Diagnosing ADHD in Adults
For many, the symptoms of ADHD continue throughout their life. As adults, these symptoms can have a significant impact on work and family.
To be diagnosed with ADHD your symptoms must have been evident since the early years of your life (technically prior to the age of 12). Your evaluator will go over your medical and personal history.
You might also want to speak with your friends, partners or colleagues. This lets them see your problems from a different perspective.
Diagnosis
Adults with ADHD must also meet certain criteria in order to be diagnosed. The symptoms should have been present for at least 2 years and have caused significant difficulties in daily functioning. The problem could be related to school, relationships, work or other daily activities. ADHD symptoms can be mild, moderate, or severe. The symptoms that are mild do not interfere with daily functioning and are often misdiagnosed as other disorders like anxiety or depression. Moderate symptoms can cause minor disruptions to work or social interactions. Severe symptoms make it difficult to hold the job or maintain relationships.
People who have ADHD might reach a tipping point when they find it difficult to cope with life's routines. They might lose their focus and make mistakes that aren't their fault. They may also be hyperactive and impulsive, causing them to be unable to meet goals and responsibilities. They may have trouble remembering things or forget what they were taught.
If you're having difficulty in your daily life and think you might have ADHD you should seek a referral to a mental health provider or specialist. adhd diagnoses may recommend you to a psychiatrist, or another professional, who can perform an assessment. You may ask a therapist, or a family member you know to recommend someone with experience in ADHD assessments.
A psychologist or health care professional will go over your medical history and perform a physical exam. They will also discuss your current concerns with you. They'll likely inquire about your experiences with ADHD as a child, too. They'll also speak to your partner as well as any other people that are important to you, like your parents or your spouse. 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 request special authority approval to prescribe medication for you. This is an additional step that New Zealand regulations require for people with ADHD to take medication. The psychiatrist will also work with you and your GP to ensure that the medication is effective.
Medication
Adults with ADHD can benefit from medication however it's not the only option. Other treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and lifestyle modifications can also be helpful. NIMH recommends talking to your health care provider to find out more about your options.
Your healthcare professional will ask you questions about your childhood and what your life is like today, and will conduct physical and psychological tests. (These aren't usually required). Your evaluator might also ask you to talk to your partner, family members or other family members close to you to gain a different perspective on your behavior.
A diagnosis of adult ADHD depends on whether your symptoms are mild or severe. The symptoms should last for at minimum six months and cause disruption with your work and relationships. You must also meet diagnostic criteria, including that your symptoms can't be better explained by another mental health issue or a addiction disorder.
NIMH suggests talking with your health-care provider about your options, which include medication and behavioral strategies. A lot of primary care doctors regularly examine and treat ADHD in children. Adults who suspect that they may have the disorder should seek a referral to an expert.
Stimulants, the drugs that treat ADHD for adults, can cause side effects such as stomach issues or an increase in depression and anxiety. They can also increase your blood pressure and heart rate. Some people experience tics, which are sudden, repetitive actions or sounds such as eye blinking or throat clearing. Some people with ADHD have difficulty sleeping when they are taking stimulants.
NIMH suggests talking with your health care professional about any concerns you might have about the side effects of medications or about possible clinical trials that might be appropriate for you. Clinical trials are research studies that test new methods to identify, prevent or treat diseases. Clinical trials help people learn more about their health and themselves and also the chance to help others. Visit the NIMH Clinical Trials page to find out more about clinical trials and select one that is right for you.
Therapy
It is essential that adults with ADHD work with their doctor to treat the symptoms. There are a variety of medication that can be used to treat ADHD. You may have to try different dosages and medications before you discover the right one for you. A therapist can help get to know your condition and how to better manage its effects. They can also teach you techniques to improve your attention span, self-management, and organization.
Adults who aren't diagnosed with ADHD feel constantly behind in school, at work and in their relationships. Their behavior can be a strain on the patience of even the most tolerant coworkers, friends and partners. They might be prone to forgetting appointments or missing deadlines and making impulsive choices that don't always go well.
Alongside medication therapy can also help adults with ADHD become more organized, create strategies for dealing with the disorder and improve their lives. They can be taught to identify and change problematic behaviors such as rewarding themselves for motivation or playing computer solitaire to unwind after completing emails. Cognitive behavioral therapy, which is done in a one-on-one setting, can be extremely helpful. It can assist in change negative situations into an optimistic way. A therapist can help people with ADHD understand that their impulsivity does not suggest a negative character. It's a normal response to high levels in the brain.
People with ADHD are more at risk for anxiety and depression and a therapist could teach them strategies for coping to manage these issues. Other psychosocial treatments can include family therapy as well as group support networks. classes that focus on communication skills and conflict resolution. For those employed by the Department of Work and Pensions can offer a service called Access to Work that helps pay for workplace accommodations for those who have disabilities, such as ADHD.
It's important to remember that not all therapists are the same and you must choose carefully. You should choose one who you are comfortable with and who is able to empower you following an appointment, and who is knowledgeable about the kind of therapy you're interested in. Ask your psychiatrist for recommendations if you're seeking psychosocial therapist. Children psychiatrists, specifically are well-informed of the treatment options for ADHD and can recommend a specialist.
Support
For those with ADHD the symptoms could be so disruptive that they need to see a physician to be evaluated. This evaluation is a conversation about the person's personal life, from childhood to present and how their conditions affect work, school, relationships and other aspects of everyday life. It is important that people with ADHD speak up without fear of ridicule or shame.
The American Psychiatric Association provides clinical guidelines to diagnose ADHD for adults in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th edition (DSM-5). These are the criteria medical professionals will look over when evaluating.
It's important to bring along any documents that can help you understand your symptoms during your visit to an expert in healthcare. These include old reports cards or notes from family members or parents. The person who conducts the exam will likely inquire about the person's family history and life, and conduct a physical exam as well as some psychological tests.
Remember that inattention and impulsivity does not mean they lack the skills to perform their job or do other things. An ADHD person, for example can be productive and creative in many ways, such as painting, writing stories or even designing things.
Receiving a diagnosis of ADHD in adulthood can trigger many complex emotions, ranging from guilt about past mistakes to relief that they now realize why they've had to struggle so much. "There's a lot of grief work to be done however when all the pieces are in place and people have a concrete explanation, they really take off," Matlen says.
People with ADHD are often misunderstood by their coworkers, friends, and family. They may struggle to stay focused in conversations or meetings and they may be prone to distractions like social media and video games. A few people who suffer from ADHD are told they're lazy or apathetic.
Supporting a loved one with ADHD can help them gain control over their symptoms at home and at work. They can employ strategies and tools to improve their organization, such as daily planners or smartphone apps, and they can seek treatment options from a behavioral specialist who is skilled in ADHD. Treatments can also include psychotherapy, also known as therapy for talking, as well as accommodations or other tools or modifications in the environment of a person to help them better manage their condition. A possible accommodation is an adjustable stool that helps a shorter person reach higher shelves or surfaces.