Adults Diagnosis of ADHD
A diagnosis of ADHD is a good first step in managing the effects of ADHD that cause chaos at home, at 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 years.
Mental health professionals use ADHD checklists for symptoms and standardized behavior ratings scales in the process of evaluation to determine if an adult fits the diagnostic criteria. They may also interview family members and significant others to gain more insights.
1. Talk to Your Health Care Provider
Talking to your doctor is the first step to receiving a diagnosis. Your doctor will help you understand your symptoms and may refer you to a specialist if needed.
You can also ask your family members, friends and colleagues to recommend experts in ADHD evaluations of adults. You can also request information from your insurance provider about providers in your area. Another option is to attend an ADHD support group and talk with others who face similar issues and learn how they handle them.
Many adults decide to seek a diagnosis because they're frustrated that their symptoms interfere with everyday functioning, whether at work or in their private lives. They're frustrated with losing their keys, being late for meetings and struggling to keep their jobs or maintain healthy relationships. You can control these symptoms by seeking a diagnosis.
If you're discussing your symptoms with your physician be honest. Don't be afraid to speak up because you don't want to be viewed as unreliable or weak. Your doctor should be aware of all the issues you have and how they have affected your work performance as well as your personal life.
If your doctor recommends medication be prepared to discuss your position on it. Some adults prefer to avoid medications and prefer other treatment options, like psychotherapy or lifestyle adjustments. Accommodations enable people who suffer from ADHD to achieve their goals, just like a step stool permits people who are shorter to be as tall as the rest of us.
Your specialist will ask you about your past experiences with ADHD. It is important to recall specific details from your childhood, when the disorder is more likely to come up. You might need to talk to your teachers or other adults from childhood depending on the location you live in. However, these things do not necessarily confirm the diagnosis.
2. Request a recommendation
If you are concerned about how your behavior is impacting your school, work or your relationships, your family physician might suggest an ADHD assessment and treatment. They may also refer you to other specialists who treat adults with ADHD including psychiatrists and psychologists.
If you are visiting an expert for an evaluation, be sure to be open and honest about your issues. This includes any ADHD-related issues. It is crucial not to hold back information due to feelings of shame or fear that you could be criticized. Your personal history will determine the accuracy of your assessment and the efficacy of any treatment recommendations.
get diagnosed with adhd will review your social, emotional and academic history and also discuss how these problems are affecting you right 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 will inquire about your current symptoms as well as any other symptoms you might have experienced in the past. They will interview you and when possible, talk with those who were with you as a child.
They will also determine if your symptoms could be better explained by a mental health or medical problem, such as depression or an anxiety disorder. They will also determine whether you suffer from a neurodevelopmental condition or learning disability.
If a medical professional doesn't believe that you suffer from ADHD, they will tell you what other conditions or problems might be causing your difficulties and why they don't think you have ADHD. This doesn't mean that you have to accept the diagnosis, but it can help you plan your future treatment.
In most instances, a person who has been diagnosed with adult ADHD will receive support from other people suffering from 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 marriage and couple counseling. Individuals who suffer from ADHD are often struggling with low self-esteem, so counseling can help build their confidence and teach them ways to improve their interpersonal skills.
3. Schedule a Consultation
ADHD is caused by a deficiency or imbalance in neurotransmitters that regulate brain activity. This can affect the ability of an individual to focus and to follow through on tasks. Adults who have not been treated for ADHD are likely to struggle with their work, relationships and many other areas of their lives. If you suspect you have ADHD consult your doctor or request an appointment with a psychiatrist or psychologist who specializes in mental illness.
A mental health professional will employ a rating system to determine whether you suffer from ADHD symptoms. A mental health professional could also conduct an interview with important people in your life such as your spouse and create a checklist of symptoms. A thorough assessment could include psychological testing that measures working memory and executive functioning (the capabilities involved in planning and decision-making), visual and spatial abilities, and reasoning abilities. The results can be used to determine if there are any conditions that may be causing similar symptoms, like depression or anxiety.
During your evaluation your health care provider will also look at how you've been managing your symptoms over time. If you are prone to forgetting appointments, make impulsive decisions, and miss deadlines, your doctor may suggest classes or therapy to assist you in learning more effective ways to deal with these challenges. Your doctor may also recommend medication. The most commonly prescribed stimulant drugs used to treat ADHD for adults are highly effective. But they don't work for everyone, and can have side effects. Nonstimulant medicines that don't carry the potential to be abused are available now and can be as effective as stimulants.
While receiving a diagnosis and treatment are crucial for those suffering from ADHD It's also beneficial to inform others about the condition. For example, many adults who suffer from ADHD have spouses, parents and friends are unable to comprehend their behavior. Education can improve relationships and support systems. There are also ADHD support groups within many communities as well as online.
It can be challenging to identify ADHD in adults however, it is doable. Talk to your GP who can recommend a treatment that is best suited to your needs.
4. Schedule and an Evaluation
It can take time to complete a thorough examination and diagnosis. Request an appointment from your primary care physician but if your GP is reluctant or doesn't consent to refer you consult other health professionals. Contact your local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD for names of local professionals who are experts in adult ADHD, or check with the professional associations that help people with ADHD to determine if they have any recommendations.
Once you've been referred to an evaluator, you should be prepared for a lengthy and thorough interview about your symptoms and how they affect your life. The evaluator will review your personal, medical, and family history, as along with the issues you're currently experiencing. They'll also ask how the symptoms affect your finances, relationships, or work performance. They may employ standard rating scales that measure your behavior against the behavior of people who do not have ADHD. These ratings can help them determine whether your symptoms are related to ADHD or better explained by a different disorder such as depression or anxiety.
Your evaluator may also request cognitive tests to look for learning or intellectual disabilities that could explain your problems at school or at work. Certain evaluators look for conditions that can produce symptoms similar to ADHD, such thyroid disorders or seizures disorders.
Certain evaluators may request additional physical examinations or lab tests, including brain imaging or blood tests, to rule out any other health issues. They might request you to fill out an assessment that focuses on specific symptoms, such as problems with planning and organizing or being too active and impulsive. They may also inquire from a family member about your childhood to determine whether there are any clues that suggest you suffer from ADHD.
It's important to be open and honest during the interview. Many adults are embarrassed to ask for a diagnosis and may refuse to divulge information because they believe it will make their appearance worse. It is essential that the person evaluating you receives accurate information about your issues in the areas of the control of your impulses, organizational skills, and relationships.