ADHD Diagnosis in Adults
The diagnosis of ADHD must be made by a licensed mental health professional or a physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family physician). Symptoms are assessed using standardized behavior rating scales based on research comparing behaviors of people with and without ADHD.
A medical examination is also recommended as certain medical conditions, such as seizures or thyroid issues could mimic ADHD symptoms.
Symptoms
Most people who seek an assessment for ADHD say the symptoms are affecting their lives. They might have trouble keeping an occupation, maintaining healthy relationships or keeping up with household chores. In addition, they might suffer from anxiety and mood disorders or have problems with substance use. To determine if you are suffering from a disorder first, you should schedule an appointment with a health care provider. Your doctor can refer you to an adult ADHD specialist who is able to conduct the test. You can also ask the local hospital that is affiliated with a university or medical school for recommendations, and some insurance plans list professionals by specialty.
In the course of an evaluation, a mental health professional will go over your medical and personal history and then examine you to determine if you fit any of the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. They are listed by the American Psychiatric Association in its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition. The doctor will be looking for signs of hyperactivity or impulsivity as well as inattention. Inattention symptoms include difficulty paying attention to what others are doing or saying and not following instructions and overlooking the details. Those with ADHD are usually in a state of forgetfulness and are unable to finish tasks, particularly when they aren't interested in them.
People who are hyperactive and impulsive might run and climb into places they shouldn't. They might disrupt games, conversations, or take other people's sports equipment or toys for homework assignments. They are unable to wait for their turn or play with a calm and controlled manner. They will often answer questions before the person asking completed their thinking, or can't wait to speak in a social setting, at school, or at work. They may have a difficult time waiting for assistance or even using money, and often skip appointments.
A thorough mental health evaluation is important before diagnosing ADHD, because many conditions may mimic the symptoms of the disorder, such as mood disorders, anxiety disorders, certain medications and head injuries. A psychiatric evaluation typically includes a structured interview that delves into your emotional, social and academic life. It could also include interviews with family members and friends. Your mental health provider might conduct psychological tests to determine your visual spatial and visual memory abilities, executive functioning and working memory.
Diagnosis
When adults get an ADHD diagnosis, it's typically life-changing. It can give a solid explanation for the frustrations they face every day: work problems or having trouble forming relationships, relationship conflicts or a lack of financial stability. It may also help them understand the reasons for being labelled as lazy or irresponsible in their childhood.
Finding out if someone has ADHD in adults is trickier than diagnosing ADHD in children since the symptoms vary over time. To determine the cause of the disorder, doctors use the guidelines provided by the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5). This evaluation may include the symptom list as well as behavior rating scales, and interviews with teachers, family members, parents, or spouses.
In addition to a thorough interview, some physicians ask patients to complete questionnaires or psychological tests to measure working memory, executive functions (such as decision-making, planning and spatial and vision skills), and reasoning (thinking). Certain doctors may also recommend get more info an examination for blood, a physical exam, or a brain scan, depending on the person.
It is crucial that a physician considers possible co-occurring disorders which could be a cause of ADHD. These include mood disorders, learning difficulties, substance abuse or head injuries (Austerman 2015). During an evaluation the doctor may also interview the patient's relatives and friends to get additional information regarding the condition.
Many people with ADHD forget important events from their childhood, particularly when they're experiencing emotional distress. This is why it's common for physicians to ask a patient's parents or other family members to fill out a retrospective ADHD profile of the child's behaviors and school performance.
Some patients are hesitant to seek a diagnosis because they don't believe their issues are that serious. However, for those living with undiagnosed ADHD the repercussions of a delayed or missed diagnosis can be devastating.
Treatment
For adults with ADHD being diagnosed is the first step in finding a treatment. Most people with ADHD start by talking to their primary healthcare provider who will refer them to a mental health specialist.
A psychiatric assessment typically includes a description of symptoms, interviews with the patient and other sources outside of the patient, like spouses and friends as well as the complete of ADHD symptoms checklists, standardized scales for behavioral and psychometric tests such as tests for learning disabilities and intelligence. It's also important to rule out other medical conditions that could be similar to ADHD symptoms, including seizures and thyroid disorders.
Often, the most difficult part of a diagnosis of adhd for adults is adjusting to the stigma that is associated with the condition. Untreated ADHD can cause an adult to feel as if they're failing in areas such as relationships and work. Being diagnosed can help them understand what's going on and realize that it's not their fault said research psychologist Karla Pretorius, M. Psychologists who specialize in ADHD in adults.
It's also helpful to talk about your symptoms with co-workers and teachers as well as supervisors. They will be able to better understand your challenges by educating them about ADHD. They might offer small accommodations, such as giving you more time to complete assignments or giving you a quiet space to study. In a lot of cases, you'll see that instructors and colleagues are more knowledgeable than you have imagined.
If you're interested in trying medication for your ADHD Talk to your primary care provider about the possibility of taking part in a clinical trial. These trials are designed to test the latest ways of preventing, diagnosing and treating illnesses and conditions. You can get access to the most recent treatments and therapies before they are widely available.
The use of medications for ADHD can improve your ability to focus, follow directions and control impulsive behaviors. But, it's important to take medications in conjunction with psychotherapy. Psychotherapy can teach you strategies for coping, assist you to develop healthy habits and to manage your feelings of sadness and guilt over past failures. It will help you to understand how your ADHD impacts the dynamics of your family and relationships.
Counseling
Being diagnosed with ADHD can be a life-changing event for many adults. Many people have been struggling with disorganized, impulsive or inattentive behaviors for years before they realized why. A diagnosis allows them to see that their issues aren't a result of being unlucky or unsuccessful.
Interviewing a mental health professional is the first step in receiving an diagnosis. During the interview the patient will be asked about their symptoms and how they impact their lives, both personally and professionally. The clinician will also want to know the person's past particularly from childhood. This can include asking about any past diagnoses or other mental health issues. It may be beneficial to have a close family member or friend with you for the interview. They can help you remember details.
During the evaluation a person may also be asked to take psychological tests that measure working memory executive function, spatial and visual capabilities, as well as reasoning abilities. Answering questions honestly and fully is essential to obtaining an accurate image of a candidate's capabilities. During the interview, it is important that the candidate does not hold back information because of shame or embarrassment.
To be diagnosed with ADHD, an adult must show symptoms that are causing significant impairment in at least two different settings. ADHD symptoms can cause someone to struggle at school or work, and even have relationship issues.
Counseling can help those who have been diagnosed with ADHD learn to deal with their symptoms and develop strategies to be successful at school, work and in relationships. Individual therapy, cognitive behavior therapy and learning to manage impulsive or inattentional behaviors are all a aspects of this. It is also recommended that individuals who have been diagnosed as having ADHD get married and family counseling to resolve the issues that may arise as a result of their symptoms.
Other types of counseling that could be beneficial for people suffering from ADHD include OT (occupational therapy) and yoga techniques, which combine the physical benefits of exercise with the psychological benefits of meditation. OT can help those with ADHD establish routines and structure while yoga teaches breathing techniques and relaxation techniques to help promote mental peace.