How is ADHD Diagnosed in Adults?
Adults need to undergo a thorough evaluation by an expert in mental health or health care provider to determine if they suffer from ADHD. This could include interviews with the patient as well as family members or colleagues.
The person being evaluated could be asked to fill out questionnaires or write down their opinions regarding their childhood behavior. A complete evaluation also includes screening for ADHD symptoms as well as a series of psychological tests.
Symptoms
Many people with ADHD are not diagnosed until adulthood at which point the signs of the disorder are more apparent in their daily lives. It is crucial to be aware of the signs to speak with an expert in healthcare regarding your concerns. The examiner may inquire about your symptoms as a child. This is because, according to current guidelines, a diagnosis can be made when symptoms started prior to the age of 12.
Do you frequently miss deadlines or appointments for instance? Do you find it difficult to keep track of financial documents or other responsibilities? Are you impulsive and do you make reckless decisions that can cause problems with family members, friends, and co-workers. These behaviors could be an indication of ADHD and can make it difficult to keep a job and manage relationships. Fortunately, treatment can reduce the severity of these symptoms which will allow you to achieve your goals in both professional and personal life.
Symptoms of ADHD in adults are similar to the symptoms in children, however they may be slightly different due to the way adults function in their work and social life. They vary from mild to severe with moderate symptoms that cause noticeable changes in your performance. In extreme cases, these symptoms can cause financial and relationship issues, as well as difficulties at work or at school.
If you think you have ADHD, the first step is to talk with your primary care provider to get a referral to an expert in mental health who can conduct an assessment. You could also ask your health insurance provider for a list of specialists who perform evaluations for ADHD or other disorders. A support group for ADHD can also be an excellent resource. Members might have suggestions for professionals in this area.
The evaluator could also ask you about your symptoms. They will also review your medical history and psychiatric condition. They will fill out an assessment questionnaire and survey with you, and could also ask others (such as your teachers, parents, spouses, or close friends) complete it. I Am Psychiatry could also choose to do a physical exam as well as psycho-neuropsychological, neuropsychological or testing for learning disabilities if needed.
Diagnosis
If an adult experiences ADHD symptoms that interfere in their daily functioning, he or she may need an evaluation from a mental health provider or primary care physician. The examiner will review the person's medical and psychiatric background, speak with the person about their symptoms, use checklists or rating scales to assess the symptoms of ADHD and complete psychological tests to assess working memory and executive functions (abilities that involve the ability to plan and make decisions) as well as spatial and visual ability. Psychological or neuropsychological tests may also be used to determine if a condition that is co-existing is causing the person's symptoms.
During the assessment process the assessor will talk to the person about their issues and symptoms they're facing at home, in school, and at work. It is essential for the person being evaluated to be honest and not hide information to avoid embarrassment or shame. The assessor may also speak with the person's spouse, close family members and friends. This will help in gaining an understanding of the challenges the individual is facing and how they impact their relationships.
The examiner will look for symptoms from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition Text Revision (DSM-5) to diagnose ADHD. These include trouble paying attention to specifics or making mistakes that are not a good idea, difficulty staying focused on things or activities, and difficulties with following directions and completing schoolwork, chores and job tasks. The evaluator may also ask about the person’s childhood and family history.
If the evaluator concludes that the person meets the criteria for ADHD and ADHD, he will refer the individual to a specialist for treatment options. Adults may have a weak or hazy memory of childhood experiences or psychiatric tests. The individual being evaluated will need to request their parents, or any significant people, to fill out a the retrospective ADHD profile. This will enable the evaluator verify childhood ADHD symptoms and diagnose ADHD as a present disorder. Certain people with ADHD may also have co-occurring disorders like addiction to substances, depression and anxiety. These additional issues must be addressed in order to reduce ADHD symptoms.
Treatment
If you're having difficulty staying on task at work or home or are experiencing forgetfulness and an impulsive attitude, it could be time to seek help. You can seek assistance from a mental health professional with special training to work with adults with ADHD or your primary care physician. You can ask your friends and family members for recommendations, or look online for professionals in the area. Read reviews about professionals before you visit them, and ensure that your insurance covers the costs.
The symptoms must be experienced more often than every week, and they need to result in impairment in several areas of your life. The impairment can be seen in the form of losing your job or facing financial issues due to impulsive spending, failing classes at school or marital issues, or difficulties with relationships with family and friends. The American Psychiatric Association's diagnostic guidelines for ADHD are found in the fifth edition of their Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). The DSM-5 criteria includes the description and evaluation of your symptoms by you, your caregivers and teachers. It also provides a complete medical history.
There are many forms of treatment options for adults suffering from ADHD which include psychotherapy and medication. Behavioral therapy helps you learn to manage and modify your behavior. It also teaches you methods to improve your organization and problem-solving skills. Psychotherapy can help to identify the negative thinking patterns that contribute to ADHD and the connection you have to it.
Psychotherapy can be helpful in managing ADHD, as well as dealing with anxiety or depression. Family therapy and counseling for marriage are also beneficial, especially when your children or spouse suffer from ADHD and are struggling with the same challenges that you face.
Adults with ADHD are best treated with combing therapies. Talking with your GP is the first step. He can recommend a treatment that is right for you. Your GP can advise you on whether an assessment for ADHD is appropriate for you.
Support
People with ADHD can benefit from support groups where they can share experiences and learn from one another. These groups not only provide emotional support but also instruct people on ADHD treatments, and strategies for coping. People with ADHD may also find it helpful to seek professional help in managing their symptoms. Certain professionals provide specific services for adults with ADHD While others provide more general therapy sessions.
Talk therapy can help manage ADHD symptoms. Therapists can help people improve their self-esteem and work with them to develop more effective ways to deal with anger and stress. Some therapy professionals specialize in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which is an approach that focuses on changing the way a person thinks and behaves.
Adults suffering from ADHD confront challenges they did not face as children, such as financial problems, relationship conflicts and academic challenges. Individual therapy helps people overcome negative emotions such as embarrassment and shame.
A person has to show significant impairment in at least two or more situations to be diagnosed with ADHD. This could include working in a way that is not satisfactory, experiencing extreme stress and conflict in a marriage or getting into trouble with the law because of impulsive spending or reckless driving. It is important to examine the root causes, such as medical conditions, alcohol or drug abuse.
During an ADHD assessment, a mental health professional or health care provider will interview the patient or spouse, ask about past problems, and conduct psychiatric evaluations. They may also take part in behavior rating scales, or checklists of symptoms and take psychological tests that examine the person's cognitive processes like memory and decision-making. They may also look at the person's medical, educational, and family history to rule out other causes of symptoms.
During the evaluation process, it's important to be as transparent as you can. The therapist will assess whether the patient is taking steps to manage symptoms, such a maintaining a regular sleep schedule or avoiding food items which could cause symptoms to worsen.