How to Diagnose ADHD in Adults
Many adults seek out an assessment due to being annoyed by the symptoms of ADHD. They could lose their jobs due to late deadlines, have difficulty in relationships due to impulsive behavior, or face financial issues due to the fact that they forget bills and lose track of purchases.
Ask your doctor or a mental health professional about their training and expertise in diagnosing ADHD in adults.
Symptoms
Find a doctor to examine your symptoms if you think your child or you has ADHD. The evaluation will consist of an examination of your body and an analysis of your medical history, including mental health issues as well as substance use. It is essential that you open up to your doctor about the symptoms and the way they affect you. Many people with ADHD hide the problem out of shame or for fear of criticism. However an extensive evaluation will provide your doctor with a more accurate picture of your daily life.
Adults differ from children, and therefore diagnosing ADHD is more difficult than diagnosing ADHD in children. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), Fifth Edition by the American Psychiatric Association provides guidelines for diagnosis that are appropriate for both children and adults. In addition to examining the patient, the doctor might also ask others in the life of the patient- such as spouse or co-habitating partner, parents, siblings or coaches and teachers to provide a description of the behavior of the patient and how it has affected them. This can reveal crucial information that may not be revealed by tests or checklists.
In some cases, a doctor may want to look into other conditions that can cause similar symptoms to ADHD. These conditions include mood disorders, mental health issues and physical injuries like head trauma. They will also review the individual's personal and professional life to determine whether their symptoms are affecting their daily activities.
The signs of adult ADHD can vary from mild to severe with moderate symptoms causing difficulty in work and social situations. The severe symptoms can hinder school or job performance as well as strain relationships and make it difficult to live an independent life.
Anyone can suffer from ADHD It is more prevalent in men and boys than girls. It is not clear why this difference exists, but there are probably environmental and genetic factors at play. Certain foods and chemicals have been found to trigger ADHD in certain individuals. It is also possible that certain individuals are predisposed to it due to brain structures that are involved in processing stimuli.
Diagnosis
It is not always simple to recognize ADHD. Many people are ashamed of their symptoms and are unable to open up to an individual who is a mental health professional or health care professional. This can prolong the process of evaluation. To ensure you get a thorough evaluation it is essential to be honest and transparent about your health issues as well as past circumstances.
In adhd in adults undiagnosed of your evaluation, your doctor will employ standard behavioral ratings scales and ADHD symptoms checklists to determine if you meet the criteria of a diagnosis. Your doctor will inquire about your family and childhood history, and a detailed description your home and work. Your doctor might also request a physical exam to rule out medical causes of your symptoms, for example, thyroid problems or seizure disorders.
A physical exam involves blood tests and an examination of the brain. These can help identify structural or chemical issues within the brain that may be causing ADHD symptoms. A physical can also help identify other conditions that may cause similar symptoms, like addiction to drugs or depression.
Your doctor may recommend you participate in a clinical studies of new treatments for ADHD in adults. These trials are conducted by research centers, including NIMH. You should be aware that these studies may have potential risks and may not result in the appropriate treatment for you.
Tell your doctor about any other medications you are taking, as they may interact with stimulants used to treat ADHD in adults. Medications that affect appetite, sleep heart rate, appetite and blood pressure may all have an effect on how effective stimulants are. The NIMH's Medication Interactions page will provide you with more information about the best way to discuss other medications with your physician.
Treatment
For adults who are diagnosed with ADHD, treatment options include therapy, medication and educational support. It's often the combination of these that help people to achieve success in work, school and other activities. Referrals from primary healthcare providers or other health professionals are the first step towards treatment. Find out about the professional's education and experience working with adults suffering from ADHD. If a professional refuses to or is not able to provide you this information, it's recommended to seek out a different professional.
The diagnosis process for adults with ADHD typically involves interviews with the patient's parents or other significant others and teachers. The diagnostic process could also include an examination of the family and medical history, as well as an assessment of psychiatric issues. It's important that the person being assessed for ADHD be honest, not holding back due to embarrassment or fear of being criticized. A person has to show symptoms in more than one place and have an impairment that is significant in their daily life before an ADHD diagnosis can be determined.
Untreated ADHD can lead to co-occurring disorders like depression and anxiety. This is especially relevant for people who suffer from ADHD who suffer from chronic stress or frustration. Frustration can cause a self fulfilling prophecy that can result in lower self-esteem, low performance and feelings of frustration.
A diagnosis of ADHD can be a great relief for some adults. They will begin to understand themselves better and realize it wasn't because of them that they couldn't make friends or establish a career. For certain adults, a diagnosis of ADHD may be accompanied by feelings of sadness and regret over lost opportunities that were not addressed.
Adults with ADHD must always be prepared to discuss their issues openly with their supervisors, colleagues, and teachers. It's also an excellent idea to think about joining an ADHD support group where those suffering from the disorder can discuss their experiences and receive assistance. Additionally, those with an diagnosis of ADHD should check their health insurance coverage to see the services covered and to get names and numbers of experts who specialize in treating adults suffering from ADHD.
Support
A person who is diagnosed with ADHD is able to seek help for the symptoms and issues that affect them at work, at home at school, in relationships and in many other situations. Adult ADHD is usually treated with psychotherapy and medication. Some individuals also discover they need specialized coaching to provide structure and help for their daily life.
Adults who have been diagnosed with ADHD often feel relieved to discover that their troubles weren't just typical or caused by lazy parenting or a lack of discipline. A diagnosis can be the first step in receiving the help they require.
It is easier to diagnose ADHD in children, but it is not impossible for adults to have this disorder. Many adults suffer from undiagnosed ADHD.
The diagnosis of ADHD in adults requires a thorough clinical interview by a psychiatrist who has worked with this condition for a long time. The interviewer might inquire about the patient's social and emotional history, as well as their family history. Some doctors utilize brain scans or computer programs to assess patients. However, most experts agree that the most accurate indication of ADHD is an extensive clinical interview and it is vital to take the history of a patient into consideration when diagnosing the disorder.
Based on the nature of the issues a person faces and the severity of their issues, additional psycho- or neuropsychological tests can be conducted to determine the presence and impact of co-existing conditions, like anxiety, learning disabilities and mood disorders, which often are associated with ADHD. The results of these tests could also help in determining the proper dosage of medications for a particular person.
Asking friends and colleagues to recommend specialists who have experience diagnosing ADHD is a great idea. Then check their professional qualifications, including academic degrees and the length of time they've been practicing. They should be able to explain their diagnostic procedure and answer any queries that you might have. You can also look for experts who are certified online or in the phonebook. Find out about their methods of counseling and what kind of therapy they might recommend for you.