How is ADHD Diagnosed in Adults?
Adults need to undergo a thorough examination by a mental health professional or health care professional to diagnose ADHD. This could include interviews with the patient, and close family members or colleagues.
The person who is being evaluated could be required to fill out questionnaires or write up their thoughts about childhood behavior. A comprehensive evaluation will include an examination for ADHD symptoms as well as the psychological tests that are a part of the battery.
Symptoms
Many people suffering from ADHD are diagnosed only when the symptoms become more obvious in their daily life. It is essential to recognize the symptoms to be able to speak with a healthcare professional regarding your concerns. The health professional may ask you about your child-like symptoms. This is because, as per current guidelines, a diagnosis can only be established when the symptoms first started before age 12.
For instance, do you often forget appointments or fail to meet deadlines? Do you struggle to keep track of financial documents or other responsibilities? Are you easily distracted and frequently make poor decisions that affect your relationships with your family, friends and colleagues? These behaviors could be a sign of ADHD. This can make it difficult to maintain a career and manage relationships. Treatment can reduce the symptoms and help you to achieve your personal and professional goals.
Adults can have symptoms that are similar to children, but may differ slightly due to the way that adults perform at work and in their social life. The symptoms range from mild to severe. The symptoms that are moderate can cause noticeable disruptions in your performance. In severe cases, these symptoms can cause problems with relationships and finances, as well as difficulties at school or in your job.
If you suspect that you have ADHD, the first step is to talk with your primary care physician for the referral to an expert in mental health who can conduct an assessment. You can also request an information from your health insurance company of professionals who can assess ADHD or other disorders. A support group for ADHD can also be an excellent source. Members may have recommendations for professionals in the area.
The evaluator might also ask you about your symptoms. They will also go over your medical history and psychiatric conditions. They will fill out an assessment questionnaire and survey with you and may have other people (such as your teachers, parents, spouses, or close friends) complete it. The evaluator will also perform a physical examination, and may recommend psychological or neuropsychological disabilities tests if necessary.
Diagnosis
If ADHD symptoms affect daily life for an adult, they could need a consultation with a primary physician or mental health provider. The examiner will review the person's medical and psychiatric history, interview the patient about their symptoms, employ checklists or scales to assess the symptoms of ADHD and conduct psychological tests to evaluate working memory and executive functions (abilities that involve the ability to plan and make decisions) and visual and spatial ability. Psychological or neuropsychological tests may be used to determine whether coexisting conditions are the cause of the person's symptoms.
During the process of assessment, the evaluator will speak to the person about their concerns and the symptoms they're having at home, at school and work. It is essential for the person being evaluated to be honest and not conceal information due to embarrassment or shame. The assessor may also speak with the person’s partner, close family members and friends. This helps to gain an understanding of the issues the individual is facing and how they impact their relationships.
To diagnose ADHD the person evaluating will look at the symptoms in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision of the American Psychiatric Association (DSM-5). These include difficulty paying attention or making mistakes, having difficulty staying focused on tasks or other activities and difficulties in following directions, finishing schoolwork, chores and other job responsibilities. The evaluator will also ask about the person's childhood and the family history of ADHD.
If the evaluator determines that the person meets the criteria for ADHD If he or she finds that the person is at risk for ADHD, they will refer the individual to an expert for treatment options. Adults may have a weak or blurry memories of childhood experiences or psychiatric evaluations. The person being evaluated will be required to ask his or her parents, or any significant others, to fill out an retrospective ADHD profile. This will help the evaluator verify childhood ADHD symptoms and diagnosis ADHD as a present disorder. Certain people suffering from ADHD might also be suffering from co-occurring disorders such as substance abuse, depression and anxiety. These issues need to be addressed in order to reduce ADHD symptoms.
Treatment
Seek help if having difficulty completing tasks at work or home or if you are experiencing inattention or impulsive behavior. Look for an expert in mental health with specialized training in working with adults with ADHD or a primary care physician. Ask read here and friends for suggestions or look for professionals in your area via the internet. Read reviews about professionals before you go to them, and make sure your insurance will cover the cost.
You should be experiencing symptoms more than once a week, and they need to cause impairment in a variety of areas of your life. The impairment can be seen in the form of losing your job or facing financial problems due to excessive spending, failing classes at school marital problems, difficulties in relationships with family and friends. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th edition, contains the American Psychiatric Society's guidelines for ADHD. The DSM-5 criteria for determining adult ADHD includes a description of your symptoms, the completion of scales and questionnaires by you, your caregivers and teachers, as well as a thorough medical and psychiatric history.
Adults suffering from ADHD can be treated in various ways, such as through psychotherapy and medication. Behavioral therapy teaches you how to monitor and modify your behavior. It can also help you improve your problem-solving and organizational skills. Psychotherapy can help you learn to understand the connection between your ADHD and identify negative patterns of thinking that contribute to the disorder.
Psychotherapy can be helpful in managing ADHD as well as addressing depression or anxiety. Family therapy and marriage counseling are also helpful, especially when you or your spouse have ADHD and face similar challenges as you.
Adults suffering from ADHD are best treated by combining therapies. The first step is to speak with your GP and ask them to direct you to the appropriate treatment for you. Your GP will be able to inform you if an assessment for ADHD is the right option for you.
Support
People suffering from ADHD can benefit from support groups in which they can share their experiences and learn from each other. These groups provide not only emotional support but also instruct individuals on ADHD, treatment options, and strategies for coping. It may be helpful for people with ADHD to seek help from a professional with managing their symptoms. Certain professionals provide services for adults with ADHD While others provide general therapy sessions.
Talk therapy can help with managing ADHD symptoms. Therapists can assist people to improve their self-esteem and help to develop better methods of managing anger and stress. Therapists who are trained in cognitive behavioral therapy, which is focused on changing the way a person thinks.
Adults with ADHD face challenges they didn't face as children, such as relationships, financial issues and academic issues. Individual therapy helps people overcome negative emotions such as embarrassment and shame.
A person must exhibit significant impairment in at least two or more situations to be diagnosed with ADHD. This may include failing at work, excessive conflict and stress in relationships or getting into trouble due to reckless driving or spending. The underlying causes behind the impairment should be determined as well, such as medical conditions, drug and alcohol use, or other mental health disorders.
In an ADHD assessment an expert in mental health or health care provider will interview the spouse or patient and ask about any past issues, and conduct psychiatric evaluations. They may also complete behavior ratings scales or symptom lists and conduct psychological assessments that evaluate the cognitive functions of the individual like memory and making decisions. They might also examine the person's medical, educational, and family history in order to rule out any other possible causes for symptoms.
During the examination it is crucial to be as honest and open as you can. The therapist will determine whether the patient is taking steps to manage their symptoms, for instance having a regular sleep schedule or avoiding food items which could cause symptoms to worsen.