Diagnosing ADHD in Adults
ADHD symptoms can last throughout a person's life. As adults, these symptoms can have significant impacts on work and family.
To be diagnosed with ADHD your symptoms must have been evident since the beginning of your childhood (technically prior to the age of 12). Your evaluator evaluates your medical and personal history.
They can also talk with your spouse or your coworkers, friends or partner. This helps them view your problems from a different perspective.
Diagnosis
In the same way as diagnosing children, adults who have ADHD must meet certain criteria to receive a diagnosis. The symptoms are required to be present for at least two years and cause significant problems with everyday functioning. The problem could be caused by work, school, relationships, or daily activities. People may have mild, moderate, or severe ADHD symptoms. Mild symptoms do not affect normal functioning and are often mistaken for other conditions, such as depression or anxiety. adhd diagnosed can cause small disruptions in social or work interactions. The severity of the symptoms makes it difficult to maintain jobs or maintain relationships.
People with ADHD can experience an extreme point at which they can no longer manage life's routines. They may lose their focus or make a few erroneous mistakes. They may also be impulsive and hyperactive, causing them to struggle to meet objectives and responsibilities. They might have trouble remembering things and are often unable to remember what they've been told.
Request an appointment if you're struggling with your daily life and suspect that you may be suffering from ADHD. Your GP could refer you to a psychiatrist or any other professional who can perform an assessment. You may also request a therapist you are familiar with or someone from your family to recommend someone with experience in ADHD assessments.
A psychologist or health care provider will go over your medical history and conduct a physical exam. They'll also discuss your current concerns with you. They'll likely ask you about your experiences with ADHD as a child, as well. They'll want to talk to the person you live with as well as any other important people in your life as well, like your parents or spouse. 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 undergo an additional procedure to receive a medication. The psychiatrist will work with your GP and you to ensure that the medication works.
Medication
Medications can be an effective treatment for adults with ADHD, but they're not the only option. Other therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and lifestyle modifications, can also help. NIMH recommends talking to your healthcare provider to find out more about your options.
To determine if you have ADHD, your healthcare professional will interview you about your childhood and your life currently, as well as conducting a physical examination and psychological test (these aren't required in most cases). The evaluator could also ask you to talk to your partner, family members or other people close to you to get a different perspective on your behavior.
The severity of your symptoms will determine if you have adult ADHD. The symptoms must last at least six months and interfere with your relationships and work. You must also meet diagnostic requirements, such as that your symptoms aren't explained by a mental health condition or substance use disorder.
NIMH suggests that you speak with your doctor about options. This includes strategies for managing behavior and medications. A lot of primary care doctors regularly assess and treat ADHD in children. Adults who suspect that they might have the condition should seek a referral to a specialist.
Stimulants used to treat ADHD in adults can cause adverse effects such as stomach issues, anxiety, and depression. They also can increase your blood pressure and heart rate. Some people experience tics, which are sudden, repetitive movements, or sounds such as eye blinking or throat clearing. Some people with ADHD also have trouble sleeping when taking stimulants.
NIMH suggests that you talk to your doctor about any concerns you may have about side effects of medications or possible clinical trials. Clinical trials are research studies that test new methods to detect, prevent or treat diseases. Participants in clinical trials can gain knowledge about their own health and could have the chance to help others. Learn more about clinical trials and select the right one for you by visiting NIMH's Clinical Trials webpage.
Therapy
When an adult has ADHD it is important to work with a medical professional to manage symptoms. There are many types of medication that can be used to treat ADHD. You may have to try various dosages and medications before you discover the right one for you. A therapist can help you in understanding your condition and help you cope better with its effects. They can also teach you strategies to improve your focus, self-management, and organization.
Adults with undiagnosed ADHD are constantly lagging in school, at work and in their relationships. Their behavior can be a strain on the patience of even the most forgiving co-workers or friends. They might miss deadlines or appointments and make impulsive choices.
Therapy can help people with ADHD become more organized and learn to manage their ADHD and improve their quality of life. They can learn to identify and modify their problematic behaviors, such as using rewards to motivate themselves or playing computer solitaire after answering emails. Cognitive behavioral therapy, which is carried out in a one-on-one setting, can be extremely helpful. It can assist in reframe negative situations in a more positive way. For instance a therapist can help adults with ADHD see that their impulsivity does not an indication of a bad character; it's simply a natural response to intense levels of stimulation in the brain.
People suffering from ADHD are more at risk for depression and anxiety, so a therapist can also teach them coping skills to manage these issues. Other psychosocial treatments include group therapy and family networks and classes that are focused on communication and conflict resolution. For those who are employed, the Department of Work and Pensions offers a program called Access to Work that helps pay for workplace accommodations for those with disabilities, including ADHD.
It's important to remember that not all therapists are created equal, and you should choose carefully. Find someone who you feel comfortable talking to, who makes you feel empowered after a session and who is knowledgeable about the type of therapy that you're interested in. Ask your psychiatrist for recommendations if you are looking for a psychosocial therapist. Child psychiatrists are especially adept at ADHD treatment and can refer you.
Support
Individuals suffering from ADHD may experience symptoms that are so disruptive they require the evaluation of an expert doctor. This evaluation involves a conversation with the patient about their life from childhood to now and how the symptoms affect school and work as well as relationships and other aspects of daily life. It is crucial that those who suffer from ADHD speak up without fear or resentment.
The American Psychiatric Association provides clinical guidelines for diagnosing ADHD for adults in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5). These are the criteria that a medical professional will take into consideration during the assessment.
It is important to bring any documents that could help you understand your symptoms during your visit to a healthcare professional. This includes old report cards or notes from friends or parents. The person who is conducting the exam will likely ask questions about the person's life and family history, as well as conduct a physical examination and psychological tests.
You should remember that someone's inattention or impulsivity doesn't mean they lack the skills to perform their job or other activities. An ADHD person, for example is able to be creative and productive in a variety of ways, including painting, writing stories, or even designing things.
Receiving a diagnosis of ADHD in adulthood can trigger many complex emotions, ranging from guilt over past mistakes to relief that they now recognize the reason they've been struggling so much. "There is a lot that needs to be done in the area of grief work, but when people have a solid explanation and all the pieces fall into place it's like they're flying," Matlen explains.
People suffering from ADHD often feel that they are not understood by colleagues or family members. They may have trouble staying focussed in conversations or meetings and are easily distracted by video games and social media. Some people with ADHD might even be told that they are lazy or attention-seeking.
Supporting a loved one with ADHD can help them gain control over their symptoms at home and at work. They can use tools and strategies to improve their organization, such as daily planners and smartphone apps and also seek treatment options 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 for a shorter person to reach higher shelves or other surfaces.