ADHD Diagnosis For Adults
Adults often struggle to receive an ADHD diagnosis because doctors follow different guidelines for clinical diagnosis than they do for children and teenagers. The diagnosis requires a minimum of five symptoms in the categories of hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity.
The professionals conducting the assessment will ask questions about your education, childhood work, family, and history. They may also ask to speak with your spouse or friend.
What is ADHD?
Whether you keep losing your keys, have trouble with work or school or struggle to stay focused during conversations, obtaining an ADHD diagnosis as an adult can be a great relief. "You know you're not crazy, and this puts you in an ideal position to manage 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) offers guidelines for healthcare professionals 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 usually the first step in an ADHD assessment. They will discuss your symptoms and how they impact your life. It is helpful to bring reports cards or other documents from your childhood, as it will aid the doctor in gaining an understanding of your history with ADHD. Your provider may also ask to speak with a spouse, family member, co-worker or close friend who knows you well. They could ask questions about your relationship and their observations of your behavior and how it affects them, as well as how your ADHD symptoms are interacted with other conditions like anxiety or depression.
The interview may include questions about your lifestyle such as the frequency you fail to pay your bills or attend appointments, and whether you have trouble managing your time or organization skills. It is crucial to be truthful in your answers and consider how these behaviors affect your daily life. If you're not sure about your symptoms, you should consider asking your healthcare professional to refer you to a doctor or psychologist for an assessment. There are self-tests and rating scales on the internet, but they're not as reliable or reliable as an interview with a qualified provider. Certain tests could even result in a false diagnosis, so it's advisable to talk to your healthcare provider first.
Symptoms
Talk to your primary healthcare provider if suspect that you be suffering from ADHD. He or she may refer you to a mental healthcare specialist for an assessment, such as psychologist or psychiatrist. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision DSM-5 provides clinical guidelines to diagnose mental disorders. It's important to provide as much information regarding your symptoms as you can so that your physician can make an accurate assessment.
The person evaluating you will ask questions about your symptoms and how they affect your life. He or she will also interview your children, spouse teachers, friends, coworkers and other people who know you well. Your assessment may include tests for learning disabilities, behavioral disorders, or neuropsychological disorders. These tests can give your provider additional information about how your ADHD symptoms affect you, and also help determine if there are 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.
Symptoms of the predominantly inattentive type include trouble paying attention, ignoring details or making careless mistakes. The person doing the evaluation will also examine how these symptoms interfere with 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.
Usually, these symptoms manifest in the early years of childhood. They may also manifest in adulthood. Adults may notice their own ADHD symptoms after their children are diagnosed, or after changes in their lives such as a job, marriage or moving into a new home. In other instances the disorder is not diagnosed until the adult experiences major problems at work or in their relationships. This could include being dismissed from a job and 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 are suffering from ADHD. A licensed mental health professional will interview you and review your symptoms, medical history and family history. The interview could also include questions about your work and school performance and how your symptoms impact your daily life at home and in relationships. You might wish to bring a copy of your report cards, teacher's comments and any other documentation that may be relevant.
The psychiatric specialist uses the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5) to establish 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 more than one setting, such as school or at home. In addition, the signs cannot be explained better by a mental disorder that is not related to ADHD, such as a mood disorder or anxiety disorder.
adhd diagnose with ADHD continue to struggle into adulthood. The symptoms of ADHD can be detrimental to work and school. They can also lead to poor health or financial problems and can cause stress in relationships. The treatment and diagnosis you receive can improve your quality of life.
Some ADHD symptoms change with the passage of time. For instance, inattention is more evident as you get older, and impulse control and hyperactivity can diminish as you age. Some other factors can cause problems such as obstructive sleep apnea is more frequent in people with ADHD and sleep disorders are known to worsen ADHD symptoms.
Many people with ADHD have co-occurring disorders such as anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder and learning disabilities. Sometimes, treating the underlying condition can help eliminate the symptoms of ADHD. If you have other illnesses, it is crucial to inform your mental health professional, as this could affect the effectiveness of your treatment.
It is important that you talk to your primary doctor who can refer you to a health professional trained in ADHD assessments for adults. Ask if there are support groups for adults suffering from ADHD in your area. They may have assistance and a list professionals by specialty. You can also reach out to the insurance company that you have to determine which health care providers are covered under your policy.
Treatment
The most effective approach to determine if you have ADHD is to undergo a thorough examination by a health care professional. The assessment should include questions about your childhood, as well as questions about your life now and a check for ADHD symptoms. You may be asked whether your ADHD symptoms have caused issues at work, in school or with your relationships.
Counseling and medication are two of the many treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. Psychotherapy can be a part of counseling, 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 thought patterns to positive ones. They can also aid with other mental health issues such as anxiety and depression that often co-occur with ADHD.
Psychostimulants, such as dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate are often utilized for treating adults with ADHD. These medications alter the way certain chemicals within your brain communicate and regulate behavior. Your doctor will recommend the best medication for you and your symptoms, and adjust the dosage and frequency accordingly. Nonstimulants are also available, that do not affect the same brain pathways as psychostimulants and are beneficial for adults suffering from ADHD. Nonstimulant medications include atomoxetine, Guanfacine and the guanfacine.
Coaching or mentoring is a way to teach adults with ADHD strategies and coping methods. For example, you might learn how to use a planner or keep journals, or you might be taught strategies to improve your time management. You could also benefit from changing your lifestyle to accommodate your ADHD symptoms, such as working from home instead of working in a place of work, using smartphone apps to keep track of tasks, or scheduling appointments for times that are less busy. You may also want to inquire about taking part in a clinical study, which is a research endeavor designed to test new methods to treat diseases and conditions. (NIMH offers information about clinical trials.
Sometimes your family doctor will refer you to a psychiatrist health specialist or another healthcare professional to evaluate the severity of your ADHD. You can ask a friend or family member for recommendations or contact a local ADHD support group.