ADHD Diagnosis For Adults
Adults often struggle to receive an ADHD diagnosis because doctors use different guidelines for treating adults that they use for adolescents and children. The diagnosis requires at least five symptoms in the categories of hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity.
Professionals doing an evaluation will ask you questions about your childhood, your work and academic life, alcohol and drug use, and family history. They may also discuss your relationship with your spouse or other family members.
What is ADHD?
If you're constantly losing your keys, have trouble with work or school or struggle to stay engaged in conversations, getting an ADHD diagnosis as an adult can be a great relief. You're not crazy, and you can deal with it better, says Mary V. Solanto Ph.D. Professor of Psychology at the 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) is a guideline for doctors 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 starts with a face-to-face meeting with your healthcare provider who will go over your symptoms and the impact they have on your daily 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 speak to a close friend, spouse, family member or co-worker who knows you well. They may ask about your relationship, how they observe your behavior, and how it affects you. They might also inquire what ADHD symptoms can be linked to other conditions, such as anxiety or depression.
The interview may include questions about your lifestyle such as the frequency you fail to pay bills or go to appointments, or if you struggle managing your time or organization abilities. It is important to be honest in your answers and think about how these habits impact your daily life. Ask your healthcare provider for a referral to another specialist or therapist if are unsure of your symptoms. Self-tests and rating systems are available online, but these are not as reliable as an interview conducted by a qualified professional. Certain tests could even lead to a false diagnosis, so you should always consult your healthcare provider before using them.
Signs and symptoms
If you suspect you may have ADHD Begin by speaking to your primary care physician. They may refer you to a mental health professional, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist, for evaluation. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision DSM-5 offers guidelines for clinical care to identify mental disorders. It's crucial to give your provider as much information as possible regarding your symptoms so that they can provide an accurate diagnosis.
The person evaluating you will ask questions about your symptoms and how they affect your life. He or she will also interview your spouse, children teachers, colleagues, and other people who know you well. Your test may include neuropsychological, behavioral or learning disability testing. 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.
The signs of an inattention type include trouble paying attention, missing details or making careless mistakes. The person conducting the assessment will also examine how these symptoms interfere with work, school and social interactions. 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 childhood. They can also occur in adulthood. 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 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, having financial problems or being in trouble with the law.
Diagnosis
If you think you have ADHD An assessment is the first step towards finding a treatment. A licensed mental health professional will interview you and review your symptoms along with your medical history and family history. Interview questions can also be asked about your work and school performance, and how the symptoms affect you at home and with your relationships. You may wish to bring copies of your report cards, teacher comments, and any other documentation pertinent.
The psychiatric specialist will use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5) to assist make the diagnosis. For the diagnosis of ADHD, the symptoms have to be present for at least six months, and they must interfere with the development or functioning of more than one environment for example, at school or at home. The symptoms of ADHD need to not be attributed to any other mental disorder, such as mood disorders or anxiety.
Many people with ADHD have issues that persist into adulthood. The symptoms of ADHD can impact work and school. They can also lead to poor health or financial issues and stress relationships. If diagnosed and treated, you can improve your life.
Some ADHD symptoms change with age. For instance, inattention can become more evident as you age, and impulse control and hyperactivity can decrease with age. Some other factors can cause problems such as obstructive sleep apnea is more common in adults suffering from ADHD and sleep disorders can exacerbate ADHD symptoms.
People suffering from ADHD often suffer from co-occurring illnesses, such as depression, anxiety bipolar disorder, and other learning disabilities. Sometimes, treating the underlying disorder can eliminate ADHD symptoms. If you have other issues, it is essential to inform your mental health professional as this can influence the effectiveness of your treatment.
It is important that you speak to your primary physician who can refer you to a health professional trained in ADHD assessments for adults. Ask if there is a support groups for adults with ADHD in your area. They can offer resources and a list of specialists by specialization. You can also reach out to your insurance company to learn about the health care providers who are covered by your plan.
Treatment
Generally, the best approach to determine if you have ADHD is a thorough evaluation by a health care professional. The assessment should include questions about your childhood, as well as questions about your current life, and screening for ADHD symptoms. You could be asked about any issues that your ADHD symptoms cause at school, work or in your relationships.
Counseling and medication are two of the many treatment options available for adults with ADHD. Counseling is a combination of psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy) and cognitive behavioral therapy. These kinds of therapies assist you in learning how to manage your symptoms and transform negative patterns of thinking to positive ones. They can also help with other mental health issues, like depression and anxiety which are often associated with ADHD.
Psychostimulants such as dextroamphetamine and the methylphenidate are frequently used to treat adults suffering from ADHD. These drugs affect the way certain brain chemicals communicate to regulate behavior. Your doctor will recommend the right medication for your body and symptoms, and adjusts the dosage and frequency as required. Nonstimulants are also employed to treat people suffering from ADHD. They are not able to interfere with the same brain pathways as psychostimulants do. how to get diagnosed with adhd as an adult of nonstimulant medications include atomoxetine and guanfacine.
Other options for treatment for adults suffering from ADHD may include coaching or mentoring to help you learn strategies and coping abilities. You might learn how to make use of a diary or planner, or be shown techniques for managing your time. You can also modify your lifestyle to accommodate your ADHD symptoms. For instance you could work from home instead of an office, use smartphone apps to keep track of your tasks or schedule appointments for less busy times. You may also want to inquire about joining a clinical trial which is a study study designed to test new methods of treating diseases and conditions. (NIMH offers information about clinical trials.
Sometimes your family physician may refer you to a psychiatrist health specialist or another health care professional for an evaluation of your ADHD. You may also ask your family member or a friend for recommendations, or you can join a local support group for people with ADHD.