Getting an ADHD Diagnosis in Adults
Many people seek a diagnosis after realizing they are struggling in relationships or at work due to ADHD. NIMH suggests that people seeking diagnosis talk to their primary care physician or a mental health professional.
They will take a detailed background and complete tests like symptom rating scales or psychological tests. They might also undergo a physical examination to determine if they have any other medical conditions that could be mistaken for ADHD, such thyroid problems or seizures.
Diagnosis
It can be a great relief and eye-opening to receive the diagnosis of ADHD but it can be also distressing. Adults who have been struggling with ADHD symptoms for a long time may eventually seek out professional help, either because of frustrations at work, in their relationships, or because relatives or friends have informed them they may be suffering from ADHD. It is crucial to keep in mind that a doctor can take several months to diagnose ADHD and the process is more than just completing standardized tests or conducting clinical interviews.
The first step in the process is to identify whether your ADHD symptoms are in line with the criteria for the disorder: Many of them are present before the age of 12. They can be present in multiple settings such as school, home and work. And they interfere with daily functioning.
Because symptoms of ADHD can also be caused by mood disorders such as anxiety or bipolar and other physical conditions and illnesses, your doctor might recommend additional evaluations before making an official diagnosis. This could include interviews with a psychologist, rating scales for symptoms, as well as psychological tests to evaluate your thinking abilities, problem-solving skills, and memory.
It's crucial to be honest with your mental health professional, and that might mean talking about how the struggles that you're facing in various aspects of your life have impacted your mood. The mental health professional evaluating you may also want to speak with your spouse, family members and close friends to get more insight into your issues. They might even request permission to have family members fill out questionnaires comparing their experiences to yours.
Signs and symptoms
Adults suffering from ADHD may find that their symptoms can affect their daily life, especially at school and work. They may have difficulty keeping their jobs or maintaining relationships. They may also find it difficult to pay the bills because of their lack of attention and impulsivity, which makes it difficult for them remember things, manage tasks or complete projects. The symptoms can be mild, moderate, or severe.
To diagnose ADHD doctors employ the standard tools, such as checklists, interview questions, and questionnaires. They also look into 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.
The symptoms of an inattentive person include difficulty paying attention to details, daydreaming and appearing easily distracted. Inability to finish tasks and follow-through and a tendency to lose the 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 managing their daily routines either at work or at home. They might lose phones, keys and wallets, or papers frequently. They have difficulty waiting their turn in school, at work, or during play. They can be easily annoyed or stressed, and experience frequent mood shifts.
In adults, it is more common for those with ADHD to have co-occurring conditions like oppositional defiant or conduct disorders, anxiety or depression, tic disorders or Tourette syndrome and other substance abuse problems. Co-occurring disorders can complicate treatment and can make it more difficult to diagnose ADHD.
Treatment
Talking to your primary care physician is the first step towards getting a diagnosis if you suspect you have ADHD. They can refer you to an expert in mental health. They will look over your symptoms and issues at school, work or home to see how much they interfere with your daily life. They may use a structured interview or ask family members or close friends to help. They will also go over the medical and family history of your family, and will conduct a physical examination.
Your doctor will also look at the duration of these symptoms, and what impact they have on your life. In order to receive an diagnosis of ADHD, a person's symptoms must be present for at minimum six months and cannot be explained better by another disorder, such as depression or anxiety. Additionally, they should hinder daily activities, such as getting to class, completing tasks on time or maintaining a job.
In your assessment, your mental health specialist may employ standardized behavior rating scales and ADHD symptoms checklists. You will also be administered a cognitive test which will test your working memory and executive functioning, as well as your spatial and visual abilities. They will also test for other conditions that could cause similar symptoms, for example a thyroid problem or seizure disorder.
If your mental health professional determines that you suffer from ADHD they will go over the available treatments and medications options. It is usually best to combine therapy with medication (counseling). Therapy can assist you in managing your symptoms, and also improve communication between family members and coworkers. It can also address problems that can develop in marriages and relationships due to the issues that ADHD can create at home and work.
Medication
The signs of ADHD in adults are usually more mild than in childhood, however they can cause issues at work and home. The disorder can result in problems in obtaining or maintaining an excellent job, issues with social relationships and interactions as well as self-esteem issues, academic failures, emotional distress, temper tantrums, and an attitude that is antisocial.
The medication can treat the disorder by increasing and balancing levels of brain chemicals referred to as neurotransmitters that control the flow of information in the brain. The 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 instant-release orally disintegrating tablet). Adults are also treated with the non-stimulant atomoxetine and certain antidepressants such as bupropion. These drugs work slower than stimulants, and may be a better choice for people who are not able to take stimulants due to health problems or severe side effects.
Psychotherapy, also known as cognitive-behavioral treatment, could be helpful in treating disorders that are comorbid, such as anxiety and depression associated with ADHD. Psychotherapy is a more effective treatment than medications alone for these conditions according to research. Psychotherapy focuses on teaching skills to manage the disorder and improving functioning at school, at work and in relationships. The goal is to improve the self-esteem of the person and decrease the risk of problematic behavior. It is also a way to improve their performance and success. It is recommended that every psychotherapy program for adults ADHD sufferers include a cognitive-behavioral component. Researchers found that ADHD patients who received both therapy and medication showed more improvement than those who were only taking pills.
adhd diagnosis adult
For adults who don't want to use medications, therapy and counseling may 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 improve relationships and communication by helping patients and their loved ones to understand the disorder and learn ways to cope.
Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses primarily on teaching patients to change their negative thinking and control 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 may also focus on developing organizational and time-management skills or teach coping strategies for dealing with emotional regulation, impulse control, and relationship problems that can arise from impulsive behavior. These techniques can assist people to live a more productive and satisfying life, particularly in the workplace.
Counseling can help those with ADHD seek accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act. This will improve their job performance and overall satisfaction. For professionals, this could require modifying the way in which 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 treatment approach and if they have experience treating ADHD in adults. It is important to verify the credentials of the therapist as well as insurance coverage. Some providers offer sliding scale fees or online therapy services to make treatment easier for those who can't afford it.