ADHD Diagnosis For Adults
Many adults are unable to get an ADHD diagnosis, since doctors apply an entirely different set of guidelines for diagnosing the disorder than for teenagers and children. The diagnosis must include at least five signs that fall within the categories of hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity.
Evaluations by professionals will ask you questions about your childhood, academic and work life, drug and alcohol usage, and your family history. They may also request to speak to your spouse or friend.
What is ADHD?
Whether you keep losing your keys, have difficulty with school or work or are having trouble staying engaged in conversations, getting an ADHD diagnosis as an adult can be a massive relief. "You know that you're not crazy, and it puts you in a better position to deal with it," says pediatrician Mary V. Solanto, Ph.D., 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 evaluation. They will discuss your symptoms and how they impact your life. It is helpful to bring reports cards or other evidence from your childhood, as it can help the provider get an understanding of your history with ADHD. Your doctor might ask you to talk to a family member, spouse, friend member, or a coworker who knows you well. They may inquire about your relationship, how they perceive your behavior and how it affects your life. They may also ask what ADHD symptoms are interacted with other conditions, such as anxiety or depression.
You will be asked about your daily routine during the interview, including how often you don't make appointments or pay bills, or if you have difficulty with time management. It's essential to be honest with your answers, and to consider how these habits impact your daily life. If you're unsure about your symptoms, it's worth consulting your healthcare professional to refer you to a different psychologist or doctor to conduct an evaluation. You can find self-tests and rating scales online, but they're not as reliable or valid as an interview with a licensed professional. Certain tests could result in a wrong diagnosis, so always consult your healthcare provider before using them.
Signs and symptoms
If you suspect that you suffer from ADHD, start by speaking to your primary care provider. He or she may refer you to a mental health professional for assessment, such as psychologist or psychiatrist. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision DSM-5 provides guidelines for clinicians to identify mental disorders. It is important to provide as much information about your symptoms as possible so that your provider can make an accurate assessment.
The person who is evaluating you will ask questions about your symptoms and how they impact your life. He or she might also talk to your children and spouse and coworkers, teachers, and other people who know you. Your evaluation may include tests for behavioral disorders, or neuropsychological disorders. adhd in adults diagnosis will provide your doctor with additional information regarding 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 a lack of focus, omitting details or making mistakes. The person who is conducting the assessment will also look at how these symptoms interfere with school, work and social 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.
These symptoms often appear in the early years of childhood. adhd diagnosis uk adult may also manifest in later life. Adults may recognize their own ADHD symptoms when their children have been diagnosed or because of life changes such as an employment change or marriage or move to their own home. In other instances the disorder is not diagnosed until an adult is confronted with significant problems at work or in their relationships. This could mean being fired, having financial problems or getting into trouble with the law.
Diagnosis
A screening is the first step you should do in the event that you suspect you might have ADHD. A licensed mental health professional will meet with you and examine your symptoms as well as your medical history and family history. The interview may also include questions about work and school performance as well as how your symptoms impact your daily life at home and in relationships. You might want to bring copies of your report cards, teacher notes and any other documentation that might be relevant.
The psychiatric specialist will use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5) to help make the diagnosis. The symptoms of ADHD should be present for at least six months, and they must affect the development of a child or their functioning in more than one environment 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 with ADHD have problems well 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. Being diagnosed and treated can improve your quality of life.
Some symptoms of ADHD develop as you age, for instance attention deficit symptoms can become more evident as you age, and impulsivity and hyperactivity could diminish as you get older. Other factors can cause problems, for example obstructive sleep apnea is more frequent in people with ADHD and poor sleeping habits are known to exacerbate ADHD symptoms.
Many people suffering from ADHD suffer from co-occurring illnesses such as anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, and learning disabilities. Sometimes, treating the underlying disorder can alleviate the symptoms of ADHD. It is important to inform your mental health professional if you have any other conditions. This could affect the effectiveness of treatment.
It is essential to talk to your primary physician, who can refer you to a health specialist who is trained in ADHD evaluations for adults. It is also recommended to inquire if there are any support groups specifically for people with ADHD in your area. They can provide information and a list of professionals by specialty. You can also reach out to your insurance company to learn about the health care providers who are covered under your plan.
Treatment
Generally, the best approach to diagnose adult ADHD is to undergo a thorough examination by a medical professional. The examination should include questions about your childhood, current life and the screening for ADHD symptoms. You could also be asked about any problems that your ADHD symptoms are causing at school, at work or in your relationships.
Counseling and medication are two of the many treatment options that are available to adults suffering from ADHD. Counseling is a combination of psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy) and cognitive behavioral therapy. These types of therapies aid you in learning to manage your symptoms and change negative thinking patterns into positive ones. adhd diagnosis in adult can also help in addressing other mental health conditions like depression and anxiety, that often co-exist with ADHD.
Psychostimulants like dextroamphetamine or the methylphenidate are frequently employed for treating adults with ADHD. These drugs alter the way that certain chemicals in your brain communicate and regulate your behavior. Your doctor will select a medication that is appropriate for your body and symptoms and alters the dosage and frequency when needed. There are also nonstimulants available, that do not affect the same brain pathways as psychostimulants and are effective for adults with ADHD. Examples of nonstimulant medicines are atomoxetine as well as guanfacine.
Coaching or mentoring may be used to teach adults suffering from ADHD strategies and coping methods. You may learn to use a diary or a planner, or be shown time management strategies. You can also benefit from adjusting your lifestyle to accommodate your ADHD symptoms, for instance, working at home instead of in a workplace and using apps on your phone to keep track of tasks, or scheduling appointments at times that are less busy. You may also want to inquire about participating in a clinical study, which is a research-based project that aims to explore new methods to treat conditions and diseases. (NIMH provides information on clinical trials.)
You could be referred an expert in mental health or another health professional by your family physician for an assessment of your ADHD. You may also ask your family member or a friend for recommendations, or you can contact a local support group for people suffering from ADHD.