ADHD Diagnosis For Adults
Adults often have trouble getting an ADHD diagnosis because doctors use different guidelines for treating adults that they use for children and teenagers. The diagnosis requires a minimum of five symptoms that fall within the categories of inattention, hyperactivity and an impulsive nature.
Professionals who conduct an assessment will ask you questions about your childhood, education work, family, and history. They may also talk to your spouse or friends.
What is ADHD?
It's not always a good thing to get an ADHD diagnosis in your adulthood regardless of whether you're constantly losing keys, have trouble in school or work, or are struggling to stay focused when talking to others. "You know you're not insane, and that puts you in better position to handle it," says pediatrician Mary V. Solanto, Ph.D., 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 typically the first step in an ADHD assessment. They will discuss your symptoms and how they impact your life. Bring any report cards from your childhood to help your doctor to understand the history of your ADHD. Your doctor may also request to speak with a spouse or a family member, coworker or a close friend who know you well. They may ask about your relationship, the way they view your behavior and how it affects your life. They may also ask how ADHD symptoms interact with other conditions, such as depression or an anxiety disorder.
adhd uk diagnosis will be asked about your lifestyle during the interview, and this includes how often you forget to attend appointments or pay bills, or if you have difficulty with time management. It is important to be honest with your answers and take note of how these habits impact your daily life. If you're uncertain about your symptoms, consider asking your healthcare professional to refer you to another psychologist or doctor for an assessment. Self-tests are available as well as rating scales online, but they aren't as reliable or as valid as an appointment with a qualified provider. Some of these tests can even result in an incorrect diagnosis, so it's advisable to talk to your doctor first.
Signs and symptoms
If you suspect that you may have ADHD Begin by talking to your primary healthcare provider. He or she may refer you to a mental health professional for evaluation, like psychologist or psychiatrist. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision DSM-5 provides clinical guidelines to identify mental disorders. It is essential to provide as much detail about your symptoms as you can to enable your doctor to make an accurate assessment.
The person doing the evaluation will review your medical, psychological, and psychiatric history, including any past issues and ask you about how the symptoms affect your life. He or she will also interview your spouse, children teachers, colleagues, and others who know you well. Your evaluation may include testing for behavior problems or neuropsychological disorders. These tests can provide your provider with additional details about your ADHD symptoms and can help determine if other conditions are 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 careless mistakes. The person evaluating the child will also be able to determine the impact these symptoms have on work, school and 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.
Usually, these symptoms manifest in the early years of childhood. However, they can also be present in adulthood. Adults may notice their own ADHD symptoms after their children are diagnosed, or after changes in their lives such as a job, marriage or moving into their own home. In some instances the condition isn't diagnosed until an adult has serious issues at work or in their relationships. This could mean being fired from a job or having financial issues, or a saga with the law.
Diagnosis
A screening is the first thing you should do when you suspect that you may have ADHD. A licensed mental health professional interviews you and examines your symptoms, medical history and family history. Interview questions may be asked about your work and school performance, and how symptoms affect your life at home and with your relationships. You might want to bring copies of your reports, teacher's comments as well as any other documentation relevant.
The psychiatric specialist utilizes the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5) to make the diagnosis. To be able to make a diagnosis of ADHD symptoms, they have to be present for at least six months, and they must interfere with the development or functioning of multiple settings for example, at school or at home. In addition, the signs are not better explained by another mental disorder, such as an anxiety or mood disorder.
Many people with ADHD have issues that persist into adulthood. These symptoms can impact the school and work environment, leading to poor health in the financial or personal aspects, and cause strain in relationships. Being diagnosed and treated can improve your quality of life.
Some signs of ADHD develop as you age, for instance the symptoms of inattention may become more noticeable as you get older and impulsivity and hyperactivity could lessen as you age. Some other factors can contribute to the difficulties such as obstructive sleep apnea occurs more often in adults with ADHD and sleep habits that are not optimal are known to exacerbate ADHD symptoms.
Many people with ADHD suffer from co-occurring illnesses such as 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 conditions. This can influence the effectiveness of treatment.
It is crucial to speak to your primary physician who can refer to an expert in ADHD assessments for adults. It is also a good idea to ask whether there are any support groups specifically for adults suffering from ADHD in your area. They can provide you with resources as well as a list by specialization of professionals. You can also reach out to your insurance company to inquire about the health care providers who are covered by your plan.
Treatment
The most effective method to diagnose adult ADHD is a thorough evaluation by a health care professional. The evaluation should include questions about your childhood, your present life and screening for ADHD symptoms. You could be asked about any problems that your ADHD symptoms cause at work, school or in your relationships.
There are a myriad of treatment options for adults with ADHD which include counseling and medications. Counseling can be described as psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy) and cognitive behavioral therapy. These kinds of therapies aid you in learning to manage your symptoms and transform negative patterns of thinking to positive ones. They can also be helpful in the treatment of other mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety, that frequently co-occur with ADHD.
Medication for adults with ADHD often involves psychostimulants, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) and dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine). These drugs affect the way certain chemicals in the brain communicate to regulate behavior. Your doctor will choose the right medication for your body and symptoms and alters the dosage and frequency as required. Nonstimulants can also be used to treat adults suffering from ADHD. They are not able to affect the same brain pathways as psychostimulants do. Examples of nonstimulant drugs are atomoxetine and guanfacine.
Coaching or mentoring is a way to teach people with ADHD strategies and coping strategies. For example, you might be taught how to use a planner or journals, or you might be taught strategies to improve your time management. You could also alter your living situation in order to accommodate your ADHD symptoms. For example you could work from your home instead of in an office, utilize smartphone apps to track your tasks and schedule appointments at less busy times. You may also want to inquire about taking part in a clinical trial which is a study trial designed to test new methods to treat ailments and diseases. (NIMH offers information on clinical trials.
Sometimes, your family physician will refer you to a psychiatrist health specialist or other health healthcare professional to evaluate the severity of your ADHD. You can ask a friend or family member for recommendations or contact a local ADHD support group.