ADHD Diagnosis For Adults
Adults are often unable to get an ADHD diagnosis because doctors follow different clinical guidelines than they do for children and teenagers. The diagnosis must include at least five signs that fall within the categories of hyperactivity, inattention, and an impulsiveness.
Professionals conducting an assessment will ask you questions about your childhood, education work, family, and history. They may also talk with your spouse or family members.
What is ADHD?
It's not always a good thing to get an ADHD diagnosis in adulthood regardless of whether you're constantly losing keys, have trouble with work or school or are struggling to stay focused during conversations. "You aren't crazy, and this puts you in an ideal position to deal with it," says pediatrician Mary V. Solanto, Ph.D., professor of psychology and psychiatry at 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) provides the guidelines used by professionals 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 begins with a face-to–face conversation with your healthcare provider who will go over your symptoms and their impact on your life. It is beneficial to bring your report cards or other information from your childhood to aid the doctor in gaining more information about your past experiences with ADHD. Your doctor may also request to speak to a spouse, family member, co-worker or a close friend who knows you well. They may 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 conditions like anxiety or depression.
You'll be asked questions about your lifestyle during the interview, such as how often you forget to make appointments or pay bills or if you're having issues with managing time. It's important to be honest in your answers, and to consider how these habits affect your daily routine. Request your healthcare professional for a referral to a different doctor or therapist if you are unsure of your symptoms. Self-tests are available as well as rating scales online, however they're not as reliable and as valid as an appointment with a trained professional. Certain tests could result in a wrong diagnosis, so always consult your healthcare provider before using them.
Signs and symptoms
If you suspect that you have ADHD Begin by talking to your primary care provider. They may refer you to a mental health professional for assessment, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist. The American Psychiatric Association provides clinical guidelines for diagnosing disorders in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision (DSM-5). It is important to provide as much detail about your symptoms as you can to enable your doctor to make an accurate assessment.
The person who conducts the evaluation will review your medical, psychological, and psychiatric history, including past problems, and ask about how your symptoms impact your life. The person conducting the evaluation could also interview your children and spouse and teachers, colleagues and other people who know you. Your assessment could include behavioral, neuropsychological or learning disability tests. These tests will provide your doctor with additional information about your ADHD symptoms and 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 primarily inattentive include difficulty paying attention not paying attention to details, or making mistakes. The person evaluating the child will also assess the impact these symptoms have on work, school 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.
Often, these symptoms appear in the early years of childhood. However, they can also be present in later life. Adults may notice their own ADHD symptoms when their children are diagnosed or after changes in their lives like the marriage, job or moving into a new home. In some cases the condition isn't recognized until a person has significant problems at work or with their relationships. This can include being dismissed from a job or having financial issues, or getting into trouble with the law.
Diagnosis
If you suspect you may have ADHD, a screening is the first step to finding treatment. A licensed mental health professional interviews you and examines your symptoms, medical history and family history. The interview may also include questions about your work and school performance as well as how your symptoms impact your home life and in your relationships. You might wish to bring copies of your report cards, teacher comments and any other information that may be relevant.
The psychiatric professional uses the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5) to establish the diagnosis. The symptoms of ADHD should be present for at least six months, and they should affect development or functioning in multiple environments like school or home. In addition, the signs cannot be explained better by another mental disorder, such as a mood disorder or anxiety disorder.
Many people with ADHD are still struggling throughout their adulthood. The symptoms of ADHD can be detrimental to both school and work. They can also lead to poor health or financial issues, and strain relationships. Diagnosed and treated, you can make a difference in your life.
Certain symptoms of ADHD develop as you age, for instance attention deficit symptoms can be more apparent as you age, and impulsivity and hyperactivity may decrease as you get older. Other factors can also contribute to difficulties. For example, obstructive sleeping apnea is more common in people with ADHD. Poor sleeping habits can also exacerbate ADHD symptoms.
Many people who suffer from ADHD have co-occurring disorders such as anxiety disorders bipolar disorder, and learning disabilities. Sometimes, treating the root disorder can help eliminate ADHD symptoms. If you have any other medical issues, it is essential to inform your mental health professional because this could affect the effectiveness of your treatment.
It is important that you consult 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 who have ADHD in your area. They can offer resources and a list of professionals by specialty. You can also contact the insurance company that you have to determine which health care providers are covered under your policy.
Treatment
Generally, the best approach to diagnose adult ADHD is a thorough evaluation by a medical professional. The examination should include questions regarding your childhood, your present life and the screening for ADHD symptoms. You may be asked about any problems that your ADHD symptoms are causing at work, school or in your relationships.
There are many treatments for adults suffering from ADHD that include medication and counseling. 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 change negative thinking patterns to 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 usually involves psychostimulants such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) and dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine). These medications affect the way certain chemicals in your brain communicate and regulate your behavior. Your doctor will select a medication that is appropriate for your body and the symptoms and adjusts the dosage and frequency when required. Nonstimulants can also be used to treat adults with ADHD. They do not interfere with the same brain pathways in the same way that psychostimulants do. Nonstimulant drugs include atomoxetine Guanfacine and guanfacine.
Coaching or mentoring can be used to teach adults suffering from ADHD strategies and coping methods. For adhd diagnose , you could learn how to keep a planner in place or journals or given strategies for improving your time management. You could also benefit from altering your lifestyle to accommodate your ADHD symptoms, for instance, working from home instead of working in a place of work and using apps on your phone to keep track of tasks, or scheduling appointments at times that are less crowded. You may also want to inquire about joining clinical trials that is a research trial designed to test new methods to treat diseases and conditions. (NIMH has information on clinical trials.)
You could be referred to an expert in mental health or another health care specialist by your family doctor for an assessment of your ADHD. You can also ask a family member or friend for recommendations, or you can join a local support group for people with ADHD.