ADHD Diagnosis For Adults
Adults often struggle to receive an ADHD diagnosis due to the fact that doctors use different guidelines for treating adults than they do for adolescents and children. The diagnosis must include at least five symptoms from the categories of hyperactivity, inattention and an impulsiveness.
Evaluations by professionals will ask you questions about your childhood, your work and academic life, your alcohol and drug use, and the family history. They may also talk to your spouse or family members.
What is ADHD?
It's not always a good thing to get an ADHD diagnosis in your adulthood, whether you're constantly losing keys, are having trouble in school or work, or have trouble staying focused when talking to others. "You aren't crazy, and it puts you in an ideal position to handle it," says pediatrician Mary V. Solanto, Ph.D. is professor of psychiatry and psychology at the Hofstra-Northwell School of Medicine on Long Island, New York.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision of the American Psychiatric Association (DSM-5), provides guidelines for providers to diagnose ADHD. 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.
A face-toface meeting with your healthcare provider is typically the first step in an ADHD assessment. They will discuss your symptoms and how they affect your life. It is beneficial to bring your report cards or other evidence from your childhood, as it can aid the doctor in gaining an understanding of your past experiences with ADHD. Your doctor might also ask to speak to a spouse or family member, a co-worker or close friend who knows you well. They might inquire about your relationship and their observations of your behavior and how it affects them, and also how your ADHD symptoms are interacted with other conditions such as anxiety or depression.
You will be asked about your lifestyle during the interview, and this includes how often you forget to attend appointments or pay bills or if you're having difficulties managing your time. It's crucial to be honest with your answers and to think about how these behaviors affect your daily routine. Ask your healthcare provider for a referral to another doctor or therapist if you are unsure about the symptoms. Self-tests and rating systems are available on the internet, however they're not as reliable as an interview conducted by a qualified professional. Some of these tests can even lead to an incorrect diagnosis, so it's advisable to speak with your healthcare provider first.
Symptoms
Speak to your primary healthcare provider if think you might be suffering from ADHD. He or she may recommend you to a mental healthcare professional for assessment, such as psychologist or psychiatrist. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision DSM-5 provides guidelines for clinicians to identify mental disorders. It is crucial to provide your provider as much information as possible regarding your symptoms so they can make an accurate diagnosis.
The person conducting the assessment will review your medical, psychological and psychiatric background, including past issues and ask how the symptoms affect your life. He or she could also interview your spouse and children, as well as teachers, coworkers and others who know you. Your assessment could include behavioral, neuropsychological or learning disability testing. These tests can give your healthcare provider additional information on how your ADHD symptoms affect you and help 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 an inattention type include trouble paying attention, ignoring details or making mistakes. The person who evaluates the child will also determine the impact these symptoms have on school, work and even personal life. 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.
These symptoms typically manifest in the early years of childhood. They can also develop in later life. Adults may notice their own ADHD symptoms when their children are diagnosed or after an event in their lives such as a job, marriage or moving into their own home. In other instances, the condition goes undiagnosed until an adult is confronted with significant problems at work or in their relationships. This can include being dismissed from work and having financial problems, or a saga with the law.
Diagnosis
If you think you have ADHD, a screening is the first step to finding a treatment. A qualified mental health professional meets with you and evaluates your symptoms, medical history and family history. Interview questions can be asked about your school and work performance, and how the symptoms affect you at home as well as with relationships. You may want to bring along copies of your report cards, teacher comments, and any other documentation relevant.
The psychiatric professional will use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) to help make the diagnosis. To be able to make a diagnosis of ADHD symptoms, they have to be present for at minimum six months and be interfering with functioning or development in more than one environment, such as at school or at home. The symptoms of ADHD need to not be explained by any other mental disorder, such as mood disorders or anxiety.
Many people with ADHD continue to struggle into adulthood. The symptoms of ADHD can affect work and school. They can also cause financial or health issues and stress relationships. If you are diagnosed and treated, you can make a difference in your life.
Certain symptoms of ADHD change as you age, for instance inattentive symptoms may be more apparent as you get older and hyperactivity and impulsivity may diminish with age. Other factors can also cause problems. For instance, obstructive sleeping apnea is more prevalent in adults with ADHD. Poor sleeping habits can also exacerbate ADHD symptoms.
Many people suffering from ADHD suffer from co-occurring illnesses such as anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder and learning disabilities. Sometimes, treating the underlying disorder can alleviate the symptoms of ADHD. It is important to inform your mental health professional that you have any other medical conditions. This can have an impact on the effectiveness of treatment.
It is important to talk with your primary care doctor, who will refer you to a health care professional trained in ADHD evaluations for adults. Ask if there are support groups for adults suffering from ADHD in your locality. They can provide resources and a list by specialty of professionals. You can also contact your insurance company to inquire about health care providers who are covered under your plan.
Treatment
Generally, the best approach to diagnose adult ADHD is a thorough evaluation by a health care professional. The evaluation should contain questions about your childhood, your present life and screening for ADHD symptoms. You may be asked about any problems that your ADHD symptoms cause problems at school, at work or in your relationships.
There are many treatments for adults suffering from ADHD, including counseling and medication. Psychotherapy can be a part of counseling, also known as talk therapy, and cognitive therapy for behavior. These types of therapy assist you in learning how to manage your symptoms and change negative patterns of thinking to positive ones. They can also assist with other mental health issues like depression and anxiety that often co-occur with ADHD.
Medication for adults with ADHD usually involves psychostimulants like methylphenidate (Ritalin) and dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine). These drugs affect the way certain chemicals in the brain communicate to regulate behavior. Your doctor will recommend a medication that is appropriate for your body and symptoms and adjusts the dosage and frequency when required. Nonstimulants are also available which do not have the same brain pathways like psychostimulants and are effective for adults with ADHD. Examples of nonstimulant medicines are atomoxetine and guanfacine.
Coaching or mentoring is a way to teach adults with ADHD strategies and coping methods. For instance, you could be taught how to keep a planner in place or journals, or you might be taught strategies to improve your time management. You can also benefit from altering your lifestyle to accommodate your ADHD symptoms, for instance, working from home rather than working in a place of work and using apps on your phone to keep track of tasks, or scheduling appointments for times that are less busy. You may also want to inquire about taking part in a clinical trial, which is a research trial designed to test new methods to treat diseases and conditions. (NIMH has information on clinical trials.)
You may be referred to the mental specialist or other health care specialist by your family doctor to assess your ADHD. You could ask a friend or family member for recommendations, or contact the local ADHD support group.