Getting an ADHD Diagnosis in Adults
Many people seek a diagnosis after realizing they are having issues at work or with relationships because of ADHD. NIMH recommends those seeking a diagnosis talk to their primary care physician or mental health professional.
They will conduct a detailed history and take tests like symptom-rating scales or psychological tests. They could also undergo physical examinations to rule out medical issues that may be a sign of ADHD, such as seizures or thyroid issues.
Diagnosis
Getting a diagnosis for ADHD can be revealing and liberating, however it can also be distressing. Adults who have been struggling with the symptoms of ADHD for a long time may decide to seek a professional opinion, due to frustrations at work or in their relationships, or because they've been told by friends or family that they may be suffering from ADHD. It is crucial to keep in mind that a healthcare professional may take a long time to determine ADHD, and that the process requires 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 match the requirements for the disorder: A number of them are present before the age of 12. They may occur in more than one setting such as school, home and at work. They interfere with daily functioning.
Your doctor may have to perform additional evaluations to establish an accurate diagnosis. This is because the symptoms of ADHD are also triggered by mood disorders like bipolar disorder, anxiety, and other physical conditions or illnesses. This might include clinical interviews as well as rating scales to assess symptoms, and psychological tests to evaluate your thinking abilities, problem-solving skills, and memory.
It is essential that you are completely honest with the mental health professional. This could mean you talk about the ways in which your mood has been affected by your issues in various aspects of your life. The mental health professional evaluating you might also request to talk to your spouse, family members, and friends to gain an understanding of your struggles. They might even request permission to have family members fill out questionnaires comparing their experiences to yours.
Signs and symptoms
Adults suffering from ADHD typically notice that their issues interfere with daily life activities, especially at work and school. They may have difficulty keeping their jobs or maintaining relationships. They may also struggle to pay the bills because of their lack of attention and impulsivity, making it difficult for them to remember things, manage tasks or complete tasks. The symptoms could be mild, moderate, or severe.
To determine ADHD doctors employ standard tools such as checklists, interview questions, and questionnaires. They also look at the family and medical histories of patients 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.
Inattentional symptoms include inattention issues with small details, daydreaming, or appearing easily distracted. Trouble following and finishing tasks and a tendency to lose the track of time or get side-tracked are also inattentive symptoms.
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 easily and have difficulty organizing their daily activities, work or home. They might lose their keys, phones or wallets often. They are often unable to wait for their turn at school, work or playing. They can be easily annoyed or stressed and suffer from frequent mood shifts.
In adults, it's more common for people suffering from ADHD to have co-occurring conditions, such as conduct disorders or oppositional defiant, anxiety or depression as well as tic disorders, Tourette syndrome and substance abuse issues. Co-occurring disorders can cause problems in treatment and can make it harder to determine ADHD.
Treatment
Talking to your primary care provider is the first step towards getting a diagnosis if you suspect you have ADHD. They will likely refer you to a mental health specialist. The professionals will examine your symptoms and problems at school, work or at home to determine how they affect your life. They might conduct an organized interview or ask family members or close friends to assist. They will also review the medical and family background of your family, and perform a physical examination.
Your doctor will also look at the length of time you've had these symptoms, and what effect they are having on your life. To be considered to have ADHD, symptoms must be present for at least 6 months and cannot be explained by other conditions like depression or anxiety. They should also hinder everyday tasks like getting to school, finishing assignments on time, or maintaining the job.
During your evaluation the mental health specialist may use standardized behavior rating scales and ADHD symptoms checklists. You will also receive an assessment of your cognitive abilities which will test your executive and working memory functioning and also your spatial and visual abilities. They will also test for other conditions that can cause similar symptoms, for example seizures or a thyroid disorder.
If your mental health provider determines that you suffer from ADHD the doctor will inform you of the medications available and discuss the treatment options. It is often best to combine medication with talk therapy (counseling). Therapy can assist you in managing your symptoms and improve communication between your family members and colleagues. It also helps to address issues that can be a problem in marriages and relationships due to the issues that ADHD can create at work and at home.
Medication
ADHD symptoms in adults tend to be less severe than those in childhood. However, they can still cause issues at work and at home. The disorder can result in difficulty in getting or keeping jobs, issues with social relationships and relationships, academic failures, poor self-esteem and emotional distress, temper tantrums and potentially antisocial behaviors.
The medication can aid in the condition by increasing and balancing neurotransmitters in the brain that regulate the flow of information through the brain. The stimulants are the most commonly prescribed medications for ADHD in adults. 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). The non-stimulant atomoxetine as well as certain antidepressants, such as bupropion are also used to treat ADHD in adults. These drugs work more slowly than stimulants and may be more suitable for people who can't take stimulant medication because of health problems or serious adverse reactions.
Psychotherapy, also known as cognitive-behavioral therapy, can be helpful in treating disorders that are comorbid, such as depression and anxiety that are connected to ADHD. look at this website suggests that psychotherapy is the most efficient treatment for these conditions than relying on medications in isolation. Psychotherapy focuses on teaching strategies to manage the disorder and improving the performance at school, work and with relationships. The aim is to increase the person's self esteem and reduce problematic behavior, as well as increase their functioning and overall performance. It is recommended that every psychotherapy program for adult ADHD patients contain a cognitive-behavioral component. In one study, researchers found that ADHD patients who received psychotherapy and medication reported an improvement in their condition more than those who simply took the pills.
Counseling
Adults who aren't ready to take medication can get relief from counseling and therapy. Individual talk therapy can address issues like low self-esteem, and feelings of failure that are frequently associated with ADHD. It can also improve relationships and improve communication by helping the patients and their families to comprehend the disorder and learn coping techniques.
Cognitive behavioral therapy concentrates on teaching patients the skills to control their behavior and alter 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 help people develop strategies to control impulses emotional regulation, relationship and issues that result from the 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 requesting accommodations for work that are available under the Americans with Disabilities Act, which can significantly increase job satisfaction and performance. For professionals, this could be a matter of changing the way their work is structured to allow them more flexibility to meet deadlines and complete tasks within the timeframes they need to.
Selecting the right therapist is crucial to get the most out of treatment for adult ADHD. When interviewing potential therapists, it is essential to inquire about their methods and if they have experience treating ADHD in adults. Checking the credentials of therapists and insurance coverage is also an excellent idea. Some providers offer sliding scale fees or online therapy services to make therapy easier for those who are unable to afford it.