Getting an ADHD Diagnosis in Adults
Many people seek out a diagnosis when they realize that ADHD causes them to have issues at work or in their relationships. NIMH recommends that those seeking an assessment consult with their primary care physician or mental health professional.
They will request a detailed medical history and perform tests like symptom rating scales and psychological tests. They may also undergo a physical exam to determine if they have any other medical conditions that could be misinterpreted as ADHD or thyroid issues, for example or seizures.
Diagnosis
Getting a diagnosis for ADHD can be eye-opening and liberating, but it can also be distressing. Adults who've struggled with ADHD symptoms for a long time might finally seek professional advice, either because of frustrations at work, in their relationships, or because their relatives or friends have informed them that they could be suffering from ADHD. It is important to keep in mind that it takes time for a medical professional to arrive at an ADHD diagnosis and the process includes more than just interviews or tests.
The first step in the process is to identify whether your ADHD symptoms are in line with the criteria for the disorder: A number of them occur before the age of 12. They can be present in more than one setting like school, home and at work. And they interfere with everyday functioning.
Because adult adhd diagnoses of ADHD can also be caused by mood disorders, like bipolar or anxiety and other physical conditions and illnesses, your healthcare provider may want to do additional tests before making an official diagnosis. This could include clinical interviews and rating scales for symptoms, and psychological testing to assess your thinking abilities, problem-solving skills, and memory.
It is crucial to be completely honest with the mental health professional. This could mean discussing the ways in which your mood has been affected by your issues in various areas of your life. adult adhd diagnoses evaluating you might also request to speak with your spouse, close family members and friends to get more insight into your issues. They might also ask permission to have your family members fill out questionnaires to compare their experiences with yours.
Symptoms
Adults with ADHD might notice that their symptoms affect daily life, especially at school and work. They may have difficulty keeping a job, staying in relationships, or getting by due to the inattention and impulsivity that makes it difficult to follow directions, remember things, organize tasks or complete projects. The symptoms could be mild, moderate or severe.
To diagnose ADHD, doctors use the standard tools, such as checklists, interview questions and questionnaires. They also analyze the family and medical histories of patients as well as other mental health issues. If a person has several of the 9 symptoms, their provider uses guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition Text Revision (DSM-5-TR) to assign a diagnosis: inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive or combined type.
Inattentive symptoms include inattention issues with small details, waking up and being easily distracted. Inattention is also characterized by difficulty following and finishing tasks, as well as a tendency to get lost in the flow or lose the track of time.
People with the hyperactive/impulsive type often fidget, move around frequently and have trouble sitting still for long periods of time. They tend to forget things easily and have trouble organizing their day-to-day activities at work or at home. They may lose their phones, keys or wallets often. They have trouble waiting for their turn at school, work or at play. They can be easily annoyed or stressed and have frequent mood swings.
In adults, it is more common for those with ADHD to have co-existing conditions like conduct disorders, oppositional defiant disorder, anxiety or depression as well as tic disorders, Tourette syndrome and other substance abuse issues. Co-occurring disorders may complicate treatment and make it more difficult to determine the cause of ADHD.
Treatment
If you think you might have ADHD the first step to get a diagnosis is to talk with your primary care physician. They will likely recommend you to a mental health professional. These professionals will examine your symptoms and problems in the workplace as well as at school or at home to determine if they affect your life. They will conduct an organized interview and might seek the assistance of family members or close friends who know you well. They will also go over the medical and family history of your family and conduct a physical exam.
Your doctor will also consider the duration of these symptoms, and what impact they have on your life. In order to be granted a diagnosis of ADHD symptoms, the person's symptoms must be present for at least six months and can't be explained by a different disorder such as depression or anxiety. They should also hinder daily tasks such as attending school, completing assignments on time, or maintaining an occupation.
During your evaluation Your mental health professional might employ standardized behavior rating scales and ADHD symptoms checklists. You will also receive an assessment of your cognitive abilities that will assess your executive and working memory functioning as well as your visual and spatial abilities. They will also check for other conditions that can cause similar symptoms, such as seizures or thyroid issue.
If your mental health provider determines that you have ADHD, they will discuss the available medications and treatment options. In most cases it is a combination of medications and talk therapy (counseling) is the best. Therapy helps you learn to manage your symptoms and improve communication with family members and other coworkers. Therapy can also aid in resolving problems that may be a problem in relationships and marriages due to the problems ADHD can create.
Medication
The symptoms of ADHD in adults are generally less severe than they were in childhood, but they can still create problems at home and work. The disorder can cause difficulties in getting or keeping the job you want, issues with relationships and social interaction as well as self-esteem issues, academic failures, emotional stress, temper tantrums and an attitude that is antisocial.
Treatment with medication can help treat the disorder by increasing and balancing the levels of brain chemicals referred to as neurotransmitters, which regulate the flow of information in the brain. Stimulants are the most commonly prescribed drugs for ADHD in adults. Examples include Jornay (methylphenidate extended-release tablets), Xelstrym (dextroamphetamine extended-release oral suspension), Cotempla (methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release orally disintegrating tablet) and Adhansia (methylphenidate hydrochloride instant-release orally disintegrating tablet). Adults can also be treated using the non-stimulant atomoxetine and antidepressants like bupropion. These medications work slower than stimulants, and could be more suitable for people who aren't able to take stimulant medications due to health issues or serious side effects.
Psychotherapy (also known as cognitive-behavioral treatment) may be useful for treating disorders that are comorbid with ADHD, such as anxiety and depression. Psychotherapy may be a better treatment than medication alone for these disorders, according to research. Psychotherapy is primarily focused on teaching techniques for managing the disorder and improving performance at school, at work and with relationships. The aim is to increase the self-esteem of the person and decrease the risk of problematic behavior. It is also a way to increase their functioning and performance. It is recommended that each psychotherapy program for adult ADHD patients include a cognitive behavior component. In one study, researchers discovered that ADHD patients who received therapy and medication showed a higher level of improvement than those who simply took the medication.
Counseling
Adults who aren't ready to take medication can benefit from therapy and counseling. Individual talk therapy can address issues such as low self-esteem, feelings of failure and frequent job changes that commonly accompany ADHD. It can also improve relationships and communication by helping patients and their families to comprehend the condition and develop strategies for dealing with it.
Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on teaching patients how to change their negative thoughts and control their behavior. This type of treatment can reduce symptoms of inattentive ADHD and hyperactive-impulsive ADHD, as well as comorbid mood disorders such as depression and anxiety disorders.
Therapists can also help people develop strategies for impulse control as well as emotional regulation and relationship issues that may result from impulsive behavior. These techniques can help you live a more productive life, particularly at work.
Counseling can also help those with ADHD in applying for accommodations for work that are available under the Americans with Disabilities Act, which can significantly increase job satisfaction and performance. For professionals, this could mean changing the way their work is structured so that they have more flexibility to meet deadlines and finish tasks on time.
Finding the right therapist crucial to get the most out of treatment for adult ADHD. When interviewing potential therapists, it is essential to inquire about their approach and whether they have experience treating ADHD in adults. It is important to check therapist credentials and insurance coverage. Some providers offer a sliding scale fee, or offer online therapy services which make therapy accessible to those who are unable to pay out of pocket.