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ADHD Diagnosis For Adults
Many adults struggle to receive an ADHD diagnosis, as doctors use an entirely different set of clinical guidelines for the disorder than they do for adolescents and children. The diagnosis requires at least five symptoms from the categories of hyperactivity, inattention and an impulsiveness.
Professionals conducting an assessment will ask questions about your childhood, education, work, and family history. They may also ask to speak to your spouse or a close friend.
What is ADHD?
Whether you keep losing your keys, have trouble with work or school or struggle to stay focused in conversations, getting an ADHD diagnosis as an adult can be a huge relief. You're not alone, and you can deal with it better, according to Mary V. Solanto Ph.D. a professor of psychology at the Hofstra-Northwell School of Medicine in Long Island, New York.
The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition Text Revision (DSM-5) contains the guidelines providers use to determine an ADHD diagnosis. 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.
An ADHD evaluation typically begins with a face-to-face interview with your doctor who will go over your symptoms and the impact they have on your daily life. Bring any reports from your childhood to help the provider to understand the history of your ADHD. Your doctor may also request to speak to a spouse or family member, a co-worker or close friend who knows you well. They may ask about your relationship, how they observe your behavior and how it affects your life. They could also inquire what ADHD symptoms interact with other conditions, such as depression or an anxiety disorder.
The interview will likely include questions about your lifestyle, such as how often you don't remember to pay your bills or make appointments, and whether you have trouble managing your time or organization abilities. It's crucial to be honest in your answers, and to think about how these behaviors impact your daily life. If you're not sure about your symptoms, you should consider consulting your healthcare professional to refer you to a psychologist or doctor for an assessment. Self-tests are available as well as rating scales online, however they're not as reliable or valid as an interview with a licensed professional. Certain tests could even lead to the wrong diagnosis, so it's best to talk to your healthcare provider first.
Symptoms
Speak to your primary healthcare provider if you suspect you may be suffering from ADHD. He or she may refer you to a mental health specialist for an evaluation, such as psychologist or psychiatrist. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision DSM-5 provides guidelines for clinicians to diagnose mental disorders. 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 history, including any past issues, and ask about how the symptoms affect your life. He or she might also talk to your spouse and children and coworkers, teachers and other people who know you. Your assessment could include behavioral, neuropsychological or learning disability testing. 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.
The signs of someone who is inattention-deficient include difficulty paying attention and omitting important details or making erroneous mistakes. The person doing the evaluation will also look at the impact these symptoms have on work, school and social interactions. 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.
These symptoms often appear in childhood. They can also develop in adulthood. Some adults recognize their own ADHD symptoms after their children have been diagnosed or because of life changes such as the start of a new job, a marriage or a move into their own home. In other cases the condition is not recognized until the adult experiences significant problems at work or in their relationships. This can include being dismissed from work or having financial issues, or getting into trouble with the law.
Diagnosis
A screening is the first thing to do if you suspect you have ADHD. A qualified mental health professional will interview you and discuss your symptoms, medical history and family history. The interview may also include questions about work and school performance and how the symptoms affect your home life and in your relationships. You might want to bring copies of your report cards, teacher's remarks, and any other documentation relevant.
The psychiatric professional uses the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5) to make the diagnosis. To qualify for the diagnosis of ADHD, the symptoms must be present for at minimum six months and be interfering with functioning or development in more than one setting like school or at home. The symptoms of ADHD need to not be explained by any other mental disorder such as mood disorders or anxiety.
Many people with ADHD have problems well into adulthood. The symptoms of ADHD can impact both school and work. They can also cause financial or health issues and stress relationships. The treatment and diagnosis you receive can improve the quality of your life.
Certain ADHD symptoms may change as you age. For example, inattentiveness may become more apparent as you age and hyperactivity and impulse control may decrease as you get older. Other factors can also contribute to the difficulties. For example sleep apnea, also known as obstructive, is more prevalent in adults suffering from ADHD. Poor sleeping habits can also worsen 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 help eliminate ADHD symptoms. It is essential to inform your mental health professional that you have any other conditions. This could influence the effectiveness of treatment.
It is important to talk with your primary care doctor, who will refer you to a health care professional who is certified in ADHD assessments for adults. Find out if there are support groups for adults suffering from ADHD in your area. They can provide assistance and a list specialists by specialization. You can also contact your insurance company to learn about the health care providers who are covered under your plan.
Treatment
Generally, the best approach to determine if you have ADHD is to have a thorough assessment by a health care professional. The examination should include questions about your childhood, your present life, and screening for ADHD symptoms. You may be asked whether your ADHD symptoms have caused issues at work, in school or in your relationships.
There are a myriad of treatment options for adults suffering from ADHD which include counseling and medications. Psychotherapy can be a part of counseling, also known as talk therapy, and cognitive therapy for behavior. These kinds of therapies assist you in learning how to manage your symptoms and transform negative patterns of thinking to positive ones. They can also help in the treatment of other mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, which frequently co-exist with ADHD.
Psychostimulants, such as dextroamphetamine and the methylphenidate are frequently employed to treat adults with ADHD. These medications affect the way certain chemicals within your brain communicate and regulate behavior. Your doctor will select the right medication for your body and the symptoms and alters the dosage and frequency when required. Nonstimulants can also be used to treat adults with ADHD. They do not affect the same brain pathways that psychostimulants do. Examples of nonstimulant medications include atomoxetine and guanfacine.
Coaching or mentoring can be used to teach adults suffering from ADHD strategies and coping methods. You may be taught how to use a diary or a planner, or you may be taught techniques for managing your time. You could also benefit from adjusting your lifestyle to accommodate your ADHD symptoms, like working at home instead of in a workplace and using apps on your phone to keep track of tasks, or scheduling appointments for times that are less busy. adhd adults diagnosis might also inquire about taking part in clinical studies that is a research project designed to explore new methods to treat diseases and conditions. (NIMH offers information about clinical trials.
Sometimes, your family physician will recommend you to a mental health specialist or another healthcare professional to evaluate the severity of your ADHD. You can ask a family member or family member for recommendations or call the local ADHD support group.