ADHD Diagnosis For Adults
Many adults are unable to get an ADHD diagnosis, since doctors follow a different set of clinical guidelines for the disorder than they do for children and teens. The diagnosis requires at least five signs in the categories of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity.
Professionals who conduct an evaluation will ask questions about your education, childhood work, family, and history. They might also want to speak with your spouse or friend.
What is ADHD?
If you're constantly losing your keys, struggle with work or school or are having trouble staying engaged in conversations, getting an ADHD diagnosis as an adult can be a great relief. "You know that you're not insane, and that puts you in a better position to manage it," says pediatrician Mary V. Solanto, Ph.D. who is an associate professor of psychiatry and psychology at Hofstra-Northwell School of Medicine on 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 usually the first step in an ADHD evaluation. They will discuss your symptoms and how they impact your life. Bring any report cards from your childhood to help the provider to understand the history of your ADHD. Your doctor might ask you to speak with a close friend, spouse, family member, or a coworker who knows you well. They may inquire about your relationship, the way they view your behavior and how it affects you. They could also inquire how ADHD symptoms are interacted with other conditions, like depression or an anxiety disorder.
The interview may include questions about your lifestyle, such as how often you don't remember to pay your bills or go to appointments, and if you have trouble managing your time or organization skills. It is crucial to be honest with your answers and take note of the impact these behaviors have on your daily life. If you're uncertain about your symptoms, consider asking your healthcare provider to refer you to another psychologist or doctor to conduct 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. Certain tests could even lead to a false diagnosis, so it is recommended to always consult your healthcare provider prior to using them.
Symptoms
If you suspect you have ADHD begin by talking to your primary care provider. They can refer you to a mental health professional like psychiatrist or psychologist, to conduct an evaluation. The American Psychiatric Association provides clinical guidelines for diagnosing in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision (DSM-5). It's crucial to give your physician as much information as you can about your symptoms, so that they can make an accurate diagnosis.
The person conducting the assessment will review your medical, psychological, and psychiatric background, including past issues and ask you about how your symptoms impact your life. The person conducting the evaluation could also interview your spouse and children and teachers, coworkers and others who know you. Your evaluation could include testing for learning disabilities, behavior problems or neuropsychological disorders. These tests may provide your physician with additional details about your ADHD symptoms and help 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.
Symptoms of the predominantly inattentive type include difficulty paying attention, not noticing important details or making erroneous mistakes. The person who is conducting the assessment will also examine the impact these symptoms have on school, work and social 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.
Often, these symptoms appear in the early years of childhood. They can also occur in later life. Adults may recognize their own ADHD symptoms after their children are diagnosed, or due to changes in their lives, such as a new job, a marriage or a move into their own home. In some instances, the condition is not recognized until an adult is experiencing significant issues at work or in their relationships. This could include being dismissed from work, having financial problems or being in trouble with the law.
Diagnosis
If you suspect you may have ADHD, a screening is the first step to finding a treatment. A licensed mental health professional will talk to you and discuss your symptoms along with your medical history and family history. The interview could also include questions about work and school performance as well as how the symptoms affect your home life and in your relationships. You might wish to bring a copy of your report cards, teacher comments and any other documents that might be relevant.
The psychiatric professional uses the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5) to make the diagnosis. The symptoms of ADHD must be present for at least six months and they must affect development or functioning in multiple environments, such as school or at home. The symptoms of ADHD need to not be explained by other mental disorder, such as anxiety or mood disorders.
Many people with ADHD suffer from problems that last into adulthood. 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.
Some ADHD symptoms change with the passage of time. For example, inattentiveness can become more evident as you get older, and hyperactivity and impulse control may decrease as you age. Other factors may contribute to the difficulties like obstructive sleeping apnea occurs more often in adults with ADHD and sleep disorders are known to worsen ADHD symptoms.
People suffering from ADHD frequently have co-occurring disorders like anxiety, depression bipolar disorder, anxiety and learning disabilities. Sometimes, treating get adhd diagnosis can alleviate the symptoms of ADHD. If you have other illnesses, it is crucial to inform your mental health professional as this can affect the effectiveness of your treatment.
It is essential to talk to your primary doctor who can refer to a health professional trained in ADHD assessments for adults. It is also an excellent idea to inquire if there exist any support groups for adults with ADHD in your region. They can provide assistance and a list professionals by specialty. You can also contact the insurance company you have to determine which health healthcare providers are covered under your plan.
Treatment
The most effective approach to diagnose adult ADHD is to have a thorough assessment by a health professional. The assessment should include questions about your childhood, as well as questions about your present life and a check for ADHD symptoms. You may be asked about any problems that your ADHD symptoms cause at work, school or in your relationships.
There are a variety of treatments available for adults suffering from ADHD which include medication and counseling. Psychotherapy can be a part of counseling, also called talk therapy, and cognitive therapy for behavior. These types of therapies aid you in learning to manage your symptoms and change negative thinking patterns into positive ones. They can also aid with other mental health issues like depression and anxiety that often co-occur with ADHD.
Psychostimulants, such as dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate are often employed to treat adults suffering from ADHD. These drugs affect the way certain chemicals in the brain communicate to regulate behavior. Your doctor will select a medication that is right for you and your specific symptoms and will alter the dosage and frequency to suit your needs. Nonstimulants are also used to treat adults with ADHD. They are not able to interfere with the same brain pathways as psychostimulants do. Examples of nonstimulant medicines include atomoxetine and guanfacine.
Other options for treatment for adults with ADHD could include mentoring or coaching to teach strategies and coping abilities. For instance, you may learn how to keep a planner in place or journals, or you might be shown strategies for improving your time management. You may also benefit from changing your lifestyle to accommodate your ADHD symptoms, for instance, working from home instead of working in a place of work, using smartphone apps to keep track of tasks, or scheduling appointments for times that aren't as busy. You might also want to inquire about joining a clinical trial that is a research trial designed to test new methods to treat illnesses and conditions. (NIMH provides information on clinical trials.
Sometimes your family doctor will refer you to a mental health specialist or other health care professional for an evaluation of your ADHD. You can ask a friend or family member for recommendations or contact the local ADHD support group.