11 Creative Methods To Write About ADHD Diagnosis In Adults
Getting an ADHD Diagnosis in Adults
Many people seek out a diagnosis when they realize that ADHD causes them to have issues at work or in their relationships. NIMH suggests that those seeking diagnosis talk to their primary care provider or mental health professional.
They will take a detailed background and complete tests like symptom-rating scales or psychological tests. They might also undergo physical examinations to rule out medical issues that may be a sign of ADHD like seizures or thyroid issues.
Diagnosis
It can be liberating and eye-opening to be given the diagnosis of ADHD, but it can also be a source of anxiety. Adults who have been struggling with the symptoms of ADHD for years may decide to seek out a medical opinion, prompted by frustrations at work or in their relationships, or because they've been told by friends or family that they may be suffering from ADHD. It is important to remember that a healthcare professional may take an extended time to diagnose ADHD, and that the process involves much more than just completing standardized tests or conducting a series of clinical interviews.
The first step in the process is to identify whether your ADHD symptoms are in line with the criteria for the disorder: Several of them begin before age 12 years old. They may occur in more than one place like school, home and work. They affect daily life.
Because symptoms of ADHD can be triggered by mood disorders, such as anxiety or bipolar and other physical ailments and illnesses, your healthcare provider might recommend additional tests prior to making an official diagnosis. This may include clinical interviews or rating scales for symptoms, or psychological tests to test thinking abilities as well as problem solving abilities and memory.
It is essential to be honest with your health professional. And this could mean discussing how the difficulties that you're facing in various aspects of your life have affected your mood. In addition the mental health professional doing your evaluation may request that you talk to your spouse, or close family and friends members to gain a complete picture of how you've struggled. They may even ask permission to complete questionnaires on their experiences with you and compare them to your own.
Signs and symptoms
Adults suffering from ADHD might notice that their symptoms impact daily life, especially at work and school. They might have trouble keeping a job, staying in relationships, or even being able to make ends meet due to the inattention and impulsivity that make it difficult to follow instructions or remember details, plan tasks or complete projects. The symptoms may be mild, moderate or severe.
To diagnose ADHD doctors use standardized tools called checklists, questionnaires and questions for interviews. They also check the family and medical history of the person and take into account other mental health problems. If a person has several of the 9 symptoms, their provider uses guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition Text Revision (DSM-5-TR) to assign a diagnosis: inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive or combined type.
Inattentional symptoms include difficulty paying attention to small details, daydreaming, or being easily distracted. Problems with completing tasks and staying on task, and a tendency to lose the track of time or become distracted are also signs of inattention.
People with the hyperactive/impulsive type often fidget, move around frequently and have trouble sitting still for long periods of time. They tend to lose things easily and have trouble organizing their day-to-day activities at work or at home. They may lose phones, keys or wallets often. They are unable to wait their turn in school, at work, or when playing. They have a low tolerance for stress or frustration and are subject to frequent and intense mood swings.
Adults who suffer from ADHD are more likely to have co-existing disorders like conduct or oppositional defiant disorders anxiety, depression, tic disorders, Tourette syndrome and issues with substance abuse. Co-occurring disorders may complicate treatment and make it difficult to diagnose ADHD.
Treatment
If you suspect you may have ADHD, the first step in getting a diagnosis is to talk with your primary care provider. They can refer you to an expert in mental health. The professionals will examine your symptoms and concerns at school, at work or at home to assess how they affect your life. They will conduct an organized interview and might seek the assistance of family members or friends who know you well. They will also go over the medical and family background of your family, and will conduct a physical examination.
Your doctor will also take a look at the length of time you've been experiencing these symptoms and what effect they have on your life now. In order to be granted an diagnosis of ADHD, a person's symptoms must be present for at minimum six months and cannot be explained better by another disorder, such as depression or anxiety. They should also hinder everyday tasks like getting to school, completing assignments on time, or maintaining a career.
In your assessment the mental health specialist may use standardized behavior rating scales and ADHD symptom checklists. You will also receive an assessment of your cognitive abilities which will test your working memory and executive functioning as well as your spatial and visual abilities. They will also look for other conditions that could cause similar symptoms, such as a thyroid problem or seizure disorder.
If adults diagnosed with adhd finds that you have ADHD, they will discuss the available medications and treatment options. In most cases it is a combination of medications and talk therapy (counseling) is the best option. Therapy helps you to manage your symptoms and improve communication with your family members and colleagues. It can also address problems that may be a problem in marriages and relationships because of the difficulties that ADHD can cause at work and home.
Medication
The symptoms of ADHD in adults are generally more mild than in childhood, however they can still cause problems at work and home. The disorder can lead to difficulties in getting or keeping an excellent job, issues with social interactions and relationships and self-esteem issues, academic failures, emotional anxiety, temper tantrums and an attitude that is antisocial.
The medication can aid in the condition by increasing and balancing the levels of neurotransmitters, brain chemicals that regulate the flow of information through the brain. The stimulants are the most commonly prescribed medications for ADHD in adults. Examples include Jornay (methylphenidate extended-release tablets), Xelstrym (dextroamphetamine extended-release oral suspension), Cotempla (methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release orally disintegrating tablet) and Adhansia (methylphenidate hydrochloride immediate-release orally disintegrating tablet). Adults can also be treated using Atomoxetine, a non-stimulant, and antidepressants like bupropion. These medications work slower than stimulants, and could be beneficial for those who are not able to take stimulants due to health issues or serious side-effects.
Psychotherapy (also known as cognitive-behavioral treatment) could be beneficial in treating disorders that are comorbid to ADHD like depression and anxiety. Psychotherapy may be a better treatment than medication alone for these conditions according to research. Psychotherapy is primarily focused on teaching techniques for managing the disorder and improving performance at work, in school and in relationships. The goal is to improve confidence in oneself, reduce problematic behavior and increase the effectiveness and performance. It is recommended that all psychotherapy approaches for adult ADHD sufferers include a cognitive component. Researchers have found that ADHD patients receiving both psychotherapy and medication showed greater improvement than those taking only pills.
Counseling
Adults who aren't ready to take medication can get relief from therapy and counseling. Individual therapy can address issues like low self-esteem, feelings of failure and frequent job changes that often occur with ADHD. It can also help improve relationships and communication by helping patients and their families to comprehend the disorder and learn coping techniques.
Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on teaching patients how to overcome negative thoughts and manage their behavior. This type of treatment can reduce symptoms of inattentive ADHD and hyperactive-impulsive ADHD, as well as comorbid mood disorders such as depression and anxiety disorders.
Therapists may also focus on the development of organizational and time-management skills or teach coping techniques to manage emotional regulation, impulse control and relationship issues caused by the impulsive behavior. These strategies can assist people to live a more productive and satisfying life, especially at work.
Counseling can also assist those with ADHD when applying for workplace accommodations that could be offered under the Americans with Disabilities Act, which can significantly increase job satisfaction and performance. For professionals, this may mean changing the way their work is structured to allow them more flexibility to meet deadlines and complete tasks on time.
Finding the right therapist essential to get the most benefit from treatment for adult ADHD. It is important to inquire about the therapist's method and whether they have treated ADHD in adults is important when interviewing potential therapists. It is important to verify the credentials of the therapist as well as insurance coverage. Some providers have a sliding scale fee, or offer online therapy services which make therapy accessible to those who are unable to pay out of pocket.