Getting an ADHD Diagnosis in Adults
Many people seek out a diagnosis when they realize that ADHD causes them to have issues at work or in their relationships. NIMH suggests that those seeking diagnosis consult their primary care provider or a mental health professional.
They will ask for a detailed medical history and perform tests like symptom rating scales and psychological tests. They can also undergo a physical exam to rule out other medical ailments that might be misinterpreted as ADHD or thyroid issues, for example or seizures.
Getting a Diagnosis
Receiving a diagnosis of ADHD can be eye-opening and empowering, but it can also be a source of anxiety. Adults who have been struggling with ADHD symptoms for a long time may finally seek professional advice, either because of frustrations at work, in their relationships, or because family members or friends have told them that they might be suffering from ADHD. It is crucial to remember that a healthcare professional may take a long time to diagnose ADHD and the process requires more than simply completing standardized tests or conducting a series of clinical interviews.
The first step is to determine if your ADHD symptoms are in line with the requirements for the disorder: A number of them occur before age 12. They occur in a variety of 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 in order to make a diagnosis. This is because the symptoms of ADHD can also be caused by mood disorders like bipolar disorder, anxiety, and other physical conditions or illnesses. This could include clinical interviews as well as rating scales to assess symptoms, as well as psychological tests to evaluate your thinking abilities ability to solve problems, as well as memory.
It is crucial to be completely honest with your mental health professional. This could mean discussing how your mood was affected by your difficulties in various aspects of your life. In addition the mental health professional conducting your evaluation might ask to talk to your spouse or close family members to get a fuller understanding of the challenges you've faced. They might also ask permission to have your family members complete questionnaires that compare their experiences with yours.
Signs and symptoms
Adults with ADHD might find that their symptoms affect everyday life, particularly at school and work. They may have difficulty keeping jobs or maintaining relationships. They may also find it difficult to pay the bills because of their lack of attention and impulsivity. This makes it difficult to remember things, manage tasks or complete projects. The symptoms can be mild, moderate, or severe.
To diagnose ADHD, doctors use common tools like 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.
The signs of an inattentive personality include difficulty paying attention details, daydreaming and appearing easily distracted. Trouble following and finishing tasks, and a tendency to lose the track of time or become distracted are all signs of inattention.
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 trouble organizing their day-to-day activities at work or at home. They might lose their keys, phones or wallets a lot. They struggle to wait for their turn at school, work or play. They are easily frustrated or stressed, and experience frequent mood swings.
In adults, it's more common for people suffering from ADHD to have co-occurring disorders, such as conduct disorders, oppositional defiant disorder depression or anxiety as well as tic disorders, Tourette syndrome, as well as substance abuse problems. The presence of co-occurring disorders can complicate treatment and make it more difficult to diagnose ADHD.
Treatment
If you think you have ADHD, the first step towards getting an accurate diagnosis is to speak with your primary care provider. They'll likely recommend you to a mental health specialist. The professionals will look at your symptoms and problems at work, at school or at home to determine how they are interfering with your life. adhd diagnosis uk adults iampsychiatry.com might conduct a structured interview or ask family members or close family members to help. They will also review the medical and family background of your family, and conduct a physical exam.
Your doctor will also take a look at how long you've had these symptoms and the effect they have on your daily life. In order to be granted an diagnosis of ADHD, a person's symptoms must be present for at minimum six months, and they cannot be better explained by another disorder, such as depression or anxiety. In addition, they must affect everyday activities like getting to class, finishing tasks on time or maintaining an occupation.
During your examination the mental health professional may also utilize standardized scales for assessing behavior and ADHD symptom checklists. You will also be given a cognitive test that will check your executive and working memory functioning, as well as your visual and spatial capabilities. They may also test for other conditions that could cause similar symptoms such as a seizure disorder or thyroid problem.
If your mental health professional determines that you suffer from ADHD, they will discuss the available medications and treatment options. It is usually best to combine treatment with talk therapy (counseling). Therapy can help you manage your symptoms and improve communication with your family members and colleagues. It can also address problems that may be a problem in marriages and relationships because of the difficulties that ADHD can cause at work and home.
Medication
The symptoms of ADHD in adults are usually much milder than they were in childhood, however they can cause issues at work and home. The disorder can lead to difficulties in obtaining or keeping the job you want, issues with relationships and social interaction and self-esteem issues, academic failures, emotional anxiety, temper tantrums and an attitude that is antisocial.
Medication can help treat the disorder by balancing and increasing the levels of brain chemicals referred to as neurotransmitters, which regulate the flow information in the brain. Stimulants are the most commonly prescribed drugs 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 immediate-release orally disintegrating tablet). The non-stimulant atomoxetine as well as certain antidepressants, such as bupropion, also are used to treat ADHD in adults. These medications are slower to work than stimulants and could be better for people who are not able to take stimulants due to health problems or severe side effects.
Psychotherapy (also called cognitive-behavioral therapy) can be effective in treating disorders that are comorbid to ADHD, such as anxiety and depression. Psychotherapy is a more effective treatment than medications alone for these conditions as per research. Psychotherapy is primarily focused on teaching strategies to manage the disorder and improving functioning at work, in school and with relationships. The goal is to increase the self-esteem of the individual, reduce problematic behavior and improve their performance and success. It is advised that all psychotherapy strategies for adults ADHD sufferers include a cognitive element. Researchers have found that ADHD patients who received both psychotherapy and medication showed higher improvement than those who only took pills.
Counseling
For adults who do not wish to take medication, therapy and counseling may offer significant relief. Individual therapy can help with issues such as low self-esteem, and feelings of failure that are frequently associated with ADHD. It can also help improve relationships and communication by helping patients and their loved ones to understand the condition and develop coping techniques.
Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on teaching patients to overcome 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 can also teach coping strategies for impulse control emotional regulation, relationship and issues that may arise due to an impulsive behavior. These methods can help people live an enjoyable and productive life, especially in the workplace.
Counseling can also guide those with ADHD when applying for work accommodations that may be offered under the Americans with Disabilities Act, which can dramatically enhance job performance and satisfaction. For professionals, this could require modifying the way in which their work is organized to allow them more flexibility to meet deadlines and complete tasks on time.
It is essential to choose the right therapist for adult ADHD treatment. When interviewing potential therapists, it is important to ask about their treatment approach and if they have expertise in treating ADHD in adults. Examining the credentials of therapists and insurance coverage is an excellent idea. Some providers provide sliding scale fees or online therapy services to make therapy easier for those who can't pay for it.