Getting an ADHD Diagnosis in Adults
Many people seek a diagnosis when they realize that ADHD causes them to have issues at work or in their relationships. NIMH recommends those seeking a diagnosis consult their primary care provider, or a mental health professional.
They will ask for an extensive medical history and perform tests like symptom rating scales and psychological tests. They might also undergo an examination to rule out medical conditions that could be similar to ADHD or seizures or thyroid issues.
Making a diagnosis
Getting a diagnosis for ADHD can be eye-opening and liberating, however it can also be stressful. Adults who have been struggling with the symptoms of ADHD for years may decide to seek out a medical opinion, prompted by frustrations at work or in relationships or due to being informed by family members or friends that they may have ADHD. It's important to remember that it can take time for a health professional to arrive at an ADHD diagnosis, and the process involves more than just interviews or tests.
The first step is to determine if your ADHD symptoms match the criteria for the disorder. Many of these symptoms manifest before the age of 12. They are seen in two or more settings--for instance, at home, school and at work. They can affect the daily functioning of a person.
Your doctor may have to conduct additional tests to establish a diagnosis. This is because the symptoms of ADHD can also be caused by mood disorders, such as anxiety, bipolar disorder, and other physical conditions or illnesses. This could 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 open with your health professional. And that might mean discussing how the difficulties you're experiencing in various areas of your life have impacted your mood. In addition, the mental health professional doing your evaluation might ask to speak with your spouse or close family and friends members to get a fuller picture of how you've struggled. They may even ask permission to fill out questionnaires about their experiences with you and then compare them to your personal.
Symptoms
Adults with ADHD frequently notice that their issues interfere with everyday activities, particularly at work and school. They might have difficulties maintaining a job, remaining in relationships, or making ends meet because of the inattention and impulsivity which make it difficult to follow directions and remember things, manage tasks or complete tasks. The symptoms could be mild, moderate or even severe.
To determine ADHD, providers adult diagnosis of adhd standardized tools such as checklists or questionnaires, as well as questions for interviews. They also check the medical and family history of the patient and take into account other mental health problems. 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 details, daydreaming and seeming easily distracted. Problems with completing tasks and staying on task, and a tendency to lose track of time or get side-tracked are also inattentive symptoms.
People with the hyperactive/impulsive type often fidget, move around frequently and have trouble sitting still for long periods of time. They tend to lose things easily and have trouble organizing their day-to-day activities at work or at home. They might lose keys, phones and wallets, or papers frequently. They are often unable to wait for their turn at school, work or at play. They are easily frustrated or stressed, and experience frequent mood shifts.
In adulthood, it's more typical for people suffering from ADHD to have co-occurring disorders like conduct disorders or oppositional defiant depression or anxiety, tic disorders or Tourette syndrome and substance abuse issues. Co-occurring disorders can make treatment more difficult and make it more difficult to identify ADHD.
Treatment
Talking to your primary care physician is the first step towards being diagnosed if you suspect you have ADHD. They can refer you to an expert in mental health. They will assess your symptoms and issues at work, at school or at home to determine how they affect your life. They can conduct an organized interview or ask family members or close friends to assist. They will also review the medical and family history of your family and conduct a physical exam.
Your doctor will also look at how long you've experienced these symptoms, and the impact they have on your life now. To be considered to have ADHD symptoms must have been present for at minimum 6 months and are not explained by other conditions like anxiety or depression. They also have to interfere with everyday tasks like attending school, completing assignments on time, or maintaining a career.
During your evaluation A mental health professional may employ standardized scales for behavior and ADHD symptoms checklists. You will also receive an assessment of your cognitive abilities that will assess your working memory and executive functioning and also your visual and spatial abilities. They may also test for other conditions that could cause similar symptoms like a seizure disorder or thyroid problem.
If your mental health professional determines that you have ADHD, they will discuss the medications available and treatment options. It is usually best to combine therapy with medication (counseling). Therapy can assist you in managing your symptoms and improve communication between your family members and colleagues. It also helps to address issues that can arise in relationships and marriages due to the issues that ADHD can create at work and at home.
Medication
The symptoms of ADHD in adults are usually more mild than in childhood, however they can still cause problems at home and at work. The disorder can lead to difficulties in obtaining or keeping a good job, problems with social relationships and interactions and self-esteem issues, academic failures emotional anxiety, temper tantrums and antisocial behavior.
The medication can treat the disorder by increasing and balancing the levels of brain chemicals referred to as neurotransmitters. They regulate the flow information in the brain. Stimulants, which are commonly prescribed for ADHD in adults, are the most common medication used. Jornay, Xelstrym, Cotempla and Adhansia are just a few examples of stimulants. Adults can also be treated with the non-stimulant atomoxetine and certain antidepressants such as bupropion. These drugs work slower than stimulants, and may be better for people who are not able to take stimulants due to health problems or severe side-effects.
Psychotherapy (also called cognitive-behavioral therapy) may be useful for treating disorders that are comorbid with ADHD, such as depression and anxiety. Studies suggest that psychotherapy is a more effective treatment for these disorders than using medication alone. Psychotherapy is primarily focused on teaching techniques to manage the disorder as well as improving functioning at school, work and in relationships. The aim is to boost the person's self-esteem, decrease problematic behavior and improve their the effectiveness and performance. It is recommended that each psychotherapy program for adults ADHD patients include a cognitive behavior component. Researchers have found that ADHD patients who received both psychotherapy and medication showed higher improvement than those taking only pills.
Counseling
For adults who don't want to use medication, therapy and counseling may be a great source of relief. Individual therapy can help with issues like low self-esteem, feelings of failure and frequent job changes that often occur with ADHD. It can also improve communication and strengthen relationships by helping loved ones understand the disorder and learn strategies for coping.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is primarily focused on teaching patients how to change their negative thinking and manage 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 teach coping strategies for impulse control, emotional regulation and relationship issues that arise as a result of the impulsive behavior. These strategies can help people live an enjoyable and productive life, particularly in the workplace.
Counseling can also help people with ADHD when applying for workplace accommodations that could be available under the Americans with Disabilities Act, which can greatly improve job performance and satisfaction. This can include changing the structure of their jobs to allow them more flexibility in meeting deadlines and finishing tasks within the timeframes they have set.
Choosing the right therapist is essential to getting the most out of treatment for adults with ADHD. Asking about the therapist's approach and if they have dealt with ADHD in adults is essential when interviewing potential therapists. It is also a good idea to verify the credentials of the therapist and insurance coverage. Some providers provide sliding scale fees or online therapy services to make treatment easier for those who are unable to afford it.