Adults Diagnosis of ADHD
A diagnosis of ADHD could be the first step towards managing symptoms that cause havoc at home, work and in relationships. It also provides a means to see the bigger picture of issues that have been confusing and frustrating for a long time.
Mental health professionals employ ADHD symptom checklists and standardized scales for assessing behavior in the process of evaluation to determine if an adult fits the diagnostic criteria. They can also conduct interviews with relatives and close friends to gain further insights.
1. Talk to Your Health Care Provider
Talking with your doctor is the first step towards receiving a diagnosis. Your doctor can help identify the symptoms and refer you to a specialist if needed.
You can also ask your family, friends and colleagues to recommend experts in ADHD evaluations for adults. You may also get information from your insurance company about the services available in your area. Another option is to attend an ADHD support group and talk with people who have similar challenges and to learn about how they deal with these challenges.
Many adults seek a diagnosis when their symptoms hinder their day-to-day performance at home or at work. They're frustrated with losing their keys, constantly being late for meetings, and struggling to keep their jobs or maintain healthy relationships. You can manage these symptoms by seeking an appointment with a doctor.
Be honest when talking to your doctor about your symptoms. Don't hold back because you do not want to be perceived as weak or irresponsible. Your doctor must know all about your problems, including how these have affected your work performance and personal life.
If your doctor suggests taking medication be prepared to discuss your position on it. adhd diagnosis in adult aren't disposed to take medication and prefer other methods of treatment, such as psychotherapy (the medical term for mental health therapy) and lifestyle adjustments known as accommodations. Like a step stool can help someone who is a little short to reach the same heights as others accommodations allow those who suffer from ADHD to meet their goals and succeed.
Your specialist will ask about your experience with ADHD. It is best to recall specific details from your childhood, as this is when the disorder is more likely to come up. Depending on the location you live in you may have to collect copies of your school records or speak to teachers or other adults who were around you in your youth However, keep in mind that these don't necessarily confirm a diagnosis.
2. Request a Reference
Your family physician can refer you undergo an ADHD assessment and treatment if there are any concerns about how your behavior affects your work, school or relationships. They may also be able to provide you recommendations for other specialists, including psychologists and psychiatrists that specialize in treating adults with ADHD.
When you visit a specialist to get an evaluation, make sure to be honest and honestly about the issues you are having, including those connected to ADHD. It is essential not to hide information because of guilt or fear that you could be scrutinized. Your history will determine the quality of your assessment and the efficacy of any treatment recommendations.
Examiners will look over your social, academic and emotional history. They will also discuss how these issues affect you in the present. They will also go over the American Psychiatric Association's diagnostic guidelines, which are found in the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders," fifth edition (DSM-5). They will inquire about your current symptoms and any other symptoms you might have had in the past. They will also interview you and when possible, talk to people who knew you before you were a child.
They will also determine if your symptoms could be better explained by another mental health or medical problem, like anxiety or depression. They will also determine if you have an intellectual disability or any other neurodevelopmental disorder.
If a medical professional doesn't believe that you suffer from ADHD and they'll tell you the other conditions or issues that might be causing your difficulties and the reason they don't think you suffer from ADHD. This does not mean you must accept the diagnosis, however it can be helpful in planning for future treatment.
In most instances adults who are diagnosed with ADHD will receive support not just from other adults with ADHD as well as their families, friends coworkers, teachers and coaches. They may also benefit from attending classes that teach the art of communication, or marriage and couple counseling. Counseling can be beneficial for those with ADHD who have difficulty gaining confidence. It can also teach them how to improve their interpersonal skills.
3. Schedule a Consultation
ADHD is caused by a shortage or imbalance in neurotransmitters that regulate brain activity. This can affect an individual's attention span and ability to finish tasks. Adults who are not treated for ADHD might have difficulty in their jobs as well as in other areas of their lives. If you think you might have ADHD consult your health care provider or ask for a referral to see a psychologist or psychiatrist who is trained in mental health.
A mental health professional will employ an assessment system to determine if you suffer from ADHD symptoms. A mental health professional may also interview important people in your life like your spouse and create an inventory of symptoms. A thorough examination could include psychological tests that measure working memory, executive functioning (the abilities that are involved in making decisions and planning), visual and spatial abilities and reasoning skills. The results can be used to rule out conditions that can cause similar symptoms, such as anxiety or depression.
During the evaluation your doctor will also take into account how you have dealt with your symptoms over the course of time. For instance, if often miss appointments, don't remember deadlines and make impulsive decisions, your health care provider might recommend therapy or classes to help you learn better strategies to overcome these challenges. Your doctor might recommend medication as well. The majority of stimulant drugs are used to treat adults suffering from ADHD, and they are highly effective. They aren't for all people and may have side effects. Nonstimulant drugs that don't have the potential for abuse are now available and can be as effective as stimulants.
It is crucial to educate others on ADHD. While people with ADHD should be diagnosed and receive treatment, it is also helpful to help them educate their spouses, parents and colleagues. Many people with ADHD have difficulty getting their spouses, their parents, and their co-workers to understand their behavior. Education can improve relationships and support systems. There are ADHD support groups in many communities and online.
It can be challenging to identify ADHD in adults however, it is doable. Begin by speaking to your GP, who can guide you to the most appropriate service for your needs.
4. Schedule and an Evaluation
It may take a while to obtain an accurate assessment and diagnosis. Ask for a referral from your primary care doctor, however, if your GP is hesitant or does not agree to refer you consult other health experts. You can contact your local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find out who is specialized in your area in adult ADHD. Or, you should contact professional associations that help adults with ADHD.
Once you've been referred to an evaluator, you should be prepared for a long and detailed interview about your symptoms and how they impact your life. The evaluator will review your medical, family, and personal background along with any current health issues. They'll probably want to know how the issues have affected your relationships as well as your work performance and financial situation. They could use standardized rating scales to compare your behavior to the behavior of people who do not have ADHD. These ratings can help them determine whether your symptoms are related to ADHD or better explained by a different disorder such as depression or anxiety.
Your evaluator may also request cognitive tests to determine if you have learning or intellectual disabilities that could explain your problems at school or at work. Certain evaluators will also test for other conditions that may cause symptoms similar to those of ADHD such as seizure disorders or thyroid disorders.
Certain evaluators may request additional physical examinations or laboratory tests, like brain imaging and blood tests to rule out other health issues. They may ask you to fill out the questionnaire to determine specific signs, such as difficulty in organizing and planning or being overly active and indecisive. They might also ask a friend or family member about your childhood to find out whether there are any signs that indicate you have ADHD.
It is crucial to be honest during the interview. Many adults are embarrassed to ask for a diagnosis, and they may refuse to divulge information because they believe it could make their appearance worse. It is crucial that the evaluator is given accurate information regarding your struggles in terms of impulse control, organizational skills and interpersonal relationships.