ADHD Diagnosis For Adults
Adults are often unable to get an ADHD diagnosis because doctors follow different guidelines for clinical diagnosis than they do for children and teenagers. The diagnosis requires a minimum of five symptoms that fall within the categories of hyperactivity, inattention and the tendency to be impulsive.
Professionals doing an evaluation will ask you questions about your childhood, work and academic life, your alcohol and drug use and the family history. They may also discuss your relationship with your spouse or other family members.
What is ADHD?
If you're constantly losing your keys, have difficulty with work or school or are having trouble staying engaged in conversations, getting an ADHD diagnosis as an adult can be a great relief. You know you're normal and are able to manage it better, says Mary V. Solanto Ph.D. is a professor of psychology at 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) provides the guidelines that doctors and specialists use to establish 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 conversation with your doctor, who will review your symptoms and their impact on your daily life. Bring along any report cards from your childhood to help the doctor understand your history of ADHD. Your provider may ask to speak to a close partner, spouse, family member or coworker who is familiar with you well. They could inquire about your relationship and their observations of your behavior and how it affects them, and also how your ADHD symptoms are interacted with other conditions like depression or anxiety.
You'll be asked about your life during the interview, and this includes how often you don't attend appointments or pay bills, or if you have difficulties managing your time. It is essential to be truthful in your answers and consider how these habits impact your daily life. Ask your healthcare professional for a referral to another practitioner or therapist if are unsure about the symptoms. Self-tests and rating systems are available on the internet, but they are not as reliable as an interview conducted by a trained professional. Some of these tests may result in a wrong diagnosis, so it is recommended to always consult with your doctor prior to using them.
Symptoms
If you suspect you may have ADHD Begin by talking to your primary care provider. They may recommend you to a mental health specialist for an evaluation, like a psychiatrist or psychologist. 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 crucial to provide your provider as much information as possible about your symptoms so that they can provide an accurate diagnosis.
The person who evaluates you will ask questions about your symptoms and how they affect your life. They might also talk to your spouse and children and coworkers, teachers and other people who know you. Your evaluation could include testing for learning disabilities, neuropsychological disorders or behavioral problems. These tests may provide your physician with additional information regarding your ADHD symptoms and help to 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 an inattention type include difficulty paying attention, missing details or making mistakes. The person doing the evaluation will also examine 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 occur in later life. Adults may recognize their own ADHD symptoms after their children are diagnosed or due to changes in their lives such as an employment change, a marriage or a move into their own home. In other instances the disorder is not diagnosed until an adult is confronted with significant issues at work or with their relationships. This could include being dismissed, having financial problems, or being in trouble with the law.
how is adhd diagnosed in adults
If you suspect you may have ADHD A test is the first step towards finding a treatment. A licensed mental health professional will interview you and review your symptoms as well as your medical history, and family history. Interview questions may be asked about your school and work performance, and how the symptoms affect your life at home and with your relationships. You may be required to bring copies of your report cards, teacher notes and any other information that might be relevant.
The psychiatric practitioner will employ the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) to help determine the diagnosis. To qualify for the diagnosis of ADHD, the symptoms have to be present for at least six months, and they must interfere with the development or functioning of more than one setting like school or at home. The symptoms of ADHD must not be explained by other mental disorder like anxiety or mood disorders.
Many people with ADHD have problems well into adulthood. The symptoms of ADHD can affect work and school. They can also cause poor health or financial problems and stress relationships. If you are diagnosed and treated, you can improve your life.
Certain ADHD symptoms can change with the passage of time. For instance, inattention may become more apparent as you age and the ability to control impulses and hyperactivity may diminish as you get older. Other factors can cause problems such as obstructive sleep apnea is more frequent in adults suffering from ADHD and poor sleeping habits are known to exacerbate ADHD symptoms.
People suffering from ADHD frequently have co-occurring disorders, such as depression, anxiety bipolar disorder, and other learning disabilities. Sometimes, treating the underlying condition can help eliminate the symptoms of ADHD. It is crucial to inform your mental health professional if you have any other medical conditions. This could have an impact on the effectiveness of treatment.
It is crucial to speak to your primary care physician, who can refer you to a health specialist who is trained in ADHD assessments for adults. Ask if there is a support groups for adults with ADHD in your area. They may have resources and a list of specialists by specialization. You can also contact the insurance company you have to find out which health healthcare providers are covered under your policy.
Treatment
Generally, the best approach to diagnose adult ADHD is to have a thorough assessment by a health care professional. The evaluation should include questions about your childhood, as well as questions about your life now and screening for ADHD symptoms. You might be asked whether your ADHD symptoms have caused problems at work, at school or in your relationships.
Counseling and medication are two of the many treatment options that are available to adults suffering from ADHD. Counseling can include psychotherapy, also called talk therapy, and cognitive therapy for behavior. These therapies teach you how to manage your symptoms and how to change negative thought patterns into positive ones. They can also assist with other mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression that often co-occur with ADHD.
Psychostimulants, such as dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate are often utilized to treat adults suffering from ADHD. These drugs alter the way certain chemicals in your brain communicate and regulate your behavior. Your doctor will select the best medication for your needs and the symptoms you are experiencing and will adjust the dosage and frequency accordingly. Nonstimulants can also be used to treat adults with ADHD. They don't interfere with the same brain pathways as psychostimulants do. Examples of nonstimulant medicines are atomoxetine and guanfacine.
Coaching or mentoring can be used to teach adults suffering from ADHD strategies and coping methods. For instance, you could learn how to keep a planner in place or a journal, or you might be given strategies for improving your time management. You may also benefit from changing your lifestyle to accommodate your ADHD symptoms, such as working from home instead of working in a place of work and using apps on your phone to monitor your tasks or scheduling appointments at times that are less crowded. You might also want to inquire about taking part in clinical trials, which is a research study designed to test new methods of treating ailments and diseases. (NIMH provides information on clinical trials.
Sometimes your family doctor will refer you to a mental health specialist or other health care professional for an evaluation of your ADHD. You could ask a friend or family member for recommendations or call an local ADHD support group.