ADHD Diagnosis For Adults
Adults often have trouble getting an ADHD diagnosis because doctors follow different clinical guidelines that they use for adolescents and children. The diagnosis requires at least five symptoms from the categories of hyperactivity, inattention and the tendency to be impulsive.
The professionals conducting the assessment will ask you questions about your education, childhood work, family, and history. They may also want to discuss your relationship with your spouse or family members.
What is ADHD?
It's a relief to get an ADHD diagnosis in adulthood regardless of whether you're constantly losing keys, have trouble in school or work, or are having trouble staying focused during conversations. You know you're normal and can deal with it better, says Mary V. Solanto Ph.D. Professor of Psychology at the 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) contains 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.
A face-toface meeting with your healthcare provider is typically the first step in an ADHD evaluation. They will discuss your symptoms and how they impact your life. It is helpful to bring reports cards or other documents from your childhood to aid in getting an understanding of your history with ADHD. Your doctor may suggest that you speak to a close family member, spouse, friend member, or a coworker who knows you well. They might inquire about your relationship, the way they view your behavior, and how it affects your life. They might also inquire what ADHD symptoms can be linked to other conditions, like anxiety or depression.
You will be asked about your lifestyle during the interview, such as the frequency you fail to attend appointments or pay bills or if you experience issues with managing time. It is important to be honest in your answers and think about how these habits impact your daily life. Ask your healthcare professional for a referral to a different practitioner or therapist if aren't sure about your symptoms. You can find self-tests and rating scales online, but they're not as reliable and as valid as an appointment with a qualified provider. Some of these tests can even lead to a false diagnosis, so it's recommended to consult your healthcare provider first.
Signs and symptoms
Talk to your primary healthcare provider if you suspect that you have ADHD. He or she may recommend you to a mental health professional for evaluation, such as psychologist or psychiatrist. The American Psychiatric Association provides clinical guidelines for diagnosing in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision (DSM-5). It's important to provide as much details about your symptoms as possible so that your physician can determine the most accurate diagnosis.
The person evaluating you will inquire about your symptoms and how they affect your life. He or she will also talk to your children, spouse, teachers, co-workers and others who know you well. Your evaluation could include tests for learning disabilities, behavioral disorders, or neuropsychological disorders. These tests can provide your doctor additional information on how your ADHD symptoms affect you and can help rule out other conditions that cause 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 trouble paying attention, not noticing important details or making erroneous mistakes. The person who is evaluating the child will also assess how these symptoms affect work, school and personal 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.
Often, these symptoms appear in childhood. However, they can also be present in later life. adhd undiagnosed in adults may be able to recognize their own ADHD symptoms when their children are diagnosed or after an event in their lives like getting married, a job or moving into their own home. In some instances, the condition is not recognized until a person has significant issues at work or with their relationships. This could include being dismissed from a job or having financial issues, or being in trouble with the law.
Diagnosis
If you think you have ADHD, a screening is the first step in finding a treatment. A qualified mental health professional will talk to you and discuss your symptoms along with your medical history, and family history. Interview questions may also be asked about your work and school performance, and how the symptoms affect you at home and with relationships. You might be required to bring copies of report cards, teacher comments and any other documentation that could be relevant.
The psychiatric professional uses the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5), to determine the diagnosis. To qualify for a diagnosis of ADHD symptoms, they must be present for at minimum six months and be interfering with functioning or development in more than one setting like school or at home. The symptoms of ADHD should not be attributed to any other mental disorder, such as mood disorders or anxiety.
Many people suffering from ADHD are still struggling throughout their adulthood. The symptoms can affect the school and work environment, leading to poor health and financial issues, and cause strain in relationships. Diagnosed and treated, you can make a difference in your quality of life.
Some signs of ADHD develop with age, for example the symptoms of inattention may become more evident as you age, and impulsivity and hyperactivity may diminish with age. Other factors can cause problems. For instance sleep apnea, also known as obstructive, is more common among adults with ADHD. Poor sleep habits can also cause ADHD symptoms.
Many people suffering from ADHD suffer from co-occurring illnesses like anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, and learning disabilities. Sometimes, treating the underlying disorder can help eliminate ADHD symptoms. If you have other illnesses, it is crucial to tell your mental health professional because this can affect the effectiveness of your treatment.
It is essential to talk to your primary doctor, who will refer you to a health care professional trained in ADHD evaluations for adults. Find out if there are support groups for adults with ADHD in your locality. They can offer assistance and a list specialists with specialization. You can also reach out to the insurance company you have to determine which health care providers are covered under the plan you have.
Treatment
Generally, the best approach to diagnose adult ADHD is to have a thorough assessment by a health professional. The examination should include questions about your childhood, current life and the screening for ADHD symptoms. You might be asked whether your ADHD symptoms have caused problems at school, at work or with your relationships.
There are a myriad of treatment options for adults suffering from ADHD, including counseling and medication. Counseling includes psychotherapy (also called talk therapy) and cognitive behavioral therapy. These types of therapy assist you in learning how to manage your symptoms and change negative patterns of thinking into positive ones. They can also be helpful in dealing with other mental health conditions like anxiety and depression, which often co-occur with ADHD.
Medication for adults with ADHD typically involves psychostimulants such as the methylphenidate (Ritalin) and dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine). These medications affect how certain brain chemicals communicate to regulate behavior. Your doctor will select a medication that is appropriate for your body and symptoms and adjusts the dosage and frequency when required. Nonstimulants are also employed to treat people suffering from ADHD. They don't affect the same brain pathways in the same way that psychostimulants do. Nonstimulant drugs include atomoxetine Guanfacine and Guanfacine.
Coaching or mentoring can be used to teach adults with ADHD strategies and coping methods. For example, you might be taught how to keep a planner in place or a journal, or you might be given strategies for improving your time management. You could also benefit from adjusting your lifestyle to accommodate your ADHD symptoms, such as working at home instead of in a workplace or using apps on your smartphone to track tasks or scheduling appointments for times that aren't as busy. You may also wish to inquire about taking part in clinical trials, which is a research investigation designed to test the effectiveness of new ways of treating illnesses and conditions. (NIMH has information about clinical trials.)
You could be referred to an expert in mental health or another health care professional by your family physician for an assessment of your ADHD. You can ask a family member or family member for recommendations or call the local ADHD support group.