14 Misconceptions Common To ADHD Diagnosis In Adults

Getting an ADHD Diagnosis in Adults
Many people seek out a diagnosis after realizing they have trouble in their relationships or at work because of ADHD. NIMH recommends that those seeking a diagnosis talk with their primary care provider or a mental health professional.
They will ask for a detailed medical history and take tests such as symptom-rating scales and psychological tests. They may be subjected to a physical examination to rule out other medical conditions that may be misinterpreted as ADHD or thyroid issues, for example or seizures.
Getting a Diagnosis
It can be empowering and enlightening to receive a diagnosis of ADHD 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 out a medical opinion, prompted by frustrations at work or in their relationships or after being informed by family members or friends that they may have ADHD. It is important to remember that a healthcare professional may take several months to determine ADHD and the process is more than simply completing standardized tests or conducting clinical interviews.
The first step is to determine whether your ADHD symptoms meet requirements for the disorder: A number of them begin before age 12. They can be found in a variety of settings, for example, home, school, and work. They can also affect daily functioning.
Your doctor may have to perform additional evaluations to establish an accurate diagnosis. This is because symptoms of ADHD are also caused by mood disorders such as anxiety, bipolar disorder, and other physical or mental illnesses. This could include clinical interviews, rating-scales for symptoms, or psychological testing to assess thinking capabilities as well as problem solving abilities and memory.
It's important to be completely honest with your mental health professional, and this could mean talking about how the struggles that you're facing in various aspects of your life have affected your mood. The mental health professional who is evaluating you may also want to speak with your spouse, close family members and friends to get a better understanding of your struggles. They might also request that your family members fill out questionnaires comparing their experiences to yours.
Signs and symptoms
Adults with ADHD might find that their symptoms impact daily life, especially at school and at work. They might have difficulties finding work, staying in relationships or making ends meet because of the lack of attention and impulsivity that make it difficult to follow instructions or remember details, plan tasks or complete projects. The symptoms can be mild, moderate, or severe.
To diagnose ADHD, adhd diagnosis adult use common tools like checklists, interview questions and questionnaires. They also analyze 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 difficulty paying attention to details, daydreaming and seeming easily distracted. Inattention is also associated with difficulty in following and finishing tasks, as well 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 often have difficulty organizing their work, home or daily activities. They may lose their keys, phones or wallets a lot. They struggle to wait for their turn at school, at work or play. They are easily frustrated or stressed and suffer from frequent mood shifts.
Adults who suffer from ADHD are more likely to have co-existing conditions like oppositional defiant or conduct disorders anxiety, depression, tic disorders, Tourette syndrome, and substance abuse issues. The presence of co-occurring disorders can make it difficult to treat and may make it harder to diagnose ADHD.
Treatment
If you think you might have ADHD, the first step in getting an accurate diagnosis is to speak with your primary care provider. They can refer you to a specialist in mental health. They will look over your symptoms and issues at work, school or at home to determine how they affect your daily life. They may use a structured interview or ask family members or close friends to help. They will also go over the medical and family history of your family, and perform a physical examination.
Your doctor will also consider how long you've had these symptoms and what effect they have on your life now. To be diagnosed with ADHD symptoms must be present for at least 6 months and cannot be explained by other disorders like anxiety or depression. They must also interfere with daily tasks such as attending school, completing assignments on time, or sustaining an occupation.
In your assessment, a mental health professional might also employ standardized scales for behavior and ADHD symptoms checklists. They will likely also perform an assessment of your cognitive abilities to test your executive functioning, as well as your visual and spatial abilities. They will also check for other conditions that can cause similar symptoms like a seizure disorder or thyroid problem.
If your psychiatrist determines that you have ADHD, he or she will inform you of the medications available and will discuss possible treatment options. It is generally recommended to combine therapy with medication (counseling). Therapy helps you learn to manage your symptoms and improve communication with family members and other coworkers. It can also help with issues that can be a problem in relationships and marriages due to the difficulties ADHD can create.
Medication
ADHD symptoms in adults are typically milder than in childhood. However, they can still cause issues both at work and at home. The disorder can cause difficulties in obtaining or keeping an excellent job, issues with relationships and social interaction and academic failures, low self-esteem, emotional stress, temper tantrums and disruptive behavior.
Medication can help treat the disorder by increasing and balancing the levels of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. They regulate the flow of information in the brain. Stimulants, commonly prescribed for ADHD in adults are the most commonly 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). The nonstimulant atomoxetine and certain antidepressants, such as bupropion, also are used to treat ADHD in adults. These medications work slower than stimulants, and may be beneficial for those who are not able to take stimulants due to health problems or severe side effects.
Psychotherapy (also known as cognitive-behavioral treatment) could be beneficial in treating disorders that are comorbid with ADHD like depression and anxiety. Research suggests that psychotherapy can be the most effective treatment for these disorders than just using medications alone. Psychotherapy focuses on teaching the skills to manage the disorder and improve functioning at school, at work and in relationships. The goal is to increase the self-esteem of the individual, reduce problematic behavior and increase performance and success. It is recommended that every psychotherapy program for adult ADHD sufferers include 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 only took the medication.
Counseling
For adults who aren't able to take medication Therapy and counseling could offer significant relief. Individual talk therapy can address issues such as low self-esteem, feelings of being insecure and frequent job changes that typically are a part of ADHD. It can also help improve relationships and communication by assisting the patients and their families to understand the condition and develop coping techniques.
Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses primarily on teaching patients 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 can also teach coping strategies to control impulses emotional regulation, relationship and issues that may result from the impulsive behavior. These strategies can assist people to live an enjoyable and productive life, especially in the workplace.
Counseling can help those with ADHD to apply for accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act. This can improve their job performance and overall satisfaction. This can include changing the structure of their work to give them to be more flexible in meeting deadlines and completing tasks in time.
Choosing the right therapist is essential to get the most value from treatment for adults with ADHD. When interviewing potential therapists it is important to ask about their methods and if they have experience treating ADHD in adults. It is also a good idea to check therapist credentials and insurance coverage. Some providers offer a sliding scale fee or offer online therapy services, making treatment accessible for those who can't afford to pay out from their pockets.