Adult Diagnosis of ADHD
A diagnosis of ADHD can change the life of adults suffering from the disorder. It can help people recognize the reasons why they struggle in relationships, work, and family.
It can be difficult to identify since symptoms tend to overlap. A mental health professional or health care provider will evaluate the individual and perform tests.
Signs and symptoms
It is possible that a person does not realize they have ADHD until they reach the age of adulthood. This could be due to parents and teachers failed to recognize the signs at an earlier age, or because work or college demands brought out the disorder. Adults with untreated ADHD are at a disadvantage in their work, school and social lives. Many people with undiagnosed ADHD experience a variety of issues, including problems with relationships and financial problems.
A mental health professional will review and interview the patient's medical, psychiatric and personal history, paying special attention to the symptoms in different situations. The patient will explain how these symptoms impact his or her daily functioning and relationships. It is important that patients are open about their symptoms and not conceal them to avoid embarrassment.
The mental health professional should also assess whether these symptoms are connected to other comorbidities, such as depression and anxiety, which often coexist with ADHD. These conditions can cause ADHD symptoms worse and may interfere with treatment for the disorder.
If the psychiatrist or psychology believes that the symptoms are being affected by comorbid disorders such as learning disabilities, psychosomatic disorders, or neuropsychological disorders, further testing can be used to establish an accurate diagnosis. These tests can also be used to determine the level of impairment in function that these conditions cause. The mental health professional will also request interviews with other important people, such as spouses or siblings, to get a full picture of how the person is performing.
Diagnosis
Adults are diagnosed with ADHD by a mental healthcare doctor or a medical professional following an exhaustive assessment. This includes a detailed interview about the history of symptoms and their impact on daily functioning, as well as the presence of any other mental health issues that could co-occur with ADHD such as anxiety and mood disorders. The doctor may also request to speak to your significant others, such as your spouse or a close family member, in order for them get more details.
A proper diagnosis of ADHD could alter your life. The diagnosis gives adults an explanation for their behavior that they believed to be "normal". It is often a relief to know they're not just naive or forgetful; their problems are more complex.
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 is a standard established to ensure that individuals receive the help and treatment they require. To be eligible for an ADHD diagnosis, one must have been suffering from the symptoms for at least 12 months and they must be causing significant impairment in a variety of environments, such as school, home, or work as well as with family members or friends; or with other activities. For adults who are 17 or older the number of necessary symptoms has been reduced to five from the six that are required for children who are younger than 12.
Maintaining a positive relationship with your primary care physician can help you identify ADHD. Many providers routinely diagnose and treat ADHD in children. They can provide a referral to an expert in mental health who is qualified to perform an assessment of adults.
Treatment
When someone with ADHD is diagnosed, their lives can drastically change. They can finally have some reasons for their school failures or the struggle to establish an occupation or a relationship. A diagnosis can ease the guilt that has been accumulating for some people over the years.
The first step in obtaining an diagnosis is speaking to a doctor or mental health professional. They might inquire about family history and conduct physical examinations to rule out any condition which could trigger symptoms that resemble ADHD or other disorders, such as sleeping disorders, learning disabilities or alcohol/drug use. They also can ask the person to complete the checklist of symptoms.
In many instances the doctor will suggest that a spouse or partner is interviewed during the process of assessing. This helps the non ADHD spouse or partner develop an accurate understanding of their loved one's ADHD, and an empathetic approach towards those symptoms. This is important to strengthen relationships following a diagnoses. If this isn't an option the therapist may ask friends or co-workers who know the person.
Adults with ADHD are treated primarily by medications. Stimulants like methylphenidate (Ritalin(r)) and dextroamphetamine (Adderall(r)) are the most effective and widely prescribed drugs for treating adult ADHD. Other medications such as atomoxetine (Strattera(r),) and guanfacine, (Intuniv (r) Tenex (r)) are able to increase the amount of norepinephrine found in the brain. These medications can help improve ADHD symptoms.
Psychotherapy is another alternative. Cognitive-behavioral therapy can help patients develop skills to manage their ADHD symptoms. These include time management, self-regulation strategies, organizing strategies of behaviors and emotions and coping strategies for self-doubt and negative criticism. Other therapies, such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), help adults recognize automatic thoughts or irrational thinking that can lead to negative behavior, and also develop positive self-talk.
Medication
Many people discover that ADHD medications help to alleviate their symptoms. This medication typically comes in the form of a stimulant. It works by increasing the activity of brain regions that regulate behavior and attention. Methylphenidate is the most well-known medication used by adults suffering from ADHD 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 a different type of medication works by reducing the brain activity. It can be taken in pill form or liquid.
The psychiatrist or therapist will look over the medical and family background of the adult patient to determine factors that may cause similar symptoms. This review is important due to the fact that certain medical conditions like thyroid problems and seizure disorders can cause symptoms similar to those of ADHD. In addition, some drugs and nutritional supplements can also cause similar symptoms.
During the test, the person will likely to discuss their ADHD symptoms. They will be asked to fill out standard ADHD rating scales and check lists as well as complete psychological tests that measure executive functioning, working memory (abilities such as making decisions and planning) spatial and visual capabilities, as well as reasoning skills.
If the therapist believes ADHD symptoms affect the quality of life of an individual, he or she will recommend treatment. In some cases the therapist might request the patient's spouse or partner to interview them about the effects of the symptoms of the patient on their relationship. This can reduce blame between people and encourage healthier, more productive relationships.
Counseling
Being diagnosed is a huge relief to many adults with ADHD. It gives them a chance to understand the reasons for their problems at school or work and to discover ways to overcome these issues. It's a chance to alter negative behaviors and increase self-esteem.
Counseling is a great
