ADHD Diagnosis For Adults
People suffering from ADHD might suffer from symptoms that are similar to depression or anxiety. This is why it is essential to undergo an extensive assessment by an expert in mental health or health care professional.
Your doctor will ask you about your childhood-related symptoms. You may also be asked to complete questionnaires or have interviews with professionals and teachers who know you.
Signs and symptoms
The signs of ADHD can make it difficult to keep up with daily tasks, including managing one's time and planning ahead. Undiagnosed ADHD can cause people to struggle at work, to struggle to keep up with school, and to find that their relationships suffer because they tend to overlook important events or arrive late to events. They may also have difficulty staying focused on conversations or appear distracted with a glazed over look.
The symptoms are assessed to determine if ADHD is present. They must have been present for at least six month and have caused problems in various areas of their lives. Adults who aren't diagnosed with ADHD may not be aware of their problem, but frustrations in everyday life may prompt them to seek out help. They may fall behind in their work because they fail to meet important deadlines or fail to concentrate during meetings and lectures. Friendships may suffer if they don't follow through on plans or fail to listen to their partners. Family life could be affected if they're incapable of completing household chores.
A qualified professional can also conduct tests for psycho-psychological disorders, or neuropsychological disorders. Based on the individual's specific issues, these tests may provide valuable information on the how ADHD impacts the person and determine if comorbid conditions exist. Anxiety can cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD and depression is frequently associated with ADHD.
It is essential to select a specialist who has experience treating adults suffering from ADHD. Clinical psychologists, physicians or clinical social workers are qualified professionals. You can locate an expert by asking friends or colleagues for recommendations, however you should conduct some research and verify that the expert is licensed and certified in your state. You can also research the professional background of the doctor and ask for references of previous clients or patients. These steps can aid you in finding the most suitable person to test your child or yourself for ADHD. When how to get an adult adhd diagnosis is made, it can be a massive relief for many adults. They can no longer worry about their shortcomings being due to inattention and a lack in intelligence, and instead focus on addressing their symptoms.
Diagnosis
Adults may have difficulty getting a diagnosis for ADHD. Many of the symptoms of ADHD can be attributed other factors like stress or medical conditions. Additionally, sex, gender, and race can all play a role in the likelihood that a person receives an accurate diagnosis. People of color and women can, for instance, be diagnosed less frequently with the disorder than whites and whites. Certain adults who exhibit ADHD symptoms are not diagnosed until later in life.
A mental health professional can confirm the ADHD diagnosis by conducting a thorough evaluation of the person's history of symptoms and behavior. They will inquire about the symptoms and also talk to people who know about the person's symptoms. For instance, they might ask the person's parents, spouse or coworkers about how the symptoms affect their lives. The patient will be asked to complete questionnaires, and could be subjected to several tests, which include a psychological assessment, as well as an interview.
For a diagnosis to be granted, the patient must demonstrate that at least five signs have been present for at least 12 months, and that these symptoms are causing problems in two areas of life like school, work or relationships. The person will need to have at least five persistent symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity to qualify for a diagnosis. It's also crucial for the professional to establish that these symptoms were present prior to the age of 12.
During the examination the examiner will examine the person's personal and family background and medical history as well as their mood and anxiety disorders, their mental health conditions, and their substance use and other physical ailments. In reality, it's not common for any of these conditions to be overlapping with ADHD.
It's important to find a mental health professional who has worked with adults with ADHD. Many professionals are willing share their expertise and training in treating adults with ADHD. If a professional is unwilling to share this information you should avoid working with them.
Treatment
Unlike when someone is a child, the choice of whether or not to treat ADHD as an adult is up to the individual. While a diagnosis can be a bit overwhelming, there are many options available to adults who wish to improve their performance and manage their symptoms.
The majority of health care professionals will utilize a thorough assessment process to determine the condition of an individual. This includes a description of the symptoms either by the patient himself or by his closest family members, friends members, and teachers; the completion of questionnaires and scales, a full medical and psychiatric history; and sometimes the referral to a doctor for a physical exam.
A doctor will refer to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5) which was published by the American Psychiatric Association, which requires that individuals show at least five indicators of hyperactivity, inattention or impulsivity. The symptoms must have been present prior to the age of 12. The evaluation will examine how the symptoms impact the person's daily activities. Examples of impairment are losing a job because of issues in the workplace, excessive conflict and distress in relationships, not paying bills on time or being in financial trouble and not making adequate academic progress in school.
A complete evaluation could include, in addition to the interview with a psychologist tests for psychological testing that assess executive function, working memory, (abilities such as planning and decision-making), visual and spatial abilities, and reasoning abilities. These tests are conducted by a psychiatrist or psychologist with experience in ADHD treatment.
For some individuals who are suffering from behavioral issues, therapy may help in reducing their symptoms. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a good example. It teaches someone how to control his own behavior, and how to improve his self-esteem. It can also teach the patient how to deal with the underlying issues that cause his symptoms worse.
A few people suffering from ADHD opt to participate in a clinical study which is a research study designed to test new methods to detect and treat or prevent diseases. It is recommended that people speak with their health care provider about the risks and benefits of participating in a clinical trial.
Counseling
Many adults diagnosed with ADHD have lived with the disorder for a long time. The strain of living with ADHD or frustration at work or relationship issues, may eventually cause people to realize they require professional assistance. If you're an adult who's been diagnosed with ADHD, you can get counseling through a therapist who is an expert in the field or through a neurologist or psychiatrist who can prescribe medication for you. If you're not sure where to locate these health care experts, ask your primary care physician or contact the CHADD organization CHADD for recommendations.
During the initial evaluation an expert in mental health may ask you questions about your symptoms and the impact they have on your life. The therapist will also review your medical documents to determine if any physical or emotional issues could contribute to your ADHD. The therapist will interview you as well as, if necessary, your significant other. It's important that both partners or spouses participate in the assessment to get a better understanding of the other's ADHD symptoms and their impact on their relationship.
The therapist will assess the symptoms you present using the diagnostic criteria established by the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th edition). They will then determine the level of ADHD you are suffering from: mild, moderate or severe. They'll also discuss the impact of your ADHD on your work, social interactions and home life.
After assessing your symptoms the health care professional will suggest a treatment plan. These can include lifestyle changes, therapy and medications. Your physician might suggest cognitive-behavioral therapy, which can assist you in changing negative thought patterns and improve self-esteem. They may also refer to neurofeedback or brain training which are non-pharmacological treatment methods that increase concentration and reduce impulses.
Online telehealth services such as Amwell can connect you to a provider who specializes in ADHD for assessments and medication management. Amwell has a relationship with more than 40+ insurance companies and typically requires a copay or exceeds your deductible for out of pocket visits. Thriveworks is another option which provides online counseling and can also manage your medication.