Getting an ADHD Diagnosis in Adults
Many people seek out a diagnosis after realizing they are struggling in their relationships or at work due to ADHD. NIMH recommends that those who are seeking a diagnosis speak with their primary healthcare provider or a mental health professional.
They will request an extensive medical history and perform tests like symptom rating scales and psychological tests. They may also get a physical exam to rule out medical conditions that could look like ADHD like seizures or thyroid problems.
Making a diagnosis
Receiving a diagnosis of ADHD can be eye-opening and liberating, but it can also be a source of anxiety. Adults who have been struggling with the symptoms of ADHD for decades might finally decide to seek out a medical opinion, prompted by frustrations at workplace or in their relationships, or because they've been told by friends or family that they might have ADHD. It is important to remember that a healthcare professional may take a long time to determine ADHD and the process involves much more than completing standard tests or conducting interviews with a clinical psychologist.
The first step is to determine whether your ADHD symptoms meet criteria for the disorder: Several of them begin before age 12. They are seen in multiple settings, for instance, at home, school, and work. They affect daily life.
Your doctor may have to conduct additional tests to establish an accurate diagnosis. This is because symptoms of ADHD are also caused by mood disorders like anxiety, bipolar disorder, and other physical conditions or illnesses. This might include clinical interviews, rating scales for symptoms, and psychological tests to assess your thinking abilities ability to solve problems, as well as memory.
It's important to be completely honest with your health professional. And this might involve discussing how the issues that you're facing in various aspects of your life have affected your mood. Additionally, the mental health professional conducting your assessment may ask you to talk to your spouse or close friends and family members to get a more complete picture of the struggles you've faced. They may even ask permission to have your family members complete questionnaires that compare their experiences to yours.
Symptoms
Adults with ADHD frequently notice that their issues interfere with daily life activities, particularly at work and school. They might have trouble finding work, staying in relationships, or even making ends meet because of the inattention and impulsivity which make it difficult to follow directions and remember things, manage tasks or complete projects. The symptoms may be mild or moderate. They can also be severe.
To determine ADHD, providers use standardized tools called checklists as well as questionnaires and interview questions. They also take into account 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 things, focusing on details, and being easily distracted. Inattention is also characterized by difficulty following and completing tasks, as well being prone to getting 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 also tend to forget things quickly and often struggle to organize their home, work or daily activities. They might lose their keys, phones or wallets frequently. They may have trouble waiting for their turn at school, at work or in play. They have a low tolerance to stress or frustration and are subject to frequent and intense mood fluctuations.
Adults who suffer from ADHD are more likely to suffer from co-occurring conditions such as conduct or oppositional defiant disorders anxiety, depression, tic disorders, Tourette syndrome and issues with substance abuse. Co-occurring disorders can make treatment more difficult, and make it harder to identify ADHD.
Treatment
If you think you might have ADHD, the first step to get a diagnosis is to talk with your primary care physician. He or she may refer you to a specialist in mental health. They will assess your symptoms and problems in the workplace, at school or at home to determine how much they affect your life. They will use an organized interview and may ask for the help of family members or other friends who know you well. They will also review your medical history and family history and conduct a physical examination.
Your doctor will also look at the length of time you've been experiencing these symptoms and the effect they have on your daily life. In order to be granted a 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. They also have to interfere with daily tasks such as attending school, completing assignments on time, or maintaining a career.
During your examination Your mental health specialist may utilize standardized scales for assessing behavior and ADHD symptoms checklists. They will likely also conduct an assessment of your cognitive abilities to test your executive functioning and spatial and visual abilities. They may also test for other conditions which can cause similar symptoms like a seizure disorder or thyroid issue.
If your psychiatrist decides you have ADHD the doctor will inform you of the medications available and will discuss possible treatment options. It is often best to combine therapy with medication (counseling). Therapy can assist you in managing your symptoms and improve communication between your family members and colleagues. adhd diagnosis in adults helps to address issues that can be a problem in marriages and relationships because of the difficulties that ADHD can cause at home and work.
Medication
ADHD symptoms in adults tend to be milder than in childhood. However they can cause issues at work and at home. The disorder can result in problems in obtaining or maintaining the job you want, issues with relationships and social interaction, academic failures, low self-esteem emotional distress, temper tantrums, and antisocial behavior.
Medication can help treat the disorder by balancing and increasing the levels of brain chemicals referred to as neurotransmitters, which regulate the flow of information in the brain. 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 immediate-release orally disintegrating tablet). Adults are also treated with the non-stimulant atomoxetine and certain antidepressants such as bupropion. These medications work slower than stimulants, and could be a better choice for people who cannot take stimulant medication due to health issues or severe side effects.
Psychotherapy, also referred to as cognitive-behavioral therapy, can be beneficial in treating comorbid disorders such as depression and anxiety that are connected to ADHD. Research suggests that psychotherapy can be a more effective treatment for these conditions than just using medications on their own. Psychotherapy focuses on teaching skills to manage the disorder and improve functioning at school, work and in relationships. The aim is to boost the self-esteem of the person, decrease problematic behaviors and increase their functioning and performance. It is recommended that all psychotherapy approaches for adults ADHD patients include a cognitive-behavioral component. In one study, researchers discovered that ADHD patients who received both psychotherapy and medication experienced an improvement in their condition more than those who simply took the medication.
Counseling
Adults who do not want to take medication can get relief from therapy and counseling. Individual talk therapy can address issues like low self-esteem and feelings being insecure that are commonly associated with ADHD. It can also help improve relationships and communication by assisting patients and their loved ones to understand the disorder and learn ways to cope.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is primarily focused on teaching patients to change their negative thinking and control 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 help people develop strategies for controlling impulses as well as emotional regulation and relationship issues that may arise as a result of the impulsive behavior. These methods can help you live an easier life, particularly at work.
Counseling can assist people with ADHD seek accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act. This can improve their work performance and satisfaction. For professionals, this may be a matter of changing the way their work is structured to allow them more flexibility to meet deadlines and finish tasks on time.
Finding the right therapist crucial to get the most value from treatment for adults with ADHD. The therapist's approach and if they have treated ADHD in adults is essential when interviewing potential therapists. Examining the credentials of therapists as well as insurance coverage is also a smart idea. Some providers provide sliding scale fees or online therapy services to make treatment easier for those who are unable to pay for it.