ADHD Diagnosis For Adults
Adults often have trouble getting an ADHD diagnosis because doctors use different guidelines for treating adults that they use for adolescents and children. The diagnosis requires a minimum of five signs in the categories of inattention, hyperactivity and an impulsive nature.
The professionals conducting the evaluation will ask questions about your childhood, education work, family, and history. They may also request to speak with your spouse or a close friend.
What is ADHD?
It's not always a good thing to get an ADHD diagnosis in your adulthood, whether you're constantly losing keys, have difficulty at school or work, or are struggling to stay focused during conversations. "You know you're not insane, and that puts you in better position to deal with it," says pediatrician Mary V. Solanto, Ph.D. who is an associate professor of psychiatry and psychology at the Hofstra-Northwell School of Medicine on Long Island, New York.
The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision (DSM-5) contains the guidelines that doctors and specialists use to make 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 begins with a face-to-face interview with your healthcare professional, who will review your symptoms and their impact on your daily life. It is helpful to bring reports cards or other information from your childhood to aid in getting a better understanding of your history with ADHD. Your doctor might also ask to speak with a spouse, family member, co-worker or a close friend who knows you well. They might inquire about your relationship, how they observe your behavior, and how it affects you. They could also inquire what ADHD symptoms interact with other conditions, like anxiety or depression.
The interview will likely include questions about your life like how often you don't remember to pay bills or attend appointments, and if you struggle managing your time or organizational skills. It's important to be honest with your answers and to consider how these habits affect your daily life. Request your healthcare professional for a referral to another specialist or therapist if are unsure of your symptoms. 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 result in a wrong diagnosis, so always consult your physician prior to using them.
Symptoms
Consult your primary healthcare provider if suspect you may be suffering from ADHD. They may refer you to a mental healthcare professional for evaluation, like a psychiatrist or psychologist. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision DSM-5 offers guidelines for clinical care for diagnosing mental disorders. It is important to provide as much details regarding your symptoms as you can so that your physician can make an accurate assessment.
The person conducting the assessment will examine your medical, psychological, and psychiatric background, including past issues, and ask about how your symptoms impact your life. They will also interview your children, spouse teachers, friends, coworkers and other people who know you well. Your test may include neuropsychological, behavioral or testing for learning disabilities. These tests can provide your doctor additional information on how your ADHD symptoms affect you, and also help determine if there are other conditions that cause 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 symptoms of a person who is inattention-deficient include difficulty paying attention, omitting details or making mistakes. The person who is evaluating 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.
Typically, these symptoms show up in childhood. However, they can be present in adulthood. Adults may recognize their own ADHD symptoms when their children are diagnosed, or because of life changes such as a new job or marriage, or a move to their own home. In other cases the disorder is not diagnosed until an adult is confronted with significant problems at work or in their relationships. This can include being dismissed, having financial difficulties or getting in trouble with the law.
Diagnosis
If you think you have ADHD An assessment is the first step in finding treatment. A qualified mental health professional will interview you and discuss your symptoms as well as your medical history and family history. Interview questions can be asked about your work and school performance, and how the symptoms affect your life at home and with relationships. You might be required to bring copies of your report cards, teacher's comments and any other documents that could be relevant.
The psychiatric professional utilizes the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5), to make the diagnosis. To qualify for a diagnosis of ADHD, the symptoms must be present for at minimum six months and be interfering with the development or functioning of more than one setting for example, at school or at home. The symptoms of ADHD need to not be explained by other mental disorder such as mood disorders or anxiety.
adhd diagnose with ADHD have issues that persist into adulthood. The symptoms of ADHD can impact the way you work and at school. diagnosed with adhd can also lead to poor health or financial problems and stress relationships. Getting diagnosed and treated can enhance your quality of life.
Certain symptoms of ADHD develop as you age, for instance attention deficit symptoms can become more noticeable as you age and hyperactivity and impulsivity may diminish as you get older. Other factors can contribute to difficulties, for example obstructive sleep apnea occurs more often in adults with ADHD and sleep habits that are not optimal are known to exacerbate ADHD symptoms.
People suffering from ADHD often have co-occurring conditions like anxiety, depression bipolar disorder, anxiety and learning disabilities. Sometimes, treating the underlying disorder can eliminate ADHD symptoms. If you suffer from other issues, it is essential to tell your mental health professional, as this can affect the effectiveness of your treatment.
It is important to talk with your primary care physician, who can refer you to a health professional trained in ADHD evaluations for adults. Ask if there are support groups for adults suffering from ADHD in your locality. They can provide resources and a list of specialties of specialists. You can also reach out to the insurance company that you have to determine which health healthcare providers are covered under the plan you have.
Treatment
A thorough evaluation by a medical professional is the best way to determine if you suffer from adult ADHD. The examination should include questions regarding your childhood, your present life and screening for ADHD symptoms. You may also be asked about any issues that your ADHD symptoms cause problems at school, work or in your relationships.
Counseling and medication are two of the many treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. Counseling includes psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy) and cognitive behavioral therapy. These therapies help you learn how to manage your symptoms and how to transform negative thinking patterns into positive ones. They can also aid with other mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression that often co-occur with ADHD.
Psychostimulants like dextroamphetamine or methylphenidate are commonly utilized in the treatment of adults with ADHD. These medications alter the way certain chemicals in your brain communicate and regulate your behavior. Your doctor will recommend a medication that is appropriate for your body and the symptoms and adjusts the dosage and frequency as required. Nonstimulants are also available, which do not have the same brain pathways like psychostimulants and are beneficial for adults suffering from ADHD. Nonstimulant drugs include atomoxetine guanfacine, and the guanfacine.
Other options for treatment for adults suffering from ADHD may include coaching or mentoring to help you learn strategies and coping techniques. You may learn to make use of a diary or planner, or be shown techniques for managing your time. You could also benefit from altering your living situation to accommodate your ADHD symptoms, for instance, working from home rather than in a workplace and using apps on your phone to keep track of tasks, or scheduling appointments at times that are less busy. You might also inquire about participating in clinical studies that is a research-based project that aims to explore new methods to treat illnesses and conditions. (NIMH has information on clinical trials.)
You could be referred to an expert in mental health or another health professional by your family physician for an assessment of your ADHD. You may also ask a family member or friend for recommendations, or connect with a local support organization for people with ADHD.