Getting an ADHD Diagnosis in Adults
Many people seek out a diagnosis after realizing they are having issues in relationships or at work due to ADHD. NIMH suggests that those seeking diagnoses speak with their primary care provider, or mental health professional.
They will take a detailed history and complete tests like symptom rating scales or psychological tests. They could also undergo a physical exam to rule out medical issues that may be a sign of ADHD or seizures or thyroid issues.
Diagnosis
It can be empowering and eye-opening to be given the diagnosis of ADHD, but it can be also distressing. Adults who have struggled with ADHD symptoms for a long time might eventually seek out professional help due to frustrations at work, in their relationships, or because relatives or friends have informed them that they might be suffering from ADHD. It is important to remember that a health professional can take several months to determine ADHD, and that the process is more than just completing standardized tests or conducting interviews with a clinical psychologist.
The first step in the process is to identify whether your ADHD symptoms are in line with the requirements for the disorder: A number of them begin before age 12 years old. They occur in two or more settings--for example, home, school and at work. They can also affect daily functioning.
Your healthcare professional may need to conduct additional tests in order to make an accurate diagnosis. This is because the symptoms of ADHD are also caused by mood disorders like bipolar disorder, anxiety and other physical conditions or illnesses. This may include clinical interviews, rating-scales for symptoms, or psychological tests to test thinking abilities as well as problem solving abilities and memory.
It is crucial to be 100% honest with the mental health professional. This could mean you talk about the ways in which your mood has been affected by your struggles in various areas of your life. The mental health professional who is evaluating you might also request to talk to your spouse, family members, and friends to gain an understanding of your struggles. They might even ask for permission to complete questionnaires about their experiences with you and compare them to your own.
Signs and symptoms
Adults suffering from ADHD might find that their symptoms affect daily life, especially at school and work. They might have trouble keeping a job, staying in relationships or getting by due to the inattention and impulsivity which makes it difficult to follow directions and remember things, manage tasks or complete projects. The symptoms could be mild, moderate or severe.
To determine ADHD, providers use standardized tools, such as checklists or questionnaires, as well as questions for interviews. They also analyze medical and family histories and 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.
Inattention symptoms include difficulty paying attention to small details, waking up and appearing easily distracted. Inattentiveness is also manifested by a lack of focus and difficulty completing tasks, as well being prone to getting 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 tend to forget things quickly and frequently struggle to organize their home, work or routine activities. They might lose phones, keys, papers or wallets frequently. They have trouble waiting for their turn at school, work or at play. They are easily frustrated or stressed and have frequent mood shifts.
In adulthood, it's more typical for those with ADHD to have co-existing conditions, such as conduct disorders, oppositional defiant disorder depression or anxiety as well as tic disorders, Tourette syndrome and other substance abuse problems. The presence of co-occurring disorders can make it difficult to treat and can make it more difficult to determine ADHD.
Treatment
If you think you might have ADHD the first step to get an accurate diagnosis is to speak with your primary care physician. They will likely refer you to a psychiatrist or mental health professional. They will look over your symptoms and concerns at school, at work or at home to assess how much they interfere with your daily life. They might conduct a structured interview or ask family members or close friends to help. They will also review your medical history and family background and conduct a physical exam.
Your doctor will also consider how long you've experienced these symptoms, and the impact they have on your daily life. To be eligible for an diagnosis of ADHD the symptoms must be present for at least six months and can't be better explained by another disorder like anxiety or depression. In addition, they must interfere with daily activities, such as getting to class, finishing tasks on time, or keeping an occupation.
When you are evaluated, a mental health professional might also utilize standardized scales of behavior and ADHD symptoms checklists. They will also likely conduct a cognitive test to check your working memory, executive functioning and visual and spatial abilities. They will also check for other conditions that could cause similar symptoms, such as seizures or thyroid condition.
If your mental health provider finds that you have ADHD and they'll discuss the available medications and treatment options. It is often best to combine medication with talk therapy (counseling). Therapy helps you to manage your symptoms and improve communication with family members and co-workers. Therapy can also aid in resolving problems that may develop in relationships and marriages because of the issues ADHD can create.
Medication
The symptoms of ADHD in adults are generally much milder than they were in childhood, but they can still create problems at home and at work. The disorder can lead to difficulty in getting or keeping an employment, difficulties with relationships and social interactions academic failures, low self-esteem and emotional distress, temper tantrums and possibly antisocial behavior.
The medication can treat the disorder by increasing and balancing the levels of brain chemicals referred to as neurotransmitters. They regulate the flow information in the brain. The stimulants, which are typically prescribed for ADHD in adults, are the most common medications. Jornay, Xelstrym, Cotempla and Adhansia are just a few examples of stimulants. The non-stimulant atomoxetine, a non-stimulant antidepressants like bupropion are also used to treat ADHD in adults. These drugs work slower than stimulants, and could be a better choice for people who are not able to take stimulants due to health issues or serious side-effects.
Psychotherapy (also known as cognitive-behavioral treatment) can be effective in treating comorbid disorders associated with ADHD like depression and anxiety. Psychotherapy could be a better treatment than medications alone for these conditions, according to research. Psychotherapy focuses on teaching skills to manage the disorder and improve your performance at school, at work and in relationships. The aim is to boost the self-esteem of the person, decrease problematic behaviors and increase their functioning and overall performance. It is advised that all psychotherapy strategies for adult ADHD patients incorporate a cognitive-behavioral component. Researchers have found that ADHD patients who received both psychotherapy and medication showed greater improvement than those taking only pills.
Counseling
For adults who don't want to use medication Therapy and counseling could provide significant relief. Individual therapy can help with issues such as low self-esteem, feelings of being insecure and frequent job changes that commonly are a part of ADHD. It can also improve relationships and improve communication by helping patients and loved ones understand the disorder and learn strategies for coping.
Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses primarily on teaching patients how to change their negative thoughts 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 may also focus on developing organizational and time-management skills or teach coping strategies for dealing with impulse control, emotional regulation, and relationship problems that may arise from impulsive behavior. These strategies can help people live happier and more productive life, particularly in the workplace.
Counseling can also help people with ADHD in applying for accommodations for work that are available under the Americans with Disabilities Act, which can dramatically increase job satisfaction and performance. For professionals, this may mean changing the way their work is organized to give them more flexibility to meet deadlines and complete tasks in time.
Choosing adult adhd diagnoses is crucial to get the most value from treatment for adults with ADHD. When interviewing potential therapists, it is important to ask about their approach and whether they have prior experience in treating ADHD in adults. Checking the credentials of therapists and insurance coverage is an excellent idea. Some providers offer sliding scale rates or online therapy services to make therapy easier for those who cannot afford it.