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Getting an ADHD Diagnosis in Adults
Many people seek out a diagnosis after realizing they are having issues in their relationships or at work due to ADHD. NIMH recommends those seeking a diagnoses speak with their primary care physician or a mental health professional.
They will ask for an extensive medical history as well as conduct tests such as symptom rating scales and psychological tests. They might also undergo a physical exam to rule out medical conditions that could be similar to ADHD like thyroid problems or seizures.
Diagnosis
Being diagnosed with ADHD can be eye-opening and liberating, but it can also be a source of anxiety. Adults who have struggled with the symptoms of ADHD for a long time may decide to seek a professional opinion, motivated by their frustrations at workplace or in their relationships, or because they've been informed by family or friends that they might have ADHD. It is important to remember that a healthcare professional may take a long time to diagnose ADHD, and that the process requires more than completing standard tests or conducting interviews with a clinical psychologist.
The first step is to determine if your ADHD symptoms meet criteria for the disorder: Many of them begin before age 12 years old. They can occur in multiple settings like home, school and work. They can affect the daily functioning of a person.
Because symptoms of ADHD can also be caused by mood disorders, like bipolar or anxiety and other physical conditions and illnesses, your healthcare provider might recommend additional tests before making a diagnosis. This could include clinical interviews, rating scales for symptoms, and psychological testing to evaluate your thinking abilities, problem-solving skills, and memory.
It's important that you are completely honest with the mental health professional. This could mean discussing how your mood was affected by your difficulties in various aspects of your life. The professional who is evaluating your mental health you may also ask to speak with your spouse, close family members, and friends to gain more insight into your struggles. They may even ask permission to have your family members complete questionnaires that compare their experiences to yours.
Signs and symptoms
Adults with ADHD frequently notice that their issues interfere with everyday activities, particularly at work and school. They might have trouble finding work, staying in relationships or getting by due to the inattention and impulsivity which make it difficult to follow directions and remember things, manage tasks or complete tasks. The symptoms can be mild, moderate or even severe.
To diagnose ADHD, doctors use standard tools such as checklists, interview questions and questionnaires. They also review the medical and family history of the patient and consider other mental health issues. If a person has several of the 9 symptoms, their provider uses guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition Text Revision (DSM-5-TR) to assign a diagnosis: inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive or combined type.
The signs of an inattentive personality include difficulty paying attention things, focusing on details, and being easily distracted. Problems with completing tasks and staying on task and a tendency lose track of time or get distracted are all signs of inattention.
People with the hyperactive/impulsive type often fidget, move around frequently and have trouble sitting still for long periods of time. They tend to forget things quickly and have difficulty organizing their daily activities either at work or at home. They might lose their keys, phones or wallets often. They are unable to wait their turn at the classroom, at work or in play. They can be easily annoyed or stressed, and experience frequent mood shifts.
In adults, it's more common for people with ADHD to have co-existing conditions, such as conduct disorders, oppositional defiant disorder, anxiety or depression, tic disorders or Tourette syndrome, as well as substance abuse problems. Co-occurring disorders may complicate treatment, and make it harder to identify ADHD.
Treatment
If you think you might have ADHD the first step towards getting a diagnosis is to talk with your primary care physician. He or she will probably recommend you to a mental health professional. The professionals will examine your symptoms and problems at school, at work or at home to assess how much they interfere with your life. They will conduct a structured interview and may seek the assistance of family members or close friends who know you well. They will also go over your medical and family background and conduct a physical examination.
Your doctor will also look at how long you've had these symptoms and what effect they affect your life today. In order to be granted an diagnosis of ADHD the symptoms must be present for at least six months and can't be better explained by another disorder, such as depression or anxiety. Additionally, they should affect daily activities, such as getting to class, completing tasks on time or keeping an occupation.
During your examination Your mental health professional might use standardized behavior rating scales and ADHD symptoms checklists. You will also be administered a cognitive test that will assess your executive and working memory functioning and also your visual and spatial capabilities. They may also test for other conditions that could cause similar symptoms such as seizures or thyroid condition.
If your mental health provider decides you have ADHD and you are diagnosed, they will explain the various medications available and will discuss possible treatment options. Most often the combination of medication and talk therapy (counseling) is the best option. Therapy can assist you in managing your symptoms, and improve communication between family members and coworkers. Therapy can also aid in resolving issues that can be a problem in relationships and marriages due to the difficulties ADHD can create.
Medication
ADHD symptoms in adults tend to be more mild than in childhood. However, they can still create problems both at work and at home. The disorder can lead to difficulties in getting or keeping a good job, problems with social interactions and relationships and self-esteem issues, academic lapses emotional distress, temper tantrums, and an attitude that is antisocial.
adhd diagnosis in adult can help with the condition by increasing and balancing levels of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters, which control the flow of information in the brain. The stimulants, which are typically prescribed for ADHD in adults, are the most common drugs. Jornay, Xelstrym, Cotempla and Adhansia are all examples of stimulants. The nonstimulant atomoxetine and certain antidepressants like bupropion are also used to treat ADHD in adults. These medications work slower than stimulants, and could be a better choice for people who cannot take stimulant medication due to health problems or severe side effects.
Psychotherapy, also known as cognitive-behavioral therapy, can help in the treatment of disorders that are comorbid, such as depression and anxiety that are related to ADHD. Psychotherapy may be a better treatment than medication alone for these disorders according to research. Psychotherapy focuses primarily on teaching strategies to manage the disorder and improving the performance at work, in school and in relationships. The aim is to boost the self-esteem of the individual, reduce problematic behavior and increase functioning and success. It is recommended that all psychotherapy approaches for adults ADHD patients incorporate a cognitive-behavioral element. Researchers have found that ADHD patients receiving both psychotherapy and medication showed higher improvement than those who only took pills.
Counseling
Adults who do not want to take medication can get relief from therapy and counseling. Individual talk therapy can address issues such as low self-esteem, and feelings of failure that are often associated with ADHD. It can also help improve relationships and communication by helping patients and their families to comprehend the condition and develop strategies for dealing with it.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is primarily focused on teaching patients how to change their negative thinking and manage their behavior. This type of treatment can reduce symptoms of inattentive ADHD and hyperactive-impulsive ADHD, as well as comorbid mood disorders such as depression and anxiety disorders.
Therapists can also teach coping strategies for impulse control as well as emotional regulation and relationship issues that arise due to an impulsive behavior. These techniques can assist you in living more productively especially at work.
Counseling can help people with ADHD seek accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act. This will improve their work performance and overall satisfaction. For professionals, this could be a matter of changing the way their work is structured so that they have more flexibility to meet deadlines and finish tasks in time.
Finding the right therapist essential to getting the most out of treatment for adult ADHD. The therapist's approach and whether they have successfully dealt with ADHD in adults is essential when interviewing potential therapists. It is important to check therapist credentials and insurance coverage. adhd in adults diagnosis have an affordable sliding scale fee or provide online therapy, making treatment accessible for people who cannot afford to pay out from their pockets.