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Getting an ADHD Diagnosis in Adults
Many people seek out a diagnosis after realizing they are having issues in their relationships or at work due to ADHD. NIMH suggests that those seeking diagnosis talk to their primary care provider, or a mental health professional.
They will ask for an extensive medical history and conduct tests such as symptom rating scales and psychological tests. They may also undergo a physical exam to determine if they have any other medical ailments that might be misinterpreted as ADHD like thyroid issues or seizures.
Diagnosis
Being diagnosed with ADHD can be revealing and empowering, but it can also be stressful. Adults who've struggled with ADHD symptoms for a long time might decide to seek help from a professional in the wake of frustrations at work, in their relationships, or because their relatives or friends have informed them that they could be suffering from ADHD. It is crucial to keep in mind that a health professional can take several months to determine ADHD, and that the process is more than simply completing standardized tests or conducting clinical interviews.
The first step is to determine if your ADHD symptoms match the criteria for the disorder. Several of these symptoms are present before the age of 12. They can be found in multiple settings, for instance, at home, school, and work. They also interfere with everyday functioning.
Because symptoms of ADHD can also be caused by mood disorders such as anxiety or bipolar and other physical ailments and illnesses, your doctor might recommend additional tests before making an assessment. This could include clinical interviews and rating scales for symptoms, and psychological tests to evaluate your thinking abilities ability to solve problems, as well as memory.
It is essential to be open with your mental health professional, and this could mean talking about how the struggles you're experiencing in various areas of your life affect your mood. The mental health professional evaluating you may also ask to speak to your spouse, close family members and friends to gain an understanding of your challenges. They might even request that your family members complete questionnaires that compare their experiences to yours.
Signs and symptoms
Adults suffering from ADHD typically find that their symptoms interfere with daily life activities, especially at work and in school. They may have difficulty keeping a job or maintaining relationships. They may also struggle to make ends meet due to their inattention and impulsivity, which makes it difficult for them remember things, manage tasks or complete projects. The symptoms could be mild or moderate. They can also be severe.
To determine ADHD the professionals use standard tools, such as checklists or questionnaires, as well as interview questions. They also look at the medical and family history as well as other mental health issues. 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.
The signs of an inattentive personality include difficulty paying attention to details, daydreaming and seeming to be easily distracted. Inattentiveness is also manifested by a lack of focus and difficulty finishing tasks, as well as a tendency to get sidetracked or lose track of time.
People with the hyperactive/impulsive type often fidget, move around frequently and have trouble sitting still for long periods of time. They tend to forget things quickly and have difficulty organizing their day-to-day activities, work or home. get adhd diagnosis may lose phones, keys or wallets often. They may have trouble waiting for their turn in the classroom, at work or when playing. They can be easily annoyed or stressed, and experience frequent mood shifts.
Adults with ADHD are more likely to have co-existing disorders like conduct or oppositional defiant disorders depression, anxiety, tic disorders, Tourette syndrome and addiction issues. The presence of co-occurring disorders can complicate treatment and make it more difficult to diagnose ADHD.
Treatment
If you think you might have ADHD the first step towards getting a diagnosis is to talk with your primary care physician. They can refer you to a specialist in mental health. They will look over your symptoms and issues at school, work or at home to determine how they impact your life. They might conduct a structured interview or ask family members or close friends to assist. They will also review the medical and family background of your family, and will conduct a physical examination.
Your doctor will also consider how long you've had these symptoms, and the impact they have on your life now. To be eligible for a diagnosis of ADHD the symptoms must be present for at minimum six months and cannot be explained better by another disorder like anxiety or depression. Additionally, they must interfere with everyday activities like getting to class, finishing tasks on time or maintaining an occupation.
During your evaluation, a mental health professional may utilize standardized scales of behavior and ADHD symptoms checklists. You will also be administered a cognitive test that will check your working memory and executive functioning, as well as your spatial and visual abilities. They will also check for other conditions that can cause similar symptoms such as seizures or thyroid problem.
If get adhd diagnosis finds that you have ADHD they will go over the available treatments and medications options. Most often, a combination of medication and talk therapy (counseling) is best. Therapy helps you learn to manage your symptoms and improve communication with family members and other coworkers. Therapy can also aid in resolving issues that could arise in marriages and relationships due to the difficulties ADHD can cause.
Medication
ADHD symptoms in adults are typically more mild than in childhood. However they can still create problems at home and at work. The disorder can result in difficulties in getting or keeping an excellent job, issues with relationships and social interaction and self-esteem issues, academic failures emotional anxiety, temper tantrums and antisocial behavior.
The medication can treat the disorder by increasing and balancing the levels of brain chemicals referred to as neurotransmitters. They regulate the flow of information within the brain. The stimulants are the most commonly prescribed medications for ADHD in adults. Jornay, Xelstrym, Cotempla and Adhansia are just a few examples of stimulants. Adults can also be treated with atomoxetine, a nonstimulant, and antidepressants like bupropion. These drugs work more slowly than stimulants, and could be more suitable for people who can't take stimulant medication because of health problems or severe adverse effects.
Psychotherapy, also known as cognitive-behavioral treatment, may be beneficial in treating conditions that can be comorbid like depression and anxiety that are connected to ADHD. Research suggests that psychotherapy is a more efficient treatment for these conditions than just using medications on their own. Psychotherapy focuses on teaching the skills to manage the disorder and improve your performance at school, work and in relationships. The goal is to improve the self-esteem of the person and reduce problematic behavior, as well as improve their performance and success. It is recommended that every psychotherapy approach for adult ADHD sufferers include a cognitive-behavioral component. Researchers have found that ADHD patients receiving both psychotherapy and medication showed higher improvement than those taking only pills.
Counseling
For adults who aren't able to take medication therapy and counseling can offer significant relief. Individual therapy can address issues such as low self-esteem and feelings failure that are often associated with ADHD. It can also help improve relationships and communication by assisting patients and their loved ones to comprehend the disorder and learn coping techniques.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is primarily focused on teaching patients how to change their 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 can also concentrate on the development of organizational and time-management skills or teach coping strategies to deal with emotional regulation, impulse control and relationship issues caused by impulsive behavior. These techniques can help people live a more productive and satisfying life, especially in the workplace.
Counseling can assist people with ADHD apply for accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act. This can improve their job performance and satisfaction. For professionals, this could require modifying the way in which their work is structured so that they have more flexibility to meet deadlines and complete tasks within the timeframes they need to.
It is essential to choose the appropriate therapist for adults ADHD treatment. The therapist's approach and whether they have dealt with ADHD in adults is essential when interviewing potential therapists. Verifying the credentials of therapists as well as insurance coverage is also a smart idea. Some providers provide sliding scale fees or online therapy services to make therapy more accessible to those who can't pay for it.