Five Killer Quora Answers On ADHD Diagnosis In Adults
Getting an ADHD Diagnosis in Adults
Many people seek out a diagnosis after realizing they have trouble at work or with relationships due to ADHD. NIMH recommends those seeking a diagnosis consult their primary care physician or a mental health professional.
They will request an extensive medical history as well as conduct tests such as symptom rating scales and psychological tests. They might also undergo a physical exam to rule out other medical ailments that might be misinterpreted as ADHD, such thyroid problems or seizures.
Getting a Diagnosis
It can be empowering and eye-opening to be given a diagnosis of ADHD but it can also be depressing. Adults who have struggled with the symptoms of ADHD for years may decide to seek out a medical opinion, due to frustrations at workplace or in their relationships, or because they've been informed by family members or friends that they may have ADHD. It's important to remember that it can take time for a health professional to determine an ADHD diagnosis, and the process involves more than just clinical interviews or tests.
adhd diagnosis in adults is to determine whether your ADHD symptoms match the criteria for the disorder. Several of these symptoms occur before the age of 12. They are seen in a variety of settings, for instance, at home, school, and work. They also interfere with everyday functioning.
Because symptoms of ADHD can be triggered by mood disorders like bipolar or anxiety and other physical ailments and illnesses, your healthcare provider might want to conduct additional evaluations before making an assessment. This may include clinical interviews, rating-scales for symptoms, or psychological tests to evaluate thinking abilities and problem-solving skills and memory.
It's crucial to be open with your health professional. And this might involve discussing how the difficulties that you're facing in various aspects of your life affect your mood. In addition, the person who is conducting your assessment may ask you to talk to your spouse or close family members to get a fuller picture of the struggles you've faced. They might even ask permission to have your family members fill out questionnaires comparing their experiences with yours.
Symptoms
Adults suffering from ADHD typically find that their symptoms interfere with daily life activities, especially at work and school. They may have trouble keeping a job or maintaining relationships. They may also struggle to make ends meet due to their inattention and impulsivity, making it difficult for them to remember things, organize tasks, or complete projects. The symptoms could be mild, moderate or severe.
To determine ADHD doctors employ the standard tools, such as checklists, interview questions and questionnaires. They also take into account 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.
Inattention symptoms include inattention issues with small details, daydreaming, and being easily distracted. Inattentiveness is also characterized by difficulty following and completing tasks, as well as a tendency to get sidetracked or lose 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 lose things easily and have difficulty managing their daily routines at work or at home. They may lose keys, phones, papers or wallets frequently. They are often unable to wait for their turn at school, at work or play. They can be easily annoyed or stressed and suffer from frequent mood swings.
In adults, it is more common for people with ADHD to have co-occurring disorders like conduct disorders, oppositional defiant disorder depression or anxiety, tic disorders or Tourette syndrome, as well as substance abuse problems. Co-occurring disorders can cause problems in treatment and may make it harder to identify ADHD.
Treatment
If you think you might have ADHD, the first step towards getting a diagnosis is to talk with your primary care provider. They will likely recommend you to a mental health professional. They will assess your symptoms and problems at work as well as at school or at home to determine if they interfere with your daily life. They will use an organized interview and may ask for the help of family members or friends who know you well. They will also review the medical and family background of your family, and perform a physical examination.
Your doctor will also look at the length of time you've had these symptoms, and the impact they have on your life. To be diagnosed with ADHD symptoms must be present for at least 6 months and are not explained by other disorders like anxiety or depression. They must also interfere with everyday tasks like getting to school, completing assignments on time, or sustaining an occupation.
During your evaluation, a mental health professional could employ standardized scales for behavior and ADHD symptoms checklists. You will also be given a cognitive test that will check your working memory and executive functioning as well as your visual and spatial abilities. They may also test for other conditions which can cause similar symptoms like seizures or thyroid condition.
If your doctor determines that you have ADHD, he or she will inform you of the medications available and discuss the treatment options. Often, a combination of medication and talk therapy (counseling) is the best option. Therapy helps you learn to manage your symptoms and improve communication with family members and other coworkers. It also helps to address issues that can develop in marriages and relationships due to the problems ADHD can create at home and work.
Medication
ADHD symptoms in adults are generally less severe than those in childhood. However, they can still cause problems at work and at home. The disorder can lead to difficulties in getting or keeping the job you want, issues with relationships and social interaction and self-esteem issues, academic failures emotional distress, temper tantrums, and an attitude that is antisocial.
Medication can help treat the disorder by balancing and increasing the levels of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters that control the flow of information within the brain. The stimulants, which are typically prescribed for ADHD in adults are the most commonly prescribed medications. 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 instant-release orally disintegrating tablet). Adults can also be treated using the non-stimulant atomoxetine and some antidepressants, such as bupropion. These medications are slower to work than stimulants, and may be better for people who are unable to take stimulants due to health issues or serious side-effects.
Psychotherapy (also known as cognitive-behavioral treatment) may be useful for treating comorbid disorders associated with ADHD like anxiety and depression. Psychotherapy is a more effective treatment than medication alone for these conditions as per research. Psychotherapy is focused on teaching techniques to manage the disorder and improve performance at school, at work and in relationships. The goal is to improve the self-esteem of the individual, decrease problematic behaviors and increase their functioning and performance. It is recommended that each psychotherapy program for adult ADHD sufferers include a cognitive-behavioral component. Researchers have found that ADHD patients receiving both psychotherapy and medication showed higher improvement than those taking only pills.
Counseling
Adults who do not want to take medication can get relief from counseling and therapy. Individual talk therapy can help address issues such as low self-esteem, feelings of being insecure and frequent job changes that commonly are a part of ADHD. It can also improve relationships and improve communication by helping patients and their families to understand the condition and develop coping techniques.
Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on teaching patients to change their negative thoughts and control their behavior. 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 emotional regulation, relationship and issues that can arise as a result of impulsive behavior. These methods can help you live more productively especially at work.
Counseling can also guide people with ADHD when applying for accommodations for work that are offered under the Americans with Disabilities Act, which can dramatically improve job performance and satisfaction. For professionals, this can mean changing the way their work is organized to allow them more flexibility to meet deadlines and finish tasks on time.
Selecting the right therapist is essential to getting the most benefit from treatment for adults with ADHD. When interviewing potential therapists, it is essential to inquire about their methods and if they have expertise in treating ADHD in adults. Examining the credentials of therapists and insurance coverage is a smart idea. Some providers offer an affordable sliding scale fee or offer online therapy services that make therapy accessible to those who are unable to pay out from their pockets.