Question: How Much Do You Know About ADHD Diagnosis Adult?
ADHD Diagnosis For Adults
Adults often have trouble getting an ADHD diagnosis because doctors use different clinical guidelines that they use for teenagers and children. The diagnosis requires a minimum of five symptoms in the categories of hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity.
Evaluations by professionals will ask you questions about your childhood, your work and academic life, drug and alcohol use and your family history. They may also talk with your spouse or friends.
What is ADHD?
It can be a relief to receive an ADHD diagnosis in adulthood, whether you're constantly losing your keys, have trouble in school or work, or have trouble staying focused in conversations. "You know you're not crazy, and this puts you in better position to manage it," says pediatrician Mary V. Solanto, Ph.D. who is a professor of psychology and psychiatry at Hofstra-Northwell School of Medicine on Long Island, New York.
The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition Text Revision (DSM-5) contains the guidelines providers use to make an ADHD diagnosis. Adults need to meet a lower threshold of symptoms than children -- 5 out of 9 over the past 6 months -- to be diagnosed with either inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive ADHD, or a combination.
An ADHD assessment usually begins with a face-to-face interview with your doctor who will go over your symptoms and their impact on your life. Bring along any report cards from your childhood to help your doctor to understand the history of your ADHD. Your doctor might also ask to speak to a spouse or family member, a co-worker or a close friend who knows you well. They might inquire about your relationship, how they perceive your behavior and how it affects you. They might also inquire how ADHD symptoms are interacted with other conditions, such as depression or an anxiety disorder.
You will be asked about your lifestyle during the interview, such as the frequency you fail to go to appointments or pay bills, or if you have difficulty with time management. It is important to be truthful in your answers and consider the impact these behaviors have on your daily life. Ask your healthcare professional for a referral to a different doctor or therapist if you are unsure about the symptoms. Self-tests and rating systems are available online, but these are not as reliable as an interview conducted by a qualified professional. Certain tests could even result in an incorrect diagnosis, so it's advisable to talk to your doctor first.
Signs and symptoms
If you suspect you may have ADHD begin by talking to your primary care provider. He or she may recommend you to a mental healthcare specialist for an evaluation, like psychologist or psychiatrist. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision DSM-5 offers guidelines for clinical care to diagnose mental disorders. It is essential to provide your physician as much information as you can about your symptoms so that they can make an accurate diagnosis.
The person who evaluates you will inquire about your symptoms and how they affect your life. He or she will also talk to your spouse, children teachers, colleagues, and others who know you well. Your assessment could include neuropsychological, behavioral, or learning disability tests. These tests will provide your doctor with additional information about your ADHD symptoms and help to rule out other conditions that cause similar symptoms.
In addition to evaluating your current symptoms, the professional will determine whether you have predominantly inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive or combined type ADHD. To receive a diagnosis, you must show that you have at least six of the nine symptoms for either the inattentive or hyperactive-impulsive presentation.
The signs of a person who is mostly inattention include difficulty paying attention, omitting details or making erroneous mistakes. The person doing the evaluation will also look at how these symptoms interfere with work, school and social activities. The impulsive/hyperactive/impulsive symptoms of ADHD include fidgeting, difficulty sitting still or squirming in the chair, excessive talking and interrupting others, frequent blurting out answers before questions are finished and difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly.
Usually, these symptoms manifest in the early years of childhood. However, they may also be present in adulthood. Some adults recognise their own ADHD symptoms after their children are diagnosed, or due to changes in their lives, such as an employment change or marriage or move into their own home. In other instances the condition is not recognized until the adult experiences significant issues at work or with their relationships. This could include being dismissed from a job, having financial problems or getting into trouble with the law.
Diagnosis
A screening is the first thing to do when you suspect that you may have ADHD. A licensed mental health professional will interview you and review your symptoms along with your medical history and family history. The interview might also include questions about work and school performance as well as how your symptoms impact your daily life at home and in your relationships. You might want to bring a copy of your report cards, teacher comments and any other documentation that may be relevant.
The psychiatric specialist will use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) to help make the diagnosis. The symptoms of ADHD must be present in at least six months and they should affect functioning or developmental progress in more than one environment, such as school or home. The symptoms of ADHD need to not be explained by other mental disorder such as anxiety or mood disorders.
Many people with ADHD suffer from problems that last into adulthood. The symptoms of ADHD can be detrimental to both school and work. They can also lead to financial or health issues and stress relationships. If you are diagnosed and treated, you can make a difference in your quality of life.
Some signs of ADHD develop with age, for instance the symptoms of inattention may be more apparent as you get older and hyperactivity and impulsivity may decrease as you get older. Other factors can contribute to the difficulties. For instance the condition known as obstructive sleep apnea is more common in adults with ADHD. Poor sleeping habits can also worsen ADHD symptoms.
Many people who suffer from ADHD have co-occurring conditions such as anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder and learning disabilities. Sometimes, treating the root condition can help eliminate the symptoms of ADHD. It is important to inform your mental health professional if you suffer from any other condition. This could have an impact on the effectiveness of treatment.
It is important to talk with your primary care physician, who can refer you to a health care professional trained in ADHD evaluations for adults. It is also a good idea to ask whether there exist any support groups for people with ADHD in your area. They can offer resources as well as a list by specialization of specialists. You can also contact the insurance company you have to find out which health healthcare providers are covered under your plan.
Treatment
The most effective method to determine if you have ADHD is a thorough evaluation by a medical professional. The assessment should include questions about your childhood, questions about your present life and a check for ADHD symptoms. You may also be asked about any problems that your ADHD symptoms cause at school, work or in your relationships.
Counseling and medication are two of the many treatments available for adults with ADHD. adhd adults diagnosis can be described as psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy) and cognitive behavioral therapy. These therapies help you learn how to manage your symptoms and how to transform negative patterns of thinking to positive ones. They can also aid with other mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression that often co-occur with ADHD.
Treatment for adults suffering from ADHD usually involves psychostimulants like the methylphenidate (Ritalin) and dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine). These drugs affect the way certain chemicals in the brain communicate to regulate behavior. Your doctor will choose a medication that fits your body and symptoms and alters the dosage and frequency when required. Nonstimulants are also employed to treat people suffering from ADHD. They don't affect the same brain pathways that psychostimulants do. Nonstimulant medicines include atomoxetine Guanfacine and guanfacine.
Coaching or mentoring can be used to teach adults suffering from ADHD strategies and coping techniques. You may learn to make use of a diary or planner, or be shown techniques for managing your time. You can also benefit from altering your living situation to accommodate your ADHD symptoms, for instance, working from home instead of working in a place of work, using smartphone apps to track tasks or scheduling appointments for times that are less crowded. You might also want to inquire about participating in a clinical study, which is a research-based project that aims to test new methods to treat diseases and conditions. (NIMH has information about clinical trials.)
Sometimes, your family physician will refer you to a psychiatrist health specialist or other health care professional for an evaluation of your ADHD. You can ask a friend or family member for recommendations, or contact a local ADHD support group.
