ADHD Diagnosis in Adults
The diagnosis of ADHD must be made by an accredited mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family doctor). The symptoms are analyzed using standardized behavior ratings scales based on research that compares the behaviors of those with ADHD and those who don't.
A medical exam is also performed as certain medical conditions like seizures or thyroid problems can mimic ADHD symptoms.
Symptoms
Many people who seek a diagnosis of ADHD claim that their symptoms interfere with their lives. They may have difficulty keeping an occupation, maintaining healthy relationships or keeping up with household chores. Additionally, they might suffer from anxiety and mood disorders or substance use problems. To determine if you are suffering from a disorder first, you need to make an appointment with a health care provider. Your doctor can refer you to an adult ADHD specialist who is certified to conduct the assessment. You can also request recommendations from your local medical school or a university hospital. Some insurance plans list professionals according to their specialties.
In the course of an evaluation, a mental health professional will go over your medical and personal history and then examine you to determine if you fit any of the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association contains these criteria. The doctor will look for inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity. Inattention symptoms can include not paying attention to others, not following instructions and not paying attention to small details. People suffering from ADHD tend to be forgetful and have trouble finishing tasks, particularly when they're not interested in them.
People suffering from impulsive and hyperactive symptoms might run around and climb into places they shouldn't, interrupt conversations and games, or take over other people's toys and sports equipment, or even homework assignments. They can't wait their turn or play quietly. They often respond to questions before the person asking completed their thinking, or are eager to speak in a group setting at school, at work. They might have a difficult time waiting for help, or making use of money. They are also more likely to miss appointments.
A thorough mental health evaluation is essential prior to diagnosing ADHD, because many conditions can mimic the symptoms of the disorder, such as mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and certain medications and head injuries. A psychiatric examination usually involves an interview with a specific format that is focused on your social, academic and emotional life. This can also include interviews with family members and friends. Your mental health professional may conduct psychological tests to assess your working memory, executive functioning abilities and spatial and visual skills.
Diagnosis
It can be a life-changing experience for adults to receive an ADHD diagnosis. It can give a solid explanation for the frustrations they face every day: problems at work or issues in establishing relationships, relationship conflicts or a lack of financial stability. It can also help to explain the reason why they were considered unreliable or lazy as children.
Diagnosing ADHD in adults is trickier than diagnosing children, as the symptoms change with time. To diagnose the disorder, doctors use the guidelines provided by the American Psychiatric Society's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5). This evaluation may include symptom lists, behavior rating scales and interviews with teachers, family members parents, spouses, or parents.
In addition to a thorough interview, some physicians request patients to complete questionnaires or psychological tests to measure executive functions, working memory (such as planning, decision-making spatial and visual abilities), and reasoning (thinking). Certain doctors may also recommend blood tests, physical examinations or a brain scan based on the person.
It is important for a physician to consider possible co-occurring conditions that may be a cause of ADHD, including mood disorders, learning disabilities, substance use or head injuries (Austerman, 2015). During an assessment, a doctor might also talk to the patient's family members and friends to gather additional information about their history with the condition.
In addition, many people with ADHD have trouble remembering events from their childhoods particularly when they are experiencing distress or other emotional issues. It's not uncommon for physicians to ask parents or other family members to fill out a retrospective ADHD report describing the child's behavior as well as school performance.
Some patients are reluctant to seek a diagnosis because they do not believe that their problems are serious. For those suffering from undiagnosed ADHD the repercussions of a missed or delayed diagnosis can be devastating.
Treatment
The first step to finding treatment for adults with ADHD is to get a diagnosis. Most people with ADHD start by talking to their primary healthcare provider who will recommend them to a mental-health specialist.
A psychiatric examination typically consists of the description of symptoms and interviews with the patient as well as other sources outside of the patient, like spouses and friends and completion of ADHD symptom checklists, standardized behavioral scales and psychometric tests like tests for intelligence and learning disabilities. Additionally, it is essential to eliminate medical conditions such as thyroid problems and seizure disorders that may mimic ADHD symptoms.
The stigma associated with adhd is often the most difficult part of the diagnosis for adults. It's not uncommon for an adult who suffers from untreated ADHD to feel like a failure especially in areas such as work and relationships. Being diagnosed can help them understand what's happening and recognize that it's not their fault, said research psychologist Karla Pretorius, M. Psychologists who specialize in ADHD in adults.
Discussion of your symptoms with colleagues teachers, supervisors and coworkers could be beneficial. They'll be able to better understand your struggles when you educate them on ADHD. They might offer small adjustments, such as giving you more time to finish assignments or providing you with a quiet place to study. You'll find that often your colleagues or instructors are more understanding than you expected.
Consult your primary physician about taking part in a trial if you are interested in a medication for ADHD. These trials are designed for testing new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat diseases and conditions. They will give you access to the most recent treatments and therapies before they become widely available.
Medications for ADHD can improve your ability to focus and follow directions, as well as control the impulsive behavior. It's important to combine medication with psychotherapy. Psychotherapy can help you develop strategies for dealing with stress, establish healthy routines, and help you manage your feelings of guilt and discontent about past failures. It can aid you in understanding the impact of ADHD on your family relationships and the dynamics of your family.
Counseling
Being diagnosed with ADHD can be a life-changing moment for many adults. They might have struggled to cope with uncontrollable, inattentional or impulsive behaviors for years without ever being able to understand why. Receiving diagnosed with adhd as an adult enables them to see that their problems aren't due to being unsuccessful or unlucky.
The first step in obtaining an accurate diagnosis is to conduct an interview with a mental health professional. During the interview, the patient is asked about their symptoms, and how they impact their lives professionally and personally. The doctor will want to learn about the person's past, particularly from their childhood. This may include asking about past diagnoses or other mental health issues. It is usually beneficial to bring a family member or close friend with them for the interview, since they can aid in recalling specifics.
During the test, the person could be required to take psychological tests that measure working memory executive function, spatial and visual capacities, and reasoning skills. It is crucial to answer all of the questions truthfully and completely so that a accurate image of a person's capabilities can be gathered. It is crucial to not conceal details during an interview out of fear of embarrassment.
In order to receive a diagnosis, an adult must show signs of ADHD that cause significant impairment in two or more settings. For example, the person may struggle at work or in school and may have issues with relationships because of their ADHD symptoms.
Counseling can help people who have been diagnosed with ADHD to understand how they can manage their symptoms and devise strategies to succeed at school, work, and in relationships. This includes individual talk therapy as well as cognitive behavioral therapy, and learning how to manage impulsive and inattentive behaviors. It is also recommended that those who have been diagnosed with ADHD seek marriage and family counseling to deal with the issues that may be caused by their symptoms.
OT (occupational therapy) and yoga techniques can also be helpful for those with ADHD. These techniques combine the physical benefits of exercise with the mental benefits of meditation. OT can help people with ADHD create structure and establish routines, while yoga teaches the practice of relaxation and breathing to help promote mental peace.