How to Diagnose ADHD in Adults
For many adults, the stress of being afflicted with ADHD symptoms is what drives them to seek an assessment. They could lose their jobs due to missed deadlines, struggle with relationships due to impulsive behavior or have financial problems due to the fact that they forget bills and forget to track purchases.
Ask your doctor or an expert in mental health about their education and experience in diagnosing ADHD in adults.
Symptoms
Find a doctor who will examine your symptoms if you think your child or you is suffering from ADHD. Your assessment will consist of a physical exam as well as a review of your medical background. This will include mental health issues and alcohol abuse. It is important to be open with your doctor about the symptoms you are experiencing and how they affect you. Many people with ADHD conceal their symptoms because of shame or fear of criticism. However an extensive evaluation will provide your doctor with a more accurate picture of your daily life.
Adults differ from children, so the diagnosis of ADHD can be more challenging than identifying ADHD in children. The American Psychological Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) offers guidelines for diagnosing ADHD that are generally applicable to adults as well as children. In addition to examining the patient, the doctor could also ask others who are in the patient's lifelike spouses or co-habitating partners siblings, parents or teachers and coaches -- to describe the behavior of the patient and how it has affected them. This could reveal information that might not be found on a checklist or other tests.
In some cases, a doctor may want to look into other conditions that can cause similar symptoms to ADHD. These can include mood disorders, other mental health issues, and physical injuries or illnesses like head trauma. They will also review the person's personal and work life to determine whether their symptoms are affecting their daily routine.
The signs of adult ADHD range from mild to moderate with moderate symptoms leading to difficulties in work and social situations. The severe symptoms can hinder work or school performance as well as strain relationships and make it harder to live a life of independence.
ADHD can affect anyone, but it is more prevalent in boys and men than in girls. It is unclear why this is the case however, it is likely that there are environmental and genetic factors at play. Research has shown that certain chemicals and foods can cause ADHD in certain people, and it is possible that some people are predisposed to develop the condition because of certain brain structures involved in the processing of stimuli.
Diagnosis
It's not always easy to determine ADHD. Many people are embarrassed by their symptoms and may have difficulty talking to a health care provider or a mental health professional. This can make the process of evaluation more time-consuming. To ensure a thorough assessment, it is important to be honest and transparent about your symptoms as well as past experiences.
In the course of your evaluation, your doctor will employ standard behavioral ratings scales and ADHD symptoms checklists to determine if you fulfill the criteria for diagnosis. Your doctor will inquire about your family history and childhood, and a detailed description your home and work. Your doctor might order an examination of your body to rule out medical reasons for your symptoms, such seizure or thyroid disorder.
A physical exam usually includes blood work and a head scan, which can help you identify any structural or chemical problems in the brain that may be causing your ADHD symptoms. A physical exam can also help identify other conditions that may cause similar symptoms, like addiction or depression.
Your doctor may recommend that you take part in clinical studies of new treatments for ADHD in adults. These trials are conducted by research centers like NIMH. It is important to be aware that these studies could carry negative consequences and may not provide the right treatment for you.
It is also important to inform your doctor about any other medications you're taking, as they can interfere with certain stimulants used to treat adults with ADHD. Drugs that affect appetite, sleep heart rate, sleep, and blood pressure can affect the effectiveness of stimulants. The NIMH's Medication Interactions webpage can provide more details on how to discuss other medications with your health care provider.
Treatment
Adults with ADHD can be treated with treatment with medication, behavioral therapy and educational support. It's often the combination of these that helps people to achieve success in work, school and other pursuits. Treatment should start with the referral of the primary care provider or other health professional. Ask the doctor about their knowledge and experience working with adults suffering from ADHD. If a professional refuses to or is unable to give you this information, it's best to look for a different one.
The diagnostic process for adult ADHD typically involves interviews with the patient, parents or other significant others, as well as teachers. It could also involve the complete medical and family history, as well as psychiatric evaluation. It is essential that the person being assessed for ADHD be honest, not holding back because of embarrassment or fear of being criticized. Multiple symptoms must be evident in more than one setting and must cause significant impairment in the individual's life for an ADHD diagnosis to be established.
Many adults with untreated ADHD develop comorbid disorders such as depression and anxiety. This is particularly the case for those who suffer from ADHD who have a history of chronic anxiety or frustration. The frustration can cause self-fulfilling prophecy of failure and result in feelings of self-doubt and poor performance.
A diagnosis of ADHD may be a relief for certain adults. They may begin to understand themselves and realize it wasn't their fault they couldn't establish a career or meet new friends. For some adults, a diagnoses of ADHD can cause regret and sadness over missed opportunities.
Adults suffering from ADHD should always be prepared to talk about their problems with their supervisors and colleagues. Consider joining an ADHD support group where those with the condition can share their experiences and receive guidance. Finally, those with the diagnosis of ADHD should verify their health insurance coverage to find out the services covered and to obtain the names and numbers of specialists who specialize in treating adults with ADHD.
Support
A person who is diagnosed with ADHD can seek treatment to address the issues and symptoms that afflict him or her at the workplace, at home, in relationships, at school and in many other settings. Treatments for adults with ADHD usually include medication and psychotherapy. Some individuals also discover they require specialized coaching to provide structure and support for their daily lives.
Adults who are diagnosed with ADHD often feel relieved to learn that their problems aren't normal, or due to poor parenting or laziness. diagnosing adhd adults could be the first step to receiving the help they require.
Adults also have the potential to suffer from ADHD. It's more difficult to identify in children. In fact, many adults have struggled throughout their lives with undiagnosed ADHD.
The diagnosis of ADHD in adults requires a thorough clinical interview by a psychiatrist who has experience working with this condition. The interview might include questions regarding the patient's family history, and also the person's own social and emotional background. Some doctors use computer programs or brain scans to evaluate a patient. However, the majority of experts agree that the most accurate way to determine the presence of ADHD is an exhaustive clinical interview. It is also believed it is crucial to take a patient's history into consideration when diagnosing the disorder.
Based on the severity and nature of the person's difficulties and the co-existing conditions such as mood disorders, anxiety and learning disabilities that typically accompany ADHD additional neuropsychological and psychological tests could be administered to determine the effect and severity of these conditions. The results of these tests may be useful in determining the right dosage of medication for an individual.
It's also an excellent idea to ask your friends and colleagues for recommendations to professionals who are experienced in diagnosing ADHD. Check their credentials, including their academic degrees as well as how long they've been working. They should also be able explain how they diagnose and answer any questions you may have. You can also find experts who are certified through the internet or on the phonebook. Ask them about their philosophy of therapy and what advice they would give you.