ADHD Diagnosis For Adults
Adults often struggle to receive an ADHD diagnosis because doctors follow different guidelines for clinical diagnosis that they use for adolescents and children. The diagnosis requires at minimum five signs that fall within the categories of hyperactivity, inattention, and an impulsiveness.
Professionals who conduct an evaluation will ask questions about your childhood, education as well as your work and family history. They may also talk to your spouse or other family members.
What is ADHD?
Whether you keep losing your keys, have trouble with school or work or are having trouble staying focused during conversations, obtaining an ADHD diagnosis as an adult can be a great relief. "You know that you're not crazy, and it puts you in a better position to manage it," says pediatrician Mary V. Solanto, Ph.D. who is a professor of psychiatry and psychology 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.
An ADHD evaluation usually begins with a face-to–face conversation with your healthcare professional, who will review your symptoms and the impact they have on your daily life. Bring along any report cards from your childhood to help the provider determine the cause of your ADHD. Your doctor may suggest that you talk to a friend, spouse, family member or coworker who is familiar with you well. They may ask about your relationship, how they perceive your behavior and how it affects your life. They could also inquire what ADHD symptoms interact with other conditions, such as anxiety or depression.
You'll be asked questions about your lifestyle during the interview, including how often you don't attend appointments or pay bills or if you experience difficulties managing your time. It is crucial to be honest in your answers and think about the impact these behaviors have on your daily life. Ask your healthcare provider for a referral to another doctor or therapist if you aren't sure about your symptoms. Self-tests and rating systems are available on the internet, however they're not as reliable as an interview conducted by a qualified professional. Certain tests could even lead to a wrong diagnosis, so it is recommended to always consult your physician prior to using them.
Symptoms
If you suspect you have ADHD begin by talking to your primary care physician. He or she may refer you to a mental health professional like psychiatrist or psychologist, for evaluation. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision DSM-5 offers guidelines for clinical care to diagnose mental disorders. It is essential to provide as much details about your symptoms as possible so that your physician can make a precise diagnosis.
The person who evaluates you will ask questions about your symptoms and how they impact your life. He or she could also interview your spouse and children as well as teachers, coworkers, and other people who know you. Your evaluation could include testing for learning disabilities, behavioral disorders, or neuropsychological disorders. These tests will provide your doctor with additional information about your ADHD symptoms and help to 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.
Symptoms of the predominantly inattentive type include difficulty paying attention, not noticing details or making mistakes. The person who is conducting the assessment will also examine the impact these symptoms have on work, school 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.
Often, these symptoms appear in the early years of childhood. They can also occur in later life. Some adults recognize their own ADHD symptoms when their children are diagnosed or because of changes in their lives such as a new job or marriage or move to their own home. In other cases, the condition goes undiagnosed until the adult experiences significant issues at work or with their relationships. This could mean being fired, facing financial problems, or being in trouble with the law.
Diagnosis
If you think you have ADHD, a screening is the first step to finding treatment. A qualified mental health professional will interview you and examines your symptoms, medical history and family history. Interview questions may also be asked about your work and school performance, as well as how your symptoms affect you at home and with relationships. You may wish to bring copies of report cards, teacher's comments and any other information that could be relevant.
The psychiatric practitioner utilizes the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5) to establish the diagnosis. The symptoms of ADHD must be present for at least six months and they must interfere with functioning or developmental progress in more than one setting, such as school or at home. The symptoms of ADHD must not be attributed to any other mental disorder like mood disorders or anxiety.
Many people with ADHD have problems well into adulthood. The symptoms of ADHD can be detrimental to work and school. They can also lead to financial or health issues and stress relationships. If you are diagnosed and treated, you can improve your life.
Some signs of ADHD develop as you age, for instance the symptoms of inattention may become more evident as you get older and impulsivity and hyperactivity could decrease as you get older. Other factors may contribute to difficulties like obstructive sleeping apnea is more common 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 eliminate ADHD symptoms. adult diagnosis of adhd is crucial to inform your mental health professional if you have any other conditions. This can influence the effectiveness of treatment.
It is essential to talk to your primary care doctor, who will refer you to a health professional who is certified in ADHD evaluations for adults. Ask if there is a support groups for adults who have ADHD in your area. They can provide information and a list of specialists by specialization. You can also contact the insurance company you have to find out which health care providers are covered under the plan you have.
Treatment
A thorough assessment by a medical professional is the best method to determine the severity of adult ADHD. The evaluation should include questions regarding your childhood, as well as questions about your life now and a screening for ADHD symptoms. You could also be asked about any problems that your ADHD symptoms are causing at work, school or in your relationships.
There are a myriad of treatment options for adults with ADHD, including counseling and medication. 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 patterns of thinking to positive ones. They can also assist with other mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, which often co-occur along with ADHD.
Psychostimulants, such as dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate are often used in the treatment of adults suffering from ADHD. These medications 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 will alter the dosage and frequency to suit your needs. Nonstimulants are also available, that do not affect the same brain pathways that psychostimulants do, and they can be beneficial for people with ADHD. Examples of nonstimulant medicines are atomoxetine and guanfacine.
Other treatment options for adults with ADHD can include mentoring or coaching to teach strategies and coping techniques. You may learn to make use of a diary or planner, or learn strategies for managing time. You can also modify your living environment to accommodate your ADHD symptoms. For example you could work from your home instead of in an office, or use apps on your smartphone to monitor your activities or schedule appointments for less busy times. You may also wish to inquire about taking part in clinical trials, which is a research trial designed to test new methods to treat ailments and diseases. (NIMH offers information on clinical trials.
Sometimes your family doctor will refer you to a psychiatrist health specialist or another health care professional for an evaluation of your ADHD. You could ask a friend or family member for recommendations or call the local ADHD support group.