ADHD Diagnosis in Adults
The diagnosis of ADHD is made by an accredited mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist, neurologist or family doctor). Symptoms are assessed using standardized behavior rating scales that are based on research comparing behaviors of people with and without ADHD.
A medical exam is typically performed, as certain medical conditions like seizure disorders or thyroid problems may mimic symptoms of ADHD.
Symptoms
Many people who seek a diagnosis of ADHD declare that their symptoms interfere with their lives. They may have difficulty keeping an occupation, maintaining healthy relationships or keeping up with household chores, and they could be suffering from mood and anxiety disorders or have problems with substance use. The first step to being diagnosed is to schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider. Your doctor can refer you to an adult ADHD specialist who is able to conduct the evaluation. You can also ask for recommendations from a local medical school or university hospital. Some insurance plans also list professionals according to their specialties.
In the course of an evaluation, a mental health professional will go over your personal and medical background and determine if you meet any of the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. These are provided by the American Psychiatric Association in its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition. The doctor will be looking for signs of inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity. Inattention symptoms include having trouble paying attention to what others are doing or saying, failing to follow instructions and ignoring particulars. Those with ADHD are often in a state of forgetfulness and are unable to finish tasks, especially when they're not interested.
Hyperactive and impulsive individuals may run and climb in places they shouldn't. They may also interrupt conversations, games or steal other people's sports equipment or toys, as well as homework assignments. They aren't able to wait for their turn or play in a quiet manner. They will often answer questions before the person asking thought it over, or they are eager to talk in a social setting at school, in a social setting, or at work. They might have a difficult time waiting for assistance, or even making use of money. They also often miss appointments.
A thorough mental health assessment is important before diagnosing ADHD, because many conditions may mimic the symptoms of the disorder, including anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and certain medications and head injuries. A psychiatric examination typically involves a structured interview that delves into your emotional, social and academic life. It could also include family and friend interviews. Your mental health provider might conduct psychological testing to measure your working memory ability, executive functioning abilities, and visual and spatial skills.
Diagnosis
It can be a life-changing experience for adults to be given an ADHD diagnosis. It may provide a reason behind the frustrations that they experience every day such as work-related issues, difficulties in establishing friendships, conflicts with relationships, or a lack of financial stability. It can also help to clarify the reasons why they were deemed lazy or irresponsible as children.
Diagnosing ADHD in adults is trickier than diagnosing ADHD in children since the symptoms change over time. To determine the cause of the disorder, doctors follow the guidelines set forth by the American Psychiatric Society's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5). This involves a thorough evaluation that may include symptom checklists and standardized scales for assessing behavior, and interviews with significant other people such as spouses or parents and teachers.
In addition to a thorough interview, some doctors also ask individuals to fill out questionnaires or take psychological tests to measure executive functioning, working memory capabilities (such as planning and decision-making) spatial and visual abilities, as well as reasoning (thinking) capabilities. Some doctors may also order bloodwork, a physical examination, or a brain scan, depending on the individual.
It's crucial that a clinician examines the possibility of co-occurring disorders which could be a cause of ADHD. These could include mood disorders or learning issues, head injuries, or addiction to drugs (Austerman 2015). In the course of an evaluation, a practitioner may also interview relatives of the patient and friends to gain additional information about their history of the condition.
Many people with ADHD forget about events from their childhood, especially when they're suffering from emotional distress. This is why it's common for physicians to ask patients' parents or other family members to complete a retrospective ADHD profile of the child's behavioral characteristics and school performance.
Some more info patients are reluctant to seek a diagnosis due to the fact that they don't think their issues are serious. If not diagnosed, ADHD can have devastating consequences for those who suffer from it.
Treatment
The first step in finding treatment for adults with ADHD is to obtain an assessment. The majority of people suffering from ADHD begin by speaking to their primary healthcare provider who will refer them to a mental health specialist.
A psychiatric examination typically consists of a description of symptoms and interviews with the patient as well as other sources outside of the patient, such as spouses or friends and complete of ADHD symptom checklists, standardized scales for behavioral and psychometric tests such as intelligence and learning disabilities tests. It is also essential to rule out any other medical conditions that may be a cause of ADHD symptoms, including thyroid disorders and seizure disorder.
The stigma associated with adhd is often the most difficult part of the diagnosis for adults. It's not uncommon for an adult with untreated ADHD to feel like a failure especially in areas such as work and relationships. A diagnosis can help people with ADHD to understand what's going on and realize it's not about them, according to research psychologist Karla pretorius, M.Psych, who specializes ADHD in adults.
Discussion of your symptoms with colleagues, supervisors and teachers could be beneficial. The process of educating them about ADHD will help them to understand your difficulties and help you make small accommodations to enable you to succeed for example, giving you more time to complete your work or providing a quiet area to study. In a lot of cases, you'll see that co-workers and instructors are more understanding than you may have imagined.
Consult your primary physician about taking part in a trial if are interested in a medication for ADHD. These trials are designed to test new methods to prevent or treat illnesses and conditions. They will give you access to the most advanced treatments and therapies before they become widely available.
ADHD medications can help you improve your ability to focus, follow instructions and control the impulsive behavior. It is important to combine medications with psychotherapy. Psychotherapy can help you build strategies for dealing with stress, establish healthy routines, and control your feelings of shame and despair about past failures. It can also help you recognize how your ADHD affects your family dynamics and relationships.
Counseling
For many adults, receiving an diagnosis of ADHD is an emotionally transformative experience. They may have been struggling to deal with chaotic, impulsive or inattention behaviors for a long time without knowing the reason. Receiving a diagnosis enables them to see that their issues aren't the result of being unsuccessful or unlucky.
The first step in obtaining an accurate diagnosis is to conduct an interview with a mental health professional. During the interview, the person will be asked about their symptoms and how they impact their life professionally and personally. The clinician will also want to know the person's past particularly from childhood. This can include asking about any past diagnoses or other mental health issues. It is helpful to have a close family member or friend with you for the interview. They can assist you in recall specifics.
During the evaluation an individual may also be asked to take psychological tests that measure working memory, executive function, visual and spatial capabilities, as well as reasoning abilities. It is essential to answer all questions truthfully and completely so that a accurate assessment of the abilities of a person can be obtained. It is crucial to not conceal information during an interview because of embarrassment.
To be diagnosed with ADHD, an adult must be able to demonstrate signs that cause significant impairment in at least two settings. For instance, the person has to struggle at school or at work and experience issues with relationships because of their ADHD symptoms.
Counseling can help those who have been diagnosed with ADHD to learn how they can cope with their symptoms and devise strategies for success at work, in school and in relationships. Individual talk therapy, cognitive behavior therapy and learning to manage impulsive or inattentional behavior are all a components of this. It is also recommended that people with a new diagnosis of ADHD seek marriage and family counseling to deal with the issues that can arise due to their symptoms.
Other kinds of counseling that could be beneficial for people suffering from ADHD are OT (occupational therapy) and yoga practices which combine the physical benefits of exercise with the psychological benefits of meditation. OT can help people with ADHD establish a structure and routines while yoga teaches the practice of relaxation and breathing to help promote mental peace.