Getting an ADHD Diagnosis in Adults
Many people seek a diagnosis when they realize that ADHD causes them to have problems at work or in their relationships. NIMH recommends that those seeking a diagnosis speak with their primary healthcare provider or mental health professional.
They will request a detailed medical history and take tests such as symptom-rating scales and psychological tests. They might also undergo an examination to rule out medical conditions that may be a sign of ADHD or thyroid problems or seizures.
Finding a Diagnostic
Being diagnosed with ADHD can be eye-opening and liberating, however it can also be stressful. Adults who have struggled with the symptoms of ADHD for decades might finally decide to seek a professional opinion, due to frustrations at work or in relationships or after being told by friends or family that they may have ADHD. It is crucial to keep in mind that a doctor can take several months to diagnose ADHD, and that the process is more than completing standard tests or conducting a series of clinical interviews.
The first step is to determine if your ADHD symptoms meet criteria for the disorder: A number of them are present before the age of 12 years old. They are seen in a variety of settings, for example, home, school and at work. They also interfere with everyday functioning.
Your healthcare professional may need to conduct additional tests in order to make a diagnosis. This is because the symptoms of ADHD can also be caused by mood disorders like anxiety, bipolar disorder, and other physical or mental illnesses. This may include clinical interviews and rating-scales for symptoms or psychological testing to assess thinking capabilities, problem solving skills, and memory.
It is essential to be honest with your mental health professional, and that might mean discussing how the issues you're experiencing in various areas of your life have impacted your mood. Additionally the mental health professional doing your evaluation might ask to talk to your spouse or close family and friends members to gain a complete picture of the struggles you've faced. They might even ask for permission to have them fill out questionnaires about their experiences with you and then compare them to your personal.
Signs and symptoms
Adults with ADHD frequently notice that their issues interfere with daily activities, particularly at work and school. They might have difficulties finding work, staying in relationships, or even being able to make ends meet due to the inattention and impulsivity that make it difficult to follow directions, remember things, organize tasks or complete projects. The symptoms could be mild or moderate. They can also be severe.
To diagnose adhd diagnosis uk adults employ the standard tools, such as checklists, interview questions, and questionnaires. They also check the medical and family history of the patient and take into account 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.
Symptoms of the inattentive type include trouble paying attention to details, daydreaming and seeming to be easily distracted. Inattention is also manifested by a lack of focus and difficulty finishing tasks, as well being prone to getting lost in the flow or lose 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 easily and have trouble organizing their day-to-day activities at work or at home. They may lose their phones, keys or wallets a lot. They are often unable to wait for their turn at school, work or play. They can be easily annoyed or stressed, and experience frequent mood swings.
In adults, it's more common for those with ADHD to have co-existing conditions, such as conduct disorders or oppositional defiant, anxiety or depression, tic disorders or Tourette syndrome and other substance abuse issues. Co-occurring disorders can cause problems in treatment and may make it harder to identify ADHD.
Treatment
If you think you have ADHD the first step towards getting a diagnosis is to talk with your primary care provider. They'll likely recommend you to a mental health specialist. These professionals will review your symptoms and concerns at school, work or home to see how they impact your life. They will conduct an organized interview and may ask for the help of family members or other friends who know you well. They will also review the medical and family background of your family, and perform a physical examination.
Your doctor will also take into consideration how long you have had these symptoms, and what impact they have on your life. In order to be granted an diagnosis of ADHD symptoms, the person's symptoms must be present for at minimum six months, and they cannot be better explained by another disorder like anxiety or depression. adhd diagnosis for adults 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 may employ standardized scales for behavior and ADHD symptoms checklists. You will also be administered a cognitive test that will assess your executive and working memory functioning, as well as your visual and spatial capabilities. They will also check for other conditions that could cause similar symptoms, like a thyroid problem or seizure disorder.
If your mental health provider determines that you suffer from ADHD and you are diagnosed, they will explain what medications are available and will discuss possible treatment options. It is usually best to combine treatment with talk therapy (counseling). Therapy can help you manage your symptoms and improve communication with family members and other coworkers. It can also help with issues that can arise in marriages and relationships due to the problems ADHD can cause.
Medication
The signs of ADHD in adults are typically much milder than they were in childhood, however they can still create problems at home and at work. The disorder can cause problems in obtaining or maintaining the job you want, issues with relationships and social interaction as well as self-esteem issues, academic failures, emotional anxiety, temper tantrums and an attitude that is antisocial.
The medications can help treat the disorder by boosting and balancing the levels of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters, which control the flow of information in the brain. Stimulants are among the most frequently prescribed drugs for ADHD in adults. Jornay, Xelstrym, Cotempla and Adhansia are all examples of stimulants. The non-stimulant atomoxetine, a non-stimulant antidepressants, like bupropion, also are used to treat ADHD in adults. These drugs work slower than stimulants and could be beneficial for those who cannot take stimulant medication due to health issues or serious side-effects.
Psychotherapy (also known as cognitive-behavioral therapy) could be beneficial in treating disorders that are comorbid to ADHD, such as depression and anxiety. Studies suggest that psychotherapy is the most effective treatment for these disorders than relying on medications alone. Psychotherapy focuses primarily on teaching skills to manage the disorder as well as improving performance at school, at work and with relationships. The aim is to increase the self-esteem of the person and reduce problematic behavior, as well as increase their efficiency and success. It is recommended that every psychotherapy method for adults ADHD patients include a cognitive behavior component. In one study, researchers found that ADHD patients who received both therapy and medication showed an improvement in their condition more than those who just took the pills.
Counseling
For adults who don't want to use medication Therapy and counseling could be a great source of relief. Individual therapy can address issues like low self-esteem, and feelings of failure that are often associated with ADHD. It can also help improve relationships and improve communication by helping patients and loved ones understand the disorder and learn strategies for coping.
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 concentrate on developing organizational and time-management skills or teach coping strategies to deal with impulse control, emotional regulation and relationships issues that can arise from impulsive behavior. These techniques can help you live a more productive life especially at work.
Counseling can also help those with ADHD in applying for accommodations for work that are provided under the Americans with Disabilities Act, which can significantly improve job performance and satisfaction. For professionals, this could mean changing the way their work is organized so that they have more flexibility to meet deadlines and finish tasks in time.
It is crucial to select the right therapist for adult ADHD treatment. When interviewing potential therapists, it is important to ask about their approach and whether they have prior experience in treating ADHD in adults. Examining the credentials of therapists and insurance coverage is also a smart idea. Some therapists have a sliding scale fee or provide therapy online, making treatment accessible for those who can't afford to pay out from their pockets.