Getting an ADHD Diagnosis in Adults
Many people seek a diagnosis when they realize they are struggling in relationships or at work due to ADHD. NIMH recommends that those seeking a diagnosis talk with their primary care provider or mental health professional.
They will take a detailed background and complete tests such as symptom rating scales or psychological tests. They may also undergo a physical examination to determine if they have any other medical conditions that may be mistaken for ADHD or thyroid issues, for example or seizures.
Diagnosis
Being diagnosed with ADHD can be revealing and liberating, but it can also be stressful. Adults who have been struggling with the symptoms of ADHD for decades might finally decide to seek a professional opinion, due to frustrations at work or in relationships or due to being informed by family members or friends that they might have ADHD. It's important to note that it may take a while for a healthcare professional to make an ADHD diagnosis and the process includes more than just clinical interviews or tests.
The first step in the process is to determine if your ADHD symptoms are in line with the criteria for the disorder: Many of them are present before the age of 12. They can occur in more than one place, such as school, home and work. They affect daily life.
Your healthcare provider may need to perform additional evaluations to determine a diagnosis. This is because the symptoms of ADHD are also caused by mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder, anxiety and other physical or mental illnesses. This could include clinical interviews and rating scales for symptoms, and psychological testing to assess your thinking abilities ability to solve problems, as well as memory.
It's important to be completely honest with your mental health professional, and this could mean talking about how the struggles you're having in different areas of your life have impacted your mood. Additionally the mental health professional doing your evaluation might ask to speak with your spouse or close family and friends members to get a more complete picture of the struggles you've faced. They may even ask permission to have them complete questionnaires on their experiences with you and compare them to your own.
Signs and symptoms
Adults suffering from ADHD typically find that their symptoms interfere with daily life activities, particularly at work and school. They might have trouble finding work, staying in relationships or making ends meet because of the inattention and impulsivity which makes it difficult to follow directions or remember details, plan tasks or complete projects. The symptoms could be mild or moderate. It could also be severe.
To diagnose ADHD, doctors use common tools like checklists, interview questions and questionnaires. They also review medical and family history and consider 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.
Inattention symptoms include difficulties paying attention to even the smallest details, daydreaming, and appearing easily distracted. Inability to finish tasks and follow-through and a tendency to lose the track of time or get distracted are also signs of inattention.
People with the hyperactive/impulsive type often fidget, move around frequently and have trouble sitting still for long periods of time. They also tend to forget things quickly and frequently have trouble organizing their work, home or everyday activities. They might lose their phones, keys or wallets a lot. They may have trouble waiting for their turn at school, at work or during play. They have a low tolerance to stress or anger and experience frequent and intense mood swings.
In adults, it's more common for people suffering from ADHD to have co-occurring disorders, such as conduct disorders, oppositional defiant disorder depression or anxiety as well as tic disorders, Tourette syndrome and substance abuse issues. Co-occurring disorders may complicate treatment and make it difficult to determine the cause of ADHD.
Treatment
Talking to your primary care provider is the first step to being diagnosed when you suspect that you suffer from ADHD. They may refer you to a specialist in mental health. The professionals will examine your symptoms and concerns at work, school or at home to determine how they impact your daily life. They can conduct an organized interview or ask family members or close friends to help. They will also review your medical and family background and conduct a physical examination.
Your doctor will also consider the duration of these symptoms, and the effect they are having on your life. To be eligible for a diagnosis of ADHD the symptoms must be present for at minimum six months, and they cannot be better explained by another disorder such as depression or anxiety. They should also hinder daily tasks, such as attending school, completing assignments on time, or sustaining a career.
In your assessment the mental health professional could utilize standardized scales of behavior and ADHD symptoms checklists. You will also receive an assessment of cognitive function that will assess your executive and working memory functioning as well as your spatial and visual abilities. They may also test for other conditions which can cause similar symptoms like seizures or thyroid issue.
If your psychiatrist determines that you suffer from ADHD and you are diagnosed, they will explain what medications are available and discuss the treatment options. Often, a combination of medication and talk therapy (counseling) is best. Therapy can aid in managing your symptoms, and also improve communication between family members and colleagues. adult adhd diagnosis can also help with issues that could arise in marriages and relationships due to the problems ADHD can cause.
Medication
ADHD symptoms in adults tend to be milder than in childhood. However they can still cause problems at work and at home. The disorder can result in difficulties in obtaining or keeping jobs, issues with social and interpersonal relationships academic failures, low self-esteem and emotional distress, temper flares and possibly antisocial behavior.
The medication can treat the disorder by balancing and increasing the levels of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. They regulate the flow information in the brain. Stimulants are the most commonly prescribed medications for ADHD in adults. Examples include Jornay (methylphenidate extended-release tablets), Xelstrym (dextroamphetamine extended-release oral suspension), Cotempla (methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release orally disintegrating tablet) and Adhansia (methylphenidate hydrochloride immediate-release orally disintegrating tablet). The non-stimulant atomoxetine, a non-stimulant antidepressants like bupropion, also are used to treat ADHD in adults. These medications work slower than stimulants, and could be more suitable for people who aren't able to take stimulant medications because of health problems or serious side effects.
Psychotherapy (also known as cognitive-behavioral therapy) could be beneficial in treating disorders that are comorbid with ADHD, such as depression and anxiety. Studies suggest that psychotherapy is an effective treatment for these conditions than just using medications in isolation. Psychotherapy focuses on teaching skills to manage the disorder and improve performance at school, work and in relationships. The aim is to increase the self-esteem of the individual, decrease problematic behaviors and improve their performance and success. It is recommended that each psychotherapy program for adults ADHD patients contain a cognitive-behavioral component. In one study, researchers discovered that ADHD patients who received both therapy and medication showed a higher level of improvement than those who simply took the medication.
Counseling
For adults who do not wish to use medications therapy and counseling can be a great source of relief. Individual talk therapy can help with issues such as low self-esteem and feeling of failure, and frequent job changes that typically are a part of ADHD. It can also help improve communication and strengthen relationships by helping family members understand the condition and develop strategies for coping.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a method of teaching patients how to manage their behavior and to change 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 help people develop strategies to control impulses emotional regulation, relationship and issues that can arise as a result of impulsive behavior. These strategies can help people live an enjoyable and productive life, especially in the workplace.
Counseling can also guide those with ADHD in applying for workplace accommodations that could be offered under the Americans with Disabilities Act, which can greatly enhance job performance and satisfaction. For professionals, this can mean changing the way their work is organized to allow them more flexibility to meet deadlines and complete tasks in time.
Choosing the right therapist is essential to getting the most benefit from treatment for adult ADHD. When interviewing potential therapists it is important to ask about their approach and whether they have expertise in treating ADHD in adults. Checking the credentials of therapists as well as insurance coverage is also an excellent idea. Some therapists have a sliding scale fee, or provide online therapy that make therapy accessible to those who can't afford to pay out from their pockets.