7 Secrets About ADHD Adult Diagnosis That Nobody Can Tell You
Adult Diagnosis of ADHD
For adults who struggle with ADHD, a diagnosis can have a major impact on your life. It can help people recognize the reasons they face difficulties at work, at home and in their relationships.
However it can be challenging to determine a diagnosis since symptoms are often overlapping with other conditions. A mental health professional or health care provider will examine the individual and conduct tests.
Signs and symptoms
It is possible that a person doesn't realize they have ADHD until they reach adulthood. This could be due to parents and teachers failed to recognize the signs at an earlier time or due to the demands of college or work brought out the disorder. Adults who are not treated for ADHD are more vulnerable in their school, work and social lives. Undiagnosed ADHD can cause a wide range of issues, including relationship problems and financial issues.
To determine the presence of ADHD, a mental health professional will speak with the patient and review his or her personal, medical and psychiatric history with particular attention paid to symptoms in various environments. The patient will explain how these symptoms affect his or her daily functioning and relationships. It is important that the patient is honest about these symptoms and that he or she not hold back due to feelings of shame or embarrassment.
It is also essential for the mental health professional to determine whether these symptoms are connected to comorbid conditions, such as anxiety and depression, which frequently coexist with ADHD. These conditions often make the symptoms of ADHD worse and may hinder effective treatment for the disorder.
If the psychologist or psychiatrist thinks that the symptoms of ADHD are being impacted by comorbid conditions, further psycho-, neuropsychological or testing for learning disabilities could be used to help establish an accurate diagnosis. These tests can also be used to determine the degree of functional impairment caused by these conditions. The mental health professional will also ask to interview other significant people, such as spouses or siblings, to get a full picture of how the person is functioning.
Diagnosis
Adults are diagnosed with ADHD by a mental healthcare professional or physician after an extensive assessment. This involves a thorough discussion of the symptoms and their impact on daily functioning. Additionally, it is important to consider the presence of any other mental disorders that can co-occur with ADHD, such depression and anxiety. The practitioner may also ask to speak to your significant others like your spouse or a close family member to help them gather more information.
A diagnosis of ADHD could alter your life. For many adults, this diagnosis finally gives them an explanation for what has always seemed like "normal" behavior. It's often a relief to discover that the issues are not simply lazyness or forgetfulness.
The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth edition (DSM-5) requires that adults meet specific criteria for symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity. This standard is designed to ensure that individuals get the support and treatment they need. To qualify for an ADHD diagnosis, one must have been suffering from the symptoms for at least 12 consecutive months and they must have caused significant impairment in several situations, such as at school, home, or work with family or friends or in other activities. The number of symptoms that are required for adults over the age of 17 has been reduced from six to five.
how to get an adult adhd diagnosis with your primary healthcare provider can help you determine ADHD. Many physicians diagnose and treat ADHD in children and refer you to an expert in mental health to assess adults.
Treatment
When those with ADHD get a diagnosis their lives can alter drastically. They may finally have reasons for their failures in school or the struggle to establish an occupation or a relationship. For certain people, a diagnosis may help them overcome the anxiety that could have been accumulated over the years of their symptoms not being addressed.
The first step in getting a diagnosis is to talk to a health care professional or mental health professional. They can inquire about the family history and then conduct a physical exam to rule out other conditions like learning disabilities or sleep disorders that can cause symptoms similar to ADHD. They also can ask the person to complete the checklist of symptoms.
During the assessment process doctors may decide to interview a spouse or partner. This allows the non ADHD spouse or partner to gain an understanding of their loved one's ADHD and a compassionate approach to the symptoms. This is essential to strengthen relationships following the diagnosis. If this isn't possible, the clinician may interview friends or co-workers who are familiar with the individual.
Adults with ADHD are treated primarily with medications. Stimulants like methylphenidate (Ritalin(r)) and dextroamphetamine (Adderall(r)) are the most effective and commonly prescribed drugs for treating adult ADHD. Other medications, such as atomoxetine (Strattera(r)) and Guanfacine (Intuniv(r), Tenex(r)) increase norepinephrine levels in the brain, and can improve symptoms of ADHD.
Psychotherapy is another option. Cognitive-behavioral therapies can assist patients develop skills to manage their ADHD symptoms. They include time management and self-regulation strategies, organizational strategies, of emotions and behaviors and coping strategies for negative feelings and self criticism. Other therapies, like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps adults identify subconscious thoughts or irrational thought patterns that lead to negative behavior, and also develop positive self-talk.
Medication
Many people discover that ADHD medications can help alleviate their symptoms. The medication is typically in the form of a stimulant, and it is effective by increasing the activity of the brain in areas that regulate behavior and attention. Methylphenidate, the most common medicine used for adults with ADHD is available in various forms. It can be taken in immediate-release tablets or as modified-release tablets that release the medication throughout the day. Clonidine is a different kind of medication that works by reducing brain activity. It is available in liquid or pill form.
The psychiatrist or therapist will look over the medical and family history of the adult patient in order to determine the factors that can cause similar symptoms. This is important, as some medical conditions like thyroid problems and seizures can cause symptoms similar to ADHD. Some medications and dietary supplement may also cause similar symptoms.
During the evaluation, the individual will likely describe their ADHD symptoms to the psychiatrist or therapist. They will be asked to provide standard ADHD ratings and checklists of symptoms as and psychological tests that measure working memory, executive function (abilities like making decisions and planning), visual and spatial ability, as well as reasoning skills.
If the therapist or psychiatrist believes that the symptoms of ADHD are causing serious harm to the life of a person, they will recommend treatment with medication. In certain instances the therapist might ask the individual's partner or spouse to speak with them regarding the effects of the symptoms on their relationship. This step can help to reduce blame between people and can lead to more positive, healthier relationships.
Counseling
Many people suffering from ADHD are relieved when they receive a diagnosis. It's an opportunity to discover the reasons behind their struggles at school or at work, and discover ways to overcome these issues. It's an opportunity to change negative behaviors and increase self-esteem.
Counseling can be a great method to create a strong support system. Counseling for ADHD may include psychological (or psychotherapy) therapy as well as a variety of behavioral treatments. A therapist could create a chart that rewards positive behaviors and imposes consequences for negative behaviors. Therapists can also teach the patient skills to manage symptoms, for example relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditative postures in yoga.
Another benefit of counseling is helping people understand and accept their ADHD. It can be difficult to admit you have trouble with paying attention, planning and organizing. It can be embarrassing to confess that you have ADHD to supervisors or colleagues. However, the majority of teachers and bosses will be willing to accommodate for your situation. They might, for example, allow you to write on a computer instead of paper or offer a more detailed explanation of classroom material.
The therapist will also show you how to cope with ADHD through cognitive therapy for behavioral disorders. It is a structured form of therapy that helps you transform negative behaviours and thoughts into positive ones. Counseling for ADHD can also include family or marital therapy. It teaches family members how to communicate better and resolve problems with someone who has ADHD. People with ADHD might also be suffering from other mental disorders, such depression or anxiety, and could also have issues with substance abuse.