Getting an ADHD Diagnosis in Adults
Many people seek a diagnosis when they realize they are struggling at work or with relationships due to ADHD. NIMH recommends that those who are seeking a diagnosis talk with their primary care physician or mental health professional.
They will take a thorough history and complete tests like symptom-rating scales or psychological tests. They may also get an examination to rule out medical conditions that could look like ADHD or seizures or thyroid issues.
Getting a Diagnosis
Being diagnosed with ADHD can be revealing and liberating, but it can also be distressing. Adults who have been struggling with ADHD symptoms for years may decide to seek help from a professional due to frustrations at work, in relationships, and/or because family members or friends have told them they may be suffering from ADHD. It is important to remember that a healthcare professional may take a long time to determine ADHD, and that the process involves much more than just completing standardized tests or conducting a series of clinical interviews.
The first step in the process is to determine if your ADHD symptoms are in line with the criteria for the disorder: A number of them begin before age 12 years old. They are seen in multiple settings, for example, school, home, and work. They can affect the daily functioning of a person.
Since symptoms of ADHD can be triggered by mood disorders, such as anxiety or bipolar and other physical conditions and illnesses, your doctor might want to conduct additional tests before making a diagnosis. This might include clinical interviews, rating scales for symptoms, as well as psychological tests to determine your thinking capabilities as well as your problem-solving abilities and memory.
It is essential that you are completely honest with your mental health professional. This could mean that you discuss how your mood has been affected by your issues in different areas of life. The mental health professional who is evaluating you may also ask to speak to your spouse, family members and friends to get a better understanding of your challenges. They might even request permission to have family members fill out questionnaires comparing their experiences to yours.
Signs and symptoms
Adults suffering from ADHD might find that their symptoms impact the way they live their lives, particularly at school and at work. They may struggle to keep a job or maintaining relationships. They may also struggle to pay the bills because of their lack of attention and impulsivity, which makes it difficult for them to remember things, manage tasks or complete projects. The symptoms can be mild or moderate. updated blog post can also be severe.
To determine ADHD, doctors use common tools like checklists, interview questions and questionnaires. They also check the family and medical history of the person and take into account 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.
Symptoms of the inattentive type include trouble paying attention to details, daydreaming and seeming to be easily distracted. Inattention can also be characterized by difficulty following and finishing tasks, as well being prone to getting distracted or lose the 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 tend to forget things quickly and often have trouble organizing their home, work or everyday activities. They might lose their phones, keys or wallets frequently. They are unable to wait their turn at school, at work or in play. They can be easily annoyed or stressed, and experience frequent mood shifts.
Adults who suffer from ADHD are more likely to have co-existing disorders like disorder of the opposition, anxiety, depression as well as tic disorders. Tourette syndrome, and substance abuse issues. Co-occurring disorders can cause problems in treatment and make it more difficult to identify ADHD.
Treatment
If you think you might have ADHD, the first step to get an accurate diagnosis is to speak with your primary healthcare provider. They will likely recommend you to a mental health professional. The professionals will look at your symptoms and problems at work, at school or at home to determine how much they affect your daily life. They will use an organized interview, and they may seek the assistance of family members or other friends who know you well. They will also go over the medical and family history of your family and will conduct a physical examination.
Your doctor will also look at how long you have had these symptoms, and what effect they are having on your life. In order to be granted a diagnosis of ADHD, a person's symptoms must be present for at least six months and can't be explained better by another disorder, such as depression or anxiety. They also have to interfere with daily tasks such as getting to school, finishing assignments on time, or sustaining the job.
When you are evaluated A mental health professional may utilize standardized scales of behavior and ADHD symptoms checklists. They will likely also conduct a cognitive test to check your working memory, executive functioning and spatial and visual abilities. They will also test for other conditions that can cause similar symptoms, like seizures or a thyroid disorder.
If your mental health provider determines that you suffer from ADHD, they will discuss the available treatments and medications options. In most cases, a combination of medication and talk therapy (counseling) is the best. Therapy helps you learn to manage your symptoms and improve communication with family members and other coworkers. It also helps to address issues that may develop in marriages and relationships because of the difficulties that ADHD can cause at work and home.
Medication
The signs of ADHD in adults are generally less severe than they were in childhood, but they can still cause problems at home and work. The disorder can result in difficulties in obtaining or keeping a good job, problems with relationships and social interaction as well as self-esteem issues, academic failures, emotional stress, temper tantrums and disruptive behavior.
Medication can help treat the disorder by increasing and balancing levels of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters that control the flow of information in the brain. Stimulants, commonly prescribed for ADHD in adults are the most frequently 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 instant-release orally disintegrating tablet). Adults are also treated with Atomoxetine, a non-stimulant, and certain antidepressants such as bupropion. These medications work slower than stimulants, and could be a better choice for people who are unable to take stimulants due to health issues or serious side-effects.
Psychotherapy, also known as cognitive-behavioral treatment, may be helpful in treating disorders that are comorbid, such as anxiety and depression that are related to ADHD. Research suggests that psychotherapy is an efficient treatment for these conditions than relying on medications in isolation. Psychotherapy is focused on teaching techniques to manage the disorder and improve performance at school, at work and in relationships. The goal is to improve the person's self esteem and decrease the risk of problematic behavior. It is also a way to increase their efficiency and overall performance. It is recommended that all psychotherapy approaches for adult ADHD patients incorporate a cognitive-behavioral component. In one study, researchers discovered that ADHD patients who received both therapy and medication showed a higher level of improvement than those who just took the pills.
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For adults who do not wish to use medication therapy and counseling can be a great source of relief. Individual therapy can help with issues such as low self-esteem and feelings of being insecure and frequent job changes that commonly occur with ADHD. It can also help improve relationships and improve communication by helping patients and loved ones to understand the disorder and learn strategies for coping.
Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on teaching patients skills to control their behavior and to 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 may also focus on developing organizational and time-management skills or teach coping techniques for dealing with emotional regulation, impulse control and relationships issues that can arise from the impulsive behavior. These techniques can assist people to live a more productive and satisfying life, particularly in the workplace.
Counseling can help those with ADHD seek accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act. This can help improve their work performance and overall satisfaction. This could include altering the structure of their jobs to allow them more flexibility in meeting deadlines and completing tasks within the timeframes they have set.
It is crucial to select the right therapist for adult ADHD treatment. When interviewing potential therapists, it is important to ask about their approach and whether they have experience treating ADHD in adults. It is also a good idea to verify the credentials of the therapist and insurance coverage. Some providers provide sliding scale fees or online therapy services to make therapy easier for those who are unable to pay for it.