Getting an ADHD Diagnosis in Adults
Many people seek out a diagnosis when they realize that ADHD causes them to have issues at work or in their relationships. NIMH suggests that people seeking diagnosis consult their primary care 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 get an examination to rule out medical conditions that may be a sign of ADHD, such as seizures or thyroid problems.
Diagnosis
Being diagnosed with ADHD can be eye-opening and liberating, however it can also be distressing. Adults who have struggled with ADHD symptoms for a long time might finally seek professional advice in the wake of frustrations at work, in their relationships, and/or because friends or family have told them that they could be suffering from ADHD. It is crucial to keep in mind that a doctor can take several months to determine ADHD and that the process requires more than just completing standardized tests or conducting clinical interviews.
The first step is to determine if your ADHD symptoms match the criteria for the disorder. Many of these symptoms are present before the age of 12. They can occur in more than one place like school, home and at work. They also interfere with everyday functioning.
Your healthcare professional may need to perform additional evaluations to establish an accurate diagnosis. This is because symptoms of ADHD are also triggered by mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder, anxiety, and other physical conditions or illnesses. This could include interviews with a psychologist as well as rating scales to assess symptoms, as well as psychological tests to evaluate your thinking abilities, problem-solving skills, and memory.
It is essential that you are 100% honest with the mental health professional. This could mean discussing how your mood has been affected by your struggles in different areas of life. Additionally the person who is conducting your evaluation might ask to speak with your spouse or close family and friends members to get a fuller picture of how you've struggled. They may even ask permission to ask them to fill out questionnaires about their experiences with you and compare them to your personal.
Signs and symptoms
Adults with ADHD may find that their symptoms affect the way they live their lives, particularly at work and school. They may struggle to keep jobs or maintaining relationships. They may also struggle to pay the bills due to their inattention and impulsivity, which makes it difficult for them to remember things, plan tasks, or complete projects. The symptoms may be mild, moderate, or severe.
To determine ADHD doctors employ the standard tools, such as checklists, interview questions, and questionnaires. They also check the family and medical history of the person and take into account other mental health problems. 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.
Inattentive symptoms include difficulties paying attention to even the smallest details, daydreaming, or appearing easily distracted. Trouble following and finishing tasks and a tendency to lose the track of time or get side-tracked are also inattentive symptoms.
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 frequently struggle to organize their home, work or routine activities. They may lose their phones, keys or wallets frequently. They are often unable to wait for their turn at school, at work or playing. They are easily frustrated or stressed and have frequent mood swings.
Adults with ADHD are more likely to have co-existing conditions such as conduct or oppositional defiant disorders depression, anxiety, tic disorders, Tourette syndrome and addiction issues. Co-occurring disorders can complicate treatment and can make it more difficult to identify ADHD.
Treatment
If you think you have ADHD, the first step to get a diagnosis is to speak with your primary care provider. He or she may refer you to an expert in mental health. They will look over your symptoms and issues at work, school or at home to assess how they affect your life. They can conduct an organized interview or ask family members or close family members to help. They will also go over your medical history and family background and conduct a physical examination.
Your doctor will also consider how long you've experienced these symptoms and what effect they have on your daily life. In order to be granted a diagnosis of ADHD, a person's symptoms must be present for at minimum six months, and they cannot be explained by a different disorder such as depression or anxiety. Additionally, they must hinder daily activities such as attending classes, completing tasks on time or keeping a job.
During your evaluation Your mental health specialist may utilize standardized scales for assessing behavior and ADHD symptoms checklists. You will also receive an assessment of cognitive function that will check your working memory and executive functioning and also your visual and spatial capabilities. They will also look for other conditions that could cause similar symptoms, for example seizure or thyroid disorder.
If your mental health provider finds that you have ADHD they will go over the available medications and treatment options. Most often the combination of medication and talk therapy (counseling) is the best. Therapy helps you to manage your symptoms and improve communication with family members and other coworkers. It can also help with issues that could be a problem in relationships and marriages due to the problems ADHD can create.
Medication
The symptoms of ADHD in adults are typically less severe than they were in childhood, however they can still create problems at work and home. The disorder can lead to difficulty in getting or keeping an employment, difficulties with social and interpersonal relationships, academic failures, poor self-esteem and emotional distress, temper flares and possibly antisocial behavior.
The medications can help treat the disorder by boosting and balancing levels of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters, which control the flow of information through the brain. Stimulants are among the most frequently prescribed drugs for ADHD in adults. Examples include Jornay (methylphenidate extended-release tablets), Xelstrym (dextroamphetamine extended-release oral suspension), Cotempla (methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release orally disintegrating tablet) and Adhansia (methylphenidate hydrochloride immediate-release oral disintegrating tablet). The non-stimulant atomoxetine as well as certain antidepressants, such as bupropion, also are used to treat ADHD in adults. These medications are slower to work than stimulants, and could be beneficial for those who cannot take stimulant medication due to health issues or severe side-effects.
Psychotherapy, also known as cognitive-behavioral therapy, can be helpful in treating comorbid disorders such as depression and anxiety that are connected to ADHD. Research suggests that psychotherapy is the most efficient treatment for these conditions than using medication on their own. Psychotherapy focuses primarily on teaching techniques for managing the disorder and improving functioning at work, in school and in relationships. The aim is to boost confidence in oneself, reduce problematic behavior and increase performance and success. It is recommended that all psychotherapy approaches for adult ADHD sufferers include a cognitive component. adhd diagnosis adult uk found that ADHD patients receiving both psychotherapy and medication showed greater improvement than those taking only pills.
Counseling
For adults who aren't able to use medication therapy and counseling can offer significant relief. Individual therapy can address issues like low self-esteem and feelings of being insecure that are commonly associated with ADHD. It can also improve communication and strengthen relationships by helping patients and family members understand the condition and learn coping strategies.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is primarily focused on teaching patients how to change their negative thinking and control 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 may also focus on the development of organizational and time-management skills or teach coping techniques to manage emotional regulation, impulse control, and relationship problems that may arise from the impulsive behavior. These strategies can assist people to live happier and more productive life, particularly at work.
Counseling can help people with ADHD to apply for accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act. This will improve their work performance and satisfaction. For professionals, this may mean changing the way their work is structured to allow them more flexibility to meet deadlines and complete tasks within the timeframes they need to.
It is crucial to select the right therapist for adult ADHD treatment. When interviewing potential therapists it is important to ask about their treatment approach and if they have expertise in treating ADHD in adults. Examining adhd diagnosis adult uk of therapists as well as insurance coverage is also an excellent idea. Some providers offer sliding scale fees or online therapy services to make therapy more accessible to those who can't pay for it.