ADHD Diagnosis For Adults
A proper diagnosis of ADHD can help you gain control over symptoms that can cause problems at home as well as in your professional life. Symptoms of ADHD can also cause depression and anxiety.
A thorough assessment will involve a detailed interview with you. It could also involve screening questionnaires for other conditions that may look like ADHD or coexist with it, such as anxiety or depression. Your healthcare professional could also ask you to speak with your loved ones.
Diagnosis
It is crucial to seek out a licensed health professional to examine you if you think you may be suffering from ADHD. This could include a psychiatrist, psychologist or family physician, or nurse practitioner with specialized knowledge of mental disorders. The assessment will include talking about your symptoms, problems they cause, and how you have tried to deal with them. The healthcare provider will look over your medical history, including previous mental health issues, as well as any medications you may be taking.
The healthcare provider must be able to identify at least six symptoms (traits) of ADHD. They must be present in at least two different environments (home school, at home, and social situations) as well as significantly impairing your functioning. The symptoms must be present for at least six months, and they must be constant over time. In addition, your healthcare provider must determine whether your symptoms are inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive or a combination of both.
Inattentive symptoms include trouble paying attention, forgetting details, and losing things. Problems with school are also common. People with inattention ADHD might not follow directions and assignments, or submit work on time. They aren't able to sit still or paying attention to other people or focusing on their own belongings. They frequently interrupt and utter answers before they have finished. They struggle to wait for their turn in conversations or games.
Hyperactive/impulsive ADHD symptoms include restlessness, fidgeting or excessively tapping hands and speaking without thinking. This type of ADHD could cause difficulties at work, school and home. These issues are often connected to financial problems and troubled relationships.
The person who is conducting the assessment may wish to talk with your teachers or parents, and look at any documentation of your behavior issues as when you were a child. They'll likely conduct an examination of your body to rule out other medical conditions which may be causing the symptoms you're experiencing, such as seizures or thyroid issues.
They may recommend additional psychological, neuropsychological or learning disabilities tests when the issues you're experiencing at school, work or in your relationships demand it. These tests are not able to diagnose ADHD however they can provide valuable information about how the disorder affects you.
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If you suspect that you or your child might have ADHD, you should seek out a qualified health professional who can assess your symptoms. You can ask your doctor for a referral. Contact your insurance company. Or search online for professionals that specialize in ADHD assessments of adults. You can also join an adult ADHD support group for suggestions.
During the test the person who is conducting it will talk to you or your child about your childhood and current life to get a better idea of what's going on. They may also want to talk to teachers and others who knew you when you were an infant. They could inquire about your medical history and past illnesses to determine if you are suffering from any symptoms that may be connected to ADHD, such anxiety or depression.
The evaluator may also use questionnaires and ratings scales to determine how often your child or you display certain ADHD behaviors and how severe they are. These tools can help compare your or your child's symptoms with the symptoms of other children and adults who have been diagnosed with the condition. This is to ensure that you or your child meets the criteria that are standard for diagnosing. Your child or you might also undergo a neurological and physical examination. They could also look for medical conditions that could be the cause of ADHD like thyroid problem or seizures.
For children to be diagnosed with ADHD, they need to consistently demonstrate six or more of the behavioral symptoms listed in two categories -- inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity -- over the course of six months. For adults, five established symptoms in one category are needed -- either inattention or hyperactivity/impulsivity. The symptoms can't be better explained by another mental disorder, like an anxiety disorder or a mood disorder. Your evaluator will consider the results of the testing and interview to arrive at an official diagnosis of ADHD. The evaluator drafts an account of his or her findings and recommends solutions. They'll likely give you or your child with a copy of the report.
Treatment
Being diagnosed with ADHD can cause problems in many areas of life, such as family and work. Some of the signs include impulsive or forgetful decisions that can cause financial issues or issues at school or work. Marriage and family therapy may aid those suffering from ADHD overcome the difficulties they face in their relationships. Individual psychotherapy (also called talk therapy) can address the feelings of anger and inadequacy that often accompany the diagnosis of ADHD. It's important to find a therapist that has experience working with people who suffer from ADHD and who can understand the unique challenges this disorder can cause.
Health professionals employ a variety of ways to determine if a person has ADHD, including monitoring them in different settings and asking them about their symptoms and how they affect their lives, examining their past behavior, taking psychological and neuropsychological tests and medical examinations. They can also talk to caregivers and teachers to get a full picture of the individual's life. This includes their home, workplace and social setting.
For an young adult or adolescent to be diagnosed with ADHD, the symptoms must be present in two or more environments and severely interfere with their daily functioning. They must be present for at minimum six months. The symptoms must have developed prior to the age of 12 and cannot be explained by other mental disorder, for example depression or anxiety.
Older teens and adults must meet the criteria for both the inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive types of ADHD to be diagnosed with this disorder. They must exhibit at least five symptoms in various settings.
A therapist can help teach skills that reduce the symptoms of ADHD. This includes planning ahead and keeping track of your schedules and using the planner, notebook or diary and also establishing and sticking to routines. They can also assist you to develop communication and problem-solving abilities that will help you manage symptoms. adhd diagnosed include medication, lifestyle adjustments and accommodations--tools or changes in the environment that make it easier for people with a condition to function, like step stools that allow short people to reach things that are high up.
Support
For many, receiving an adult diagnosis can bring relief and a sense of finally knowing what's going on. It's also a time of grief due to missed opportunities in school or work or relationships that have gone wrong. Matlen said that it's particularly difficult for women and girls who's symptoms might have been missed during childhood or not fully recognized as they grew.
A doctor or specialist will review the person's life-history including the adolescent years and childhood. They will examine the person's work and school records and interview them and anyone they know well. They will also ask about the signs. They will check to ensure that the symptoms aren't more easily explained by a mental health condition, like anxiety or depression or that the individual does not have a physical problem like low blood pressure or a hearing or vision impairment.
In addition to a physical exam The doctor may also suggest cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). The purpose of CBT is helping the person change their thoughts and actions to help them manage their ADHD more efficiently. The therapist will teach the person strategies to improve their organization skills as well as time management and impulse control. The therapist will instruct the client to identify and avoid triggers that cause ADHD symptoms.
Some doctors may recommend the patient to a psychiatrist who has experience in treating adults with ADHD. They can discuss the issues the patient is experiencing at home, at work, and in relationships. They can recommend support groups and other resources for adults with ADHD.
If a person has trouble finding a specialist doctor they could ask their primary care provider for a referral or search their health insurance company's online directory. You can also ask your friends and family members for recommendations or join a local support group for adults with ADHD. The specialist can assist the person find a psychiatrist or neurologist to monitor their medication and a life coach or therapist who can give them strategies to manage symptoms and make positive changes in their lives.