Why Is ADHD Diagnosis Adult So Popular?
ADHD Diagnosis For Adults
Adults often have trouble getting an ADHD diagnosis due to the fact that doctors use different guidelines for clinical diagnosis than they do for children and teenagers. The diagnosis requires at least five symptoms that fall within the categories of inattention, hyperactivity and an impulsive nature.
Professionals who conduct an evaluation will ask questions about your education, childhood, work, and family history. They might also want to speak with your spouse or a close friend.
What is ADHD?
It's a relief to get an ADHD diagnosis in your adulthood regardless of whether you're constantly losing keys, are having trouble at school or work, or have trouble staying focused in conversations. You're not crazy and can manage it better, says Mary V. Solanto Ph.D. is a professor of psychology at the 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) is a guideline for doctors 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.
An ADHD evaluation usually begins with a face-to–face conversation with your healthcare professional who will go over your symptoms and the impact they have on your life. Bring along any report cards from your childhood to help the doctor determine the cause of your ADHD. Your doctor might also ask to speak with a spouse or a family member, coworker or a close friend who knows you well. They might ask questions about your relationship, their observations of your behavior and how it affects them, as well as how your ADHD symptoms are interacted with other disorders like anxiety or depression.
The interview may be a discussion of your daily routine, such as how often you don't remember to pay your bills or attend appointments, and whether you struggle managing your time or organization skills. It's important to be honest in your answers and to consider how these habits affect your daily life. Ask your healthcare professional for a referral to a different doctor or therapist if you aren't sure about your symptoms. Self-tests and rating systems are accessible on the internet, but they are not as reliable as an interview conducted by a trained professional. Certain tests may even result in an incorrect diagnosis, so it's advisable to talk to your doctor first.
Signs and symptoms
Consult your primary healthcare provider if suspect that you have ADHD. He or she may refer you to an expert in mental health such as psychiatrist or psychologist to be evaluated. The American Psychiatric Association provides clinical guidelines for diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision (DSM-5). It is important to provide as much detail regarding your symptoms as you can to enable your doctor to make an accurate assessment.
The person doing the evaluation will review your mental, psychological and medical background, including past issues and ask you about how your symptoms impact your life. They will also talk to your children, spouse teachers, friends, coworkers and other people who know you well. Your evaluation could include tests for behavioral disorders, or neuropsychological disorders. These tests can provide 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.
The symptoms of a person who is primarily inattentive include a lack of focus and omitting important details or making mistakes. The person conducting the assessment will also look at how these symptoms interfere with school, work and social activities. 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 childhood. However, they can also be present in later life. Adults may be able to recognize their own ADHD symptoms after their children are diagnosed, or after a change in their life like the marriage, job or moving into their own home. In other instances the disorder is not diagnosed until the adult experiences major difficulties at work or in their relationships. This could mean being fired, facing financial difficulties or getting in trouble with the law.
Diagnosis
If you think you have ADHD A test is the first step towards finding treatment. A licensed mental health professional will interview you and examine your symptoms, medical history, and family history. The interview might also include questions regarding work and school performance as well as how the symptoms affect your home life and in relationships. You may wish to bring copies of your report cards, teacher's remarks, and any other documentation pertinent.
The psychiatric specialist will use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5) to help determine the diagnosis. The symptoms of ADHD must be present for at least six months and they must interfere with the development of a child or their functioning in multiple environments, such as school or at home. Additionally, the symptoms must not be better explained by a mental disorder that is not related to ADHD, such as an anxiety disorder or mood disorder.
Many people suffering from ADHD continue to have problems throughout their adulthood. These symptoms can impact work and school, lead to poor health in the financial or personal aspects and stress in relationships. The treatment and diagnosis you receive can enhance your quality of life.
Certain symptoms of ADHD change as you age, for instance the symptoms of inattention may become more evident as you get older and impulsivity and hyperactivity could decrease with age. Other factors can also contribute to difficulties. For example, obstructive sleeping apnea is more common in adults suffering from ADHD. Poor sleeping habits can also exacerbate ADHD symptoms.
Many people who suffer from ADHD have co-occurring disorders such as anxiety disorders bipolar disorder and learning disabilities. Sometimes, treating the underlying disorder can alleviate ADHD symptoms. If you have any other medical illnesses, it is crucial to inform your mental health professional because this can influence the effectiveness of your treatment.
It is important that you speak to your primary physician who can refer you to an expert in ADHD assessments for adults. Find out if there are support groups for adults who have ADHD in your area. They can provide you with resources and a list of specialties of specialists. You can also contact the insurance company you are with to determine which health care providers are covered under your policy.
Treatment
A thorough assessment by a healthcare professional is the best method to diagnose adult ADHD. The evaluation should include questions regarding your childhood, as well as questions about your life now and a check for ADHD symptoms. You could be asked about any issues that your ADHD symptoms cause problems at school, work or in your relationships.
Counseling and medication are two of the many treatment options for adults suffering from ADHD. Counseling can include psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. how to diagnosis adhd teach you how to manage your symptoms and how to change negative thought patterns to positive ones. They can also help with other mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression which are often associated with ADHD.
Psychostimulants, such as dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate are commonly utilized for treating adults with ADHD. These medicines affect how certain chemicals in the brain communicate to regulate behavior. Your doctor will choose the right medication for your needs and the symptoms you are experiencing and will adjust the dosage and frequency to suit your needs. Nonstimulants can also be used to treat adults suffering from ADHD. They do not interfere with the same brain pathways in the same way that psychostimulants do. Nonstimulant medicines include atomoxetine guanfacine, and Guanfacine.
Other treatment options for adults with ADHD can include coaching or mentoring to teach strategies and coping abilities. You may learn to use a diary or a planner, or learn time management strategies. You can also adjust your lifestyle to accommodate your ADHD symptoms. For instance, you could work at your home instead of in an office, or use apps on your smartphone to monitor your activities, or schedule appointments at less busy times. You might also inquire about taking part in clinical studies which is a research project designed to explore new methods to treat illnesses and conditions. (NIMH has information on clinical trials.)
You may be referred to a mental specialist or another health specialist by your family doctor for a diagnosis of your ADHD. You can also ask your family member or friend for recommendations, or connect with a local support organization for people suffering from ADHD.