Adults Diagnosis of ADHD
A diagnosis of ADHD is a crucial first step to manage the issues that can cause chaos at work, at home and in relationships. It's also a great way to gain a fresh perspective on issues that have been a source of confusion and frustration over the years.
Mental health professionals employ ADHD symptoms checklists and standardized behavior ratings scales in the process of evaluation to determine if an adult meets the diagnostic criteria. They may also interview family members and other significant others to gain additional insight.
1. Speak to your Health Care Provider
Talking to your doctor is the first step towards getting a diagnosis. Your doctor will assist you in understanding your symptoms and refer you to specialists if required.
You might also ask family members, friends, and colleagues for recommendations on professionals who specialize in ADHD assessments for adults. You may also get information from your insurance provider about the services available in your region. Attending an ADHD support group is a different option. You can talk to people who share the same challenges, and learn from them how they deal with these challenges.
Many adults seek medical attention when their symptoms hinder their daily functioning at work or home. They're tired of losing their keys, being late for meetings, and struggling to keep their jobs or maintain healthy relationships. Being diagnosed with ADHD can give you the control you need over these symptoms and bring balance back into your life.
Be honest when talking to your doctor about your health issues. Do not hide your feelings as you do not want to appear unreliable or weak. Your doctor requires a complete description of your issues and how they've affected your work performance as well as your personal life.
Be prepared to discuss your views regarding medications If your doctor recommends it. Some adults opt to stay clear of medication and opt for other treatments, like psychotherapy or lifestyle adjustments. Accommodations allow those who suffer from ADHD to reach their goals, much like a step stool allows people who are shorter to be as tall as other people.
Your specialist will ask about your past experiences with ADHD. It's best to be able to recall information from your childhood, when the disorder is more likely to come up. Depending on where you live you may have to get copies of your school records or speak to teachers or other adults who were around you in your youth, but remember that these documents don't always confirm a diagnosis.
2. Ask for a Referral
Your family physician will be able to refer you to undergo an ADHD assessment and treatment if you have concerns about the way your behavior affects your work, school or relationships. Suggested Reading might also be able to provide you recommendations for other specialists, including psychiatrists and psychologists who specialize in treating adults with ADHD.
If you're visiting a specialist to get an evaluation, make sure you are open and honest about the issues you are facing. This includes any ADHD-related issues. It is crucial not to hide information because of guilt or fear of be scrutinized. The accuracy of your assessment and the effectiveness of any treatment recommended will be largely determined by how thorough your past history is.
Examiners will look over your academic, social and emotional past. They will also discuss how these issues are affecting you today. They will also go over the American Psychiatric Association's diagnostic guidelines, which are found in the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders," fifth edition (DSM-5). They will want to know about any symptoms you have currently, in addition to any symptoms you have had since your childhood. They will also interview you and, if possible speak to those who knew you before you were a kid.
In addition to determining whether you meet the criteria for ADHD in addition, they will look at whether your symptoms might be explained better by a different mental health condition or medical condition, like anxiety or depression. They will also determine whether you suffer from a neurodevelopmental disorder or learning impairment.
If a doctor doesn't believe that you suffer from ADHD they will discuss the other conditions or issues that might be causing you difficulties and why they don't think you are suffering from ADHD. This does not mean that you must accept this diagnosis; however it could be useful in planning your future care.
In most instances, a person who is diagnosed with adult ADHD will be supported by other people with ADHD and their families, as well as co-workers, friends, teachers and coaches. They may also benefit from therapy, classes that teach communication skills, or couples and marriage counseling. Counseling can help those with ADHD who have difficulty gaining confidence. It can help them improve their communication skills.
3. Schedule a Consultation
ADHD is caused by a deficiency or imbalance of neurotransmitters which regulate brain activity. This can affect an individual's ability to focus and to follow through on tasks. Adults who are not treated for ADHD may struggle in their jobs, relationships and other aspects of their lives. If you suspect that you have ADHD, talk to your health medical professional or request a referral to see a psychiatrist or psychologist who is trained in mental health.
A mental health professional will employ a rating system to determine if you have ADHD symptoms. They may also conduct interviews with significant people in your life, like a spouse, and complete the symptom checklist. A thorough evaluation might include psychological tests that measure working memory, executive functioning (the abilities involved in planning and decision-making) as well as spatial and visual abilities, and reasoning skills. The results will aid in determining other conditions that could cause similar symptoms, for example depression and anxiety.
In the course of an evaluation, your health care professional will also take into consideration how you've managed your symptoms over time. If you tend to forget appointments, make impulsive choices or miss deadlines, your doctor might suggest classes or therapy in order to help you learn how to better manage these issues. Your doctor might also suggest medication. These drugs are commonly used to treat adults suffering from ADHD and are extremely effective. However, they aren't suitable for everyone, and may cause side negative effects. Nonstimulant drugs that don't have the potential to be abused are now available. They can be as effective as stimulants.
While getting a diagnosis and treatment is crucial for adults with ADHD It's also beneficial to inform others about the condition. For instance, many people with ADHD have spouses, parents and friends have difficulty understanding their behavior. Education can help improve relationships and support systems. There are ADHD support groups within many communities as well as online.
It can be challenging to diagnose ADHD in adults however, it is doable. Talk to your GP who can suggest a service that is best suited to your needs.
4. Schedule and an Evaluation
It can take a while to get a thorough evaluation and diagnosis. Request an appointment with your primary care physician, but should your GP is reluctant or doesn't consent to refer you to other health professionals. You can contact your local chapter of National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to discover which chapter in your area is specialized in adult ADHD. Also, you can contact professional organizations which support adults suffering from ADHD.
If you've been referred to an evaluator be prepared for a lengthy and thorough interview about 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 likely want to know how your symptoms have impacted your relationships, work performance, and financial situation. They could use standard rating scales that compare your behavior to the behavior of people who do not have ADHD. These ratings can help determine whether your symptoms are due to ADHD or if they are better explained by other disorders, like depression and anxiety.
Your evaluator might also request cognitive tests to check for intellectual or learning disabilities that could be the reason for your struggles at school or at work. Certain evaluators will also test for other conditions that could cause symptoms similar to those caused by ADHD, such as seizure disorders or thyroid disorders.
Some evaluators will order additional physical examinations or lab tests, like brain imaging and blood tests to rule out other health issues. They may require you to fill out a a questionnaire aimed at identifying specific symptoms such as difficulties in planning and organizing or being overly active and indecisive. They might also interview relatives or friends about your childhood in order to search for clues that you may have ADHD.
It is important to be open and honest during the interview. Many adults are uncomfortable asking for a diagnosis, and they may refuse to divulge information because they believe it will make their appearance worse. It's important that the evaluator gets accurate information about your issues in the areas of organization skills, impulse control, and relationships.