Getting an ADHD Diagnosis in Adults
Many people seek a diagnose when they realize that ADHD is causing issues at work or in their relationships. NIMH recommends that those seeking a diagnosis speak with their primary healthcare provider or a mental health professional.
They will take a detailed history and complete tests like symptom-rating scales or psychological tests. They can also undergo a physical exam to determine if they have any other medical ailments that might be misinterpreted as ADHD like thyroid issues or seizures.
Diagnosis
Getting a diagnosis for ADHD can be eye-opening and liberating, but it can also be a source of anxiety. Adults who have been struggling with the symptoms of ADHD for a long time may decide to seek a professional opinion, motivated by their frustrations at work or in relationships, or because they've been informed by family members or friends that they may be suffering from ADHD. It is important to remember that a healthcare professional may take an extended time to diagnose ADHD, and that the process is more than just completing standardized tests or conducting a series of clinical interviews.
The first step is to determine whether your ADHD symptoms match the criteria for the disorder. Several of these symptoms are present before the age of 12. They occur in two or more settings--for instance, at home, school and at work. They can affect the daily functioning of a person.
Your healthcare provider may need to perform additional evaluations to determine an accurate diagnosis. This is because symptoms of ADHD are also caused by mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder, anxiety and other physical conditions or illnesses. This could include interviews with a psychologist, rating scales for symptoms, and psychological tests to assess your thinking abilities as well as your problem-solving abilities and memory.
It is crucial to be 100% honest with the mental health professional. This could mean discussing how your mood was affected by your issues in various areas of your life. In addition the person who is conducting your evaluation may request that you speak with your spouse or close friends and family members to get a fuller picture of how you've struggled. They might also ask permission to have your family members complete questionnaires that compare their experiences to yours.
Symptoms
Adults suffering from ADHD typically experience difficulties with daily life activities, especially at school and work. They may have trouble keeping a job or maintaining relationships. They may also struggle to keep a roof over their heads because of their lack of attention and impulsivity, which makes it difficult for them to remember things, plan tasks, or complete tasks. The symptoms could be mild or moderate. It could also be severe.
To determine ADHD, doctors use standard tools such as 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 symptoms of an inattentive person include trouble paying attention to details, daydreaming and seeming to be easily distracted. Inattentiveness is also associated with difficulty in following and working on tasks, aswell as a tendency to get lost in the flow 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 frequently struggle to organize their home, work or daily activities. They may lose their phones, keys or wallets often. They may have trouble waiting for their turn at school, at work, or in play. They are easily frustrated or stressed and suffer from frequent mood swings.
In adults, it's more common for those with ADHD to have co-existing conditions like oppositional defiant or conduct disorders depression or anxiety, tic disorders or Tourette syndrome and other substance abuse issues. The presence of co-occurring disorders can make it difficult to treat and can make it harder to diagnose ADHD.
Treatment
If you think you have ADHD the first step towards getting a diagnosis is to talk with your primary healthcare provider. They may refer you to a specialist in mental health. The professionals will look at your symptoms and concerns at work, at school or at home to determine how much they affect your daily life. They can conduct a structured interview or ask family members or close friends to help. They will also review the medical and family history of your family, and conduct a physical exam.
Your doctor will also take a look at how long you've had these symptoms and what effect they have on your life now. 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. They must also interfere with daily tasks such as attending school, completing assignments on time, or sustaining the job.
During your evaluation, your mental health professional might employ standardized behavior rating scales and ADHD symptoms checklists. They will also likely give you a cognitive test to assess your working memory, executive functioning, and spatial and visual abilities. They will also test for other conditions which can cause similar symptoms such as seizures or thyroid problem.
If your mental health professional finds that you have ADHD they will go over the available medications and treatment options. Most often, a combination of medication and talk therapy (counseling) is the best option. Therapy helps you learn to manage your symptoms and improve communication with family members and co-workers. Therapy can also aid in resolving problems that may be a problem in relationships and marriages due to the difficulties ADHD can cause.
Medication
The signs of ADHD in adults are usually less severe than they were in childhood, but they can cause issues at work and home. The disorder can cause difficulty in obtaining or maintaining jobs, issues with relationships and social interactions, academic failures, poor self-esteem and emotional distress, temper outbursts and even antisocial behaviors.
The medications can help treat the condition by increasing and balancing the levels of neurotransmitters, brain chemicals that regulate the flow of information in the brain. Stimulants, commonly prescribed for ADHD in adults, are the most common 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 can also be treated with atomoxetine, a nonstimulant, and certain antidepressants such as bupropion. These drugs work more slowly than stimulants, and could be more suitable for people who are unable to take stimulants because of health problems or serious adverse effects.
Psychotherapy (also known as cognitive-behavioral treatment) can be effective in treating comorbid disorders associated with ADHD like anxiety and depression. adhd diagnosis adult uk suggests that psychotherapy can be an efficient treatment for these conditions than using medication alone. Psychotherapy focuses on teaching strategies to manage the disorder as well as improving functioning at work, in school and with 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 efficiency and performance. It is recommended that all psychotherapy methods for adults ADHD patients include a cognitive-behavioral component. Researchers found that ADHD patients who received both psychotherapy and medication showed greater improvement than those who only took pills.
Counseling
Adults who don't want to take medication can find relief through counseling and therapy. adhd adults diagnosis uk can address issues like low self-esteem, and feelings of being insecure that are commonly associated with ADHD. It can also help improve relationships and communication by helping patients and their families to comprehend the condition and develop ways to cope.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is primarily focused on teaching patients to change their negative thinking and how to manage 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 can also teach coping strategies for impulse control as well as emotional regulation and relationship issues that may result from an impulsive behavior. These strategies can assist you in living more productively especially at work.
Counseling can also assist people with ADHD in requesting workplace accommodations that could be offered under the Americans with Disabilities Act, which can dramatically improve job performance and satisfaction. This may include changing the structure of their work to allow them to be more flexible in meeting deadlines and completing tasks in time.
It is crucial to select the right therapist for adult ADHD treatment. When interviewing potential therapists, it is essential to inquire about their treatment approach and if they have prior experience in treating ADHD in adults. Examining the credentials of therapists as well as insurance coverage is also a smart idea. Some providers offer sliding scale rates or online therapy services to make therapy more accessible to those who cannot afford it.