Diagnosing ADHD in Adults
For many people, the signs of ADHD continue throughout their life. These symptoms can have a major impact on work and family as adults.
To get a diagnosis of ADHD, your symptoms must have started in the early years of your life (technically before age 12). Your evaluator will go over your medical and personal background.
They may also talk to your spouse, your friends, colleagues and partners. This can help them understand your problems from different angles.
Diagnosis
As with diagnosing children adults with ADHD must meet certain requirements to be diagnosed. The symptoms are required to be present for a minimum of two years and cause significant difficulties with daily functioning. The problem could be related to school or relationships, work, or everyday activities. ADHD symptoms can be mild, moderate or severe. Mild symptoms do not interfere with daily functioning and are often misdiagnosed as different conditions such as anxiety or depression. Moderate symptoms can cause minor disruptions to work or social interactions. The severity of the symptoms can make it difficult to maintain relationships or keep an employment.
ADHD sufferers can reach a tipping-point when they are unable to manage the demands of everyday life. They may lose their focus or make mistakes that are not their fault. They could also be hyperactive and impulsive which can cause them to struggle to meet goals and obligations. They may have trouble remembering things and often forget what they've been taught.
Request a referral if you are struggling with your day-to-day life and suspect that you may be suffering from ADHD. Your GP might recommend you to a psychiatrist or another professional who can carry out an assessment. You may also consult a therapist that you know or a family member to recommend someone with experience in ADHD evaluations.
A psychologist or health care provider will review your medical history and conduct an examination. They will also discuss your current concerns with you. They'll likely inquire about your experiences having ADHD as a child, too. They'll want to speak to the person you live with as well as any other important people in your life, as well, like your spouse or parents. They'll use this information to decide if you have ADHD and what type of ADHD you have--inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive, or combined.
If you're diagnosed with ADHD, the psychiatrist will apply for special authority approval to prescribe medication for you. New Zealand law requires that those suffering from ADHD must take a second step to be prescribed medication. The psychiatrist will collaborate with your GP and you to ensure that the medication works.
Medication
The use of medication can be a successful treatment for adults suffering from ADHD, but they're not the only option. Other treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or lifestyle modifications are also effective. NIMH suggests talking to your doctor to learn more about the options available to you.
Your doctor will ask you questions about your childhood, and the way you live your life today, and will conduct an examination of your body and psychological tests. (These aren't typically required). Your evaluator may also ask you to talk to your spouse, family members, or any other close to you in order to get a different perspective on your behavior.
The severity of your symptoms will determine whether you suffer from adult ADHD. The symptoms must last at least six months and interfere with your work and relationships. You must also meet the diagnostic requirements, such as that your symptoms aren't better explained by a mental health condition or addiction disorder.
NIMH suggests that you speak with your doctor about options. This includes behavioral strategies and medications. Many primary care physicians routinely evaluate and treat ADHD in children however adults who suspect they may have ADHD should request a referral to a mental health specialist.
Stimulants, the medications that treat ADHD in adults, can cause adverse side effects like stomach problems, or increased anxiety and depression. They can also increase blood pressure and heart rate. Some people experience tics, which are sudden, repetitive movements, or sounds, such as eye blinking or throat clearing. Some people suffering from ADHD have difficulty sleeping when taking stimulants.
NIMH suggests that you talk with your doctor about any concerns you may have about side effects of treatments or potential clinical trials. Clinical trials are research studies which test new methods to detect, prevent or treat diseases. People who participate in clinical trials learn more about their own health and may have the opportunity to help others. Visit the NIMH Clinical Trials page to find out more about clinical trials and choose the one that is suitable for you.
Therapy
It is crucial that a person with ADHD collaborate with their physician to manage their symptoms. Medication is one way to manage ADHD and there are different types of pills available. You may need to try various dosages and medications to determine which is most effective for you. A therapist can assist you in understanding the condition and help you cope better with its effects. They can also help you learn techniques to improve your focus, self-management and organization.
Adults who have not been diagnosed with ADHD often feel like they are constantly being behind in school, work and in their relationships. Their actions can test the patience of the most tolerant coworkers as well as friends and partners. They may find themselves ignoring appointments or missing deadlines and making impulsive decisions that don't always turn out well.
Therapy can help adults suffering from ADHD to become more organized, learn coping skills and improve their quality of life. They can be taught to recognize and modify their problematic behaviors for example, rewarding themselves with rewards or playing computer solitaire after responding to emails. One-on-one cognitive behavior therapy can also be helpful and can help to transform negative situations into more positive ones. A therapist can assist adults with ADHD to understand that their impulsivity doesn't indicate a bad character. It's a normal response to high levels of brain activity.
A therapist can teach them strategies to deal with anxiety and depression. People who suffer from ADHD are more likely to be at likelihood of suffering from anxiety and depression. Other psychosocial treatments include family therapy and support group networks, as well as classes that are focused on conflict resolution and communication skills. For those who are employed, the Department of Work and Pensions offers a program called Access to Work that helps pay for workplace accommodations for people with disabilities, including ADHD.
You should be careful when selecting the right therapy provider. They aren't all the same. Choose someone you feel comfortable talking to and who inspires you after a session and who has experience in the kind of therapy you're interested in. Ask your doctor for recommendations if seeking a psychosocial therapist. Child psychiatrists are well-versed in ADHD treatment and can provide you with recommendations.
diagnosing adhd suffering from ADHD may have symptoms that are so disruptive, they need to be evaluated by medical professionals. This evaluation involves having a conversation with the patient about their life from childhood to now and how the symptoms affect school and work as well as relationships and other aspects of everyday living. It is important that people with ADHD speak up without fear or resentment.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), fifth edition, is a clinical guideline from the American Psychiatric Association for diagnosing ADHD in adults. These are the criteria that a medical provider will review when evaluating.
When meeting with the healthcare professional to conduct an assessment, it's helpful to bring any documents that could shed light on symptoms like old reports and notes from friends or parents. The person conducting the evaluation will also likely inquire about the individual's life and family background, and also conduct a physical exam and a few psychological tests.
It is important to remember that inattention or impulsivity does not necessarily mean that they lack the ability to complete their job or do other things. For instance, an ADHD person can be very creative and productive in a variety of ways including writing stories, painting to designing things.
When adults are diagnosed with ADHD the sufferers can feel a variety of emotions. They might feel guilt-ridden about previous mistakes or be relieved they finally know why they've struggled. "There is a lot that needs to be done in the area of grief work, but when people have a concrete explanation and all the pieces fit together and they can really move on," Matlen explains.
People suffering from ADHD often feel misunderstood by their coworkers or family members and friends. They may struggle to stay focused during meetings or conversations and can be distracted by video games or social media. Certain people with ADHD are told they're lazy or apathetic.
Supporting a loved one with ADHD can help them gain control over their symptoms, both at home and at work. They can utilize tools and strategies to improve their organization, such as daily planners or apps for smartphones, and they can seek treatment options from a behavioral therapist who is specialized in ADHD. Treatments can include psychotherapy, also known as therapy for talking, as well as accommodations or modifications in a person's environment that aid in managing their condition. For instance an accommodation could be a step stool for a shorter person to access higher shelves or other surfaces.