Getting an ADHD Diagnosis in Adults
Many people seek out a diagnosis when they realize that ADHD causes them to have difficulties at work or in their relationships. NIMH recommends that those who are seeking a diagnosis speak with their primary care physician or a mental health professional.
They will take a detailed history and complete tests like symptom rating scales or psychological tests. They may also get physical examinations to rule out medical conditions that may be a sign of ADHD like seizures or thyroid problems.
Diagnosis
It can be a great relief and eye-opening to receive a diagnosis of ADHD but it can also be depressing. Adults who have been struggling with ADHD symptoms for years may decide to seek help from a professional due to frustrations at work, in their relationships, or because friends or family have told them that they could be suffering from ADHD. It is important to keep in mind that it may take a while for a medical professional to arrive at an ADHD diagnosis and the process includes more than just a series of clinical interviews or tests.
The first step in the process is to identify whether your ADHD symptoms match the criteria for the disorder: Many of them begin before the age of 12. They can be present in more than one place like home, school and work. They can affect the daily functioning of a person.
Because symptoms of ADHD can also be caused by mood disorders, like bipolar or anxiety and other physical ailments and illnesses, your doctor might want to conduct additional tests prior to making an official diagnosis. adhd adults diagnosis could include interviews with a clinical psychologist and rating-scales for symptoms or psychological tests to test thinking capabilities, problem solving skills, and memory.
It's important to be completely open with your health professional. And that might mean discussing how the difficulties you're having in different areas of your life have affected your mood. The mental health professional who is evaluating you may also want to speak with your spouse, family members and close friends to gain a better understanding of your challenges. They may even ask permission to ask them to complete questionnaires about their experiences with you and then compare them to your personal.
Signs and symptoms
Adults with ADHD might find that their symptoms impact daily life, especially at school and work. They might have difficulties finding work, staying in relationships or getting by due to the inattention and impulsivity which makes it difficult to follow directions or remember details, plan tasks or complete tasks. The symptoms may be mild or moderate. They can also be severe.
To diagnose ADHD doctors use common tools like checklists, interview questions and questionnaires. They also look at the medical and family history as well as other mental health issues. 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.
The signs of an inattentive personality include trouble paying attention to details, daydreaming and seeming to be easily distracted. Inattention is also manifested by a lack of focus and difficulty working on tasks, aswell as a tendency to get sidetracked or lose track of time.
People with the hyperactive/impulsive type often fidget, move around frequently and have trouble sitting still for long periods of time. They also tend to forget things quickly and often have difficulty organizing their work, home or daily activities. They may lose keys, phones or wallets often. They struggle to wait for their turn at school, work or play. They have a low tolerance for stress or anger and experience frequent and intense mood fluctuations.
In adhd diagnosis adult uk , it's more common for people suffering from ADHD to have co-occurring conditions like oppositional defiant or conduct disorders depression or anxiety, tic disorders or Tourette syndrome, as well as substance abuse problems. Co-occurring disorders may complicate treatment and make it difficult to diagnose ADHD.
Treatment
Talking with your primary healthcare provider is the first step in getting a diagnosis when you suspect that you suffer from ADHD. They may refer you to an expert in mental health. The professionals will examine your symptoms and issues at school, at work or home to see how they impact your daily life. They might conduct an organized interview or ask family members or close friends to assist. They will also review your medical history and family history and conduct a physical examination.
Your doctor will also consider how long you've experienced these symptoms and the effect they have on your life now. In order to receive an diagnosis of ADHD symptoms, the person's symptoms must be present for at least six months and can't be better explained by another disorder, such as depression or anxiety. Additionally, they must hinder everyday activities like getting to class, finishing tasks on time, or keeping a job.
In your assessment the mental health specialist may employ standardized behavior rating scales and ADHD symptom checklists. You will also be administered a cognitive test which will test your working memory and executive functioning as well as your spatial and visual capabilities. They will also look for any other conditions that may cause similar symptoms, such as seizures or a thyroid disorder.
If your mental health professional finds that you have ADHD, they will discuss the available treatments and medications options. Often the combination of medication and talk therapy (counseling) is the best. Therapy can assist you in managing your symptoms, and also improve communication between family members and coworkers. adhd diagnosis adult uk can also help address issues that can be a problem in marriages and relationships due to the issues that ADHD can cause at home and work.
Medication
The signs of ADHD in adults are usually less severe than they were in childhood, however they can still cause problems at home and work. The disorder can result in difficulties in getting or keeping the job you want, issues with relationships and social interaction and self-esteem issues, academic lapses, emotional stress, temper tantrums and disruptive behavior.
The medication can treat the disorder by balancing and increasing the levels of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. They regulate the flow information in the brain. Stimulants, commonly prescribed for ADHD in adults are the most commonly prescribed medication used. 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 orally disintegrating tablet). Adults can also be treated with atomoxetine, a nonstimulant, and some antidepressants, such as bupropion. These drugs work slower than stimulants, and could be beneficial for those who cannot take stimulant medication due to health problems or serious side-effects.
Psychotherapy (also called cognitive-behavioral therapy) could be beneficial in treating comorbid disorders associated with ADHD like depression and anxiety. Research suggests that psychotherapy is a more efficient treatment for these conditions than just using medications alone. Psychotherapy focuses on teaching techniques for managing the disorder and improving the performance at work, in school and in relationships. The aim is to boost the self-esteem of the individual and decrease the risk of problematic behavior. It is also a way to increase their functioning and overall performance. It is recommended that every psychotherapy method for adults ADHD sufferers include a cognitive-behavioral component. Researchers have found that ADHD patients receiving both therapy and medication showed more improvement than those taking only pills.
Counseling
Adults who don't want to take medication can find relief through therapy and counseling. Individual talk therapy can help with issues like low self-esteem, feeling of failure, and frequent job changes that commonly are a part of ADHD. It can also improve relationships and communication by assisting the patients and their families to comprehend the disorder and learn coping techniques.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a method of teaching patients how to control their behavior and change negative thoughts. 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 can also concentrate on the development of organizational and time-management skills, or teach coping mechanisms to deal with impulse control, emotional regulation and relationship issues that may arise from the impulsive behavior. These methods can assist people to live an enjoyable and productive life, particularly at work.
Counseling can also assist people with ADHD in applying for workplace accommodations that could be available under the Americans with Disabilities Act, which can greatly enhance job performance and satisfaction. For professionals, this could require modifying the way in which their work is structured to give them more flexibility to meet deadlines and complete tasks within the timeframes they need to.
Selecting the right therapist is essential to get the most out of treatment for adults with ADHD. When interviewing potential therapists it is important to ask about their methods and if they have expertise in treating ADHD in adults. It is important to check therapist credentials and insurance coverage. Some providers offer a sliding scale fee, or provide online therapy, making treatment accessible for people who cannot afford to pay out from their pockets.