Adults Diagnosis of ADHD
A diagnosis of ADHD is a good first step to managing symptoms that cause havoc at home, work and in relationships. It also provides a means to see the bigger picture of issues that have been a source of confusion and frustrating for years.
In the course of evaluating mental health professionals utilize the standardized behavior rating scales as well as ADHD checklists for symptoms to help determine if an adult is meeting the diagnostic criteria. They may also speak with relatives and close friends to gain further information.
1. Talk to your Health Care Provider
Talking to your doctor is the first step to getting a diagnosis. Your doctor can assist you in understanding your symptoms and recommend a specialist if necessary.
You might also ask friends, family members and colleagues for recommendations for professionals who specialize in ADHD assessments for adults. You can also inquire from your insurance provider about providers in your area. Another option is to attend an ADHD support group and talk with other people who are facing similar challenges and to learn how they handle these challenges.
Many adults seek medical attention when their symptoms affect their day-to-day functioning at work or home. They are tired of losing keys or being late to meetings, and struggling to maintain healthy relationships. Being diagnosed with ADHD can give you the control you require to manage these issues and bring balance back into your life.
Be honest when you speak to your doctor about your health issues. Do not be shy because you don't want to be viewed as unreliable or weak. Your doctor requires a complete picture of your problems and how they have affected your work performance and personal life.
Be prepared to speak up regarding medication If your doctor suggests it. Some adults aren't keen to take medication and prefer alternative treatments, such as psychotherapy (the medical term used to describe mental health therapy) and lifestyle changes that are referred to as accommodations. Just as the step stool helps a person who is small reach the same heights as others, accommodations enable those who suffer from ADHD to meet their goals and achieve.
Your specialist will ask about your history of ADHD. It is recommended to remember particulars from your childhood, because this is the time when the disorder will likely manifest. You might need to talk to your teachers or other adults from your childhood depending on where you live. However, these things do not necessarily confirm a diagnose.
2. Ask for a referral
If you are concerned about how your behavior impacting your school, work or your relationships, your family doctor can recommend an ADHD evaluation and treatment. They can recommend you to other specialists who treat adults with ADHD, such as psychiatrists and psychologists.
When you visit a doctor for an evaluation, make sure to be honest and honestly about the issues you are having that may be that are related to ADHD. It is important to not cover up information due to fear of shame or being judged. Your personal history will determine the accuracy of your assessment and the efficacy of any treatment suggestions.
Examiners will review your social, academic and emotional history. They will also discuss how these issues affect your life today. The examiner will also review 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 currently, and any that you've had since childhood. They will also interview you and as much as possible talk to those who knew you when you were a child.
In addition to evaluating whether you meet the criteria for ADHD, they will consider whether your symptoms could be attributed to another mental health issue or medical problem such as depression or anxiety. They will also determine if you suffer from a neurodevelopmental condition or learning impairment.
If a professional doesn't agree that you have ADHD they will explain what other conditions or issues might be causing you difficulties and why they do not believe you suffer from ADHD. This doesn't mean that you must accept the diagnosis, but it may aid in planning your future care.
In most instances adults diagnosed with ADHD will receive assistance not just from other adults suffering from ADHD as well as their families, friends, colleagues, teachers and coaches. They may also benefit from taking classes in relationships or marriage and couples counseling. Counseling can aid those with ADHD who have difficulty gaining confidence. It can teach them how to improve their relationship skills.
3. Schedule a Consultation
ADHD is caused by a lack or imbalance in neurotransmitters that regulate brain activity. This can hinder the ability of a person to concentrate and to follow through on tasks. Adults who have not been treated for ADHD may have difficulty in their relationships, careers and other aspects of their lives. If you think you might be suffering from ADHD discuss it with your health medical professional or request an appointment with a psychologist or psychiatrist who is trained in mental health.
A mental health professional will employ a rating system to determine whether you suffer from ADHD symptoms. They may also speak with important people in your life, like spouses, and complete an assessment checklist for symptoms. A thorough evaluation may include psychological tests that measure working memory, executive function (the capabilities involved in planning and making decisions) spatial and visual ability and reasoning abilities. The results can aid in determining other conditions that could cause similar symptoms, like depression and anxiety.
In the course of an examination, your health care professional will also consider how you've been managing your symptoms over time. For adhd diagnoses , if you often miss appointments, don't remember deadlines and make impulsive decisions, your health care provider may suggest therapy or classes to help you learn better strategies to deal with these challenges. Your doctor might suggest medication as well. The most popular stimulant medications used to treat ADHD in adults are extremely efficient. However, they aren't suitable for everyone, and they may cause side effects. Nonstimulant medicines that don't carry the potential to be abused are now available and can be just as effective as stimulants.
It is essential to educate others on ADHD. While adults with ADHD should get a diagnosis and seek treatment, it is also helpful to help them inform their spouses, parents and co-workers. Many people with ADHD struggle to get their spouses, their parents, and their co-workers to accept their behavior. Instructing others can help improve relationships and increase support systems. There are ADHD support groups in a variety of communities and online.
It can be challenging to identify ADHD in adults, but it is possible. Talk to your GP who can suggest a service that is most appropriate to your needs.
4. Schedule for an Evaluation
It can take some time to obtain an accurate assessment and diagnosis. Ask for an appointment with your primary care doctor, but in the event that your GP isn't willing or doesn't agree to refer you, talk with other health professionals. You can contact your local chapter of National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find out which chapter in your area is specialized in adult ADHD. Also, you can check with professional groups which support adults suffering from ADHD.
Once you've been referred to an evaluator, be prepared for a long and detailed interview about your symptoms and how they affect your life. The evaluator is going to examine your medical family, personal, and medical background and any current problems. They will probably also be interested in how the problems have affected your relationships, work performance, and financial situation. They could use standardized rating scales to compare your behavior to the behavior of people who do not have ADHD. These ratings can help determine whether your symptoms are related to ADHD or if they are better explained by other disorders, like depression and anxiety.
Your evaluator could also conduct cognitive tests in order to identify learning or intellectual disabilities which could cause your problems at school or at work. Some evaluators screen for conditions that could cause symptoms similar to ADHD and thyroid disorders, for example or seizures disorders.
Some evaluators will request additional physical examinations or laboratory tests, such as brain imaging or blood tests to rule out other health issues. They might request you to fill out an assessment questionnaire that seeks out specific symptoms, such as difficulties in organizing and planning or being overly active and hyperactive. They might also inquire from a family member about your childhood to find out if there are any clues that indicate you have ADHD.
It is essential to be honest during the interview. Many adults are embarrassed by asking for a diagnosis, and they may hesitate to share information because they fear they will look poor. But, it is essential to get a positive diagnosis that the evaluator gets accurate information about your issues with organizational skills, impulse control, and relationships.