ADHD Diagnosis For Adults
Many adults struggle to receive an ADHD diagnosis, since doctors use different clinical guidelines for the disorder than they do for children and teens. The diagnosis requires a minimum of five signs in the categories of hyperactivity, inattention and an impulsive nature.
Professionals conducting an evaluation will ask questions about your childhood, education, work, and family history. They may also talk with your spouse or other family members.
What is ADHD?
If you're constantly losing your keys, have trouble with school or work or are having trouble staying engaged in conversations, getting an ADHD diagnosis as an adult can be a great relief. You're not crazy and 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), provides guidelines for providers 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 begins with a face-to–face conversation with your doctor who will go over your symptoms and the impact they have on your daily life. It is beneficial to bring your report cards or other evidence from your childhood, as it will aid in getting a better understanding of your experience with ADHD. Your doctor might ask you to speak to a close family member, spouse, friend member or co-worker who knows you well. They may ask about your relationship, how they observe your behavior, and how it affects your life. adult diagnosis adhd could also inquire how ADHD symptoms are interacted with other conditions, like anxiety or depression.
You'll be asked questions about your lifestyle during the interview, such as how often you don't make appointments or pay bills, or if you have difficulty with time management. It is essential to be honest in your answers and take note of how these habits impact your daily life. Request your healthcare professional for a referral to another specialist or therapist if are unsure about the symptoms. There are self-tests and rating scales online, however they're not as reliable or as valid as an appointment with a qualified provider. Certain tests may even lead to an incorrect diagnosis, so it's advisable to speak with your doctor first.
Symptoms
Talk to your primary healthcare provider if you suspect you may have ADHD. He or she may refer you to a mental health professional such as psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct an 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 is essential to provide your physician as much information as you can about your symptoms, so they can make an accurate diagnosis.
The person who conducts the evaluation will examine your mental, psychological and medical history, including any past issues, and ask about how your symptoms impact your life. The person conducting the evaluation will also talk to your children, spouse, teachers, co-workers and other people who know you well. Your test may include behavioral, neuropsychological or learning disability testing. These tests can provide your provider 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 inattention-deficient are a lack of attention, omitting details or making erroneous mistakes. The person who is conducting the assessment will also look at how these symptoms interfere with work, school and social activities. 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 typically manifest in childhood. They can also develop in later life. Adults may recognize their own ADHD symptoms when their children have been diagnosed or because of changes in their lives such as an employment change, a marriage or a move to their own home. In other cases the disorder is not diagnosed until the adult experiences significant difficulties at work or in their relationships. This could mean being dismissed, having financial problems or getting into trouble with the law.
Diagnosis
A screening is the first thing you should do if you suspect you are suffering from ADHD. A licensed mental health professional will talk to you and review your symptoms, medical history and family history. The interview may also include questions regarding work and school performance, as well as how your symptoms impact your home life and in relationships. You might want to bring copies of your report cards, teacher's remarks as well as any other documentation pertinent.
The psychiatric practitioner employs the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5) to establish the diagnosis. For the diagnosis of ADHD, the symptoms have to be present for at least six months and interfere with the development or functioning of more than one environment like school or at home. In addition, the symptoms must not be better explained by a mental disorder that is not related to ADHD like a mood disorder or anxiety disorder.
Many people suffering from ADHD have problems well into adulthood. Symptoms can impact the school and work environment, leading to poor health and financial issues and can cause stress in relationships. Getting diagnosed and treated can improve your quality of life.
Some signs of ADHD change as you age, for instance attention deficit symptoms can be more apparent as you age, and hyperactivity and impulsivity may decrease with age. Other factors can contribute to difficulties. For instance sleep apnea, also known as obstructive, is more prevalent in adults with ADHD. Poor sleep habits can also cause ADHD symptoms.
Many people who suffer from ADHD suffer from co-occurring illnesses such as anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, and learning disabilities. Sometimes, treating the underlying disorder can eliminate ADHD symptoms. It is important to inform your mental health professional that you suffer from any other condition. This could have an impact on the effectiveness of treatment.
It is important to talk to your primary care doctor, who will refer you to a medical professional who is certified in ADHD assessments for adults. Find out if there are support groups for adults suffering from ADHD in your locality. They can provide resources and a list by specialty of professionals. You can also contact the insurance company that you have to find out which health medical professionals are covered by your policy.
Treatment
A thorough assessment by a medical professional is the best method to determine if you suffer from adult ADHD. The evaluation should include questions regarding your childhood, as well as questions about your life now and a check for ADHD symptoms. You may be asked if your ADHD symptoms have caused problems at work, at school or with your relationships.
Counseling and medication are two of the many treatment options that are available to adults suffering from ADHD. Counseling includes psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy) and cognitive behavioral therapy. These types of therapies aid you in learning to manage your symptoms and transform negative patterns of thinking to positive ones. They can also help in addressing other mental health issues such as depression and anxiety, that often co-exist with ADHD.
Adults who suffer from ADHD typically involves psychostimulants like the methylphenidate (Ritalin) and dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine). These medications alter the way that certain chemicals in your brain communicate and regulate behavior. Your doctor will select a medication that fits your body and the symptoms and adjusts the dosage and frequency as needed. Nonstimulants can also be used to treat adults with ADHD. They are not able to affect the same brain pathways in the same way that psychostimulants do. Nonstimulant drugs include atomoxetine Guanfacine, and Guanfacine.
Coaching or mentoring is a way to teach adults suffering from ADHD strategies and coping techniques. For instance, you could be taught how to keep a planner in place or a journal, or you might be shown strategies for improving your time management. You may also benefit from changing your living situation to accommodate your ADHD symptoms, such as working from home instead of in a workplace, using smartphone apps to monitor your tasks or scheduling appointments for times that are less crowded. You may also want to inquire about joining a clinical study which is a research project designed to test new methods to treat illnesses and conditions. (NIMH offers adult adhd diagnoses on clinical trials.
You may be referred to the mental specialist or other health professional by your family doctor for an assessment of your ADHD. You could also ask your family member or a friend for suggestions, or contact a local support group for those suffering from ADHD.