ADHD Diagnosis in Adults
The diagnosis of ADHD is made by a licensed mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist, neurologist or family physician). The symptoms are evaluated using standard behavior rating scales that are built on research that compares the behavior of individuals with and without ADHD.
A medical exam is also typically performed, as certain medical conditions, such as seizure disorders or thyroid issues can mimic symptoms of ADHD.
Symptoms
The majority of people seeking a diagnosis of ADHD say their symptoms interfere with their lives. They may have trouble keeping jobs or maintaining healthy relationships. They might also be struggling to keep up with household chores. They might also be suffering from anxiety, mood disorders or addiction issues. To determine if you are suffering from a disorder first, you need to arrange an appointment with a medical professional. Your doctor may refer you to an adult ADHD specialist who is qualified to conduct the evaluation. You can also ask for recommendations from a local medical school or university hospital. Certain insurance plans identify professionals based on their specialties.
In the course of an evaluation, a mental health professional will review your medical and personal 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 not paying attention to others, not heeding instructions and overlooking small details. ADHD sufferers tend to be forgetful, and they struggle to finish tasks - particularly when the task isn't interesting to them.
People suffering from impulsive and hyperactive symptoms may be prone to running around and climb into places they shouldn't, interrupt conversations and games or play with other people's toys and sports equipment, or even homework assignments. They can't wait for their turn or to play in a quiet manner. They often blurt out answers to questions before the person asking has finished their thought or they can't wait until it's their turn to speak at school, work or at a gathering. They may have difficulty waiting for assistance, or even using money. They also often skip appointments.
A thorough mental health evaluation is essential prior to diagnosing ADHD as a number of conditions may mimic the symptoms of the disorder, such as anxiety disorders, mood disorders and certain medication and head injuries. A psychiatric evaluation typically includes structured interviews that look into your social, emotional and academic life. This can also include interviews with family members and friends. Your mental health practitioner might conduct psychological tests to measure your visual spatial and visual memory capabilities as well as executive functioning and working memory.
Diagnosis
When adults receive an ADHD diagnosis, it's usually life-changing. It could give a reason for the frustrations that they experience every day such as work-related issues, difficulties establishing friendships, relationship conflicts or a lack financial stability. It may also help explain the reason why they were considered lazy or irresponsible as children.
The symptoms of ADHD in adults can change with time and can be harder to identify than in children. To determine the cause of the disorder, doctors follow the guidelines laid out by the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5). This is a thorough examination that may include checklists of symptoms, standardized behavior rating scales and interviews with significant others such as parents or spouses and teachers.
In addition to a thorough interview, some doctors require patients to take questionnaires or psychological tests that measure executive functions, working memory (such as decision-making, planning spatial and visual skills), and reasoning (thinking). Depending on the individual doctor's needs, some doctors might require a brain scan, or conduct other lab tests, like physical exams or blood tests.
It is crucial for a doctor to consider possible co-occurring conditions that could be the cause of ADHD such as mood disorders, learning disabilities, substance use or head injuries (Austerman 2015). In the course of an evaluation, a physician may also interview a patient's family members and friends to obtain additional information about their history with the disorder.
Many people who suffer from ADHD forget events that happened in their childhood, particularly when they're in emotional distress. This is why it is common for doctors to ask a patient's parents or other family members to fill out an retrospective ADHD profile describing the child's behavior and school performance.
Some patients are reluctant to seek a diagnosis due to the fact that they don't believe their issues are serious. However, for those suffering from undiagnosed ADHD the repercussions of a missed or delayed diagnosis can be devastating.
Treatment
The first step in finding treatment for adults with ADHD is to obtain an assessment. Most people with ADHD start by speaking with their primary healthcare provider, who will recommend them to a mental-health professional.
A psychiatric evaluation typically involves the description and discussion of symptoms, interviews of the patient as well as other sources such as spouses and friends, completions of ADHD symptoms lists and standardized behavior scales and psychometric tests like tests for intelligence and learning disabilities. Additionally, it is important to rule out medical conditions such as seizure disorders and thyroid problems that can mimic ADHD symptoms.
Often, the most difficult aspect of an adhd diagnosis for adults is coming to terms with the stigma that is associated with the condition. Untreated ADHD can cause an adult to feel like a failure in certain areas such as relationships and work. A diagnosis can help those with ADHD understand what is going on and realize it's not them, according to research psychologist Karla pretorius, M.Psych, who specializes ADHD in adults.
It's also helpful to discuss your problems with coworkers, teachers and supervisors. They'll be able to better understand your struggles when you educate them on ADHD. They might make small accommodations, such as allowing you more time to finish assignments or giving you an area to study in peace. In many cases, you'll see that instructors and colleagues are more understanding than you have imagined.
If you're interested in attempting medication to treat your ADHD discuss with your primary care physician about the possibility of taking part in a clinical trial. These trials are designed to test the latest ways of preventing, diagnosing and treating diseases and conditions. You will have access to the latest therapies and treatments before they are widely accessible.
Treatments for ADHD can help you improve your ability to concentrate, follow directions and control your impulsive behaviors. But, it's important to combine medication with psychotherapy. Psychotherapy can help you develop how to cope, help you develop healthy routines and learn to manage your feelings of disappointment and shame about past failures. It will also help you to understand how your ADHD affects your family dynamics and relationships.
Counseling
Receiving a diagnosis of ADHD can be a life-changing event for many adults. They may have been struggling to cope with chaotic, impulsive or inattention behaviors for years without ever being able to understand why. A diagnosis helps them understand that their difficulties are not due to being unlucky or failing.
An interview with a mental health professional is the first step towards getting an diagnosis. During the interview, the person is asked about their symptoms and how they affect their lives get more info both personally and professionally. The clinician will want to know about a person's past, particularly from their childhood. This can include asking about previous diagnosis or other mental health issues. It is usually beneficial for people to bring along an immediate family member or friend with them for the interview, since they can assist in recalling details.
During the test, a person may be required to take psychological tests that test working memory, executive function, visual and spatial capacities, and reasoning skills. It is important to answer all of the questions truthfully and completely to ensure that a complete image of a person's capabilities can be gathered. It is essential to not conceal information during an interview because of fear of embarrassment.
To be diagnosed with ADHD adults must exhibit signs that are causing significant impairment in at least two different settings. ADHD symptoms can cause a person to have difficulty at school or work and may even be a victim of relationship issues.
Counseling can help people who have been diagnosed with ADHD to learn how to manage their symptoms and devise strategies for success at school, work, and in relationships. Individual talk therapy as well as cognitive behavior therapy and the ability to manage impulsive and inattentional behavior are all a part 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 may arise due to their symptoms.
OT (occupational therapy) and yoga practices can be beneficial for people suffering from ADHD. These combine the physical benefits from exercise with the mental 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.