ADHD Diagnosis For Adults
People suffering from ADHD can experience symptoms similar to anxiety or depression. This is why a thorough assessment by a health care provider or mental health professional is necessary.
Your specialist will ask you about your childhood symptoms. You may also be required to complete questionnaires or conduct interviews with teachers and other professionals who know you.
Signs and symptoms
ADHD symptoms can make it difficult to handle everyday tasks such as scheduling and managing time. People who have not been diagnosed with ADHD are often unable to perform at their best at work, have difficulty maintaining their school schedules and may find that their relationships suffer as they tend to miss important dates or turn up late for events. They might also have difficulty keeping track of conversations or seem to be distracted by a glazed-over look.
The symptoms are evaluated to determine whether ADHD is present. They should have been present for at least six months and caused problems in multiple areas of their lives. Adults who aren't diagnosed with ADHD might not be aware that they have a problem however, everyday stress can cause them to seek assistance. They could be behind in their work due to missing important deadlines or fail to concentrate during lectures or meetings. Their friendships may suffer because they sabotage plans or are unable to listen to their friends, and their family life can be fraught because of their inability to follow through on household chores.
A certified professional can also conduct tests for neuropsychological disorders, or psychological disorders. These tests can help in determining how ADHD affects a person, and if any comorbidities are present. Anxiety can trigger symptoms that are similar to ADHD and depression is often associated with ADHD.
It is crucial to choose a specialist who has expertise in treating adults suffering from ADHD. Psychologists, physicians, or clinical social workers are certified professionals. You can locate a specialist by asking friends or colleagues for recommendations, however you should conduct some research and make sure that the specialist is licensed and certified within the state you reside in. You can also check out the specialist's professional background and ask for references of past patients or clients. These steps will allow you to find someone who can evaluate your child or yourself for ADHD. Many adults can feel relieved once they receive the diagnosis. They no longer have to worry about whether their problems are due to laziness or lack of intelligence and instead concentrate on learning how to manage their symptoms.
Diagnosis
Adults may be unable to obtain an accurate diagnosis of ADHD. Many symptoms can be attributed to other factors such as stress or a medical condition. Genre, gender, and even race can influence a person's diagnosis. People of color and women, for example, may be diagnosed less frequently with the disorder than whites and whites. In the end, many adults struggling with the symptoms of ADHD don't receive the help they require until later in their lives.
A mental health professional can confirm the ADHD diagnosis by conducting a comprehensive evaluation that looks at the person's behavior and the history of symptoms over time. They will ask the person about their symptoms, and will also talk to people who know them well. They may ask their spouse, parents or friends of the patient how the symptoms have affected their lives. The patient will be asked to complete questionnaires, and may be subjected to an array of tests, including a psychological assessment and an interview.
For a diagnosis to be granted, the patient must demonstrate that at least five of the symptoms have been present for a minimum of 12 months, and that these symptoms are causing problems in two areas of life like school, work or relationships. The person will need to have at least five persistent symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity to qualify for a diagnosis. It's also important for the professional to establish that these symptoms were present prior to the age of 12.
During the assessment, the examiner will look into the person's personal and family history and medical history, their anxiety and mood disorders, any other mental health conditions, and their substance use and other physical conditions. It is not uncommon for these conditions to coexist with ADHD.
It is crucial to find a professional who has experience in treating adults with ADHD. The majority of professionals are willing to provide their expertise and knowledge in treating adults with ADHD. If a professional is hesitant to divulge this information, it's best not to work with them.
Treatment
Unlike when someone is a child, the choice of whether or to treat ADHD as an adult is up to the person. While receiving a diagnosis may be intimidating initially, there are a number of options for adults to manage their symptoms and improve their functioning.
The majority of health professionals use a comprehensive evaluation process to determine the condition of a patient. This will include a detailed description of the symptoms provided by the patient or his relatives, friends, and teachers. It may also include the completion of questionnaires as well as scales.
A doctor will refer to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5), published by the American Psychiatric Association, which requires that an individual demonstrate at least five symptoms of hyperactivity or inattention, or impulsivity. The symptoms must also have existed prior to the age of 12. The evaluation will focus on how the symptoms impact the person's daily activities. Examples of impairment are losing a job due issues at work or excessive conflict and stress in relationships, not paying bills on time, being in financial trouble and not making satisfactory academic progress in school.
In addition to a medical interview, a thorough assessment will often include psychological tests to measure executive functioning, working memory, (abilities such as making decisions and planning) spatial and visual skills and reasoning abilities. These tests are conducted by a psychologist or psychiatrist who is skilled in ADHD treatment.
Behavioral therapy can be helpful in managing symptoms for certain people. Cognitive behavioral therapy is one example. It helps a person learn how to manage his own behavior and also how to boost his self-esteem. It can also help the individual learn how to manage the root causes that cause his symptoms worse.
Certain people with ADHD decide to participate in a clinical trial which is a research study designed to test the effectiveness of new methods to prevent, detect or treat diseases and conditions. Talk to your health care physician about any risks and benefits associated with taking part in a clinical getting diagnosed with adhd as an adult trial.
Counseling
Many adults who receive an ADHD diagnosis have been suffering from the condition for a long time. If it's discontent with their job or relationships or the stress of living with ADHD can cause someone to realize that they need professional assistance. If you're an adult and have been diagnosed with ADHD and need help, you can seek therapy from a therapist who is an expert in the field or through a psychiatrist or neurologist who can prescribe medication for you. If you're not sure how to find these health care specialists, consult your primary physician or the CHADD. CHADD for recommendations.
In the initial assessment an expert in mental health may ask you questions about your symptoms and their impact on your daily life. The therapist will also go through your medical records to determine if emotional or physical problems may have contributed to your ADHD. The therapist will interview you as well as, if necessary, your spouse. It's important that both partners or spouses participate in the assessment to gain more understanding of their respective ADHD symptoms and the impact they have on their relationship.
The therapist will analyze the symptoms you present with the diagnostic criteria laid out by the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th edition). They'll then determine what degree of ADHD you have moderate, mild or severe. They'll also discuss the effects of your ADHD on your work, social interactions and home life.
After assessing your health issues, your health care provider may suggest different treatment options. These could include medications, lifestyle changes and therapy. Your doctor may recommend cognitive-behavioral therapy to assist you in changing negative thought patterns and boost self-esteem. They may also refer to neurofeedback or brain training which are non-pharmacological treatment strategies which increase concentration and reduce impulses.
Amwell is an online telehealth service, can connect you to a healthcare professional who is trained in ADHD for evaluations and medications. Amwell has a relationship with more than 40insurance companies. It typically requires a co-pay or covers your deductible for out-of-pocket visits. Another alternative is Thriveworks which provides online therapy, and can provide medication management.