Adult Diagnosis of ADHD
For adults who struggle with ADHD, a diagnosis can be life-changing. It can help people to understand the reasons they struggle with family, work and in relationships.
However it can be challenging to determine a diagnosis since symptoms can be overlapping with other conditions. A health care provider or mental health professional will evaluate the patient and conduct tests.
Signs and symptoms
The person might not even be aware they suffer from ADHD until they reach adulthood, perhaps because teachers and parents did not recognize symptoms earlier, or because the demands of college or work brought out the disorder. Adults with ADHD who aren't treated suffer in their academic, social and professional lives. Many people who have not been diagnosed with ADHD have a range of problems, including financial issues and relationship issues.
A mental health professional will conduct an interview and review the patient's medical, psychiatric and personal history, paying particular attention to the symptoms in different settings. The patient will discuss the symptoms and how they impact their daily life and relationships. It is crucial that patients are honest about their symptoms and not cover them up to avoid embarrassment.
It is also essential for the mental health professional to assess whether the symptoms are linked to other comorbidities like anxiety and depression, which are often associated with ADHD. These conditions typically make the symptoms of ADHD worse and may hinder the effective treatment of the disorder.
If a psychologist or psychiatrist feels that the symptoms of ADHD are influenced by comorbid conditions, additional psycho-, neuropsychological or learning disabilities testing may be performed to determine an accurate diagnosis. These tests can also be used to determine the level of functional impairment that these conditions cause. Additionally, the mental health professional might ask to interview one or more significant people, such as spouses, siblings and colleagues in order to collect a complete picture of the individual's performance and challenges.
Diagnosis
Adults are diagnosed with ADHD by a mental healthcare professional or physician after an extensive assessment. This involves a thorough discussion about the history of symptoms and their impact on everyday functioning, as well as the presence of any other mental health conditions that may be co-occurring with ADHD, such as depression and anxiety. Additionally, the doctor might ask for the assistance of significant others -- typically the spouse or a close friend -- to provide more details about the person's behavior.
Finding a reliable diagnosis of ADHD in adulthood can be a life-changing experience. The diagnosis gives adults an explanation for behaviors that they thought were "normal". It's often a relief learn that their problems aren't just due to lazyness or forgetfulness.
The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth edition (DSM-5) requires that adults meet specific criteria for symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity. This standard is created to ensure that people get the support and treatment they require. To qualify for an ADHD diagnosis, a person must have experienced the symptoms for at least 12 months, and they must be causing significant impairment in a variety of settings, including school, at home, or at work with family or friends; or with other activities. For adults aged 17 and older the number of needed symptoms has been reduced to five from the six that are needed for children under age 12 years old.
Maintaining a positive relationship with your primary care physician can be beneficial in identifying ADHD. Many physicians routinely diagnose and treat ADHD in children, and may refer you to a mental health professional who is able to perform an evaluation in adults.
Treatment
If people suffering from ADHD are diagnosed their lives can alter dramatically. They might finally have reasons for their school failures, a struggle to establish a career or relationship problems. A diagnosis can relieve shame that has been accumulating for some people over time.
The first step to get an accurate diagnosis is to talk to a health care provider or mental health professional. They can inquire about the family history and conduct an examination to rule out other conditions like sleep disorders or learning disabilities which can cause symptoms similar to ADHD. They can also ask the patient to complete a list of symptoms.
During the assessment process the doctor may request to speak with an individual partner or spouse. This can help the non-ADHD spouse or partner gain a better understanding and compassionate attitude towards their loved one's ADHD symptoms that is essential in enhancing relationships following the diagnosis. If this isn't feasible the therapist may ask colleagues or friends who know the individual.
The main treatment is medication. options for adults suffering from ADHD. Stimulants such as methylphenidate (Ritalin(r)) and dextroamphetamine (Adderall(r)) are the most effective and widely used drugs to treat adult ADHD. Other medications, such as Atomoxetine (Strattera(r)) and guanfacine (Intuniv(r), Tenex(r)) increase the amount of norepinephrine found in the brain and may aid in the treatment of ADHD.
Psychotherapy also is an alternative. Cognitive-behavioral therapies can help patients develop the skills needed to manage their ADHD symptoms. These include time management as well as organizational strategies, self regulation of behavior and emotions, and coping techniques for self-criticism and negative feelings. criticism. Other treatments, such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), help adults recognize subconscious thoughts or irrational thought patterns that cause negative behavior and to develop positive self-talk.
Medication
Many people report that ADHD medication helps to improve their symptoms. This medicine is typically in the form of a stimulant. It helps to increase the activity in brain regions that control attention and behavior. Methylphenidate is the most commonly used medicine diagnosis for adhd in adults for adults with ADHD and is available in a variety of forms. It is available as immediate-release tablets or modified-release tablet forms that release the medication over the course of the day. Clonidine is another kind of medication, works by decreasing brain activity and can be taken as a pill or liquid.
The psychiatrist or therapist will examine the medical and family history of the adult patient in order to determine factors that may cause similar symptoms. This is important, as some medical conditions like thyroid problems and seizures can trigger symptoms similar to ADHD. Additionally, certain supplements and medications can cause similar symptoms.
During the assessment, the individual will likely explain their ADHD symptoms to the psychiatrist or therapist. They will be asked to provide the standardized ADHD ratings and checklists of symptoms as well as psychological tests to measure working memory, executive function (abilities such as making decisions and planning) spatial and visual ability, as well as reasoning skills.
If the therapist believes that ADHD symptoms affect the quality of life of an individual, he or she will suggest treatment. In certain instances, a therapist may ask the patient's partner or spouse to speak with them about the impact of their ADHD symptoms on their relationship. This will help reduce blaming between individuals and can lead to better, more productive relationships.
Counseling
Being diagnosed is a huge relief for many adults with ADHD. It allows them to recognize the reason for their issues at school or at work and to discover ways to overcome these issues. It's also a chance to overcome negative habits and increase self-confidence.
A solid support system is crucial to success and counseling can assist. Counseling for ADHD may include psychotherapy (or psychological therapy) and a variety behavioral interventions. For example the therapist could create a reward chart which rewards positive behavior, and enforces consequences for bad behavior. The therapist could also guide the patient in skills to manage their symptoms, for example, relaxation techniques like deep breathing or yoga postures.
Another benefit of counseling is helping people understand and accept their ADHD. It's not always easy to admit that you're having problems with attention, planning and organizing. It can be embarrassing to confess that you suffer from ADHD to your supervisors or coworkers. Most teachers and bosses offer accommodations to accommodate your condition. They may, for instance permit you to write on computers instead of paper or offer a more detailed explanation of the material in class.
Additionally, the therapist can teach you ways to cope with your ADHD through cognitive behavioral therapy, which is a type of talk therapy that helps you change negative thoughts and behaviors into positive ones. Counseling for ADHD can also include family or marital therapy. This helps loved ones learn to communicate more effectively and solve problems with someone who has ADHD. People suffering from ADHD may also suffer from other mental disorders such depression or anxiety and they may also be suffering from substance abuse problems.