Adults Diagnosis of ADHD
A diagnosis of ADHD is an important first step to manage the issues that can cause chaos at work, home and in relationships. It's also a fantastic way to gain a fresh perspective on problems that have been a source of confusion and frustration over the time.
Mental health professionals employ ADHD symptoms checklists and standardized behavior ratings scales in the process of evaluation to determine if an adult is meeting the diagnostic criteria. They may also interview significant others and family members to gain further insight.
1. Talk to your Health Care Provider
If you've experienced problems at work or in your relationships and suspect that ADHD is the cause the first step towards finding a treatment and diagnosis is to speak with your health healthcare provider. Your doctor can help you identify the symptoms and refer you to a specialist, in the event of need.
You can also ask your family members, friends and co-workers to recommend professionals who are experts in ADHD evaluations of adults. Your insurance company might be able to give you information on the professionals in your area. Participating in an ADHD support group is another option. You can talk to people who have the same struggles, and learn from them how they deal with these challenges.
Many adults decide to seek a diagnosis because they're unhappy with how their symptoms affect their daily functioning, either at work or in their personal lives. They're frustrated with losing their keys, constantly being late for meetings, and struggling to keep their jobs or maintain healthy relationships. Being diagnosed with ADHD will give you the control you need to manage these issues and restore balance to your life.
Be honest when talking to your doctor about the symptoms. Don't hold back because you don't want to be viewed as weak or irresponsible. Your doctor should be aware of all the issues you have and how they have affected your work performance and personal life.
If your doctor suggests taking medication be prepared to discuss your position on it. Some adults aren't keen to use medication and prefer other treatments, such as psychotherapy (the medical term used to describe mental health therapy) and lifestyle modifications that are known as accommodations. Just as a step stool helps someone who is a little short to attain the same heights as other people accommodations allow those with ADHD to reach their goals and be successful.
Your specialist will ask you about your history with ADHD. It is best to recall information from your childhood, when the disorder is more likely to show up. You might need to talk to your teachers or other adults from your childhood depending on the location you live in. However, these things do not necessarily confirm the diagnosis.
2. Request a Referral
If you are concerned about how your behavior negatively impacting your work, school or your relationships, your family physician might recommend an ADHD assessment and treatment. They might also be able to provide you recommendations for other specialists, such as psychiatrists and psychologists who specialize in treating adults with ADHD.
If you are visiting a specialist for an evaluation, be sure you are open and honest about the issues you are facing. This is especially true for any ADHD-related issues. It is important not to hide information because of feelings of shame or fear that you might be judged. Your personal history will determine the accuracy of your evaluation as well as the efficacy of any treatment recommendations.
The examiner will review your social, emotional and academic background and also discuss how these issues 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 want to know about any symptoms you have now as well as any you have had since childhood. They will interview you and should they be able to, if possible, speak with those who knew you as a child.
They will determine if your symptoms could be better explained by another medical condition or mental health problem, such as depression or an anxiety disorder. They will also determine whether you suffer from a neurodevelopmental condition or learning impairment.
If a medical professional isn't convinced that you have ADHD they will discuss what other conditions or issues could be causing problems and why they don't think you have ADHD. This doesn't mean that you have to accept the diagnosis, however it can be helpful in planning for future treatment.
In most instances, an adult diagnosed with ADHD will receive assistance not just from other adults suffering from ADHD as well as their families, friends teachers, coworkers, and coaches. They could also benefit from classes, therapy that teach communication skills or marriage and couple counseling. Counseling can help those who suffer from ADHD who have difficulty gaining confidence. It can teach them how to improve their relationship skills.
3. Contact adhd adults diagnosis to schedule a consultation
ADHD is caused either by a lack or imbalance of neurotransmitters which regulate brain activity. how is adhd diagnosed in adults can interfere with an individual's ability to concentrate and follow through on tasks. Adults with untreated ADHD are likely to struggle with their careers, relationships and other aspects of their lives. If you suspect you be suffering from ADHD, speak to your doctor or seek a recommendation to see a psychologist or psychiatrist who specializes in mental illnesses.
A mental health professional will employ a rating system to determine if you suffer from ADHD symptoms. A mental health professional might also interview important people in your life like your spouse and complete the checklist of symptoms. A thorough evaluation might include psychological testing that measures working memory and executive functioning (the capabilities involved in planning and decision-making) spatial and visual capabilities and reasoning skills. The results can be used to rule out conditions that can be causing similar symptoms, like anxiety or depression.
During the evaluation your doctor will also take into account how you have managed your symptoms over time. If you tend to skip appointments, make impulsive choices, and miss deadlines, your doctor may recommend therapy or classes in order to assist you in learning more effective ways to deal with these challenges. Your health care provider might suggest medication, too. These drugs are commonly used to treat adults suffering from ADHD, and they are highly efficient. They don't work on everyone and can have adverse consequences. Nonstimulant drugs that don't have the potential for abuse are now available and could be just as effective as stimulants.
It's important to educate others about ADHD. While people who suffer from ADHD should be diagnosed and seek treatment in order to improve their lives, it's also helpful to help them inform their spouses, parents and colleagues. For instance, many people with ADHD find their spouses, parents and friends have trouble understanding their behavior. Instructing others can help improve relationships and strengthen support systems. There are ADHD support groups in a variety of communities, as well as on the internet.
It can be challenging to identify ADHD in adults, but it is possible. Talk to your GP who can recommend a treatment that is most appropriate to your needs.
4. Schedule an Evaluation
It may take a while to get an accurate evaluation and diagnosis. If your GP is unable or does not agree to refer you to a different health professional, then ask for an appointment. You can contact your local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find out which chapter in your area is specialized in adult ADHD. Also, you can contact professional organizations which support adults suffering from ADHD.
Prepare yourself for a thorough and lengthy conversation regarding your symptoms and how they affect your life. The evaluator will go over your personal, medical and family history as along with the issues you're currently experiencing. They'll also want to know whether the symptoms have affected your financial situation, relationships or your work performance. They could employ standardized ratings scales to compare your behavior to that of people who do not have ADHD. These ratings can help determine whether your symptoms are related to ADHD or if they're better explained by other disorders, like anxiety and depression.
Your evaluator will likely also order cognitive tests to look for learning or intellectual disabilities that may be the cause of your difficulties at school or at work. Some evaluators screen for conditions that can produce symptoms similar to ADHD, such thyroid disorders or seizures disorders.
The evaluators might request additional physical examinations or laboratory tests, like blood work and brain imaging, to rule out other health problems. They might require you to fill out a an assessment questionnaire that seeks to identify specific signs, such as difficulties in planning and organizing or being too energetic and impulsive. They could also interview your family members or a friend about your childhood in order to search for information that could indicate that you may have ADHD.
It is essential to be honest and open during the interview. Many adults are embarrassed to ask for a diagnosis, and they may not divulge information, believing that it will make their appearance look worse. It is crucial that the evaluator is given accurate information regarding your issues in the areas of impulse control, organizational skills and interpersonal relationships.