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Many adults are unable to get an ADHD diagnosis, since doctors follow a different set of guidelines for treating the disorder than for teenagers and children. The diagnosis requires at least five signs from the categories of hyperactivity, inattention and an impulsiveness.
Evaluations by professionals will ask you questions about your childhood, academic and work life, your alcohol and drug use, and the family history. They may also ask to speak with your spouse or a friend.
What is ADHD?
Whether you keep losing your keys, have difficulty with work or school or are having trouble staying focused in conversations, getting an ADHD diagnosis as an adult can be a massive relief. You're not crazy, and you are able to manage it better, according to Mary V. Solanto Ph.D. a professor of psychology at Hofstra-Northwell School of Medicine in 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-to-face meeting with your healthcare provider is usually the first step in an ADHD evaluation. They will discuss your symptoms and how they impact your daily life. It is beneficial to bring your report cards or other evidence from your childhood, as it will aid the doctor in gaining more information about your experience with ADHD. Your doctor might also ask to talk to your spouse or family member, a co-worker or a close friend who know you well. They could inquire about your relationship, their observations of your behavior and how it affects them, as well as how your ADHD symptoms are interacted with other conditions like anxiety or depression.
The interview may be a discussion of your daily routine like how often you don't remember to pay bills or make appointments, and whether you struggle with time management or organizational abilities. It is important to be honest in your answers and take note of the impact these behaviors have on your daily life. Ask your healthcare provider for a referral to another practitioner or therapist if aren't sure about your symptoms. Self-tests and rating systems are available online, but these are not as reliable as an interview conducted by a qualified professional. Certain tests could even lead to a wrong diagnosis, so always consult your physician before using them.
Signs and symptoms
If you suspect that you may have ADHD begin by talking to your primary care physician. They may refer you to a mental health professional, such as psychiatrist or psychologist, for evaluation. The American Psychiatric Association provides clinical guidelines for diagnosing in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision (DSM-5). It's crucial to give your provider as much information as possible about your symptoms so that they can provide an accurate diagnosis.
The person conducting the assessment will examine your medical, psychological and psychiatric history, including any past issues and ask how the symptoms affect your life. He or she will also talk to your children, spouse, teachers, co-workers and others who know you well. Your evaluation may include neuropsychological, behavioral or learning disability tests. These tests can give your doctor additional information on how your ADHD symptoms affect you and can help rule out other conditions that can 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.
Symptoms of the predominantly inattentive type include difficulty paying attention, not noticing details or making careless mistakes. The person evaluating the child will also assess how these symptoms affect 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 often appear in childhood. However, they can be present in later life. Adults may recognize their own ADHD symptoms when their children are diagnosed or after changes in their lives such as getting married, a job or moving into their own home. In other cases, the condition goes undiagnosed until the adult experiences major problems at work or in their relationships. This can include being dismissed from a job and having financial problems, or getting into trouble with the law.
Diagnosis
A screening is the first thing you should take in the event that you suspect you might are suffering from ADHD. A licensed mental health professional interviews you and evaluates your symptoms, medical background and family history. The interview might also include questions regarding work and school performance, as well as how the symptoms affect your life at home and in relationships. You might be required to bring copies of report cards, teacher notes and any other documents that might be relevant.
The psychiatric specialist employs the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5) to make the diagnosis. To qualify for the diagnosis of ADHD symptoms, they have to be present for at least six months and interfere with the development or functioning of more than one setting, such as at school or at home. In addition, the signs are not better explained by a mental disorder that is not related to ADHD like an anxiety or mood disorder.
Many people suffering from ADHD suffer from problems that last into adulthood. The symptoms of ADHD can impact work and school. They can also lead to financial or health issues, and strain relationships. Being diagnosed and treated can improve the quality of your life.
Certain ADHD symptoms change with age. For instance, inattention can become more evident as you get older, and hyperactivity and impulse control may decrease with age. Other factors may cause problems, for example obstructive sleep apnea is more frequent in people with ADHD and sleep disorders are known to exacerbate ADHD symptoms.
Many people with ADHD suffer from co-occurring illnesses such as anxiety disorders bipolar disorder, and learning disabilities. Sometimes, treating the root disorder can alleviate ADHD symptoms. If you suffer from other conditions, it is important to tell your mental health professional because this could influence the effectiveness of your treatment.
It is important that you talk to your primary doctor who can refer to an experienced health professional who is trained in ADHD assessments for adults. Find out if there are support groups for adults who have ADHD in your area. They can provide assistance and a list specialists by specialization. You can also contact the insurance company you have to determine which health healthcare providers are covered under your policy.
Treatment
The most effective method to diagnose adult ADHD is to have a thorough assessment by a medical professional. The assessment should include questions about your childhood, as well as questions about your current life, and a check for ADHD symptoms. You could be asked about any problems that your ADHD symptoms are causing at school, work or in your relationships.
Counseling and medication are two of the many treatment options for adults suffering from ADHD. Counseling can be described as psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy) and cognitive behavioral therapy. These types of therapies aid you in learning to manage your symptoms and transform negative patterns of thinking into positive ones. They can also help in dealing with other mental health conditions like depression and anxiety, that often co-exist with ADHD.
Medication for adults with ADHD often involves psychostimulants, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) and dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine). These drugs alter the way certain chemicals within your brain communicate and regulate your behavior. Your doctor will recommend the right medication for your body and symptoms, and adjusts the dosage and frequency as required. Nonstimulants are also employed to treat people suffering from ADHD. They are not able to affect the same brain pathways as psychostimulants do. Examples of nonstimulant medicines are atomoxetine and guanfacine.
Other options for treatment for adults suffering from ADHD could include coaching or mentoring to teach strategies and coping techniques. For example, you might learn how to keep a planner in place or a journal, or you might be taught strategies to improve your time management. You can also benefit from adjusting your living situation to accommodate your ADHD symptoms, such as working from home instead of working in a place of work, using smartphone apps to monitor your tasks or scheduling appointments at times that aren't as busy. You may also want to inquire about taking part in a clinical trial which is a study study designed to test new ways of treating ailments and diseases. (NIMH offers information about clinical trials.
Sometimes Read the Full Report will recommend you to a mental health specialist or another health healthcare professional to evaluate the severity of your ADHD. You can also ask your family member or a friend for suggestions, or join a local support group for people suffering from ADHD.