What Is ADHD Adult Diagnosis And Why You Should Consider ADHD Adult Diagnosis
What Is ADHD Adult Diagnosis And Why You Should Consider ADHD Adult Diagnosis
Blog Article
Adult Diagnosis of ADHD
For those who suffer from ADHD the diagnosis can have a major impact on your life. It can help people to discover the reason for their struggles at work, in their family and in their relationships.
It is often difficult to determine the cause because symptoms can overlap. A health care provider or a mental health professional will examine the person and perform tests.
Signs and symptoms
It is possible that someone doesn't realize they have ADHD until they reach the age of adulthood. This may be because teachers and parents failed to detect the signs at an earlier age or because work or college demands brought out the disorder. Adults with ADHD who aren't diagnosed suffer in their social, academic and work lives. Undiagnosed ADHD can lead to numerous problems including relationship problems and financial problems.
A mental health professional will conduct an interview and review the patient's medical, psychiatric and personal history, paying special attention to symptoms in various situations. The patient will be asked to describe the symptoms and how they affect their daily life and relationships. It is crucial that the patient is honest about these symptoms and that he or she not hold back due to feelings of shame or embarrassment.
It is also crucial for the mental health professional to assess whether these symptoms are related to other comorbidities like anxiety and depression, which often coexist with ADHD. These conditions often make the symptoms of ADHD worse, and they can also interfere with effective treatment of the disorder.
If the psychiatrist or psychologist believes that the symptoms of ADHD are being impacted by other conditions, additional psycho-, neuropsychological or learning disabilities tests could be performed to determine an accurate diagnosis. These tests can also help determine the level of impairment to function that is caused by these conditions. The mental health professional may also request interviews with others who are significant like spouses or siblings, to get a full picture of how the person is functioning.
Diagnosis
For adults, a diagnosis of ADHD is usually made by a mental health specialist or doctor who conducts a thorough diagnostic evaluation. This includes a detailed analysis of the symptoms and their impact on daily functioning. It also includes the presence of any other mental disorders that can co-occur with ADHD, such mood disorders and anxiety. Additionally, the doctor may request to speak with significant others--usually the spouse or a close friend -- to provide more details regarding the person's behavior.
Being diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood can be a life-changing event. The diagnosis provides adults with an explanation for their behavior that they thought were "normal". It's often a relief find out that their issues are not simply lazyness or forgetfulness.
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 standard is created to ensure that people get the support and treatment they need. In order for a person to be eligible for an ADHD diagnoses, they must have symptoms for at minimum a year and be a significant handicap in multiple settings, such as home, school or work with family members or friends, or other activities. For adults who are 17 or older the number of needed symptoms has been reduced to five, from the six that are needed for children under age 12.
Having a good relationship with your primary care physician can be beneficial in identifying ADHD. Many doctors routinely diagnose and treat ADHD in children. They may refer you to a mental health professional who is qualified to perform an evaluation in adults.
Treatment
If someone suffering from ADHD is diagnosed, their lives can change dramatically. They may finally have explanations for failures in school or the struggle to establish a career or relationship problems. A diagnosis can help relieve the shame that has built up for some people over time.
Talking to a mental health specialist or health care professional is the first step towards finding out if you have an assessment. They can inquire about family history and perform a physical examination to rule out conditions which could trigger symptoms that are similar to ADHD or other disorders, such as sleep disorders, learning disabilities or alcohol/drug abuse. They may also ask the person to complete a checklist of symptoms.
During the process of assessment, the doctor may request to speak with a spouse or partner. This will help the spouse who is not an ADHD or partner gain a better understanding and compassionate attitude towards their loved one's ADHD symptoms that is essential in improving relationships after the diagnosis. If this isn't feasible, the clinician may interview friends or co-workers who know the individual.
Adults with ADHD are treated mostly with medication. Adult ADHD is treated using stimulants such as methylphenidate and Adderall, and dextroamphetamine. Other medications, for instance atomoxetine (Strattera(r)) and Guanfacine (Intuniv(r), Tenex(r)) increase the levels of norepinephrine in the brain, and can help improve symptoms of ADHD.
Psychotherapy is also an option. Cognitive-behavioral therapy can teach patients strategies for managing their ADHD symptoms, such as time management and organizational strategies, self-regulation of emotions and behavior and managing negative self-criticism and negative emotions. Other treatments, such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy helps adults check here recognize automatic or irrational thoughts that lead to negative behaviors and develop ways to replace them with positive self-talk.
Medication
Many people have found that ADHD medication helps alleviate their symptoms. The medication is usually in the form of a stimulant. It is effective by boosting the activity in brain regions that regulate attention and behavior. Methylphenidate is the most commonly prescribed medication for adults suffering from ADHD and is available in a variety of forms. It is available in immediate-release tablets or modified-release tablet forms that release the medication throughout the day. Clonidine is another kind of medicine is a drug that works by reducing brain activity and can be taken in pill form or liquid.
When treating adult patients with ADHD, the doctor or therapist will review the person's family history and medical history to determine if there are any causes that could cause similar symptoms as ADHD. This is important, as certain medical conditions, such as seizures and thyroid issues can cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD. Additionally, certain medications and dietary supplements can also cause similar symptoms.
During the examination it is likely that the person will describe their ADHD symptoms to their psychiatrist or therapist. They will be asked to fill in standard ADHD rating scales and check lists, as well as complete psychological tests that measure working memory, executive functioning (abilities such as decision-making and planning) spatial and visual capabilities, as well as reasoning skills.
If the therapist is of the opinion that ADHD symptoms are affecting a person's quality of life they will suggest medication. In some instances the therapist may request the patient's partner or spouse to talk with them about the effects of the symptoms on their relationship. This can help reduce the blame between the two people and help to foster healthier, more productive relationships.
Counseling
Being diagnosed is a huge relief for many adults suffering from ADHD. It gives them a chance understand why they are having problems at school or work and to discover ways to overcome these issues. It's an opportunity to change negative behavior and boost self-esteem.
Counseling can be a great way to help you create a strong support system. Counseling for ADHD can include psychological (or psychotherapy) therapy and a range of behavioral strategies. A therapist could make a chart to reward positive behaviors and imposes punishments for negative behaviors. The therapist could also guide the patient on how to manage their symptoms, like relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or meditative yoga postures.
Another benefit of counseling is helping people understand and accept their ADHD. It's difficult to admit you struggle in organizing, planning and paying attention. It can be embarrassing to confess that you suffer from ADHD to supervisors or colleagues. The majority of teachers and supervisors will make accommodations to accommodate your condition. For example, they might allow you to make use of a computer to write assignments instead of paper and provide more detailed explanations of class material.
The therapist will also show you how to cope with ADHD using cognitive behavior therapy. It is a structured type of talk therapy which assists you in changing negative thoughts and behaviors into more positive ones. Counseling for ADHD can also involve family or marital therapy which teaches loved ones how to better interact with someone with ADHD and to improve the ability to communicate and solve problems. People who suffer from ADHD might also be suffering from other mental disorders such depression or anxiety and could also have issues with substance abuse.