ADHD Diagnosis For Adults
Many adults are unable to get an ADHD diagnosis, as doctors follow an entirely different set of guidelines for diagnosing the disorder than they do for teenagers and children. The diagnosis requires at minimum five symptoms from the categories of hyperactivity, inattention and the tendency to be impulsive.
Professionals who conduct an assessment will ask you questions about your childhood, education as well as your work and family history. They may also request to speak with your spouse or friend.
What is ADHD?
It can be a relief to get an ADHD diagnosis in adulthood, whether you're constantly losing your keys, are having trouble at school or work, or are having trouble staying focused when talking to others. You're not crazy, and you can manage it better, says Mary V. Solanto Ph.D. is a professor of psychology at the Hofstra-Northwell School of Medicine in Long Island, New York.
The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition Text Revision (DSM-5) contains the guidelines that doctors and specialists use 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.
A face-to-face appointment with your doctor is usually the first step in an ADHD evaluation. They will discuss your symptoms and how they impact your life. It is helpful to bring reports cards or other information from your childhood to aid the doctor in gaining more information about your experience with ADHD. Your doctor may also request to speak with a spouse or family member, a co-worker or close friend who knows you well. They could ask questions about your relationship and their observations of your behavior and how it affects them, as well as how your ADHD symptoms are interacted with other conditions like anxiety or depression.
The interview is likely to include questions about your lifestyle like the frequency you fail to pay your bills or attend appointments, and whether you have trouble with time management or organization abilities. It is crucial to be honest with your answers and consider how these habits impact your daily life. Request your healthcare professional for a referral to another practitioner or therapist if aren't sure about your symptoms. Self-tests and rating systems are available on the internet, but they are not as reliable as an interview conducted by a trained professional. Certain tests may even result in the wrong diagnosis, so it's best to consult your healthcare provider first.
Symptoms
If you suspect you suffer from ADHD begin by talking to your primary healthcare provider. He or she may refer you to an expert in mental health, such as psychiatrist or psychologist, for evaluation. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision DSM-5 offers guidelines for clinical care for diagnosing mental disorders. It is essential to provide your provider as much information as you can about your symptoms, so that they can make an accurate diagnosis.
The person evaluating you will inquire about your symptoms and how they affect your life. He or she may also interview your children and spouse as well as teachers, coworkers and other people who know you. Your test may include behavioral, neuropsychological or testing for learning disabilities. These tests can provide your provider with additional information about your ADHD symptoms and can help 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 someone who is mostly inattention include difficulty paying attention not paying attention to details, or making careless errors. The person conducting the assessment will also examine how these symptoms impact 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.
Usually, these symptoms manifest in the early years of childhood. However, they may also be present in adulthood. Adults may be able to recognize their own ADHD symptoms after their children are diagnosed, or after an event in their lives such as the marriage, job or moving into a new home. In some instances, the condition is not recognized until an adult is experiencing serious issues at work or in their relationships. This can include being dismissed, having financial problems, or being in trouble with the law.
Diagnosis
A screening is the first thing you should do in the event that you suspect you might have ADHD. A licensed mental health professional will meet with you and examine your symptoms along with your medical history, and family history. The interview may also include questions about your work and school performance and how the symptoms affect your life at home and in relationships. You may wish to bring copies of your report cards, teacher's remarks and any other documents relevant.
The psychiatric practitioner will employ the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5) to assist make the diagnosis. The symptoms of ADHD must be present for at least six months and they should affect development or functioning in more than one environment, such as school or at home. In addition, the symptoms are not better explained by a mental disorder that is not related to ADHD like an anxiety disorder or mood disorder.
Many people with ADHD have problems well into adulthood. The symptoms of ADHD can be detrimental to the way you work and at school. They can also lead to poor health or financial issues and stress relationships. If you are diagnosed and treated, you can improve your quality of life.
Certain symptoms of ADHD develop with age, for instance inattentive symptoms may become more evident as you age and hyperactivity and impulsivity may diminish with age. Some other factors can contribute to the difficulties like obstructive sleeping apnea is more common in people with ADHD and poor sleeping habits are known to exacerbate ADHD symptoms.
Many people suffering from ADHD have co-occurring conditions such as anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, and learning disabilities. Sometimes, treating the root disorder can alleviate ADHD symptoms. It is important to inform your mental health professional if you have any other conditions. This can influence the effectiveness of treatment.
It is crucial to speak with your primary care physician, who can refer you to a medical professional who is certified in ADHD assessments for adults. It is also a good idea to ask if there are any support groups for people with ADHD in your region. They can provide resources and a list by specialty of professionals. You can also contact your insurance company to learn about health care providers that are covered by your policy.
Treatment
The most effective method to diagnose adult ADHD is to have a thorough assessment by a health professional. The examination should include questions regarding your childhood, current life, and screening for ADHD symptoms. You may also be asked about any problems that your ADHD symptoms are causing at work, school or in your relationships.
There are a myriad of treatment options for adults suffering from ADHD, including counseling and medication. Counseling includes psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy) and cognitive behavioral therapy. These kinds of therapies aid you in learning to manage your symptoms and transform negative thinking patterns to positive ones. They can also help with other mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, which often co-occur along with ADHD.
Psychostimulants, such as dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate are often utilized in the treatment of adults suffering from ADHD. These drugs alter the way that certain chemicals in your brain communicate and regulate your behavior. Your doctor will choose a medication that is right for you and your specific symptoms and will adjust the dosage and frequency accordingly. Nonstimulants are also used to treat adults suffering from ADHD. They are not able to interfere with the same brain pathways that psychostimulants do. Nonstimulant medicines include atomoxetine Guanfacine and the guanfacine.
Other options for treatment for adults suffering from ADHD can include coaching or mentoring to teach strategies and coping techniques. You may learn to use a diary or a planner, or learn techniques for managing your time. You can also modify your lifestyle to accommodate your ADHD symptoms. For adhd adults diagnosis uk could work from your home instead of in an office, use smartphone apps to track your tasks and schedule appointments at less busy times. You may also wish to inquire about taking part in a clinical trial, which is a research study designed to test new ways of treating illnesses and conditions. (NIMH has information about clinical trials.)
Sometimes your family physician may recommend you to a mental health specialist or another health medical professional to conduct an evaluation of your ADHD. You may also ask your family member or a friend for recommendations, or connect with a local support organization for people with ADHD.