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ADHD Diagnosis For Adults
Adults are often unable to get an ADHD diagnosis because doctors use different clinical guidelines than they do for children and teenagers. The diagnosis requires at minimum five signs from the categories of hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity.
Professionals who conduct an assessment will ask you questions about your education, childhood, work, and family history. They may also want to talk with your spouse or friends.
What is ADHD?
If you're constantly losing your keys, struggle with school or work or are having trouble staying engaged in conversations, getting an ADHD diagnosis as an adult can be a massive relief. You know you're normal and can manage it better, according to Mary V. Solanto Ph.D. is a professor of psychology at Hofstra-Northwell School of Medicine in Long Island, New York.
The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition Text Revision (DSM-5) offers the guidelines used by professionals to make an ADHD diagnosis. Adults need to meet a lower threshold of symptoms than children -- 5 out of 9 over the past 6 months -- to be diagnosed with either inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive ADHD, or a combination.
A face-to-face appointment with your healthcare professional is usually the first step in an ADHD assessment. They will discuss your symptoms and how they impact your life. It is helpful to bring reports cards or other evidence from your childhood, as it can aid in getting an understanding of your past experiences with ADHD. Your doctor may suggest that you talk to a friend, spouse, family member, or a coworker who knows you well. They may ask about your relationship, how they observe your behavior, and how it affects you. They may also ask how ADHD symptoms can be linked to other conditions, like depression or an anxiety disorder.
The interview is likely to include questions about your life like how often you don't remember to pay your bills or make appointments, and whether you struggle managing your time or organizational abilities. It is important to be honest with your answers and think about how these behaviors affect your daily life. If you're not sure about your symptoms, consider asking your healthcare professional to refer you to another doctor or psychologist for an evaluation. Self-tests and rating systems are available on the internet, however they're not as reliable as an interview conducted by a trained professional. Some of these tests may even lead to a wrong diagnosis, so always consult your healthcare provider before using them.
Signs and symptoms
If you suspect you have ADHD Begin talking to your primary care provider. They may refer you to a mental healthcare professional for evaluation, like psychologist or psychiatrist. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision DSM-5 provides guidelines for clinicians to identify mental disorders. It is crucial to provide your provider as much information as you can about your symptoms so they can make an accurate diagnosis.
The person evaluating you will ask about your symptoms and how they impact your life. They will also interview your spouse, children teachers, colleagues, and others who know you well. Your assessment may include testing for learning disabilities, behavioral disorders, or neuropsychological disorders. These tests can provide your provider with additional information regarding your ADHD symptoms and can help rule out other conditions that cause similar symptoms.
In addition to evaluating your current symptoms, the professional will determine whether you have predominantly inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive or combined type ADHD. To receive a diagnosis, you must show that you have at least six of the nine symptoms for either the inattentive or hyperactive-impulsive presentation.
The signs of someone who is primarily inattentive include difficulty paying attention not paying attention to details, or making careless errors. The person evaluating the child will also be able to determine the impact these symptoms have on the school, work and personal life. The impulsive/hyperactive/impulsive symptoms of ADHD include fidgeting, difficulty sitting still or squirming in the chair, excessive talking and interrupting others, frequent blurting out answers before questions are finished and difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly.
These symptoms often appear in the early years of childhood. However, they can be present in later life. Some adults recognize their own ADHD symptoms after their children are diagnosed or because of life changes such as an employment change, a marriage or a move into their own home. In other cases the disorder is not diagnosed until an adult is confronted with significant difficulties at work or in their relationships. This could mean being dismissed from a job and having financial problems, or being in trouble with the law.
Diagnosis
If you suspect you may have ADHD A test is the first step in finding treatment. A qualified mental health professional will meet with you and discuss your symptoms, medical history, and family history. The interview might also include questions regarding work and school performance as well as how the symptoms affect your daily life at home and in your relationships. You may want to bring along copies of your reports, teacher's comments as well as any other documentation pertinent.
The psychiatric practitioner will employ the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) to help determine the diagnosis. To qualify for a diagnosis of ADHD symptoms, they have to be present for at least six months and interfere with development or functioning in more than one setting like school or at home. Additionally, the symptoms must not be better explained by a mental disorder that is not related to ADHD, such as an anxiety disorder or mood disorder.
Many people with ADHD suffer from problems that last into adulthood. These symptoms can impact work and school, lead to poor health in the financial or personal aspects and can cause stress in relationships. Being diagnosed and treated can improve the quality of your life.
Certain symptoms of ADHD change with age, for instance the symptoms of inattention may be more apparent as you get older and impulsivity and hyperactivity may decrease as you get older. Some other factors can contribute to the difficulties such as obstructive sleep apnea occurs more often in adults with ADHD and sleep disorders are known to exacerbate ADHD symptoms.
Many people who suffer from ADHD have co-occurring disorders such as anxiety disorders bipolar disorder, and learning disabilities. Sometimes, treating the root condition can help eliminate the symptoms of ADHD. If you have other issues, it is essential to tell your mental health professional as this could affect the effectiveness of your treatment.
It is crucial to speak to your primary physician who can refer you to a health professional trained in ADHD assessments for adults. Ask if there are support groups for adults with ADHD in your locality. They can provide you with resources and a list of specialties of specialists. You can also reach out to the insurance company you have to determine which health healthcare providers are covered under your plan.
Treatment
A thorough evaluation by a health professional is the best way to determine the severity of adult ADHD. The examination should include questions regarding your childhood, current life and the screening for ADHD symptoms. You might be asked if your ADHD symptoms have caused problems at school, at work or in your relationships.
Counseling and medication are two of the many treatment options available for adults with ADHD. Counseling includes psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy) and cognitive behavioral therapy. These therapies help you learn how to manage your symptoms and how to transform negative thought patterns to positive ones. They can also help with other mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression that often co-occur with ADHD.
Psychostimulants, such as dextroamphetamine and the methylphenidate are frequently employed to treat adults with ADHD. These drugs affect the way certain brain chemicals communicate to regulate behavior. Your doctor will select a medication that is appropriate for your body and the symptoms and alters the dose and frequency as required. Nonstimulants are also available, that do not affect the same brain pathways like psychostimulants, and they can be beneficial for people with ADHD. Nonstimulant drugs include atomoxetine guanfacine, and Guanfacine.
Coaching or mentoring may be used to teach people with ADHD strategies and coping strategies. explanation may learn to use a diary or a planner, or be shown techniques for managing your time. You could also benefit from changing your living situation to accommodate your ADHD symptoms, like working at home instead of in a workplace or using apps on your smartphone to monitor your tasks or scheduling appointments for times that are less crowded. You might also want to inquire about joining clinical studies which is a research-based project that aims to explore new methods to treat illnesses and conditions. (NIMH has information about clinical trials.)
Sometimes your family physician may refer you to a mental health specialist or another health care professional for an evaluation of your ADHD. You can ask a friend or family member for recommendations, or contact an local ADHD support group.