This Story Behind ADHD Diagnosis Adult Can Haunt You Forever! ADHD Diagnosis For Adults

Many adults are unable to get an ADHD diagnosis because doctors follow different guidelines for treating the disorder than those for teenagers and children. The diagnosis requires at least five signs in the categories of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity.

Professionals conducting an assessment will ask questions about your childhood, education, work, and family history. They may also talk with your spouse or family members.

What is ADHD?

It can be a relief to receive an ADHD diagnosis in your adulthood, whether you're constantly losing your keys, have difficulty at school or work, or are having trouble staying focused when talking to others. You're not alone and can deal with it better, according to Mary V. Solanto Ph.D. is a professor of psychology at Hofstra-Northwell School of Medicine in Long Island, New York.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision of the American Psychiatric Association (DSM-5) is a guideline for doctors to diagnose ADHD. Adults need to meet a lower threshold of symptoms than children -- 5 out of 9 over the past 6 months -- to be diagnosed with either inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive ADHD, or a combination.

A face-to-face appointment with your doctor is usually the first step in an ADHD assessment. They will discuss your symptoms and how they affect your life. Bring along any report cards from your childhood to help your doctor understand your history of ADHD. Your provider may ask to speak to a close friend, spouse, family member, or a coworker who knows you well. They may inquire about your relationship, how they perceive your behavior and how it affects you. They may also ask what ADHD symptoms can be linked to other conditions, like depression or an anxiety disorder.

You'll be asked questions about your life during the interview, and this includes the frequency you fail to attend appointments or pay bills or if you're having difficulty with time management. It's important to be honest in your answers, and to think about how these behaviors affect your daily life. If you're not sure about your symptoms, you should consider consulting your healthcare professional to refer you to a different doctor or psychologist for an assessment. Self-tests and rating systems are accessible on the internet, but they are not as reliable as an interview conducted by a qualified professional. Some of these tests can even result in a false diagnosis, so it's recommended to speak with your healthcare provider first.

Signs and symptoms


If you suspect that you may have ADHD, start by speaking to your primary care physician. He or she might recommend you to a mental health specialist for an evaluation, like psychologist or psychiatrist. The American Psychiatric Association provides clinical guidelines for diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision (DSM-5). It is essential to provide your physician as much information as possible about your symptoms so that they can provide an accurate diagnosis.

The person evaluating you will ask about your symptoms and how they affect your life. They could also interview your spouse and children as well as teachers, coworkers, and other people who know you. Your evaluation could include tests for learning disabilities, behavioral disorders, or neuropsychological disorders. These tests can give your doctor additional information on how your ADHD symptoms affect you, and also help determine if there are other conditions that can cause similar symptoms.

In addition to evaluating your current symptoms, the professional will determine whether you have predominantly inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive or combined type ADHD. To receive a diagnosis, you must show that you have at least six of the nine symptoms for either the inattentive or hyperactive-impulsive presentation.

Symptoms of the predominantly inattentive type include difficulty paying attention, missing important details or making erroneous mistakes. The person who is conducting the assessment will also look at how these symptoms impact school, work and social life. The impulsive/hyperactive/impulsive symptoms of ADHD include fidgeting, difficulty sitting still or squirming in the chair, excessive talking and interrupting others, frequent blurting out answers before questions are finished and difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly.

These symptoms usually manifest in childhood. They can also occur in adulthood. Adults may notice their own ADHD symptoms after their children are diagnosed or after a change in their life like getting married, a job or moving into their own home. In some cases the condition isn't recognized until a person has significant issues at work or in their relationships. This can include being dismissed from work, having financial problems or being in trouble with the law.

Diagnosis

If you suspect you may have ADHD, a screening is the first step to finding treatment. A licensed mental health professional will interview you and discuss your symptoms as well as your medical history, and family history. The interview could also include questions regarding work and school performance as well as how your symptoms impact your daily life at home and in relationships. You may want to bring copies of your report cards, teacher notes and any other documentation that may be relevant.

The psychiatric practitioner will employ the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5) to help make the diagnosis. The symptoms of ADHD should be present for at least six months and they must affect the development of a child or their functioning in multiple environments like school or home. The symptoms of ADHD should not be explained by any other mental disorder like mood disorders or anxiety.

Many people with ADHD continue to struggle throughout their lives. The symptoms of ADHD can affect the way you work and at school. They can also cause poor health or financial issues, and strain relationships. If you are diagnosed and treated, you can make a difference in your quality of life.

Some symptoms of ADHD alter with age, for example the symptoms of inattention may become more evident as you get older and hyperactivity and impulsivity may diminish with age. Other factors can cause problems. For instance the condition known as obstructive sleep apnea is more common among adults with ADHD. Poor sleeping habits can also exacerbate ADHD symptoms.

Many people who suffer from ADHD suffer from co-occurring illnesses such as anxiety disorders bipolar disorder and learning disabilities. Sometimes, treating the underlying condition can help eliminate the symptoms of ADHD. If you have other illnesses, it is crucial to inform your mental health professional, as this could affect the effectiveness of your treatment.

It is important to talk to your primary physician, who can refer you to a health specialist who is trained in ADHD assessments for adults. Find out if there are support groups for adults suffering from ADHD in your locality. They may have resources and a list of professionals by specialty. You can also reach out to your insurance company to inquire about health care providers who are covered under your plan.

Treatment

A thorough assessment by a health professional is the best method to determine if you suffer from adult ADHD. The evaluation should contain questions about your childhood, your present life and the screening for ADHD symptoms. You may be asked whether your ADHD symptoms have caused you to have problems at school, at work or with your relationships.

There are a myriad of treatment options for adults with ADHD which include counseling and medication. Counseling can include psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, and cognitive therapy for behavior. These treatments teach you how to manage your symptoms, and how to change negative thinking patterns into positive ones. They can also be helpful in addressing other mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety, that often co-occur with ADHD.

Treatment for adults suffering from ADHD typically involves psychostimulants like the methylphenidate (Ritalin) and dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine). These medications alter the way that certain chemicals in your brain communicate and regulate behavior. Your doctor will choose a medication that fits your body and the symptoms and alters the dose and frequency as needed. Nonstimulants can also be used to treat adults suffering from ADHD. They don't interfere with the same brain pathways that psychostimulants do. Nonstimulant medicines include atomoxetine Guanfacine, and Guanfacine.

Coaching or mentoring may be used to teach people with ADHD strategies and coping strategies. You may be taught how to make use of a diary or planner, or you may be taught strategies for managing time. You can also benefit from adjusting your living situation to accommodate your ADHD symptoms, such as working at home instead of in a workplace or using apps on your smartphone to monitor your tasks or scheduling appointments for times that are less busy. You may also wish to inquire about joining clinical trials, which is a research investigation designed to test the effectiveness of new ways of treating ailments and diseases. (NIMH has information on clinical trials.)

Sometimes adhd diagnosis in adults may recommend you to a mental health specialist or other health healthcare professional to evaluate the severity of your ADHD. You can also ask your family member or a friend for recommendations, or you can join a local support group for those suffering from ADHD.