How to Diagnose ADHD in Adults
For many adults, the frustration of being afflicted with ADHD symptoms is what drives them to seek an assessment. They could be losing their jobs due to missed deadlines, or struggling with relationships due to impulsive behavior or are having financial difficulties due to the fact that they forget to pay bills or don't keep track of purchases.
Ask your doctor or a mental health professional about their education and experience in diagnosing ADHD in adults.
Symptoms
Find a doctor who can evaluate your symptoms if you suspect that you or your child has ADHD. Your assessment will consist of physical examinations as well as a review of your medical history. This includes mental health issues as well as substance abuse. It is important that you are honest with your doctor about the symptoms and how they impact you. Many people with ADHD conceal their symptoms because of shame or fear of criticism. However, a thorough evaluation can give your doctor a better picture of your life.
Since adulthood is different from childhood, diagnosing ADHD in adults can be more difficult than diagnosing children suffering from the disorder. The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5) provides guidelines for diagnosing ADHD that are generally valid for adults as well as children. The doctor can request others in the patient's life, like a spouse or cohabitating partner or siblings, parents teachers, coaches, and other teachers to explain how the person's behavior has affected them. This can reveal important information that isn't revealed by tests or checklists.
In certain cases the doctor may need to look into other conditions that could cause similar symptoms as ADHD. These could include mood disorders, mental health issues, and physical illnesses or injuries, like concussions or head trauma. They will also look at the person's personal and professional life to determine if the symptoms interfere with their daily routines.
The symptoms of adult ADHD vary from mild to moderate, with moderate symptoms causing difficulty in social and work situations. A severe condition can affect the performance of a job or school and can cause tension in relationships. They also make it harder to live an independent life.
ADHD can be a problem for anyone, but it is more frequent in men and boys than in girls. It is not clear why this is the case however it is likely that there are environmental and genetic factors at play. Certain foods and chemicals have been proven to cause ADHD in certain people. It is also possible that some people are predisposed due to brain structures that process stimuli.
Diagnosis
It is not always simple to recognize ADHD. Many people are embarrassed by their symptoms and have difficulty speaking to a healthcare doctor or mental health professional. adult adhd diagnosis uk can delay the evaluation process. To ensure you get a thorough evaluation, it is important to be honest and transparent about your symptoms as well as your past medical experiences.
In the course of your evaluation, your doctor will use standard behavioral ratings scales and ADHD symptoms checklists to determine if you fulfill the criteria for diagnosis. Your doctor may also ask for your family history and childhood information and an extensive description of your work and home life. Your doctor could also recommend an examination to determine the cause of your symptoms, like thyroid problems or seizure disorders.
A physical exam typically involves blood work and a head scan which can help you identify any chemical or structural issues within the brain that could be contributing to your ADHD symptoms. A physical exam can also help determine other conditions that could cause similar symptoms, such as addiction to drugs or depression.
Your doctor may suggest you participate in a clinical studies of new treatments for ADHD in adults. These trials are conducted by research centers like NIMH. However, you must be aware that these research studies may be risky and not result in a solution that is appropriate for you.
Discuss with your doctor any other medications that you take, as they could interact with stimulants that are used to treat ADHD in adults. Drugs that affect appetite, sleep heart rate, appetite, and blood pressure can affect the effectiveness of stimulants. The NIMH's Medication Interactions page will provide you with more information on how to discuss other medicines with your physician.
Treatment
For adults diagnosed with ADHD Treatment options include medication, behavioral therapy and educational supports. It's typically an amalgamation of the three that can help people to succeed at work, school and in other pursuits. Treatment should begin with an appointment with a primary care provider or another health care professional. Ask the doctor about their training and experience working with adults who have ADHD. If a professional refuses to or is unable to provide you the information you need, it's recommended to seek out a different professional.
The diagnosis process for adults with ADHD usually includes interviews with parents, teachers and other significant people. The process of diagnosis may include an assessment of family and medical history and an assessment of psychiatric issues. It is crucial that the person being assessed for ADHD be honest and not shy away due to embarrassment, or fear of being criticized. There must be a variety of symptoms in two or more settings and must cause significant impairment in the person's life for an ADHD diagnosis to be established.
Many people with untreated ADHD have comorbid disorders that include depression and anxiety. This is especially the case for those with ADHD who have a history of chronic anxiety or frustration. Frustration can cause a self fulfilling prophecy that can result in low self-esteem, a lack of performance, and feelings of anger.
For those who are adults, the diagnosis of ADHD can be a great relief. They begin to see the situation and realize that it wasn't entirely their fault they couldn't establish an occupation or make friends. For certain adults, being diagnosed of ADHD may be accompanied by feelings of sadness and regret for missed opportunities that went unaddressed.
Adults suffering from ADHD must always be ready to talk about their problems with supervisors and coworkers. It's also a good idea to consider joining an ADHD support group, in which people who suffer from the disorder can discuss their experiences and receive advice. Additionally, those with a diagnosis of ADHD should look into their health insurance coverage to determine what services are covered and to obtain the names and numbers of specialists who specialize in treating adults with ADHD.
Support
A person diagnosed with ADHD can seek help for the symptoms and problems that affect him or her in a variety of settings that include at work, home, school, in relationships, and many more. Adult ADHD is usually treated using medication and psychotherapy. Some people discover that they require specialized coaching, which can help them with structure and support in everyday life.
Adults diagnosed with ADHD often feel relieved to discover that their troubles weren't just normal or because of poor parenting or laziness. A diagnosis could be the first step in receiving the help they require.
Adults may also be affected by ADHD. It's more difficult to identify in children. In fact, many adults have struggled all their lives with unrecognized ADHD.
A psychiatrist who has expertise in this type of disorder can diagnose ADHD in adults by conducting a diagnostic interview. The interviewer may ask about the person's social and emotional history, as well as the family history of the person. Some doctors use brain scans or computer programs to assess patients. However, the majority of experts agree that the most reliable way to determine the presence of ADHD is an exhaustive clinical interview. It is also believed that it is essential to take the patient's history into consideration when determining the severity of the disorder.
Based on the nature of the difficulties a person is experiencing, additional psychological or neuropsychological tests can be conducted to determine the effects and presence of co-existing disorders, like anxiety, learning disabilities, and mood disorders, which typically accompany ADHD. The results of these tests can be useful in determining the appropriate dosage of medication for a particular person.
Asking colleagues and friends to recommend specialists with expertise in diagnosing ADHD is also a great idea. Then check their professional credentials, including academic degrees and the length of time they've been practicing. They should also be able explain how they diagnose and answer any questions you may have. You can also look for professional who are certified on the internet or through the phone book. Find out about their methods of counseling and what kind of therapy they would suggest for you.