ADHD Diagnosis in Adults
The diagnosis of ADHD is made by an accredited mental health specialist or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family doctor). The symptoms are evaluated using standardized behavior ratings scales based upon research that compares the behavior of people suffering from ADHD and those without.
A medical exam is commonly performed, as certain medical conditions like thyroid problems or seizure disorders can be akin to symptoms of ADHD.
Symptoms
The signs of ADHD are a major concern for those who seek a diagnosis. They might struggle to keep an occupation, maintaining healthy relationships, or keep up with household chores. In addition, they may be suffering from mood and anxiety disorders or have problems with substance use. The first step in finding out if you are suffering from a disorder is to set up an appointment with your health care professional. Your physician can refer you to an expert in mental health who is qualified to conduct ADHD assessments for adults. You can also inquire with the local hospital that is affiliated with a university or a medical school for recommendations. Some insurance plans include professionals according to specialization.
During the examination during the evaluation, a mental healthcare professional will review your medical and personal history, and examine you in order to determine whether you meet any of the ADHD diagnostic criteria. These are provided by the American Psychiatric Association in its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition. The doctor will be looking for hyperactivity as well as impulsivity and inattention. Inattention symptoms include having trouble paying attention to what others are saying or doing, failing to follow instructions and not paying attention to the details. Those with ADHD tend to be forgetful and have trouble finishing tasks, particularly when they're not interested in them.
People with hyperactive and impulsive symptoms may run around and climb into places they shouldn't, interrupt conversations and games, or play with other people's toys such as sports equipment or homework assignments. They aren't able to wait for their turn or play with a calm mind. They often scream out answers to questions before the person asking has completed their thought, or they cannot wait until their turn to speak at work, school or at a social gathering. They might have difficulty waiting for help or using money, and often skip appointments.
A thorough mental health evaluation is essential prior to diagnosing ADHD, because many conditions can resemble the symptoms of the disorder, including anxiety disorders, mood disorders and certain medication and head injuries. A psychiatric evaluation typically includes an organized interview that delve into your social, emotional and academic life. It could also include interviews with family members and friends. Your mental health specialist may conduct psychological tests to determine your working memory, executive functioning abilities and spatial and visual skills.
Diagnosis
If adults are given an ADHD diagnosis, it's usually life-changing. It may provide a reason for the frustrations they experience every day such as work-related issues, difficulties making friends, relationship conflicts or a lack of financial stability. It can also help to clarify the reasons why they were deemed in the past as irresponsible or lazy.
The symptoms of ADHD in adults vary over time which makes it difficult to recognize than in children. To diagnose the disorder doctors follow the guidelines laid out by the American Psychiatric Society's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5). This is a thorough examination that could include symptom checklists and standardized scales for assessing behavior, and interviews with significant others, such as parents or spouses and teachers.
In addition to a thorough interview, some practitioners request patients to complete questionnaires or psychological tests to assess working memory, executive functions (such as planning, decision-making spatial and visual abilities) and reasoning (thinking). Based on the individual the doctor may request a brain scan or conduct other laboratory testing such as physical examination or blood tests.
It is important for a physician to consider possible co-occurring conditions that could mimic ADHD such as mood disorders or learning disabilities, drug use, or head injuries (Austerman 2015). In an assessment the doctor may also talk to the patient's family members and acquaintances to gather additional information about the condition.
Many people suffering from ADHD forget about events that happened in their childhood, particularly when they're in emotional distress. For this reason, it is common for doctors to ask patients' parents or other close family members to fill out a retrospective ADHD profile that outlines the child's behavior and school performance.
Some patients are reluctant to seek out a diagnosis because they aren't convinced that their problems are serious. However, for those suffering from undiagnosed ADHD the repercussions of a missed or delayed diagnosis can be devastating.
Treatment
The first step in finding solutions for adults suffering from ADHD is to get a diagnosis. Most people with ADHD will start by speaking to their primary care doctor and they can refer them to an expert in mental health.
A psychiatric examination typically consists of the description and discussion of symptoms, interviews with the patient and other sources like spouses and friends, the completion of ADHD symptom lists as well as standardized behavior scales and psychometric tests like tests for learning disabilities and intelligence. It's also crucial to rule out other medical conditions that can be a cause of ADHD symptoms, including thyroid disorders and seizure disorder.
The most difficult part of an adhd diagnosis for adults is overcoming the stigma that is associated with the condition. It's not uncommon for a person suffering from untreated ADHD to feel like they're failing, particularly in the realms of work and relationships. A diagnosis can help those with ADHD understand what is going on and realize it's not them, according to research psychologist Karla pretorius, M.Psych, who specializes ADHD in adults.
It's also helpful to talk about your problems with private diagnosis adhd coworkers and teachers as well as supervisors. They can better understand your challenges when you educate them on ADHD. They may make small adjustments, such as allowing you more time to finish assignments or providing you with a quiet place to study. In a lot of instances, you'll discover that instructors and colleagues are more understanding than you may have imagined.
If you're interested in trying medication for your ADHD, talk to your primary care provider about the possibility of participating in a clinical trial. These trials are designed to test the latest ways of preventing, diagnosing and treating diseases and conditions. You can access the latest treatments and therapies before they become widely available.
ADHD medications can help you improve your ability to focus and follow directions, as well as control the impulsive behavior. It is essential to combine treatment with psychotherapy. Psychotherapy can help you develop coping skills, help you develop healthy routines and learn to manage your feelings of disappointment and shame over past mistakes. It can help you understand the impact of ADHD on family interactions and dynamics.
Counseling
For many adults, receiving a diagnosis of ADHD is an emotional transforming experience. They might have struggled to deal with chaotic, impulsive or inattention behaviors for a long time without knowing why. A diagnosis can help them recognize that their problems are not due to being lucky or failing.
The first step in getting diagnosed is to have an interview with an expert in mental health. During the interview, the patient is asked about their mental health issues, and how they impact their lives, both professionally and personally. The clinician will also want to understand a person's history particularly from childhood. This might include asking about previous diagnoses or mental health issues. It is often helpful to bring a family member or close acquaintance to the interview, since they can aid in recalling specifics.
During the evaluation the person will be required to take psychological tests that test their working memory, executive functioning spatial and visual abilities and reasoning skills. It is essential to answer all of the questions in a complete and honest manner so that a accurate picture of a person's abilities can be obtained. It is essential to not hide information during an interview out of embarrassment.
To be diagnosed with ADHD adults must be able to demonstrate signs that cause significant impairment in at minimum two settings. ADHD symptoms can cause someone to struggle at work or school and may even be a victim of relationship issues.
Counseling can help those who have been diagnosed with ADHD learn how to deal with their symptoms, and develop strategies to be successful at work, school and in relationships. Individual therapy, cognitive behavior therapy, and the ability to manage impulsive and inattentional behaviors are all a components of this. It is also recommended that those who have been diagnosed with ADHD seek out marriage and family counseling to address the issues that may be caused by their symptoms.
Other kinds of counseling that can be useful for those with ADHD include OT (occupational therapy) and yoga practices, which combine the physical benefits of exercise with the psychological benefits of meditation. OT can assist people with ADHD establish structure and routines and yoga can teach breathing techniques and relaxation techniques to promote mental calmness.