ADHD Diagnosis For Adults
Adults often have trouble getting an ADHD diagnosis due to the fact that doctors use different clinical guidelines that they use for teenagers and children. The diagnosis must include at least five signs from the categories of hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity.
Professionals who conduct an assessment will ask questions about your education, childhood as well as your work and family history. They may also request to speak with your spouse or a friend.
What is ADHD?
If you're constantly losing your keys, struggle with work or school or struggle to stay focused during conversations, obtaining an ADHD diagnosis as an adult can be a huge relief. "You aren't crazy, and this puts you in better position to handle it," says pediatrician Mary V. Solanto, Ph.D. who is 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) offers guidelines for healthcare professionals 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.
An ADHD evaluation usually begins with a face-to–face conversation with your healthcare professional who will go over your symptoms and the impact they have on your daily life. It's helpful to bring report cards or other documents from your childhood, as it will help the provider get an understanding of your experience with ADHD. Your doctor may also request to speak to a spouse or a family member, coworker or a close friend who know you well. They might ask questions about your relationship as well as their observations of your behavior and how it affects them, and also how your ADHD symptoms are interacted with other conditions like anxiety or depression.
The interview is likely to include questions about your lifestyle, such as how often you forget to pay bills or attend appointments, and whether you have trouble with time management or organization abilities. It is important to be honest in your answers and think about the impact these behaviors have on your daily life. If you're uncertain about your symptoms, it's worth asking your healthcare provider to refer you to another psychologist or doctor for an evaluation. You can find self-tests and rating scales online, however they aren't as reliable or reliable as an interview with a licensed professional. Certain tests could even result in the wrong diagnosis, so it's best to speak with your doctor first.
Symptoms
If you suspect you have ADHD, start by speaking to your primary care provider. They may refer you to a mental health professional, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist, for evaluation. The American Psychiatric Association provides clinical guidelines for diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision (DSM-5). It is essential to provide your physician as much information as you can about your symptoms, so that they can make an accurate diagnosis.
The person evaluating you will inquire about your symptoms and how they affect your life. They will also interview your spouse, children teachers, friends, coworkers and others who know you well. Your evaluation may include behavioral, neuropsychological or learning disability tests. 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.
Symptoms of the predominantly inattentive type include trouble paying attention, not noticing important details or making erroneous mistakes. The person who is conducting the assessment will also look at the impact these symptoms have on school, work and social 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 childhood. They may also manifest in adulthood. Adults may recognize their own ADHD symptoms when their children have been diagnosed or because of changes in their lives, such as a new job or marriage, or a move to their own home. In other instances, the condition goes undiagnosed until an adult is confronted with significant problems at work or in their relationships. This Web page could include being fired, having financial difficulties or getting in trouble with the law.
Diagnosis
A screening is the first thing to do if you suspect you have ADHD. A licensed mental health professional will interview you and examines your symptoms, medical background and family history. Interview questions may be asked about your school and work performance, as well as how your symptoms affect your life at home and with relationships. You may want to bring copies of your report cards, teacher's remarks as well as any other documentation relevant.
The psychiatric practitioner uses the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5), to make the diagnosis. The symptoms of ADHD must be present in at least six months and they must interfere with functioning or developmental progress in more than one environment, such as school or at home. The symptoms of ADHD must not be explained by any other mental disorder such as anxiety or mood disorders.
Many people suffering from ADHD have issues that persist into adulthood. The symptoms can affect education and work, lead to poor health in the financial or personal aspects and can cause stress in relationships. The treatment and diagnosis you receive can improve your quality of life.
Some ADHD symptoms change with the passage of time. For instance, inattention is more evident as you age and hyperactivity and impulse control may decrease as you age. Other factors can also contribute to the difficulties. For example, obstructive sleeping apnea is more common in adults suffering from ADHD. Poor sleeping habits can also exacerbate ADHD symptoms.
Many people with ADHD have co-occurring conditions such as anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, and learning disabilities. Sometimes, treating the root condition can eliminate the symptoms of ADHD. If you have other issues, it is essential to inform your mental health professional because this could affect the effectiveness of your treatment.
It is essential to speak to your primary physician who can refer to an experienced health professional who is trained in ADHD assessments for adults. Find out if there are support groups for adults suffering from ADHD in your area. They can provide resources and a list by specialty of specialists. You can also contact the insurance company you have to find out which health healthcare providers are covered under your policy.
Treatment
A thorough assessment by a healthcare professional is the best way to diagnose adult ADHD. The evaluation should include questions regarding your childhood, current life, and screening for ADHD symptoms. You may be asked about any issues that your ADHD symptoms cause problems at school, work or in your relationships.
Counseling and medication are two of the many treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. Psychotherapy is a form of counseling that can include also known as talk therapy and cognitive therapy for behavior. These therapies teach you how to manage your symptoms and how to change negative patterns of thinking to positive ones. They can also help in addressing other mental health conditions like depression and anxiety, that often co-occur with ADHD.
Psychostimulants such as dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate are often employed for treating adults suffering from ADHD. These drugs alter the way certain chemicals within your brain communicate and regulate behavior. Your doctor will choose a medication that is right for you and your specific symptoms, and alter the dosage and frequency accordingly. Nonstimulants are also available which do not act on the same brain pathways that psychostimulants do and can be beneficial for adults suffering from ADHD. Examples of nonstimulant drugs are atomoxetine as well as guanfacine.
Other options for treatment for adults with ADHD can include coaching or mentoring to help you learn strategies and coping techniques. For example, you might learn how to use a planner or journals or taught strategies to improve your time management. You could also benefit from altering your living situation to accommodate your ADHD symptoms, like working from home instead of in a workplace, using smartphone apps to monitor your tasks or scheduling appointments for times that are less crowded. You may also want to ask about participating in clinical trials, which is a research trial designed to test new methods of treating illnesses and conditions. (NIMH offers information about clinical trials.
You may be referred to the mental specialist or other health care specialist by your family doctor for a diagnosis of your ADHD. You may also ask a family member or friend for recommendations, or you can join a local support group for people suffering from ADHD.