ADHD Diagnosis in Adults
A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists or neurologists, or family doctors) must diagnose ADHD. The symptoms are evaluated using standardized behavior ratings scales based upon research that compares the behavior of people with ADHD and those who don't.
A medical exam is also conducted because certain medical conditions, such as thyroid problems or seizures may mimic ADHD symptoms.
Symptoms
The symptoms of ADHD are a major issue for those seeking a diagnosis. They may be struggling to keep a job or maintaining healthy relationships. They may also have difficulty to manage household chores. They may be suffering from anxiety, mood disorders or addiction issues. The first step towards being diagnosed is to schedule an appointment with your health care professional. Your doctor can recommend a mental health professional who is certified to conduct ADHD evaluations for adults. You can also contact an institution affiliated with a local university or a medical school for recommendations, and some insurance plans provide professionals by specialization.
During an evaluation, the mental health professional will review your personal and medical background and 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 be looking for signs of inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity. Inattention symptoms include not paying attention to others, not following instructions and not paying attention to tiny details. People with ADHD are usually forgetful and have trouble finishing tasks, particularly when they're not interested in them.
People who suffer from hyperactivity and impulsive symptoms might run around and climb where they shouldn't, interrupt conversations and games, or take over toys of other children such as sports equipment or homework assignments. They can't wait for their turn or to play in a quiet manner. They often respond to questions before the questioner has finished thinking, or they can't wait to speak in a group setting, at school, or at work. They may have trouble waiting for help or using money, and frequently skip appointments.
A thorough mental health evaluation is important before diagnosing ADHD since a variety of conditions can mimic the symptoms of the disorder, such as mood disorders, anxiety disorders, certain medications and head injuries. A psychiatric examination typically involves structured interviews that look into your social, emotional and academic life. It can also include family and friends interviews. Your mental health professional may conduct psychological tests to determine your working memory ability, executive functioning abilities, and visual and spatial skills.
Diagnosis
If adults are given an ADHD diagnosis, it's usually life-changing. It may provide a reason behind the frustrations that they experience every day like work issues, difficulties in establishing friendships, conflicts with relationships or a lack financial stability. It can also help to explain why they were labeled unreliable or lazy as children.
The symptoms of ADHD in adults change with time, making it harder to recognize than in children. To diagnose the disorder, doctors must follow the guidelines laid out by the American Psychiatric Association in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) to determine if an individual meets the criteria. The evaluation could include symptom lists as well as behavior rating scales, and interviews with teachers, family members, parents, or spouses.
In addition to a thorough interview, some practitioners require patients to take questionnaires or psychological tests to assess working memory, executive functions (such as decision-making, planning and spatial and vision abilities), and reasoning (thinking). Depending on the individual doctor's needs, some doctors might request a brain scan or conduct other clinical laboratory testing such as physical examination or blood tests.
It is important for a physician to consider possible co-occurring conditions that may be a cause of ADHD such as mood disorders, learning disabilities, substance use, or head injuries (Austerman 2015). In an assessment the doctor may also talk to the patient's relatives and acquaintances to gather additional information about the condition.
Additionally, many people suffering from ADHD struggle to remember the events of their childhood and are especially troubled when experiencing distress or other emotional issues. It is not uncommon for doctors to ask parents or other family members to fill out a retrospective ADHD report that describes a child's behavior and school performance.
Some patients are reluctant to seek a diagnosis because they don't believe their issues are serious. If not diagnosed, ADHD can cause severe consequences for those suffering from it.
Treatment
The first step to finding solutions for adults suffering from ADHD is to obtain an assessment. Most people with ADHD begin by speaking to their primary healthcare provider who will refer them to a mental-health specialist.
A psychiatric assessment typically includes the description and discussion of symptoms, interviews of the patient and other sources like spouses and family members, completions of ADHD symptoms lists and standardized behavior scales and psychometric tests, such as tests for learning disabilities and intelligence. Additionally, it is crucial to exclude medical conditions like seizure disorders and thyroid problems that can mimic ADHD symptoms.
The stigma associated with adhd is often the most difficult aspect of the diagnosis for adults. Untreated ADHD can make an adult feel like a failure in areas such as relationships and work. Receiving a diagnosis can help people understand what's happening and recognize that it's not their fault said research psychologist Karla Pretorius, M. Psychology, who specializes in ADHD in adults.
Discussion of your symptoms with colleagues, supervisors and teachers can be helpful. Informing them on ADHD can help them understand your issues and provide small adjustments to allow you to achieve your goals, such as giving you more time to finish your assignments or providing a quiet area to study. In a lot of instances, you'll discover that your instructors and coworkers are more understanding than you have expected.
If you're interested in trying medications for your ADHD discuss with your primary care physician about the possibility of participating in the clinical trial. These trials are designed to test new ways of preventing, diagnosing and treating illnesses and conditions. They will give you access to the latest treatments and therapies before they become widely accessible.
Treatments for ADHD can improve your ability to concentrate and follow directions, as well as control your impulsive behaviors. It is important to take medications in conjunction with psychotherapy. Psychotherapy here can help you develop coping skills, develop healthy routines, and manage your feelings of guilt and discontent about past failures. It can help you understand the effects of ADHD on family relationships and the dynamics of your family.
Counseling
For many adults, receiving a diagnosis of ADHD can be a transformative experience. They may have been struggling to deal with impulsive, inattentive or disorganized behaviors for a long time without being able to understand why. A diagnosis helps them understand that their difficulties aren't just the result of being lucky or failing.
The first step to get diagnosed is to have an interview with an expert in mental health. During the interview, the patient is asked about their issues and how they affect their life both professionally and personally. The physician will want be aware of a person's history especially from their childhood. This may include asking about any past diagnoses or other mental health issues. It can be helpful to bring a trusted family member or friend accompany you during the interview. They can assist you to recall specifics.
During the test the person will be asked to complete psychological tests that measure their working memory, executive functioning spatial and visual skills and reasoning abilities. It is essential to answer all questions in a complete and honest manner so that an accurate assessment of the abilities of a person can be obtained. During the interview, it is essential that a person does not censor information because of embarrassment or shame.
To be diagnosed with ADHD An adult must exhibit signs that cause significant impairment in at least two settings. ADHD symptoms can cause someone to struggle in work or school, and even have relationship issues.
Counseling can help those with a new diagnosis of ADHD learn how to deal with their issues, and develop strategies for success in school, at work and in relationships. Individual therapy as well as cognitive behavior therapy and learning to manage impulsive or inattentional behaviors are all a components of this. It is also recommended that people with a new diagnosis of ADHD get married and family counseling to resolve the issues that can arise as a result of their symptoms.
Other types of counseling that can be useful for people with ADHD include OT (occupational therapy) and yoga techniques that combine the physical benefits of exercise with the psychological benefits of meditation. OT can help people with ADHD develop a plan and establish routines while yoga teaches the practice of relaxation and breathing to improve mental calm.