Adults Diagnosis of ADHD
A diagnosis of ADHD is an important first step to manage the symptoms that cause havoc at home, work and in relationships. It's also a great opportunity to gain a fresh perspective on issues that have been confusing and frustrating throughout the many years.
During the evaluation process mental health professionals employ standard behavior rating scales and ADHD checklists for symptoms to help determine whether an adult meets diagnostic criteria. They may also interview family members and other significant others to gain further insight.
1. Talk to Your Health Care Provider
If you've been experiencing problems at work or in your relationships and believe that ADHD is at fault the first step to finding a treatment and diagnosis is to talk to your health care provider. Your doctor can help identify the symptoms and refer you to a specialist in the event of need.
You can also ask your family, friends and colleagues to recommend experts in ADHD assessments of adults. Your insurance company may also be able to give you information about the providers in your region. Another option is to join an ADHD support group to talk with others who face the same challenges and learn about how they deal with them.
Many adults seek out a diagnosis when their symptoms interfere with their everyday performance at home or at work. They are fed up of losing keys or being late to meetings, and trying to maintain healthy relationships. You can take control of these symptoms by getting a diagnosis.
When you discuss your symptoms with your doctor, be honest. Do not hide your feelings as you do not want to look weak or unreliable. Your doctor needs a full picture of your problems, including how they have affected your work performance and personal life.
Be prepared to explain your position regarding medication if your doctor recommends it. Some adults don't like to use medication and prefer other methods of treatment like psychotherapy (the medical term used to describe mental health therapy) and lifestyle changes that are known as accommodations. Accommodations enable people with ADHD to reach their goals, just as a step stool allows people who are shorter to be as tall as the rest of us.
Your specialist will ask about your history of ADHD. It is important to keep details from your childhood, as this is when the disorder is likely be evident. Depending on where you live you may be required to collect copies of your school records or talk to teachers or other adults who were around you in childhood However, keep in mind that these don't necessarily confirm the diagnosis.
2. Request a Reference
If you are concerned about how your conduct is impacting your school, work or your relationships, your family doctor may suggest an ADHD evaluation and treatment. They can recommend you to other specialists who deal with adults suffering from ADHD, such as psychiatrists and psychologists.
If you are visiting a specialist to get an evaluation, make sure you are open and honest about your problems. This is especially true for any ADHD-related issues. It is important not to hold back information because of feelings of shame or fear that you might be scrutinized. Your history will determine the quality of your assessment and the efficacy of any treatment suggestions.
The examiner will want to examine your emotional, social and academic history and also discuss how these issues affect you today. The examiner will also review the diagnostic guidelines of the American Psychiatric Association in the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). They will ask you questions about your current symptoms as well as any you might have had in the past. They will also interview you and when possible, talk to those who knew you before you were a kid.
In addition to evaluating whether you meet the requirements for ADHD, they will consider whether your symptoms might be explained better by a different mental health issue or medical problem such as anxiety or depression. They will also determine if you suffer from a learning disability or any other neurodevelopmental disorder.
If a medical professional doesn't agree that you have ADHD, they will tell you what other conditions or issues might be causing your difficulties and why they do not believe you are suffering from ADHD. This does not mean you have to accept the diagnosis, but it could help plan future care.
In most cases adults diagnosed with ADHD will receive help not just from other adults with ADHD as well as their family members, friends, colleagues, teachers, and coaches. They may also benefit from classes, therapy which teach communication skills, or couples and marriage counseling. People with ADHD are often struggling with low self-esteem, and counseling can boost their confidence and teach them how to improve their skills in managing relationships.
3. Schedule a Consultation
ADHD is caused by a lack or imbalance of neurotransmitters that regulate brain activity. This can impact an individual's attention span and ability to complete tasks. Adults with untreated ADHD may struggle with their work or relationships, as well as other aspects of their lives. If you suspect you have ADHD talk to your doctor or request a recommendation to see an experienced psychologist or psychiatrist who specializes in mental illness.
A mental health professional will determine whether you have ADHD symptoms using a scale of rating. A mental health professional might also interview people important to your life, such as your spouse, and then complete the checklist of symptoms. A thorough examination could include psychological tests to measure working memory and executive function (the abilities involved with making decisions and planning) spatial and visual ability, and reasoning skills. The results can be used to rule out any conditions that may cause similar symptoms, such as anxiety or depression.
In the course of an assessment your health care provider will also consider how you've been managing your symptoms over time. For instance, if often miss appointments, don't remember deadlines, or make impulsive choices Your health care professional might suggest classes or therapy to help you learn better strategies to deal with these issues. Your doctor may also recommend medication. The most common stimulant drugs used to treat ADHD for adults are highly effective. However, they aren't for everyone, and may have adverse negative effects. Nonstimulant drugs that don't have the potential to be abused are now available. They are as effective as stimulants.
It's important to educate others about ADHD. While adults who suffer from ADHD need to be diagnosed and be treated in order to improve their lives, it's also helpful to help them inform their spouses, parents and colleagues. Many adults with ADHD struggle to get their spouses, their parents, and their colleagues to accept their behavior. The ability to educate others can improve relationships and increase support systems. There are ADHD support groups in many communities and online.
It isn't easy to determine ADHD in adults, but it is possible. Talk to your GP who can refer you to a service that is best suited to your needs.
4. Schedule for an Evaluation
It may take time to get a thorough evaluation and diagnosis. If your GP is unwilling or does not agree to refer you to a health professional, you can ask for an appointment. You can contact your local chapter of National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to determine who is specialized in your area in adult ADHD. You can contact professional organizations which support adults suffering from ADHD.
Prepare yourself for a detailed and lengthy interview about your symptoms, and how they impact your life. The evaluator will go over your medical, personal, and family history, as along with the issues you're currently experiencing. They'll probably want to know how the symptoms have impacted your relationships, work performance, and finances. They may use standardized rating scales to measure your behavior against the behavior of people who do not have ADHD. These ratings can help determine if your symptoms are due to ADHD or if they are better explained by other disorders, such as depression and anxiety.
Your evaluator could also conduct cognitive tests to identify learning or intellectual disabilities which could explain your difficulties at school or at work. Some evaluators test for conditions that may cause symptoms similar to ADHD like thyroid disorders or seizures disorders.
Some evaluators will request additional physical examinations or laboratory tests, such as brain imaging and blood work, to rule out any other health issues. They may request you to complete the questionnaire to determine specific signs, such as difficulty in organizing and planning, or being overly energetic and impulsive. They might also ask a family or friend member about your childhood to determine whether there are any signs that suggest you suffer from ADHD.
It is essential to be honest during the interview. Many adults are embarrassed by asking for a diagnosis, and they may hesitate to share information because they think they will look poor. adhd diagnosis in adult that the evaluator is given accurate information regarding your struggles in terms of organization skills, impulse control and relationships.