Getting an ADHD Diagnosis in Adults
Many people seek out a diagnosis when they realize that ADHD is causing them problems at work or in their relationships. NIMH suggests that those seeking diagnoses speak with their primary care provider or mental health professional.
They will take a thorough history and complete tests like symptom rating scales or psychological tests. They may also undergo a physical exam to determine if they have any other medical ailments that might be misinterpreted as ADHD or thyroid issues, for example or seizures.
Getting a Diagnosis
Being diagnosed with ADHD can be revealing and liberating, however it can also be distressing. Adults who have struggled with the symptoms of ADHD for years may decide to seek out a medical opinion, prompted by frustrations at work or in relationships or after being told by friends or family that they might have ADHD. It's important to note that it takes time for a healthcare professional to determine an ADHD diagnosis and the process requires more than just a series of clinical interviews or tests.
The first step is to determine whether your ADHD symptoms match the criteria for the disorder. A number of these symptoms manifest before the age of 12. They can be present in more than one setting such as school, home and work. They interfere with daily functioning.
Your healthcare provider may need to conduct additional tests in order to make a diagnosis. This is because symptoms of ADHD are also triggered by mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder, anxiety, and various other physical ailments or illnesses. This might include clinical interviews as well as rating scales to assess symptoms, as well as psychological tests to evaluate your thinking abilities, problem-solving skills, and memory.
It's important that you are 100% honest with the mental health professional. This could mean discussing how your mood has been affected by your issues in different areas of life. how to get diagnosed with adhd uk evaluating you may also ask to talk to your spouse, close family members and friends to get a better understanding of your issues. They may even request permission to have family members fill out questionnaires to compare their experiences to yours.
Symptoms
Adults suffering from ADHD might notice that their symptoms can affect their daily life, especially at school and at work. They may have difficulty keeping jobs or maintaining relationships. They may also find it difficult to make ends meet because of their lack of attention and impulsivity. This makes it difficult for them to remember things, manage tasks or complete projects. The symptoms can be mild, moderate or severe.
To determine ADHD, providers use standardized tools, such as checklists as well as questionnaires and questions for interviews. They also look into medical and family history and take into account other mental health problems. 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 details, daydreaming and seeming easily distracted. Inattention can also be associated with difficulty in following and finishing tasks, as well being prone to getting sidetracked or lose the track of time.
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 frequently struggle to organize their home, work or routine activities. They may lose their phones, keys or wallets a lot. They may have trouble waiting for their turn in school, at work, or when playing. They are easily frustrated or stressed, and experience frequent mood swings.
In adulthood, it's more typical for people with ADHD to have co-occurring disorders like conduct disorders or oppositional defiant depression or anxiety, tic disorders or Tourette syndrome and other substance abuse problems. Co-occurring disorders may complicate treatment and make it more difficult to identify ADHD.
Treatment
If you think you might have ADHD the first step towards getting a diagnosis is to speak with your primary care physician. They will likely refer you to a mental health specialist. These professionals will review your symptoms and concerns at work, school or at home to determine how they affect your life. They can conduct an organized interview or ask family members or close family members to help. They will also go over the medical and family history of your family and perform a physical examination.
Your doctor will also look at how long you've had these symptoms and the effect they have on your daily life. In order to receive an diagnosis of ADHD the symptoms must be present for at minimum six months, and they cannot be better explained by another disorder such as depression or anxiety. In addition, they must interfere with everyday activities like getting to class, finishing tasks on time or maintaining an occupation.
During your evaluation, a mental health professional might also employ standardized scales for behavior and ADHD symptoms checklists. They may also conduct a cognitive test to check your executive functioning and spatial and visual abilities. They will also check for other conditions that can cause similar symptoms, such as seizure or thyroid disorder.
If your mental health provider decides you have ADHD the doctor will explain what medications are available and discuss the treatment options. It is usually best to combine medication with talk therapy (counseling). Therapy can help you manage your symptoms, and improve communication between family members and colleagues. It can also help with issues that could develop in relationships and marriages because of the issues ADHD can cause.
Medication
The symptoms of ADHD in adults are usually more mild than in childhood, but they can cause issues at home and work. The disorder can result in difficulties in obtaining or keeping a good job, problems with social interactions and relationships, academic failures, low self-esteem emotional distress, temper tantrums, and an attitude that is antisocial.
Medication can help treat the disorder by increasing and balancing the levels of brain chemicals referred to as neurotransmitters that control the flow of information within the brain. Stimulants are among the most frequently prescribed drugs for ADHD in adults. Examples include Jornay (methylphenidate extended-release tablets), Xelstrym (dextroamphetamine extended-release oral suspension), Cotempla (methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release orally disintegrating tablet) and Adhansia (methylphenidate hydrochloride immediate-release oral disintegrating tablet). Adults can also be treated with Atomoxetine, a non-stimulant, and antidepressants like bupropion. These medications are slower to work than stimulants and could be a better choice for people who are unable to take stimulants due to health problems or severe side-effects.
Psychotherapy (also called cognitive-behavioral therapy) can be effective in treating comorbid disorders associated with ADHD like depression and anxiety. Psychotherapy is a more effective treatment than medications alone for these conditions, according to research. Psychotherapy focuses on teaching skills to manage the disorder and improve your performance at school, work and in relationships. The goal is to increase the person's self-esteem, decrease problematic behavior and increase functioning and success. It is recommended that every psychotherapy approach for adult ADHD patients contain a cognitive-behavioral component. Researchers found that ADHD patients who received both psychotherapy and medication showed higher improvement than those who were only taking pills.
Counseling
Adults who aren't ready to take medication can find relief through counseling and therapy. Individual talk therapy can address issues such as low self-esteem and feelings failure that are frequently associated with ADHD. It can also help improve relationships and communication by assisting patients and their loved ones to understand the disorder and learn coping techniques.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a method of teaching patients how to control their behavior and to change negative thoughts. 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 help people develop strategies to control impulses as well as emotional regulation and relationship issues that may result from the impulsive behavior. These techniques can help you live an easier life, particularly at work.
Counseling can also guide people with ADHD when applying for workplace accommodations that could be available under the Americans with Disabilities Act, which can dramatically improve job performance and satisfaction. This can include changing the structure of their work to allow them to be more flexible in meeting deadlines and finishing tasks in time.
Choosing the right therapist is essential to getting the most out of treatment for adults with ADHD. Asking about the therapist's approach and whether they have been able to treat ADHD in adults is crucial when interviewing potential therapists. It is important to check therapist credentials and insurance coverage. Some providers offer a sliding scale fee, or provide online therapy, making treatment accessible for those who can't afford to pay out of pocket.