ADHD Diagnosis For Adults
Adults often struggle to receive an ADHD diagnosis because doctors use different guidelines for treating adults than they do for adolescents and children. The diagnosis requires at least five symptoms that fall within the categories of inattention, hyperactivity and the tendency to be impulsive.
Professionals doing an evaluation will ask you questions about your childhood, your work and academic life, your alcohol and drug use and your family history. They may also ask to speak to your spouse or friend.
What is ADHD?
It can be a relief to receive an ADHD diagnosis in your adulthood, whether you're constantly losing your keys, have difficulty with work or school or are struggling to stay focused when talking to others. You know you're normal, and you are able to manage it better, according to Mary V. Solanto Ph.D. a professor of psychology at Hofstra-Northwell School of Medicine in 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-to-face appointment with your doctor is usually the first step in an ADHD assessment. They will discuss your symptoms and how they impact your life. Bring any reports from your childhood to help the doctor determine the cause of your ADHD. Your provider may ask to speak to a close family member, spouse, friend member or co-worker who knows you well. They may ask questions about your relationship, their observations of your behavior and how it affects them, and also how your ADHD symptoms can be linked to other conditions like anxiety or depression.
You'll be asked about your daily routine during the interview, and this includes how often you don't make appointments or pay bills or if you're having issues with managing time. It is essential to be truthful in your answers and think about how these behaviors affect your daily life. If you're not sure about your symptoms, it's worth asking your healthcare professional to refer you to a different doctor or psychologist for an evaluation. Self-tests and rating systems are accessible online, but these are not as reliable as an interview conducted by a trained professional. Certain tests could even lead to a false diagnosis, so you should always consult with your doctor before using them.
Signs and symptoms
If you suspect you suffer from ADHD, start by speaking to your primary healthcare provider. He or she may recommend you to a mental healthcare professional for evaluation, such as psychologist or psychiatrist. The American Psychiatric Association provides clinical guidelines for diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition Text Revision (DSM-5). It is essential to provide your physician as much information as you can regarding your symptoms so they can make an accurate diagnosis.
The person evaluating you will ask about your symptoms and how they affect your life. They might also talk to your spouse and children as well as coworkers, teachers and other people who know you. adhd diagnosis adult may include neuropsychological, behavioral, or learning disability tests. These tests may provide your physician with additional information regarding your ADHD symptoms and can help determine if other conditions are 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 a person who is primarily inattentive are a lack of attention, omitting details or making careless errors. The person who evaluates the child will also assess how these symptoms affect the school, work and personal 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 childhood. However, they can also be present in later life. Adults may recognize their own ADHD symptoms when their children are diagnosed or after a change in their life such as getting married, a job or moving into a new home. In some cases the condition isn't diagnosed until an adult has significant issues at work or in their relationships. This could mean being fired from a job and having financial problems, or a saga with the law.
Diagnosis
A screening is the first thing to do in the event that you suspect you might have ADHD. A licensed mental health professional will talk to you and review your symptoms along with your medical history, and family history. The interview might also include questions regarding work and school performance, as well as how the symptoms affect your life at home and in your relationships. You may wish to bring copies of report cards, teacher comments and any other documents that could be relevant.
The psychiatric professional will use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) to help to determine the diagnosis. To be able to make the diagnosis of ADHD symptoms, they have to be present for at minimum six months and be interfering with functioning or development in more than one setting, such as at school or at home. In addition, the signs are not better explained by a mental disorder that is not related to ADHD, such as a mood disorder or anxiety disorder.
Many people with ADHD are still struggling into adulthood. The symptoms of ADHD can be detrimental to work and school. They can also lead to poor health or financial issues, and strain relationships. If you are diagnosed and treated, you can make a difference in your life.
Certain ADHD symptoms change with the passage of time. For example, inattentiveness can become more evident as you age and hyperactivity and impulse control may diminish as you age. Other factors can also cause problems. For instance sleep apnea, also known as obstructive, is more common among adults suffering from ADHD. Poor sleeping habits can also worsen ADHD symptoms.
Many people suffering from ADHD have co-occurring disorders like anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder and learning disabilities. Sometimes, treating the root condition can eliminate the symptoms of ADHD. It is important to inform your mental health professional if you suffer from any other condition. This could influence the effectiveness of treatment.
It is essential to consult your primary physician who can refer you to an experienced health professional who is trained in ADHD assessments for adults. Find out if there are support groups for adults suffering from ADHD in your area. They can offer resources and a list of specialties of specialists. You can also contact the insurance company you are with to determine which health medical professionals are covered by your plan.
Treatment
A thorough evaluation by a medical professional is the best method to determine if you suffer from adult ADHD. The evaluation should include questions about your childhood, questions about your life now and a screening for ADHD symptoms. You might be asked whether your ADHD symptoms have caused problems at work, in school 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 therapies teach you how to manage your symptoms and how to transform negative thought patterns into positive ones. They can also help with other mental health issues, like depression and anxiety that often co-occur with ADHD.
Psychostimulants, such as dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate are commonly used to treat adults suffering from ADHD. These medicines affect how certain chemicals in the brain communicate to regulate behavior. Your doctor will choose a medication that fits your body and symptoms and alters the dosage and frequency as required. Nonstimulants can also be employed to treat people suffering from ADHD. They do not interfere with the same brain pathways as psychostimulants do. Nonstimulant medications include atomoxetine, Guanfacine and guanfacine.
Coaching or mentoring can be used to teach adults with ADHD strategies and coping strategies. For instance, you could learn how to use a planner or a journal, or you might be shown strategies for improving your time management. You can also adjust your living environment to accommodate your ADHD symptoms. For example, you could work at your home instead of in an office, utilize smartphone apps to track your tasks or schedule appointments for less busy times. You might also want to inquire about taking part in an clinical study which is a research-based project that aims to test out new ways to treat illnesses and conditions. (NIMH provides information on clinical trials.)
Sometimes your family physician may refer you to a psychiatrist health specialist or another health medical professional to conduct an evaluation of your ADHD. You could also ask your family member or friend for recommendations, or contact a local support group for people with ADHD.