The No. One Question That Everyone Working In ADHD Adults Diagnosis Should Be Able To Answer
Adults Diagnosis of ADHD
A diagnosis of ADHD is a good first step towards managing symptoms that cause havoc at home, work and in relationships. It also provides a means to see the bigger picture of issues that have been a source of confusion and frustrating for years.
During the evaluation process mental health professionals employ the standardized behavior rating scales as well as ADHD symptoms checklists to determine if an adult is meeting diagnostic criteria. They can also interview significant others and family members to gain additional insights.
1. Talk to Your Health Care Provider
Talking to your doctor is the first step towards finding out the cause. Your doctor will help you identify the symptoms and refer you to a specialist if needed.
You can also ask your family members, friends and co-workers to suggest professionals who are skilled in ADHD assessments of adults. You may also get information from your insurance provider about professionals in your region. Attending an ADHD support group is a different option. You can speak to people who share the same challenges and learn from them about how they manage these challenges.
Many adults decide to look for a diagnosis because they're unhappy with how their symptoms hinder their daily functioning, either at work or in their personal lives. They're tired of losing their keys, being late for meetings, and struggling to keep their jobs or maintain healthy relationships. You can manage these symptoms by seeking an appointment with a doctor.
If you're discussing your symptoms with your health care provider be honest. Don't hide your feelings as you do not want to look weak or unreliable. Your doctor requires a complete picture of your difficulties and how they've affected your work performance as well as your personal life.
Be prepared to speak up regarding medication If your doctor recommends it. Some adults don't like to take medication and prefer other methods of treatment like psychotherapy (the medical term used to describe mental health therapy) and lifestyle changes that are referred to as accommodations. Like a step stool can help someone who is a little short to achieve the same heights as others accommodations allow those with ADHD to achieve their goals and succeed.
Your doctor will inquire about your history with ADHD. It is recommended to remember specific details from your childhood as this is when the disorder will most likely show up. It is possible to speak to your teachers or other adults from your childhood depending on where you live. However, these things do not necessarily confirm the diagnosis.
2. Request a reference
Your family doctor can refer you to undergo an ADHD assessment and treatment if you have concerns about how your behaviors are impacting your school, work or relationships. They may also be able to provide you referrals to other specialists, like psychologists and psychiatrists who specialize in treating adults suffering from ADHD.
When you visit a doctor for an evaluation, be sure to speak openly and honestly about the issues you are having such as those connected to ADHD. It is essential to not cover up information due to fear of shame or being criticized. The accuracy of your assessment and the effectiveness of any treatment you recommend will be determined by how accurate your medical history is.
The examiner will want to review your social, emotional and academic background and examine how these issues are affecting you right now. They will also go over the American Psychiatric Association's diagnostic guidelines, which are found in the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders," fifth edition (DSM-5). They'll want to know about any symptoms you experience in the present, in addition to any symptoms you've had since childhood. They will interview and as much as possible talk to people who knew you when you were a kid.
They will determine if your symptoms are better explained by a medical condition or mental health problem, such as depression or an anxiety disorder. They will also determine whether you have a neurodevelopmental disorder or a learning impairment.
If a doctor does not agree that you have ADHD, they will tell you the other conditions or issues that might be causing your issues and why they don't believe you are suffering from ADHD. This does not mean you have to accept the diagnosis, but it can help plan future care.
In undiagnosed adhd in adults diagnosed with ADHD will receive help not just from other adults suffering from ADHD but also from their families, friends coworkers, teachers, and coaches. They may also benefit by attending classes that teach relationships or marriage and couples counseling. Counseling can aid those with ADHD who struggle with low confidence. It can teach them how to improve their interpersonal skills.
3. Schedule a Consultation
ADHD can be caused due to a deficiency or an imbalance of neurotransmitters which regulate brain activity. This can hinder the ability of an individual to focus and to follow through on tasks. Adults who are not treated for ADHD may struggle in their work or relationships, as well as other aspects of their lives. If you suspect that you have ADHD consult your doctor or seek a recommendation to see a psychiatrist or psychologist who specializes in mental illnesses.
A mental health professional will evaluate whether you are suffering from ADHD symptoms using a rating scale. A mental health professional may also interview people important to your life, such as your spouse, and then complete the checklist of symptoms. A thorough examination could include psychological testing that measures working memory, executive functioning (the abilities that are involved in making decisions and planning) spatial and visual abilities and reasoning abilities. The results can be used to determine if there are any conditions that can cause similar symptoms, such as anxiety or depression.
During your evaluation, your health care professional will also look at the way you've dealt with your symptoms over time. If you tend to forget appointments, make impulsive decisions and fail to meet deadlines, your doctor might suggest therapy or classes to assist you in learning more effective ways to deal with these challenges. Your doctor might also suggest medication. These drugs are commonly used to treat adults suffering from ADHD and are extremely effective. But they don't work for everyone, and can have side effects. Nonstimulant drugs that don't have the potential for abuse are now available. They can be as effective as stimulants.
It's important to educate others on ADHD. While people with ADHD need to be diagnosed and receive treatment in order to improve their lives, it's also helpful to help them inform their spouses, parents and colleagues. Many adults with ADHD struggle to get their spouses, parents, and even their coworkers to understand their behavior. The ability to educate others can improve relationships and boost support systems. There are also ADHD online and in many communities.
Being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult can be difficult, but it's possible. Talk to your GP who can recommend a treatment that's best suited to your needs.
4. Schedule and an Evaluation
It can take time to receive a thorough assessment and a diagnosis. Request an appointment from your primary care physician, but if your GP isn't willing or doesn't agree to refer you consult other health professionals. Call your local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD for names of local specialists who specialize in adult ADHD or consult the professional associations that support people suffering from ADHD to find out whether they have any recommendations.
Prepare yourself for a detailed and lengthy discussion regarding your symptoms and how they affect your life. The evaluator is going to examine your medical as well as family and personal background and any current issues. They'll also inquire if the symptoms have affected your financial situation, relationships or your work performance. They may use standard rating scales that measure your behavior against those of people without ADHD. These ratings will help them determine if your symptoms are caused by ADHD or better explained by another disorder, like anxiety or depression.
Your evaluator may also order cognitive tests to check for intellectual or learning difficulties that could be the reason for your struggles in school or at work. Some evaluators screen for conditions that could cause symptoms similar to ADHD and thyroid disorders, for example or seizures disorders.
Some evaluators may order additional physical examinations or laboratory testing, such as blood work and brain imaging, to rule out other health problems. They may request you to fill out an assessment that focuses on specific signs, such as problems with planning and organizing or being overly active and impulsive. They could also interview your family members or your friends about your childhood, looking for evidence that you have ADHD.
It is important to be honest during the interview. Many adults are embarrassed to ask for a diagnosis and withhold information, thinking that it will make their appearance look worse. It is crucial to get a positive diagnosis that the evaluator gets accurate information about your issues with organization as well as impulse control and relationships.