ADHD Diagnosis For Adults
Adults are often unable to get an ADHD diagnosis because doctors use different guidelines for clinical diagnosis than they do for teenagers and children. The diagnosis requires at least five symptoms that fall within the categories of hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity.
The professionals conducting the evaluation will ask you questions about your childhood, work and academic life, drug and alcohol usage, and your family history. They may also want to talk to your spouse or family members.
What is ADHD?
It can be a relief to get an ADHD diagnosis in adulthood and if you're constantly losing your keys, have difficulty with work or school or are struggling to stay focused during conversations. You're not crazy and can deal with it better, says Mary V. Solanto Ph.D. is a professor of psychology at Hofstra-Northwell School of Medicine in Long Island, New York.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision of the American Psychiatric Association (DSM-5) is a guideline for doctors to diagnose ADHD. 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 meeting with your healthcare professional is typically the first step in an ADHD evaluation. They will discuss your symptoms and how they affect your life. It is beneficial to bring your report cards or other evidence from your childhood, as it can aid the doctor in gaining an understanding of your history with ADHD. Your doctor may suggest that you speak with a close partner, spouse, family member, or a coworker who knows you well. They may ask questions about your relationship as well as their observations of your behavior and how it affects them as well as how your ADHD symptoms interact with other conditions such as anxiety or depression.
The interview may be a discussion of your daily routine such as how often you don't remember to pay bills or attend appointments, and whether you struggle managing your time or organization abilities. It's important to be honest in your answers and consider how these habits affect your daily life. Ask your healthcare professional for a referral to another doctor or therapist if you aren't sure about your symptoms. You can find self-tests and rating scales online, but they're not as reliable and valid as an interview with a qualified provider. Certain tests could even lead to a false diagnosis, so you should always consult your physician before using them.
Symptoms
Speak to your primary healthcare provider if you think you might have ADHD. He or she may refer you to a mental health specialist for an evaluation, like psychologist or psychiatrist. The American Psychiatric Association provides clinical guidelines for diagnosing disorders in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision (DSM-5). It is crucial to provide your provider as much information as possible about your symptoms, so that they can make an accurate diagnosis.
The person conducting the assessment will review your medical, psychological and psychiatric history, including past problems, and ask about how the symptoms affect your life. They might also talk to your children and spouse and coworkers, teachers and others who know you. Your evaluation may include neuropsychological, behavioral or testing for learning disabilities. These tests can provide your provider with additional information regarding your ADHD symptoms and help to rule out other conditions causing 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 an inattention type include difficulty paying attention, not noticing details or making mistakes. The person who is evaluating the child will also determine the impact these symptoms have on school, work and even 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.
Typically, these symptoms show up in the early years of childhood. They may also manifest in adulthood. Adults may recognize their own ADHD symptoms after their children are diagnosed, or after an event in their lives such as getting married, a job or moving into a new home. In some cases the condition isn't diagnosed until an adult has significant problems at work or with their relationships. This could mean being dismissed from work and having financial problems, or getting into trouble with the law.
Diagnosis
A screening is the first step you should do when you suspect that you may are suffering from ADHD. A licensed mental health professional will talk to you and examine your symptoms, medical history, and family history. Interview questions could be asked about your work and school performance, and how the symptoms affect you at home as well as with your relationships. You may wish to bring copies of your report cards, teacher comments as well as any other documentation relevant.
The psychiatric practitioner will employ the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) to assist determine the diagnosis. For the diagnosis of ADHD symptoms, they must be present for at least six months, and they must interfere with development or functioning in more than one environment like school or at home. In adhd undiagnosed in adults , the symptoms cannot be explained better by another mental disorder, such as an anxiety disorder or mood disorder.
Many people suffering from ADHD are still struggling throughout their adulthood. The symptoms can affect education and work, lead to poor health in the financial or personal aspects, and cause strain in relationships. Diagnosed and treated, you can enjoy your quality of life.
adult adhd diagnoses of ADHD alter with age, for example the symptoms of inattention may be more apparent as you age, and hyperactivity and impulsivity may lessen as you get older. Other factors can cause problems. For instance sleep apnea, also known as obstructive, is more common in adults suffering from ADHD. Poor sleep habits can also cause ADHD symptoms.
Many people who suffer from ADHD suffer from co-occurring illnesses like anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, and learning disabilities. Sometimes, treating the underlying disorder can eliminate ADHD symptoms. It is essential to inform your mental health professional that you have any other medical conditions. This could influence the effectiveness of treatment.
It is important to talk with your primary care doctor, who will refer you to a medical professional trained in ADHD assessments for adults. It is also an excellent idea to inquire if there are any support groups specifically for adults with ADHD in your region. They can provide you with resources and a list of specialties of specialists. You can also contact the insurance company you are with to determine which health healthcare providers are covered under the plan you have.
Treatment
The most effective method to determine if you have ADHD is to have a thorough assessment by a medical professional. The evaluation should include questions regarding your childhood, as well as questions about your present life and screening for ADHD symptoms. You could also be asked about any problems that your ADHD symptoms are causing at school, at work or in your relationships.
There are a variety of treatments available for adults suffering from ADHD which include counseling and medication. Counseling is a combination of psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy) and cognitive behavioral therapy. These kinds of therapies assist you in learning how to manage your symptoms and change negative patterns of thinking to positive ones. They can also aid with other mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression which are often associated with ADHD.
Psychostimulants, such as dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate are often used in the treatment of adults suffering from ADHD. These medications affect how certain brain chemicals communicate to regulate behavior. Your doctor will select a medication that is right for you and your symptoms and alter the dosage and frequency to suit your needs. Nonstimulants are also used to treat adults suffering from ADHD. They are not able to interfere with the same brain pathways in the same way that psychostimulants do. Examples of nonstimulant medicines are atomoxetine and guanfacine.
Coaching or mentoring may be used to teach adults with ADHD strategies and coping strategies. For instance, you could learn how to keep a planner in place or a journal, or you might be given strategies for improving your time management. You could also benefit from altering your living situation to accommodate your ADHD symptoms, like working from home instead of in a workplace and using apps on your phone to monitor your tasks or scheduling appointments at times that are less crowded. You may also want to ask about participating in clinical trials, which is a research trial designed to test new ways of treating illnesses and conditions. (NIMH offers information about clinical trials.
You could be referred a mental specialist or another health care professional by your family doctor for a diagnosis of your ADHD. You can ask a family member or family member for recommendations or call the local ADHD support group.