The Best Way To Explain ADHD Diagnosis In Adults To Your Boss
Getting an ADHD Diagnosis in Adults
Many people seek a diagnose when they realize that ADHD is causing difficulties at work or in their relationships. NIMH suggests that those seeking diagnosis consult their primary care physician or mental health professional.
They will take a detailed background and complete tests like symptom rating scales or psychological tests. They can be subjected to a physical examination to determine if they have any other medical conditions that may be mistaken for ADHD, such thyroid problems or seizures.
Getting a Diagnosis
Receiving a diagnosis of ADHD can be eye-opening and empowering, but it can also be stressful. Adults who've struggled with ADHD symptoms for years may eventually seek out professional help due to frustrations at work, in relationships, or because their friends or family have told them they may be suffering from ADHD. It is crucial to keep in mind that a doctor can take a long time to determine ADHD and the process involves much more than simply completing standardized tests or conducting a series of clinical interviews.
The first step is to determine if your ADHD symptoms are consistent with the criteria for the disorder. Several of these symptoms occur before the age of 12. They are seen in a variety of settings, for example, school, home and at work. And they interfere with the daily activities of people.
Since symptoms of ADHD can also be caused by mood disorders such as anxiety or bipolar and other physical ailments and illnesses, your doctor might want to conduct additional evaluations before making a diagnosis. This could include interviews with a clinical psychologist or rating scales for symptoms, or psychological testing to assess thinking abilities, problem solving skills, and memory.
It is essential to be honest with your health professional. And this might involve discussing how the issues you're experiencing in various areas of your life have impacted your mood. Additionally, the mental health professional doing your evaluation might ask to talk to your spouse, or close friends and family members to get a fuller picture of the struggles you've faced. They might even request that your family members complete questionnaires that compare their experiences with yours.
Symptoms
Adults suffering from ADHD typically notice that their issues interfere with daily activities, particularly at school and work. They may have difficulty keeping their jobs or maintaining relationships. They may also be struggling to make ends meet due to their inattention and impulsivity. This makes it difficult for them to remember things, plan tasks, or complete tasks. The symptoms can be mild, moderate, or severe.
To determine ADHD doctors employ common tools like checklists, interview questions and questionnaires. They also take into account the family and medical histories of patients 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.
Inattentional symptoms include inattention issues with small details, daydreaming, and being easily distracted. Inattention can also be associated with difficulty in following and finishing tasks, as well as a tendency to get distracted or lose the 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 also tend to forget things quickly and frequently have difficulty organizing their work, home or everyday activities. They may lose keys, phones, papers or wallets frequently. They have trouble waiting for their turn at school, at work or playing. They have a low tolerance for stress or anger and experience frequent and intense mood swings.
In adulthood, it's more typical for people suffering from ADHD to have co-occurring conditions like conduct disorders, oppositional defiant disorder, anxiety or depression, tic disorders or Tourette syndrome and substance abuse issues. Co-occurring disorders can complicate treatment and may make it harder to diagnose ADHD.
Treatment
Talking to your primary care physician is the first step to receiving a diagnosis when you suspect that you suffer from ADHD. He or she will probably refer you to a psychiatrist or mental health professional. The professionals will examine your symptoms and concerns at school, work or at home to assess how much they interfere with your daily life. They may use an organized interview or ask family members or close friends to help. They will also go over your medical history and family history and conduct a physical examination.
Your doctor will also consider the length of time you've had these symptoms and what effect they are having on your life. To be eligible for a diagnosis of ADHD the symptoms must be present for at minimum six months and cannot be better explained by another disorder such as depression or anxiety. They should also hinder daily tasks such as getting to school, finishing assignments on time, or sustaining the job.
During your evaluation the mental health professional might also employ standardized scales for behavior and ADHD symptoms checklists. They will also likely perform a cognitive test to check your executive functioning and visual and spatial abilities. They will also test for other conditions that can cause similar symptoms such as a seizure disorder or thyroid issue.
If your psychiatrist determines that you have ADHD and you are diagnosed, they will explain the various medications available and discuss possible treatment options. In most cases the combination of medication and talk therapy (counseling) is the best. Therapy can assist you in managing your symptoms, and also improve communication between family members and coworkers. Therapy can also aid in resolving issues that can arise in marriages and relationships due to the difficulties ADHD can cause.
diagnosing adhd in adults are typically milder than in childhood. However they can still cause problems at work and at home. The disorder can result in problems in obtaining or maintaining an excellent job, issues with relationships and social interaction, academic failures, low self-esteem emotional anxiety, temper tantrums and disruptive behavior.
The medication can treat the disorder by increasing and balancing levels of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. They regulate the flow information in the brain. Stimulants, commonly prescribed for ADHD in adults are the most frequently prescribed medications. Jornay, Xelstrym, Cotempla and Adhansia are all examples of stimulants. Adults can also be treated using the non-stimulant atomoxetine and antidepressants like bupropion. These drugs perform more slowly than stimulants, and could be more appropriate for those who can't take stimulant medication because of health problems or severe adverse effects.
Psychotherapy (also called cognitive-behavioral therapy) could be beneficial in treating disorders that are comorbid with ADHD, such as depression and anxiety. Psychotherapy could be a better treatment than medications alone for these conditions as per research. Psychotherapy is primarily focused on teaching skills for managing the disorder and improving performance at school, work and with relationships. The goal is to increase the person's self-esteem, decrease problems with behavior, and improve performance and success. It is recommended that all psychotherapy approaches for adults ADHD patients include a cognitive-behavioral component. In one study, researchers found that ADHD patients who received therapy and medication showed a higher level of improvement than those who simply took the pills.
Counseling
Adults who do not want to take medication can find relief through counseling and therapy. Individual therapy can help with issues such as low self-esteem, and feelings of failure that are often associated with ADHD. It can also improve communication and strengthen relationships by helping loved ones understand the disorder and develop strategies for coping.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a method of teaching patients how to control their behavior and to change negative thoughts. 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 provide strategies to control impulses, emotional regulation and relationship issues that can arise as a result of impulsive behavior. These strategies can aid you in living more productively especially at work.
Counseling can help people with ADHD seek accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act. This can help improve their work performance and satisfaction. This may include changing the structure of their work to allow them more flexibility in meeting deadlines and completing tasks within the timeframes they have set.
Finding the right therapist essential to get the most benefit from treatment for adults with ADHD. Asking about the therapist's approach and whether they have been able to treat ADHD in adults is important when interviewing potential therapists. Checking the credentials of therapists and insurance coverage is an excellent idea. Some therapists have an affordable sliding scale fee or provide therapy online that make therapy accessible to those who can't afford to pay out from their pockets.