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Getting an ADHD Diagnosis in Adults
Many people seek a diagnosis after realizing they have trouble at work or with relationships due to ADHD. NIMH suggests that people seeking diagnoses speak with their primary care provider, or a mental health professional.
They will conduct a detailed history and take tests such as symptom rating scales or psychological tests. They might also undergo a physical exam to rule out other medical conditions that may be mistaken for ADHD or thyroid issues, for example or seizures.
Diagnosis
Receiving a diagnosis of 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 a professional opinion, due to frustrations at workplace or in their relationships or after being told by friends or family that they might have ADHD. It is important to keep in mind that it may take a while for a health professional to arrive at an ADHD diagnosis and the process requires more than just clinical interviews or tests.
The first step is to determine if your ADHD symptoms are in line with the requirements for the disorder: A number of them occur before age 12. They can occur in more than one place like home, school and work. And they interfere with daily functioning.
Your doctor may have to conduct additional tests in order to make a diagnosis. This is because symptoms of ADHD are also caused by mood disorders such as bipolar disorder, anxiety, and various other physical ailments or illnesses. This could include clinical interviews, rating-scales for symptoms, or psychological tests to test thinking capabilities, problem solving skills, and memory.
It is essential that you are completely honest with your mental health professional. This could mean that you discuss how your mood has been affected by your struggles in different areas of life. In addition the mental health professional doing your assessment may ask you to speak with your spouse or close family and friends members to get a fuller picture of the struggles you've faced. They might even ask permission to have your family members complete questionnaires that compare their experiences to yours.
Signs and symptoms
Adults suffering from ADHD may find that their symptoms impact daily life, especially at work and school. They might have difficulties keeping a job, staying in relationships, or even making ends meet because of the inattention and impulsivity which makes it difficult to follow directions, remember things, organize tasks or complete projects. iampsychiatry.com may be mild or moderate. It could also be severe.
To diagnose ADHD, doctors use common tools like checklists, interview questions, and questionnaires. They also look at medical and family histories and other mental health issues. 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 to things, focusing on details, and being easily distracted. Problems with completing tasks and staying on task, and a tendency to lose the track of time or become side-tracked are also inattentive symptoms.
People with the hyperactive/impulsive type often fidget, move around frequently and have trouble sitting still for long periods of time. They are also prone to forgetting things quickly and often have difficulty organizing their work, home or routine activities. They may lose their phones, keys or wallets a lot. They have trouble waiting for their turn at school, work or play. They are easily frustrated or stressed and have frequent mood shifts.
Adults with ADHD are more likely to have co-existing conditions like disorder of the opposition depression, anxiety and tic disorders Tourette syndrome and issues with substance abuse. Co-occurring disorders may complicate treatment and make it more difficult to determine the cause of ADHD.
Treatment
If you think you have ADHD the first step in getting a diagnosis is to speak with your primary healthcare provider. They'll likely refer you to a psychiatrist or mental health specialist. The professionals will look at your symptoms and issues in the workplace at school, at home or at home to determine how they interfere with your daily life. They will use an organized interview, and they may ask for the help of family members or other friends who know you well. They will also review the medical and family background of your family, and conduct a physical exam.
Your doctor will also take a look at how long you've had these symptoms and the effect they have on your life now. To be able to be diagnosed with ADHD, symptoms must be present for at least 6 months and are not caused by other disorders such as depression or anxiety. They must also interfere with daily tasks, such as getting to school, finishing assignments on time, or sustaining the job.
In your assessment Your mental health professional might use standardized behavior rating scales and ADHD symptom checklists. They will likely also perform a cognitive test to assess your executive functioning and spatial and visual abilities. They will also test for other conditions that can cause similar symptoms such as seizures or thyroid condition.
If your psychiatrist determines that you suffer from ADHD and they'll discuss the medications available and treatment options. It is often best to combine therapy with medication (counseling). Therapy helps you learn to manage your symptoms and improve communication with family members and other coworkers. It can also help address issues that may be a problem in marriages and relationships due to the problems ADHD can create at work and at home.
Medication
ADHD symptoms in adults tend to be more mild than in childhood. However, they can still cause issues at home and at work. The disorder can cause difficulties in getting or keeping a good job, problems with social relationships and interactions as well as self-esteem issues, academic failures emotional distress, temper tantrums, and an attitude that is antisocial.
The medication can treat the disorder by increasing and balancing levels of brain chemicals, known as neurotransmitters, which regulate the flow of information in the brain. The stimulants are the most commonly 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 orally disintegrating tablet). Adults can also be treated using the non-stimulant atomoxetine and certain antidepressants such as bupropion. These drugs perform more slowly than stimulants and are more suitable for people who aren't able to take stimulant medications due to health issues or severe adverse reactions.
Psychotherapy, also referred to as cognitive-behavioral treatment, could be beneficial in treating conditions that can be comorbid like anxiety and depression that are associated with ADHD. Studies suggest that psychotherapy is the most effective treatment for these conditions than using medication alone. Psychotherapy focuses on teaching the skills to manage the disorder and improve functioning at work, school and in relationships. The aim is to boost the self-esteem of the individual and decrease the risk of problematic behavior. It is also a way to increase their efficiency and overall performance. It is recommended that each psychotherapy program for adult ADHD patients contain a cognitive-behavioral component. Researchers found that ADHD patients receiving both psychotherapy and medication showed higher improvement than those who were only taking pills.
Counseling
For adults who don't want to use medication Therapy and counseling could be a great source of relief. Individual talk therapy can address issues such as low self-esteem and feelings being insecure that are commonly associated with ADHD. It can also help improve relationships and communication by assisting patients and their loved ones to understand the disorder and learn strategies for dealing with it.
Cognitive behavioral therapy concentrates on teaching patients the skills to manage 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 teach coping strategies to control impulses as well as emotional regulation and relationship issues that may result from the impulsive behavior. These methods can aid people in living a more productive and satisfying life, particularly in the workplace.
Counseling can also assist people with ADHD in requesting accommodations for work that are available under the Americans with Disabilities Act, which can greatly improve job performance and satisfaction. For professionals, this could be a matter of changing the way their work is organized to give them more flexibility to meet deadlines and finish tasks on time.
It is important to choose the best therapist for adult ADHD treatment. When interviewing potential therapists it is crucial to inquire about their treatment approach and if they have prior experience in treating ADHD in adults. Checking the credentials of therapists as well as insurance coverage is a smart idea. Some providers offer sliding scale fees or online therapy services to make treatment easier for those who cannot afford it.
