Adults Diagnosis of ADHD
A diagnosis of ADHD is an important first step in addressing the symptoms that wreak havoc at work, home and in relationships. It's also a great way to gain a fresh perspective on issues that have been frustrating and confusing throughout the time.
Mental health professionals utilize ADHD symptoms checklists and standardized behavior ratings scales in the process of evaluation to determine if an adult is meeting the diagnostic criteria. They can also conduct interviews with family members and other significant others to gain more insights.
1. Speak to your Health Care Provider
Talking with your doctor is the first step to finding out the cause. Your doctor can help identify the symptoms and refer you to a specialist if needed.
You can also ask your friends, family and colleagues to suggest professionals who are skilled in ADHD assessments of adults. Your insurance company may also be able to give you information on the professionals in your region. Another option is to go to an ADHD support group to chat with other people who are facing the same challenges and learn how they handle them.
Many adults seek a diagnosis when their symptoms affect their everyday functioning at home or at work. 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.
Be honest when you speak to your doctor about your health issues. Do not hold back your feelings because you do not want to appear weak or irresponsible. Your doctor should be aware of all the issues you have, including how these have affected your work performance and personal life.
Be prepared to discuss your views on medication if your doctor recommends it. Some adults choose to avoid medication and opt for other treatment methods, such as psychotherapy or lifestyle adjustments. Just as the step stool helps a person who is small achieve the same heights as others accommodations help those with ADHD to reach their goals and succeed.
Your doctor will inquire about your experience with ADHD. It is recommended to remember particulars from your childhood, since this is when the disorder will most likely show up. You might need to talk to your teachers or other adults from your childhood depending on the location you live in. But, these things don't necessarily mean that you have the diagnosis.
2. Request a Reference
Your family physician will be able to refer you to undergo an ADHD evaluation and treatment if you have concerns about the way your behavior is affecting your work, school or relationships. They might also be able to provide you recommendations for other specialists, like psychologists and psychiatrists that specialize in treating adults suffering from ADHD.
If you're visiting a specialist for an evaluation, make sure you are open and honest about your issues. This includes any issues related to ADHD. It is essential not to hide information because of guilt or fear that you could be judged. The accuracy of your assessment and the effectiveness of any treatment recommended will be largely determined by how accurate your history is.
Examiners will examine your social, academic and emotional history. They will also discuss how these issues impact you in the present. 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 are experiencing in the present, in addition to any symptoms you have had since your childhood. They will interview you and when possible, talk to those who knew you when you were a child.
In addition to evaluating whether you meet the criteria for ADHD in addition, they will look at whether your symptoms could be better explained by another mental health issue or medical issue, such as depression or anxiety. They will also determine if you suffer from a neurodevelopmental disorder or learning impairment.
If a doctor doesn't believe that you have ADHD they will explain what other conditions or issues could be causing your difficulties and why they do not believe you have ADHD. This does not mean you have to accept the diagnosis, but it can help plan future care.
In many instances adults diagnosed with ADHD will receive assistance not only from other adults suffering from ADHD but also from their families, friends teachers, coworkers, and coaches. They may also benefit from therapy, classes that teach communication skills or couple and marriage counseling. Those with ADHD typically struggle with low self-esteem, so counseling can help boost their confidence and teach them ways to improve their interpersonal skills.
3. Contact us to schedule a consultation
ADHD is caused by a deficiency or imbalance of neurotransmitters that regulate brain activity. This can affect the ability of a person to concentrate and to follow through on tasks. Adults who are not treated for ADHD can struggle in their careers, relationships and many other areas of their lives. If you suspect you may be suffering from ADHD consult your doctor or ask for recommendations to see a psychiatrist or psychologist who is specialized in mental illness.
A mental health professional will assess whether you have ADHD symptoms using a rating scale. They may also conduct interviews with significant people in your life, such as your spouse, and fill out an assessment checklist for symptoms. A thorough examination could include psychological tests to measure working memory and executive function (the abilities involved with making decisions and planning) as well as spatial and visual ability and reasoning abilities. The results will help identify other conditions that may cause similar symptoms, such as anxiety and depression.
During the examination, your healthcare professional will also consider how you've managed your symptoms over time. If you tend to forget appointments, make impulsive choices and fail to meet deadlines, your doctor may suggest therapy or classes to assist you in learning how to better manage these issues. Your health care provider might suggest medication, too. Stimulant drugs are most commonly used to treat adults with ADHD, and they are extremely efficient. They aren't for everyone, and may cause side negative effects. Nonstimulant medications that don't have the potential for abuse are now available and can be as effective as stimulants.
While finding a diagnosis and a treatment are important for people suffering from ADHD, it's also helpful to educate others about the condition. Many adults with ADHD struggle to get their spouses, their parents, and even their coworkers to understand their behavior. Instructing others can help improve relationships and boost support systems. There are ADHD support groups in a variety of communities and online.
Being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult can be difficult but it's doable. Start by talking to your GP, who will be able to guide you to the best service for your needs.
4. Schedule and an Evaluation
It may take a while to get an accurate evaluation and diagnosis. Ask for an appointment from your primary care physician but in the event that your GP is reluctant or doesn't agree to refer you consult other health professionals. Contact your local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD to find the names of local specialists who specialize in adult ADHD, or check with the professional groups that serve adults with ADHD to see if they have any recommendations.
Prepare yourself for a detailed and lengthy interview about your symptoms, and how they affect your life. adhd in adults diagnosis will review your medical, family, and personal history and any current health issues. They'll also want to know how the symptoms affect your finances, relationships or work performance. They may employ standardized rating scales to measure your behavior against those of people without ADHD. These ratings can help you determine if your symptoms are due to ADHD or if they are more likely to be explained by other disorders, like depression and anxiety.
Your evaluator might also request cognitive tests to check for learning or intellectual disabilities which could explain your difficulties in school or at work. Certain evaluators look for conditions that may cause symptoms similar to ADHD like thyroid disorders or seizures disorders.
The evaluators might request additional physical examinations or lab tests, like blood work and brain imaging, to rule out other health issues. They might request you to fill out an assessment questionnaire that seeks out specific signs, like problems with planning and organizing or being too active and hyperactive. They might also interview relatives or friends about your childhood, looking for evidence that 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 they may not divulge information, believing that it will make their appearance worse. It is crucial for a successful diagnosis that the evaluator gets exact information about your struggles with organizational skills as well as impulse control and relationships.