Diagnosing ADHD in Adults
For many, the symptoms of ADHD persist throughout their lives. As adults, these symptoms can have significant effects on family and work.
To receive a diagnosis of ADHD, your symptoms must have started in childhood (technically before age 12). Your evaluator reviews your medical and personal history.
You may also want to talk to your partner, friends or colleagues. This helps them to see your challenges from other perspectives.
Diagnosis
In the same way as diagnosing children adults, those with ADHD must meet specific criteria to be considered for diagnosis. The symptoms must be present for a minimum of two years and cause significant problems with everyday functioning. This issue could be related to school, relationships, work, or everyday activities. People may have mild, moderate, or severe ADHD symptoms. Mild symptoms do not affect normal functioning and are often mistaken for other conditions, like depression or anxiety. Moderate symptoms can cause minor disruptions in social or work-related interactions. The severity of the symptoms can make it difficult to maintain relationships or hold the job.
Iampsychiatry who have ADHD may reach a tipping point when they are unable to manage life with its usual demands. They might become disorganized and make mistakes that aren't their fault. They could also be hyperactive and impulsive and be unable to meet goals and responsibilities. They might have difficulty remembering details or forgetting what they have been told.
Get a referral if you are struggling with your day-to-day life and suspect that you may have ADHD. Your GP could refer you to a psychiatrist or other professional who can do an assessment. You could ask a therapist or a family member you know to recommend someone who has expertise in ADHD evaluations.
A psychologist or health care professional will review your medical history and perform an examination. They'll also discuss your current concerns with you. They will also ask about your experience with ADHD as a child. They'll want to speak to the person you live with and 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 seek special authority approval to prescribe medication for you. New Zealand law requires that people suffering from ADHD take an additional step to receive a medication. The psychiatrist will collaborate with your GP and you to make sure that the medication works.
Medication
Adults with ADHD may benefit from taking medication however it's not the only option. Other treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy or lifestyle modifications can also prove beneficial. NIMH recommends talking to your healthcare provider to learn more about your options.
To diagnose adult ADHD the doctor who diagnoses ADHD will interview you about your childhood as well as your life today, as do a physical examination and psychological tests (these aren't required in most cases). The evaluator could also ask you to talk to your family, friends, members or other family members close to you in order to get an alternative view of your behavior.
The severity of your symptoms will determine whether you suffer from adult ADHD. The symptoms must last for at least six months and interfere with your relationships and work. You must also meet diagnostic criteria, which includes that your symptoms can't be better explained by another mental health condition or substance use disorder.
NIMH recommends talking to your health care provider about your options, including medication and behavioral strategies. Many primary care providers regularly examine and treat ADHD in children, but adults who think they may have ADHD should request the referral to a mental health specialist.
Stimulants used to treat ADHD in adults can cause side effects like stomach problems as well as depression, anxiety, and stomach problems. They also can increase the heart rate and blood pressure. Some people develop tics, which are sudden, repetitive movements or sounds like eye blinking or throat clearing. Some people with ADHD also have difficulty sleeping while taking stimulants.
NIMH recommends talking to your health-care professional about any concerns you might have about the side effects of medications or about possible clinical trials that might be suitable for you. Clinical trials are research studies that test new methods for detecting, preventing or treat diseases. Clinical trials let people discover more about themselves and their health and also the opportunity to help others. Visit the NIMH Clinical Trials page to find out more about clinical trials and choose one that is right for you.
Therapy
When an adult has ADHD, it's important to work with a medical professional to manage symptoms. Medication is one way to manage it and there are different types of pills available. It is possible to try different dosages and medications before you find the right one for you. A therapist can help you in understanding the health condition and how to deal better with its effects. They can also help you learn techniques to improve your self-management skills, attention and organization.
Adults with undiagnosed ADHD are constantly lagging in school, at work and in their relationships. Their behaviors can strain the patience of the most accommodating coworkers as well as friends and partners. They could miss deadlines or appointments and make impulsive decisions.
Therapy can help adults suffering from ADHD improve their organization as well as develop coping skills to improve their quality of life. They can learn to recognize and modify their problematic behaviors, such as using rewards to motivate themselves or playing computer solitaire after answering emails. One-on-one cognitive therapy can also be beneficial, and it can reframe negative situations into positive ones. Therapists can help adults who have ADHD to understand that their impulsivity does not necessarily indicate a bad character. It's an normal response to high levels of activity in the brain.
A therapist can help them learn coping techniques to manage depression and anxiety. People with ADHD are more likely to be at risk of depression and anxiety. Other psychosocial treatments can include family therapy as well as group support networks. classes focused 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 people who have disabilities, such as ADHD.
Be cautious when selecting an therapy provider. Not all are the same. You should choose a therapist with whom you feel comfortable and who can empower you after an appointment, and who is knowledgeable about the kind of therapy you're interested in. Ask your psychiatrist for recommendations if you are looking for psychosocial therapist. Children psychiatrists, specifically are well-informed of the treatment of ADHD and can recommend an expert.
Support
Individuals suffering from ADHD may experience symptoms that are so disruptive, they need to be evaluated by a doctor. This evaluation involves having a conversation with the patient about their lives from childhood to present and how symptoms affect school and work relationships, as well as other aspects of life. It is essential that those with ADHD speak up candidly without fear or shame of being judged.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), fifth edition, is a clinical guideline from the American Psychiatric Association for diagnosing ADHD among adults. These are the criteria that medical professionals review during the assessment.
When you visit the healthcare professional for an evaluation, it's helpful to bring any records that could shed light on symptoms like old reports and notes from friends or parents. The person conducting the evaluation will likely inquire about the person's family history and lifestyle, and will also conduct a physical exam as well as some psychological tests.
It's important to remember that just because someone has inattention and impulsivity doesn't mean that they don't have the appropriate abilities for their job or other activities. For instance, an ADHD person could be extremely creative and productive in many ways from writing stories to painting to designing things.
If adults are diagnosed with ADHD, they can experience a range of emotions. They may be resentful of past mistakes or feel relieved that 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 clear explanation and all the pieces fit together and they can really move on," Matlen explains.
People with ADHD often feel that they are not understood, whether by coworkers or family members and friends. They may have trouble staying focussed in conversations or meetings and can be distracted by video games and social media. Some people with ADHD are told they are lazy or over-focused.
Supporting a loved one with ADHD can assist them in gaining control over their symptoms, both at home and at work. They can use tools to help them organize their lives, such as smartphone apps or daily planners. They may seek solutions from a behavioral expert who is specialized in ADHD. Treatments can include psychotherapy or talk therapy as in addition to accommodations, such as devices or changes to the way a person's environment is designed that can help them better manage the condition. For instance, an accommodation might be a step stool that allows people who are shorter to access higher shelves or other surfaces.