Getting adhd adult diagnosis in Adults
Many people seek a diagnosis after realizing they have trouble in their relationships or at work due to ADHD. NIMH recommends that those seeking an assessment consult with their primary healthcare provider or mental health professional.
They will conduct a detailed background and complete tests such as symptom rating scales or psychological tests. They may also undergo a physical examination to rule out other medical ailments that might be misinterpreted as ADHD, such thyroid problems or seizures.
Diagnosis
It can be liberating and eye-opening to be given an diagnosis of ADHD however, it can be also distressing. Adults who have been struggling with ADHD symptoms for years may decide to seek help from a professional due to frustrations at work, in relationships, or because friends or family have told them they may be suffering from ADHD. It is crucial to keep in mind that a healthcare professional may take a long time to determine ADHD, and that the process involves much more than simply completing standardized tests or conducting clinical interviews.
The first step in the process is to determine if your ADHD symptoms meet criteria for the disorder: A number of them are present before age 12. They can occur in more than one setting such as home, school and work. They affect daily life.
Your healthcare professional may need to conduct additional tests to establish a diagnosis. This is because the symptoms of ADHD can also be caused by mood disorders like bipolar disorder, anxiety, and various other physical ailments or illnesses. This could include interviews with a psychologist, rating scales for symptoms, as well as psychological tests to assess your thinking abilities ability to solve problems, as well as memory.
It's important to be completely honest with your mental health professional, and this could mean discussing how the issues that you're facing in various aspects of your life have impacted your mood. In addition, the mental health professional conducting your assessment may ask you to talk to your spouse or close family members to get a more complete picture of how you've struggled. They might even ask for permission to ask them to fill out questionnaires about their experiences with you and then compare them to your personal.
Signs and symptoms
Adults with ADHD might find that their symptoms impact everyday life, particularly at work and school. They may have difficulty keeping jobs or maintaining relationships. They may also be struggling to pay the bills due to their inattention and impulsivity, which makes it difficult for them remember things, organize tasks, or complete tasks. The symptoms could be mild, moderate or severe.
To determine ADHD doctors use common tools like checklists, interview questions, and questionnaires. They also look at 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.
The symptoms of an inattentive person include trouble paying attention to details, daydreaming and seeming to be easily distracted. Inattentiveness is also associated with difficulty in following and finishing tasks, as well being prone to getting lost in the flow or lose 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 are also prone to forgetting things quickly and often have difficulty organizing their home, work or routine activities. They might lose keys, phones, papers or wallets frequently. They are often unable to wait for their turn at school, at work or play. They have a low tolerance to stress or frustration and are subject to frequent and intense mood changes.
In adults, it's more common for those with ADHD to have co-existing conditions, such as oppositional defiant or conduct disorders, anxiety or depression, tic disorders or Tourette syndrome and substance abuse issues. Co-occurring disorders can make treatment more difficult and make it difficult to identify ADHD.
Treatment
If you think you have ADHD, the first step towards getting a diagnosis is to speak with your primary healthcare provider. He or she will probably recommend you to a mental health professional. These professionals will review your symptoms and concerns at school, at work or home to see how they affect your life. They will use an organized interview, and they might seek the assistance of family members or other friends who know you well. They will also review your family and medical background and conduct a physical exam.
Your doctor will also look at how long you have had these symptoms and what impact they have on your life. To be eligible for a diagnosis of ADHD symptoms, the person's symptoms must be present for at minimum six months and cannot be explained by a different disorder such as depression or anxiety. Additionally, they must interfere with daily activities, such as attending classes, completing tasks on time or maintaining an occupation.
When you are evaluated the mental health professional might also use standardized behavior ratings scales and ADHD symptoms checklists. They will likely also conduct an assessment of your cognitive abilities to test your working memory, executive functioning and spatial and visual abilities. They may also test for other conditions that can cause similar symptoms, such as a seizure disorder or thyroid issue.
If your doctor determines that you have ADHD and you are diagnosed, they will explain what medications are available and discuss possible treatment options. Often the combination of medication and talk therapy (counseling) is the best option. Therapy helps you to manage your symptoms and improve communication with family members and co-workers. It can also help address issues that may develop in marriages and relationships because of the difficulties that ADHD can cause at work and at home.
Medication
The signs of ADHD in adults are generally more mild than in childhood, but they can cause issues at home and at work. The disorder can cause difficulties in obtaining or keeping an employment, difficulties with social relationships and relationships, academic failures, poor self-esteem and emotional distress, temper flares and even antisocial behaviors.
The medication can treat the disorder by balancing and increasing the levels of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters, which regulate the flow information in the brain. Stimulants are the most commonly prescribed medications for ADHD in adults. Jornay, Xelstrym, Cotempla and Adhansia are all examples of stimulants. Adults can also be treated with atomoxetine, a nonstimulant, and antidepressants like bupropion. These medications work slower than stimulants and could be better for people who cannot take stimulant medication due to health problems or severe side-effects.
Psychotherapy (also called cognitive-behavioral therapy) could be beneficial in treating comorbid disorders associated with ADHD like anxiety and depression. Research suggests that psychotherapy can be the most effective treatment for these disorders than using medication in isolation. Psychotherapy focuses on teaching the skills to manage the disorder and improve performance at school, at work and in relationships. The goal is to improve confidence in oneself, reduce problematic behavior and increase functioning and success. It is recommended that every psychotherapy approach for adults ADHD patients contain a cognitive-behavioral component. In one study, researchers discovered that ADHD patients who received psychotherapy and medication reported a higher level of improvement than those who just took the pills.
Counseling
Adults who don't want to take medication can find relief through counseling and therapy. Individual therapy can address issues such as low self-esteem, feeling of failure, and frequent job changes that commonly are a part of ADHD. It can also improve relationships and improve communication by helping patients and loved ones understand the disorder and develop strategies for coping.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is primarily focused on teaching patients to change their negative thinking and manage 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 controlling impulses, emotional regulation and relationship issues that arise as a result of impulsive behavior. These techniques can help people live happier and more productive life, especially at work.
Counseling can help those with ADHD seek accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act. This will improve their work performance and overall satisfaction. For professionals, this could require modifying the way in which their work is organized to allow them more flexibility to meet deadlines and finish tasks on time.
It is essential to choose the appropriate therapist for adults ADHD treatment. The therapist's approach and if they have treated ADHD in adults is essential when interviewing potential therapists. It is important to verify the credentials of the therapist and insurance coverage. Some providers offer a sliding scale fee or provide online therapy that make therapy accessible to those who are unable to pay out of pocket.