ADHD Diagnosis in Adults

A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists or neurologists, or nearby family physicians) must be able to diagnose ADHD. The symptoms are analyzed using standardized behavior ratings scales based upon research that compares the behavior of people suffering from ADHD and those without.

A medical exam is usually performed, since certain medical conditions such as seizure disorders or thyroid problems may mimic symptoms of ADHD.

Signs and symptoms

Many people who seek a diagnosis of ADHD claim that their symptoms affect their lives. They may have difficulty keeping jobs or maintaining healthy relationships. They may also have difficulty to manage household chores. They might be suffering from anxiety, mood disorders, or substance abuse problems. The first step in finding out if you are suffering from a disorder is to set up an appointment with your health care provider. Your physician may refer you to an expert in mental health who is qualified to conduct ADHD evaluations for adults. You can also seek recommendations from your local medical school or a nearby university hospital. Some insurance plans also provide professionals based on their specialties.

During the examination during the evaluation, a mental healthcare specialist will review your medical and personal history and look you over to determine whether you meet any of the ADHD diagnostic criteria. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association contains these criteria. The doctor will look for inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity. Inattention symptoms could include not paying attention to other people, not following instructions and not paying attention to small details. ADHD sufferers tend to be forgetful, and they have difficulty finishing tasks - particularly when the task is not engaging for them.

Hyperactive and impulsive people might run and climb into places they shouldn't. They could also interrupt conversations, games, or take other people's sports equipment, toys, or homework assignments. They are unable to wait for their turn or to play with a calm and controlled manner. They often scream out answers to questions before the person asking them has completed their thought process or they can't wait until they are ready to speak at school, at work or a social gathering. They might have difficulty waiting for help or spending money, and they frequently skip appointments.

A thorough mental health assessment is crucial prior to determining ADHD as a number of conditions can mimic the symptoms of the disorder, such as mood disorders, anxiety disorders and certain medication and head injuries. A psychiatric examination usually involves a structured interview which focuses on your social emotional, academic and academic life. This can also include interviews with family members and friends. Your mental health professional may conduct psychological tests to assess your visual spatial and visual memory abilities, executive functioning and working memory.

Diagnosis

When adults get an ADHD diagnosis, it's typically life-changing. It can provide a valid reason for the frustrations that they encounter every day: work problems or having trouble forming relationships, conflict in relationships or a lack of financial stability. It could assist them in understanding the reasons for being labelled as unreliable or lazy during their childhood.

The process of diagnosing ADHD in adults is trickier than diagnosing children because the symptoms vary as time passes. To diagnose the disorder, doctors must apply the guidelines set forth by the American Psychiatric Association in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) to determine if someone is in compliance with the criteria. This assessment could include symptoms lists or behavior rating scales as well as interviews with teachers, family members parents, spouses, or parents.

In addition to conducting a thorough interview, some doctors will also ask patients to fill out questionnaires or take psychological tests to measure executive functioning, working memory, capabilities (such as planning and decision-making) spatial and visual abilities, as well as reasoning (thinking) capabilities. Based on the individual the doctor may request a brain scan or conduct additional clinical laboratory testing such as bloodwork or a physical exam.

It is crucial for a doctor to take into consideration any co-occurring conditions that may be a cause of ADHD, including mood disorders or learning disabilities, drug use, or head injuries (Austerman, 2015). During the course of an assessment, a doctor can also speak with the patient's family members and friends to gather additional details about their experiences with the disorder.

Many people suffering from ADHD forget important events that happened in their childhood, particularly when they're suffering from emotional distress. It's not uncommon for doctors to request parents or other family members to complete a retrospective ADHD report describing the child's behavior as well as school performance.

Some patients are reluctant to seek a diagnosis because they aren't convinced that their problems are serious. Undiagnosed ADHD can have devastating consequences for those who live with it.

Treatment

The first step to find treatment for adults with ADHD is to get an assessment. The majority of people suffering from ADHD start by speaking with their primary healthcare provider, who will refer them to a mental-health specialist.

A psychiatric assessment typically includes the description and discussion of symptoms, interviews with the patient and other sources like spouses and family members, completions of ADHD symptom lists, standardized behavior scales, and psychometric tests, such as tests for learning disabilities and intelligence. It's also important to rule out any other medical conditions that can mimic ADHD symptoms, like seizures and thyroid disorders.

The most difficult part of an adhd diagnosis for adults is adjusting to the stigma that is associated with the condition. Untreated ADHD can make an adult feel like a failure in areas such as relationships and work. A diagnosis can help those with ADHD to understand what's happening and recognize that it's not about them, according to research psychologist Karla pretorius, M.Psych, who specializes ADHD in adults.

Talking about your issues with colleagues, supervisors and teachers can be beneficial. They will be able to better understand your struggles if you educate them about ADHD. They may make small adjustments, like giving you more time to complete assignments or providing you with an area to study in peace. You'll notice that many of your instructors or coworkers are more understanding than you expected.

If you're interested in trying treatment for your ADHD, talk to your primary care physician about the possibility of participating in the clinical trial. These trials are designed to test new methods of preventing, diagnosing, and treating conditions and diseases. They will give you access to the most recent treatments and therapies prior to them becoming widely available.

ADHD medications can help you improve your ability to focus and follow directions, as well as control your impulsive behavior. But, it's important to combine medication with psychotherapy. Psychotherapy can help you develop how to cope, help you develop healthy routines and learn to manage your feelings of disappointment and shame about past failures. It can help you to understand how your ADHD impacts the dynamics of your family and relationships.

Counseling

For many adults, receiving a diagnosis of ADHD can be a transformative experience. Many people have had to deal with impulsive, unorganized or inattentive behaviors for years before they realized why. A diagnosis helps them recognize that their problems are not due to being unlucky or failing.

The first step in obtaining an accurate diagnosis is to conduct an interview with a mental health professional. During the interview, the person is asked about their symptoms and how they affect their life both personally and professionally. The doctor will want to know about a person's past especially from their childhood. This may include asking about any previous diagnoses or mental health issues. It is often helpful to bring a family member or a close acquaintance to the interview, since they can help them recall specifics.

During the evaluation an individual may also be asked to take psychological tests to measure working memory, executive function, spatial and visual capabilities, as well as reasoning abilities. It is essential to answer all questions honestly and completely to ensure that a complete image of a person's capabilities can be obtained. It is crucial to not hide information during an interview out of fear of embarrassment.

To be diagnosed with ADHD, an adult must be able to demonstrate signs that are causing significant impairment in at minimum two settings. ADHD symptoms can cause a person to struggle in work or school, and even have relationship issues.

Counseling can assist those who have been diagnosed with ADHD to understand how they can cope with their symptoms and develop strategies for success at work, in school, and in relationships. This includes individual therapy as well as cognitive behavioral therapy, and learning to manage impulsive and inattentive behavior. It is also recommended that people with a new diagnosis of ADHD seek marriage and family counseling to address the problems that can arise due to their symptoms.

Other types of counseling that could be useful for those with ADHD include OT (occupational therapy) and yoga techniques which combine the physical benefits of exercise with the psychological benefits of meditation. OT can assist people with ADHD establish a structure and routines while yoga teaches the practice of relaxation and breathing to help promote mental peace.