Adults Diagnosis of ADHD
A diagnosis of ADHD can be a first step towards managing symptoms that cause havoc at home, work and in relationships. It also provides a means to see the bigger picture of issues that have been a source of confusion and frustrating for decades.
Mental health professionals employ ADHD symptom checklists and standardized behavior ratings scales in the process of evaluation to determine if an adult meets the diagnostic criteria. They can also interview relatives and friends to gain more insight.
1. Talk to your Health Care Provider
If you have been having difficulties at work or with your relationships and think ADHD is the cause the first step to finding a treatment and diagnosis is talking to your health medical professional. Your doctor will be able to assist you in understanding your symptoms and recommend a specialist if necessary.
You can also ask your friends, family and co-workers to recommend professionals who are experts in ADHD evaluations of adults. You may also get information from your insurance provider about the services available in your area. Attending an ADHD support group is a different option. You can talk to people who share the same struggles, and learn from them how they handle them.
Many adults choose to seek treatment because they're frustrated that their symptoms interfere with daily functioning, either at work or in their personal lives. They're fed up of losing their keys, constantly being late for meetings, and struggling to keep their jobs or maintain healthy relationships. You can control these symptoms by getting a diagnosis.
If you are discussing your symptoms with your physician be honest. Don't hide your feelings as you don't want to appear weak or irresponsible. Your doctor will need to be aware of all the issues you have and how they have affected your work performance and personal life.
If your doctor suggests taking medication be prepared to discuss your stance on the topic. Some adults aren't keen to take medication and prefer other methods of treatment like psychotherapy (the medical term for mental health therapy) and lifestyle adjustments known as accommodations. Accommodations allow those with ADHD to achieve their goals, much like a step stool permits people who are shorter to attain the same height as others.
adhd undiagnosed in adults will inquire about your past experiences with ADHD. adult adhd diagnoses is recommended to remember details from your childhood, as this is when the disorder will most likely show up. You may need to talk to your teachers or other adults from your childhood depending on where you live. But, these things do not necessarily confirm the diagnosis.
2. Ask for a referral
Your family doctor will be able to recommend you to undergo an ADHD assessment and treatment if you have any concerns about how your behavior affects your work, school or relationships. They may also refer you to other specialists who deal with adults with ADHD like psychiatrists and psychologists.
If you see a doctor for an evaluation, be sure to speak openly and honestly about the issues you are having, including those connected to ADHD. It is crucial to not cover up information due to shame or fear of being judged. The quality of your evaluation and the effectiveness of any treatment recommended will be determined by how precise your medical history is.
The examiner will examine your emotional, social and academic history and also discuss how these problems are affecting you now. The examiner will also go over the diagnostic guidelines of the American Psychiatric Association in the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5). They'll want to know about any symptoms you are experiencing currently, as well as any you've had since childhood. They will interview and as much as possible talk to those who knew you before you were a kid.
They will determine if your symptoms could be better explained by another medical condition or mental health issue, such as anxiety or depression. They will also determine if you have a neurodevelopmental disorder or a learning impairment.
If a medical professional doesn't think you are suffering from ADHD and they'll tell you the other conditions or issues that might be causing your difficulties and why they do not believe you are suffering from ADHD. This does not mean you must accept this diagnosis. However it can be helpful in planning future care.
In most instances, a person who has been diagnosed with adult ADHD will receive support from other people with ADHD and their families as well as co-workers, friends, teachers and coaches. They could also benefit from therapy, classes that teach communication skills or couples and marriage counseling. People who suffer from ADHD often struggle with low self-esteem, so counseling can help build their confidence and teach them how to improve their interpersonal skills.
3. Schedule a Consultation
ADHD is caused by a lack or imbalance of neurotransmitters which regulate brain activity. This can impact a person's concentration and ability to complete tasks. Adults who are not treated for ADHD can struggle in their careers, relationships and many other areas of their lives. If you suspect you have ADHD consult your doctor or request a recommendation to see an experienced psychologist or psychiatrist who is specialized in mental illness.
A mental health professional will evaluate whether you are suffering from ADHD symptoms using an assessment scale. They may also speak with important people who are important to you, such as spouses, and complete a symptom checklist. A thorough examination could include psychological tests that test working memory executive function (the abilities involved with making decisions and planning), visual and spatial ability and reasoning skills. The results can be used to rule out conditions that can cause similar symptoms such as anxiety or depression.
During the examination, your healthcare professional will also take into account how you've dealt with your symptoms over the course of time. If you are prone to forgetting appointments, make decisions impulsively, and miss deadlines, your doctor might suggest therapy or classes to assist you in learning more effective ways to deal with these issues. Your health care provider might recommend medication as well. The most commonly prescribed stimulant drugs used to treat ADHD in adults are highly effective. However, they aren't for everyone, and they can have side effects. Nonstimulant drugs that don't have the potential for be abused are now available. They are as effective as stimulants.
It's important to educate others about ADHD. While people who suffer from ADHD need to be diagnosed and receive treatment in order to improve their lives, it's also helpful for them to educate their spouses, parents and coworkers. Many adults with ADHD struggle to get their spouses, their parents, and even their coworkers to accept their behavior. Education can help improve relationships and support systems. There are also ADHD support groups in a variety of communities, as well as on the internet.
It can be difficult to identify ADHD in adults however, it is doable. Begin by talking to your GP, who will be able to guide you to the best service for your needs.
4. Schedule and an Evaluation
It can take a while to complete a thorough examination and a diagnosis. Ask for an appointment from your primary care physician, but should your GP isn't willing or doesn't accept a referral consult other health experts. Contact your local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD for the names of local professionals who specialize in adult ADHD or contact the professional associations that support adults with ADHD to see if they have any recommendations.
Prepare yourself for a thorough and lengthy discussion about your symptoms, and how they impact your life. The evaluator will review your medical family, personal, and medical history and any current issues. They will probably also be interested in how the problems have affected your relationships as well as your work performance and financial situation. They could use standardized rating scales to compare your behavior to that of people who do not have ADHD. These ratings will help them determine if your symptoms are related to ADHD or are better explained by a different disorder, such as depression or anxiety.
Your evaluator could also conduct cognitive tests to identify learning or intellectual disabilities which could cause your problems at school or at work. Certain evaluators will also test for other conditions that can cause symptoms similar to those caused by ADHD like seizure disorders or thyroid disorders.
The evaluators might request additional physical exams or laboratory tests, like blood work and brain imaging, to rule out other health problems. They might request you to fill out an assessment that focuses on specific signs, such as difficulties in organizing and planning or being overly active and hyperactive. They may also ask a family member or friends about your childhood in order to search for information that could indicate that you suffer from ADHD.
It is important to be honest and transparent during the interview. Many adults are embarrassed by seeking a diagnosis and they might hold back information in fear that they will look bad. It is crucial to get a positive diagnosis that the examiner receives accurate information about your issues with organizational skills and impulse control relationships.