Adult Diagnosis of ADHD

A diagnosis of ADHD can alter the lives of adults who suffer from the disorder. It can help people understand why they struggle in family, work and in relationships.

It can be difficult to determine the cause because symptoms often overlap. A health care professional or mental health professional will examine the patient and conduct tests.

Symptoms

It is possible that someone doesn't realize they have ADHD until they reach adulthood. This may be because teachers and parents failed to recognize the symptoms at an earlier age, or because college or work demands made the disorder more apparent. Adults who are not treated for ADHD are more vulnerable in their academic, professional and social lives. Many people who have not been diagnosed with ADHD suffer from a variety of problems, including financial issues and relationship issues.

To diagnose ADHD to diagnose it, a mental health professional will talk to the patient and go over the patient's personal, medical and psychiatric history, taking note of symptoms in various environments. The patient will describe how these symptoms impact the way they function in their daily lives and relationships. It is crucial that patients are honest about their symptoms and not cover them up to avoid embarrassment.

The mental health professional should also determine if these symptoms are connected to other comorbidities, such as depression and anxiety that often coexist with ADHD. These conditions can cause ADHD symptoms worse and may interfere with treatment for the disorder.

If the psychologist or psychiatrist feels that the symptoms of ADHD are being impacted by comorbid conditions, additional psychological, neuropsychological or testing for learning disabilities could be utilized to establish an accurate diagnosis. These tests can help determine the level of impairment to function that is caused by these conditions. The mental health professional will also conduct interviews with others who are significant like spouses or siblings, to get a full picture of how a person is doing.

Diagnosis

For adults the diagnosis of ADHD is usually made by a mental health medical professional or physician who conducts a thorough diagnostic assessment. This involves a thorough discussion of the symptoms and their impact on daily functioning. It also includes the presence of any other mental disorders that can occur with ADHD like mood disorders and anxiety. The doctor may also request to speak with significant others like the spouse or a close family member to help them get more details.

A diagnosis of ADHD can change your life. For many adults, the diagnosis finally gives them an explanation for what always seemed to be "normal" behavior. It is often a relief to know they're not just naive or forgetful; their problems are more complex.

The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth edition (DSM-5) requires that adults meet specific criteria for symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity. This is a standard that has been established to ensure that individuals receive the treatment and support they need. In order for a person to be eligible for an ADHD diagnosis they must exhibit symptoms for at least one year and have caused significant impairment in a variety of settings including school, home or work, with friends or family, or other activities. The number of symptoms needed for adults over the age of 17 has been reduced from six to five.

A positive relationship with your primary healthcare provider can help you determine ADHD. Many doctors diagnose and treat ADHD in children and refer you to an expert in more info mental health to assess adults.

Treatment

When those with ADHD are diagnosed their lives can alter dramatically. They might finally have reasons for their school failures or a struggle to find an occupation or a relationship. For those who are suffering from depression, it can relieve the guilt that has been accumulated over the years of their symptoms going untreated.

Talking to a mental health healthcare professional or health care professional is the first step in getting an diagnosis. They may ask questions about family history and perform physical examinations to rule out conditions that can cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD or other disorders, such as sleeping disorders, learning disabilities or alcohol/drug use. They can also ask the patient to complete a list of symptoms.

In many cases, the doctor will request that a spouse or partner be interviewed during the process of assessing. This can help the non-ADHD spouse or partner gain a better understanding and empathetic attitude toward their loved one's ADHD symptoms, which is important in enhancing relationships following a diagnosis. If this is not feasible, the clinician can interview acquaintances or colleagues who are familiar with the individual.

The main treatment is medication. options for adults suffering from ADHD. Stimulants such as methylphenidate (Ritalin(r)) and dextroamphetamine (Adderall(r)) are the most effective and widely used drugs to treat adult ADHD. Other medications, like atomoxetine (Strattera(r)) and Guanfacine (Intuniv(r), Tenex(r)) increase the amount of norepinephrine found in the brain and may aid in the treatment of ADHD.

Psychotherapy also is an alternative. Cognitive-behavioral therapy can help patients learn strategies to manage their ADHD symptoms, such as time management and self-regulation of behavior and emotions, and coping with negative feelings and self-criticism. Other treatments, such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy can help adults recognize automatic or irrational thoughts that can lead to negative behavior and devise strategies to replace them with positive self-talk.

Medication

Many people find that ADHD medication helps to alleviate their symptoms. The medication is usually in the form of a stimulant. It is effective by boosting activity in brain areas that regulate attention and behavior. Methylphenidate, the most common medication used by adults suffering from ADHD is available in many forms. It can be taken in immediate-release tablets or as modified-release tablets that release the medication throughout the day. Clonidine is a different type of medicine, works by decreasing brain activity. It can be taken in pill form or liquid.

If treating adult patients suffering from ADHD, the psychiatrist or therapist may review the person's family history and medical history to determine if there are any factors that can cause similar symptoms as ADHD. This is necessary because certain medical conditions like thyroid problems and seizure disorders can trigger symptoms similar to the symptoms of ADHD. Additionally, certain medications and dietary supplements can also cause similar symptoms.

During the test, the person will likely to discuss the ADHD symptoms. They will be asked to provide standard ADHD ratings and checklists of symptoms as well as psychological tests to assess executive function, working memory (abilities such as planning and decision-making), visual and spatial ability, and reasoning abilities.

If the therapist believes that ADHD symptoms are seriously affecting a person's quality of life, he or she will suggest treatment. In certain instances the therapist might ask the patient's partner or spouse to talk with them about the impact of their ADHD symptoms on the relationship. This can lessen the burden of blame between the two people and help to foster healthier, more productive relationships.

Counseling

Being diagnosed is a huge relief to many adults with ADHD. It allows them to to understand the reasons for their problems at school or work and to discover ways to overcome these problems. It's an opportunity to change negative behavior and boost self-esteem.

Counseling is a great method of helping you build a strong support system. Counseling for ADHD can include psychotherapy (or psychological therapy) as well as a variety of behavior-based interventions. Therapists may create a chart that rewards positive behavior and imposes penalties on bad ones. The therapist may also instruct the patient on techniques to manage their symptoms, like relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or meditative yoga poses.

Counseling can also help people accept and understand their ADHD. It can be difficult to admit that you struggle in organizing, planning and paying attention. It can be embarrassing to confess that you suffer from ADHD to your supervisors or coworkers. Most teachers and bosses offer accommodations to accommodate your needs. For example, they might allow you to use a computer for writing assignments instead of paper and provide more in-depth explanations of classroom material.

In addition the therapist can also help you cope with your ADHD through cognitive behavioral therapy which is a type of therapy that helps you transform negative thoughts and behavior into positive ones. Counseling for ADHD may also include marital or family therapy, which teaches family members how to better interact with someone with ADHD and enhance communication and problem-solving skills. People with ADHD frequently suffer from mental health disorders such as anxiety or depression, and they may be afflicted by substance abuse and addiction, which can cause more symptoms.