ADHD Diagnosis For Adults
Adults often struggle to receive an ADHD diagnosis due to the fact that doctors use different guidelines for clinical diagnosis than they do for teenagers and children. The diagnosis requires at least five signs that fall within the categories of hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity.
Professionals conducting an assessment will ask questions about your education, childhood work, family, and history. They may also want to talk with your spouse or friends.
What is ADHD?
It can be a relief to receive an ADHD diagnosis in adulthood, whether you're constantly losing your keys, have difficulty in school or work, or are having trouble staying focused during conversations. "You know that you're not crazy, and this puts you in a better position to handle it," says pediatrician Mary V. Solanto, Ph.D. is an associate professor of psychology and psychiatry at Hofstra-Northwell School of Medicine on Long Island, New York.
The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision (DSM-5) provides the guidelines that doctors and specialists use to make 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-to-face meeting with your healthcare provider is typically the first step in an ADHD assessment. Recommended Resource site will discuss your symptoms and how they affect your life. Bring any report cards from your childhood to help the provider to understand the history of your ADHD. Your provider may ask to speak to a close friend, spouse, family member or coworker who is familiar with you well. They may ask questions about your relationship as well as their observations of your behavior and how it affects them, and also how your ADHD symptoms can be linked to other conditions such as anxiety or depression.
The interview will likely be a discussion of your daily routine, such as how often you don't remember to pay bills or attend appointments, and whether you struggle managing your time or organizational skills. It's important to be honest in your answers and think about how these behaviors impact your daily life. If you're not sure about your symptoms, it's worth asking your healthcare professional to refer you to a doctor or psychologist for an assessment. Self-tests are available as well as rating scales online, however they're not as reliable and reliable as an interview with a trained professional. Some of these tests can even result in the wrong diagnosis, so it's best to speak with your doctor first.
Signs and symptoms
If you suspect you suffer from ADHD begin talking to your primary healthcare provider. They may recommend you to a mental health professional for assessment, such as psychologist or psychiatrist. The American Psychiatric Association provides clinical guidelines for diagnosing disorders in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition Text Revision (DSM-5). It is important to provide as much details about your symptoms as you can to enable your doctor to make a precise diagnosis.
The person who is evaluating you will ask about your symptoms and how they affect your life. They might also talk to your children and spouse, as well as teachers, colleagues, and other people who know you. Your test may include neuropsychological, behavioral, or testing for learning disabilities. These tests can provide 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.
The symptoms of a person who is mostly inattention include difficulty paying attention not paying attention to details, or making mistakes. The person who is conducting the assessment will also examine the impact these symptoms have on school, work 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.
Typically, these symptoms show up in childhood. However, they can be present in later life. Adults may recognize their own ADHD symptoms when their children are diagnosed or after an event in their lives like getting married, a job or moving into their own home. In other cases the disorder is not diagnosed until the adult experiences major problems at work or in their relationships. This could mean being fired, facing financial problems or getting into trouble with the law.
Diagnosis
If you suspect that you suffer from ADHD An assessment is the first step to finding treatment. A qualified mental health professional will talk to you and review your symptoms, medical history and family history. The interview might also include questions about your work and school performance, as well as how your symptoms impact your home life and in relationships. You may wish to bring copies of report cards, teacher's comments and any other documents that might be relevant.
The psychiatric practitioner will employ the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) to help to determine the diagnosis. The symptoms of ADHD must be present in at least six months and they must affect the development of a child or their functioning in multiple environments like school or home. In addition, the symptoms are not better explained by another mental disorder, such as an anxiety or mood disorder.
Many people suffering from ADHD are still struggling into adulthood. The symptoms of ADHD can be detrimental to work and school. They can also cause poor health or financial problems, and strain relationships. If diagnosed and treated, you can make a difference in your quality of life.
Some ADHD symptoms change with age. For example, inattentiveness is more evident as you age, and hyperactivity and impulse control may decrease as you get older. Other factors can contribute to difficulties, for example obstructive sleep apnea is more frequent in adults with ADHD and poor sleeping habits are known to exacerbate ADHD symptoms.
Many people who suffer from 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 tell your mental health professional, as this can have a significant effect on the effectiveness of your treatment.
It is important that you speak to your primary physician who can refer you to a health professional trained in ADHD assessments for adults. Find out 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 contact your insurance company to find out about health care providers who are covered by your policy.
Treatment
A thorough evaluation by a health professional is the best way to determine the severity of adult ADHD. The assessment should include questions about your childhood, questions about your current life, and a check for ADHD symptoms. You may be asked whether your ADHD symptoms have caused you to have problems at school, at work or in your relationships.
There are many treatments for adults with ADHD which include medication and counseling. Counseling can be described as psychotherapy (also called talk therapy) and cognitive behavioral therapy. These therapies help you learn how to manage your symptoms and how to transform negative thought patterns to positive ones. They can also assist with other mental health issues such as anxiety and depression which are often associated with ADHD.
Medication for adults with ADHD typically involves psychostimulants such as the methylphenidate (Ritalin) and dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine). These drugs alter the way that certain chemicals in your brain communicate and regulate behavior. Your doctor will choose a medication that is appropriate for your body and symptoms, and alters the dosage and frequency as required. There are also nonstimulants available, that do not affect the same brain pathways like psychostimulants and can be beneficial for adults suffering from ADHD. Nonstimulant medications include atomoxetine, Guanfacine and the guanfacine.
Other options for treatment for adults suffering from ADHD can include coaching or mentoring to teach strategies and coping abilities. For example, you might learn how to use a planner or a journal or shown strategies for improving your time management. You could also benefit from changing your lifestyle to accommodate your ADHD symptoms, for instance, working from home rather than working in a place of work or using apps on your smartphone to keep track of tasks, or scheduling appointments for times that are less crowded. You might also inquire about taking part in clinical studies, which is a research project designed to test new methods to treat illnesses and conditions. (NIMH provides getting diagnosed with adhd as an adult on clinical trials.)
Sometimes your family physician may refer you to a mental health specialist or other health medical professional to conduct an evaluation of your ADHD. You can also ask a family member or friend for suggestions, or join a local support group for people suffering from ADHD.