utilize a diary or planner, or be shown time management strategies. You can also modify your living environment to accommodate your ADHD symptoms. For example you could choose to work from home instead of an office, use smartphone apps to keep track of your tasks and schedule appointments at less busy times. You might also want to inquire about joining an clinical study that is a research endeavor designed to explore new methods to treat diseases and conditions. (NIMH has information on clinical trials.)
Sometimes your family doctor will refer you to a mental health specialist or another healthcare professional to evaluate the severity of your ADHD. You can ask a friend or family member for recommendations or call an local ADHD support group.