ADHD Diagnosis For Adults
Adults often struggle to receive an ADHD diagnosis because doctors use different guidelines for clinical diagnosis than they do for adolescents and children. The diagnosis must include at least five signs from the categories of hyperactivity, inattention and an impulsiveness.
The professionals conducting the evaluation will ask you questions about your childhood, your work and academic life, drug and alcohol usage, and the family history. They may also talk to your spouse or other family members.
What is ADHD?
Whether diagnosis for adhd in adults keep losing your keys, struggle with school or work, or have trouble staying focused in conversations, getting an ADHD diagnosis as an adult can be a great relief. You know you're normal, and you can deal with it better, according to Mary V. Solanto Ph.D. Professor of Psychology at the Hofstra-Northwell School of Medicine in Long Island, New York.
The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision (DSM-5) provides the guidelines providers use to establish an ADHD diagnosis. 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 starts with a face-to-face meeting with your healthcare provider who will go over your symptoms and their impact on your life. It's helpful to bring report cards or other documents from your childhood, as it can help the provider get more information about your history with ADHD. Your doctor may suggest that you talk to a partner, spouse, family member, or a coworker who knows you well. They could ask questions about your relationship, their observations of your behavior and how it affects them as well as how your ADHD symptoms can be linked to other disorders like anxiety or depression.
You will be asked about your life during the interview, and this includes how often you forget to go to appointments or pay bills or if you're having issues with managing time. It is important to be honest with your answers and consider how these habits impact your daily life. If you're not sure about your symptoms, consider asking your healthcare professional to refer you to a different psychologist or doctor to conduct an evaluation. Self-tests and rating systems are available on the internet, but they are not as reliable as an interview conducted by a trained professional. Certain tests could even lead to an incorrect diagnosis, so it's recommended to consult your healthcare provider first.
Signs and symptoms
If you suspect that you have ADHD Begin by speaking to your primary care provider. They may refer you to a mental health professional for evaluation, such as psychologist or psychiatrist. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision DSM-5 provides clinical guidelines to diagnose mental disorders. It is crucial to provide your provider as much information as you can about your symptoms so they can make an accurate diagnosis.
The person who is evaluating you will ask questions about your symptoms and how they affect your life. The person conducting the evaluation will also interview your children, spouse, teachers, co-workers and others who know you well. Your assessment may include testing for learning disabilities, behavioral disorders, or neuropsychological disorders. These tests can provide your provider with additional details 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 trouble paying attention, not noticing details or making mistakes. The person who is evaluating the child will also determine how these signs affect school, work and even 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.
Often, these symptoms appear in the early years of childhood. They may also manifest in later life. Adults may be able to recognize their own ADHD symptoms when their children are diagnosed, or after a change in their life such as the marriage, job or moving into a new home. In some instances the condition isn't recognized until an adult is experiencing significant problems at work or in their relationships. This can include being fired, facing financial problems or getting into trouble with the law.
Diagnosis
If you suspect you may have ADHD A test is the first step to finding a treatment. A qualified mental health professional will interview you and discuss your symptoms as well as your medical history and family history. Interview questions could be asked about your work and school performance, and how symptoms affect your life at home and with your relationships. You may be required to bring copies of report cards, teacher comments and any other information that might be relevant.
The psychiatric specialist 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 the development of a child or their functioning in more than one setting, such as school or home. The symptoms of ADHD need to not be explained by other mental disorder like anxiety or mood disorders.
Many people with ADHD have problems well into adulthood. Symptoms can impact work and school, lead to poor health and financial issues, and cause strain in relationships. Diagnosed and treated, you can make a difference in your life.
Certain ADHD symptoms may change as you age. For instance, inattention is more evident as you get older, and the ability to control impulses and hyperactivity may diminish as you age. Other factors may cause problems, for example obstructive sleep apnea occurs more often in adults with ADHD and sleep habits that are not optimal are known to worsen ADHD symptoms.
People with ADHD often suffer from co-occurring illnesses such as depression, anxiety bipolar disorder, anxiety and learning disabilities. Sometimes, treating the root disorder can help eliminate ADHD symptoms. If you have any other medical illnesses, it is crucial to inform your mental health professional because this can influence the effectiveness of your treatment.
It is essential to talk to your primary physician, who can refer you to a medical specialist who is trained in ADHD evaluations for adults. It is also an excellent idea to inquire if there exist any support groups for people with ADHD in your region. They can provide you with resources and a list of specialties of specialists. You can also reach out to your insurance company to learn about health care providers that are covered by your policy.
Treatment
A thorough assessment by a medical professional is the best method to determine the severity of adult ADHD. The evaluation should include questions about your childhood, questions about your life now and a screening for ADHD symptoms. You may also be asked about any problems that your ADHD symptoms cause at school, work or in your relationships.
There are many treatments for adults with ADHD that include counseling and medications. Psychotherapy is a form of counseling that can include also known as talk therapy and cognitive therapy for behavioral disorders. These types of therapies assist you in learning how to manage your symptoms and change negative thinking patterns into positive ones. They can also aid with other mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression, which often co-occur along with ADHD.
Medication for adults with ADHD typically involves psychostimulants such as the methylphenidate (Ritalin) and dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine). These medicines affect how certain chemicals in the brain communicate to regulate behavior. Your doctor will select the right medication for you and your symptoms and adjust the dosage and frequency accordingly. Nonstimulants are also used to treat adults with ADHD. They are not able to affect the same brain pathways that psychostimulants do. Nonstimulant medications include atomoxetine, Guanfacine and guanfacine.
Other treatment options for adults with ADHD can include mentoring or coaching to teach strategies and coping abilities. You might learn how to utilize a diary or planner, or learn techniques for managing your time. You can also benefit from adjusting your living situation to accommodate your ADHD symptoms, for instance, working at home instead of at a office and using apps on your phone to monitor your tasks or scheduling appointments at times that are less crowded. You may also want to inquire about taking part in a clinical study which is a research endeavor designed to test new methods to treat conditions and diseases. (NIMH has information about clinical trials.)
You may be referred to a mental specialist or another health professional by your family doctor for an assessment of your ADHD. You can also ask your family member or a friend for suggestions, or contact a local support group for people suffering from ADHD.