How to Diagnose ADHD in Adults
For many adults, the frustration of being afflicted with ADHD symptoms is what drives people to seek an evaluation. They could be losing their jobs due to missing deadlines, struggling in relationships because of impulsive behaviors or are having financial difficulties due to the fact that they forget to pay bills or forget to track purchases.
Ask your doctor or mental health professional if they have any experience in diagnosing ADHD among adults.
Symptoms
Find a doctor who can assess your symptoms if think your child or you may have ADHD. Your evaluation will include a physical examination and an analysis of your medical history, which includes mental health issues and substance use. It is important that you are honest with your doctor about the signs and how they affect your life. Many people with ADHD conceal their symptoms out of shame or for fear of being criticized. However, a thorough evaluation can provide your doctor with a more accurate picture of your life.
Adults are different from children, which is why the diagnosis of ADHD is more difficult than diagnosing 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 interviewing the patient, the doctor could also ask other people who are in the patient's lifefor example, spouse or co-habitating partner, parents, siblings or teachers and coaches to comment on the person's behavior and how it has affected them. This could provide information that might not be found on a checklist or other tests.
In certain instances the doctor may need to investigate other conditions that may cause similar symptoms to ADHD. These can include mood disorders, mental health issues, and physical illnesses or injuries, like head trauma. They will also review the person's personal and work life to determine if their symptoms are affecting their daily activities.
The signs of adult ADHD can vary from mild to severe, with moderate symptoms that cause difficulty in work and social situations. A severe condition can affect the performance of a job or school and can cause tension in relationships. They also make it difficult to live independently.
ADHD can affect any person, but it is more prevalent in boys and men than in girls. There isn't a clear reason behind this but it could be due to genetic or environmental factors. Studies have shown that certain foods and chemicals can cause ADHD in some people, and it's possible that some individuals are predisposed to develop the condition due to the existence of specific brain structures that are involved in processing stimuli.
Diagnosis
Finding a diagnosis of ADHD isn't always easy. People often feel embarrassed about their symptoms and have difficulty talking to a healthcare doctor or a mental health professional. I Am Psychiatry UK can delay the evaluation process. To ensure a thorough assessment it is essential to be honest and upfront about your health issues as well as past circumstances.
During the exam your doctor may employ standard behavioral rating scales and ADHD symptom checklists to determine if you are able to meet the criteria for a diagnosis of ADHD. Your doctor will also inquire for your family and childhood history along with a detailed description of your work and personal life. Your doctor could also recommend a physical exam to determine if there is a medical cause for your symptoms, such as seizures or thyroid issues.
A physical exam typically involves blood tests and a head scan, which can help identify any structural or chemical issues in the brain that may be contributing to your ADHD symptoms. A physical exam can also help identify other conditions that can cause similar symptoms, like addiction to drugs or depression.
Your doctor might suggest taking part in clinical studies of new treatments for ADHD in adults. These trials are conducted by research centers, including NIMH. It is important to be aware, however, that these studies may have negative consequences and may not provide the right treatment for you.
It is also essential to tell your doctor any other medications you are taking, as they can interact with some stimulants used to treat adult ADHD. The effects of medications on appetite, sleep, heart rate, and blood pressure can all affect the effectiveness of stimulants. The NIMH's Medication Interactions webpage provides more information on how to discuss other medications with your physician.
Treatment
Adults with ADHD are treated with medication, behavioral therapy, and educational assistance. It's often an amalgamation of all three that helps people to succeed at school, work and in other pursuits. Referrals from primary care providers or other health professionals are the first step to treatment. Ask the professional about their training and experience working with adults suffering from ADHD. If a professional refuses to or is unable to give you the information you need, it's best to find another professional.
The diagnostic process of adult ADHD typically involves interviews with parents, teachers and other people who are significant to the child. The diagnostic process could also include a medical and family history and an assessment of psychiatric issues. It is crucial that the person being evaluated for ADHD be honest and not evading the test due to embarrassment or fear of criticism. Multiple symptoms must be evident in more than one setting and cause significant impairment in the individual's life for an ADHD diagnosis to be made.
Untreated ADHD can result in comorbid disorders such as anxiety and depression. This is especially true if those who suffer from ADHD have a history of chronic tension or frustration in their lives. Frustration can lead to an unfulfilling prophecy about underachievement and result in feelings of low self-esteem and a poor performance.
A diagnosis of ADHD may be a relief for certain adults. They can start to understand themselves and realize it wasn't their fault they couldn't establish a career or meet new friends. For some adults, a diagnosis of ADHD can trigger feelings of sadness and regret over missed opportunities.
Adults with ADHD should be prepared to discuss their issues openly with their supervisors, colleagues, and teachers. It's also an excellent idea to think about joining an ADHD support group, in which people who suffer from the disorder can discuss their experiences and receive help. Those with an ADHD diagnosis should verify their insurance coverage and request the names and numbers of professionals that specialize in treating adults suffering from ADHD.
Support
A person diagnosed with ADHD is able to seek help for the symptoms and issues that afflict him or her at work, at home, in school, in relationships and in many other settings. Treatments for adults with ADHD usually include medication and psychotherapy. Some people discover that they require special coaching, which can provide structure and help in daily life.
Adults who have been diagnosed with ADHD often feel relieved to discover that their issues aren't typical or caused by lazy parenting or a lack of discipline. A diagnosis could be the first step to receiving the assistance they require.
Adults may also be affected by ADHD. It is more difficult to diagnose in children. In fact, many adults have struggled throughout their lives with undiagnosed ADHD.
A psychiatrist who has experience with this kind of condition can identify ADHD in adults by conducting a clinical interview. The interviewer might inquire about the person's social and emotional history, as also the family history of the person. Some doctors utilize computer programs or brain scans to determine the health of a patient. However, most experts agree that the most reliable way to determine the presence of ADHD is an exhaustive clinical interview. It is also believed it is vital to take the history of a patient into consideration when determining the severity of the disorder.
Depending on the nature of the issues a person faces, additional psychological or neuropsychological testing may be used to evaluate the presence and effects of co-existing conditions like anxiety, learning disabilities and mood disorders, which often occur in conjunction with ADHD. These tests can help determine the proper dosage of medication for an individual.
Asking colleagues and friends to recommend specialists who have experience diagnosing ADHD is a good idea. Check their qualifications, including academic degrees and the number of years they've been practicing. They should be able to explain their diagnostic procedure and answer any questions that you may have. You can also find professional who are qualified on the internet or in the phone book. Find out about their methods of counseling and what type of therapy they may recommend for you.