ADHD Diagnosis For Adults
Adults often have trouble getting an ADHD diagnosis because doctors use different guidelines for clinical diagnosis than they do for adolescents and children. The diagnosis requires at minimum five signs that fall within the categories of hyperactivity, inattention, and an impulsiveness.
Evaluations by professionals will ask you questions about your childhood, work and academic life, alcohol and drug use, and family history. They might also want to speak with your spouse or friend.
What is ADHD?
Whether you keep losing your keys, have difficulty with school or work or struggle to stay engaged in conversations, getting an ADHD diagnosis as an adult can be a massive relief. "You know that you're not crazy, and this puts you in a better position to deal with it," says pediatrician Mary V. Solanto, Ph.D., an associate 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 typically starts with a face-to-face meeting with your doctor who will discuss your symptoms and their impact on your life. It is helpful to bring reports cards or other documents from your childhood, as it can help the provider get more information about your experience with ADHD. Your provider may ask to speak to a close partner, spouse, family member, or a coworker who knows you well. They might inquire about your relationship, the way they view your behavior, and how it affects you. They may also ask how ADHD symptoms interact with other conditions, such as depression or an anxiety disorder.
You'll be asked questions about your life during the interview, including the frequency you fail to go to appointments or pay bills, or if you have issues with managing time. It's essential to be honest in your answers, and to think about how these behaviors impact your daily life. If adults diagnosed with adhd about your symptoms, it's worth consulting your healthcare professional to refer you to another psychologist or doctor to conduct an evaluation. There are self-tests and rating scales on the internet, but they aren't as reliable or reliable as an interview with a qualified provider. Some of these tests can even lead to an incorrect diagnosis, so it's recommended to talk to your healthcare provider first.
Signs and symptoms
Consult your primary healthcare provider if you suspect you may be suffering from ADHD. They can refer you to an expert in mental health such as psychiatrist or psychologist for evaluation. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision DSM-5 offers guidelines for clinical care to diagnose mental disorders. It is important to provide as much information about your symptoms as you can to enable your doctor to make an accurate assessment.
The person who evaluates you will ask about your symptoms and how they affect your life. The person conducting the evaluation will also talk to your children, spouse, teachers, co-workers and others who know you well. Your evaluation could include tests for behavior problems or neuropsychological disorders. These tests can provide your doctor additional information on how your ADHD symptoms affect you and 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 a person who is mostly inattention are a lack of attention not paying attention to details, or making mistakes. The person conducting the assessment will also assess how these symptoms impact 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.
These symptoms usually manifest in the early years of childhood. However, they may also be present in later life. Adults may be able to recognize their own ADHD symptoms after their children are diagnosed or after changes in their lives like the marriage, job or moving into a new home. In some cases the condition isn't recognized until a person has serious issues at work or in their relationships. This could mean being fired from a job or having financial issues, or being in trouble with the law.
Diagnosis
A screening is the first thing you should do if you suspect you are suffering from ADHD. A licensed mental health professional will interview you and reviews your symptoms, medical history and family history. Interview questions may be asked about your school and work performance, and how symptoms affect your life at home and with relationships. You may wish to bring copies of your report cards, teacher comments as well as any other documentation pertinent.
The psychiatric practitioner uses the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5) to determine the diagnosis. For the diagnosis of ADHD, the symptoms must be present for at minimum six months and be interfering with development or functioning in more than one setting for example, at school or at home. Additionally, the symptoms cannot be explained better by a mental disorder that is not related to ADHD, such as a mood disorder or anxiety disorder.
Many people suffering from ADHD have problems well into adulthood. The symptoms can affect the school and work environment, leading to poor health and financial issues and can cause stress in relationships. Getting diagnosed and treated can improve your quality of life.
Some ADHD symptoms can change with age. For example, inattentiveness can become more evident as you age, and the ability to control impulses and hyperactivity may diminish as you age. Other factors can contribute to the difficulties. For example sleep apnea, also known as obstructive, is more prevalent in people with ADHD. Poor sleeping habits can also exacerbate ADHD symptoms.
Many people who suffer from ADHD have co-occurring conditions like anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, and learning disabilities. Sometimes, treating the underlying disorder can eliminate ADHD symptoms. It is essential to inform your mental health professional if you suffer from any other condition. This can influence the effectiveness of treatment.
It is important to talk to your primary care physician, who can refer you to a health professional trained in ADHD evaluations for adults. It is also a good idea to ask whether there are any support groups specifically for people with ADHD in your region. They can provide you with resources and a list of specialties of professionals. You can also reach out to the insurance company you are with to find out which health healthcare providers are covered under your plan.
Treatment
Generally, the best approach to determine if you have ADHD is a thorough evaluation by a medical professional. The evaluation should include questions regarding your childhood, as well as questions about your present life and screening for ADHD symptoms. You may be asked about any issues that your ADHD symptoms are causing at school, at work or in your relationships.
There are a variety of treatments available for adults suffering from ADHD which include counseling and medication. Counseling is a combination of psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy) and cognitive behavioral therapy. These treatments teach you how to manage your symptoms and how to change negative thinking patterns to positive ones. They can also assist with other mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression that often co-occur with ADHD.
Treatment for adults suffering from ADHD usually involves psychostimulants such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) and dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine). These medications affect the way that certain chemicals in your brain communicate and regulate behavior. Your doctor will choose a medication that is right for your needs and the symptoms you are experiencing, and alter the dosage and frequency according to your needs. Nonstimulants can also be used to treat adults suffering from ADHD. They do not interfere with the same brain pathways that psychostimulants do. Nonstimulant drugs include atomoxetine guanfacine, and guanfacine.
Other options for treatment for adults suffering from ADHD may include mentoring or coaching to teach strategies and coping abilities. You may be taught how to utilize a diary or planner, or be shown time management strategies. You could also alter your living situation in order to accommodate your ADHD symptoms. For example, you could work at home instead of at an office, utilize smartphone apps to keep track of your tasks, or schedule appointments at less busy times. You may also wish to inquire about taking part in a clinical trial, which is a research study designed to test new methods to treat diseases and conditions. (NIMH has information about clinical trials.)
Sometimes your family doctor will refer you to a mental health specialist or another health care professional for an evaluation of your ADHD. You can also ask your family member or friend for recommendations, or you can join a local support group for people suffering from ADHD.