Adults Diagnosis of ADHD
A diagnosis of ADHD can be a first step to managing symptoms that cause havoc at home, at work and in relationships. It's also a great way to gain a new perspective on issues that have been confusing and frustrating over the years.
Mental health professionals utilize ADHD symptom checklists and standardized scales for assessing behavior during the evaluation process to determine if an adult is meeting the diagnostic criteria. They may also interview family members and other significant others to gain additional insights.
1. Talk to Your Health Care Provider
If you've been experiencing problems at work or in your relationships and believe that ADHD is at fault, the first step toward finding a treatment and diagnosis is to talk to your health healthcare provider. Your doctor will help you understand your symptoms and may refer you to a specialist, if needed.
You can also ask your family members, friends, and co-workers for recommendations for specialists in ADHD assessments for adults. Your insurance company might be able to give you details about the services available in your region. Attending an ADHD support group is another option. You can speak to others who face the same challenges, and learn from them about how they manage them.
Many adults seek out a diagnosis when their symptoms hinder their everyday functioning at work or home. They're fed up of losing their keys, constantly being late for meetings and struggling to keep their jobs or maintain healthy relationships. Getting a diagnosis of ADHD will give you the control you need over these symptoms and restore balance to your life.
Be honest when you talk to your doctor about the symptoms. Don't be afraid to speak up because you do not want to be perceived as unreliable or weak. Your doctor needs a full picture of your problems and how they've affected your work performance as well as your personal life.
If your doctor suggests medication Be prepared to discuss your position on it. Some adults aren't keen to take medication and prefer alternative treatments, such as psychotherapy (the medical term for mental health therapy) and lifestyle changes that are known as accommodations. Just as a step stool can help someone who is small reach the same heights as other people, accommodations enable those who suffer from ADHD to reach their goals and achieve.
Your doctor will inquire about your past experiences with ADHD. It is best to remember specific details from your childhood because this is the time when the disorder is likely be evident. Depending on the location you live in you may have to collect copies of your school records or talk to teachers or other adults who were around you in your youth, but remember that these records don't necessarily indicate the diagnosis.
2. Ask for a referral
Your family doctor will be able to refer you undergo an ADHD evaluation and treatment if you have concerns about the way your behavior is affecting your work, school or relationships. They may be able to offer you recommendations for other specialists, including psychologists and psychiatrists that specialize in treating adults suffering from ADHD.
If you're visiting an expert for an evaluation, make sure to be open and honest about your issues. This includes any ADHD-related issues. It is important not to hide information due to feelings of shame or fear that you might be criticized. The accuracy of your assessment and the efficacy of any treatments recommended will be largely determined by how precise your medical history is.
The examiner will want to review your social, emotional and academic background and discuss how these issues are affecting you right now. adult diagnosis adhd will also review the diagnostic guidelines of the American Psychiatric Association in the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5). adult diagnosis adhd will want to know about any symptoms you have currently, and any that you've had since your childhood. They will ask you questions and, should they be able to, if possible, speak with those who knew you as a child.
They will determine if your symptoms could be better explained by a mental health or medical issue, such as depression or an anxiety disorder. They will also determine whether you suffer from a neurodevelopmental condition or learning impairment.
If a doctor does not agree that you have ADHD, they will tell you what other conditions or problems might be causing your issues and why they don't believe you are suffering from ADHD. This does not mean that you must accept this diagnosis; however it can be helpful in planning future care.
In most instances adults diagnosed with ADHD will receive help not only from other adults who suffer from ADHD as well as their families, friends coworkers, teachers, and coaches. They could also benefit from therapy, classes which teach communication skills, or couple and marriage counseling. Counseling can be beneficial for those with ADHD who struggle with low confidence. It can teach them how to improve their interpersonal skills.
3. Request a Consultation
ADHD is caused due to a deficiency or an imbalance in neurotransmitters that regulate brain activity. This can interfere with the ability of a person to concentrate and complete tasks. Adults who are not treated for ADHD may have difficulty in their work, relationships and in many other aspects of their lives. If you suspect you have ADHD, speak to your doctor or request recommendations to see an experienced psychologist or psychiatrist who specializes in mental illness.
A mental health professional will determine whether you have ADHD symptoms by using an assessment scale. They may also speak with important people in your life, like spouses, and complete an assessment checklist for symptoms. A thorough assessment could include psychological tests that measure working memory, executive function (the capacities involved in making decisions and planning) spatial and visual ability and reasoning abilities. The results can be used to determine if there are any conditions that may cause similar symptoms such as anxiety or depression.
During the evaluation your doctor will also take into account how you've dealt with your symptoms over the course of time. For example, if you often forget appointments, miss deadlines and make impulsive decisions, your health care provider may recommend therapy or classes to teach you more effective strategies for dealing with these challenges. Your doctor may suggest medication, too. The majority of stimulant drugs are used to treat adults with ADHD and are highly effective. They aren't for everyone, and may cause side consequences. Nonstimulant medicines that don't carry the potential for abuse are now available and can be just as effective as stimulants.
It is essential to educate others on ADHD. While those who suffer from ADHD need to be diagnosed and seek treatment as needed, it's also beneficial for them to educate their spouses, parents and coworkers. Many people suffering from ADHD struggle to get their spouses, their parents, and their colleagues to accept their behavior. Education can improve relationships and support systems. There are also ADHD online and in a number of communities.
It can be challenging to identify ADHD in adults however it is a possibility. Talk to your GP who can suggest a service that is best suited to your needs.
4. Schedule an Evaluation
It can take some time to get a precise evaluation and diagnosis. Ask for an appointment from your primary care physician, however, should your GP is hesitant or does not consent to refer you consult other health experts. Contact your local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD to find the names of local professionals who are experts in adult ADHD or contact the professional groups that serve people suffering from ADHD to see whether they have any suggestions.
Prepare yourself for a detailed and lengthy interview about your symptoms, and how they affect your life. The evaluator will examine your medical family, personal, and medical background, as well as any current issues. They'll also inquire how the symptoms affect your finances, relationships or work performance. They could use standard rating scales that measure your behavior against the behavior of people who do not have ADHD. These ratings can help them determine if your symptoms are caused by ADHD or better explained by a different disorder like anxiety or depression.
Your evaluator could also conduct cognitive tests in order to determine if you have intellectual or learning disabilities that could be the reason for your struggles in school or at work. Certain evaluators will also test for other conditions that could cause symptoms similar to those associated with ADHD, such as seizure disorders or thyroid disorders.
Certain evaluators may request additional physical examinations or lab tests, like brain imaging and blood tests to rule out other health problems. They might ask you to complete a questionnaire that looks for specific signs, such as difficulties in planning and organizing or being overly active and hyperactive. They may also ask a family or friend member about your childhood to find out whether there are any clues that indicate you have ADHD.
It's important to be open and honest during the interview. Many adults are embarrassed to ask for a diagnosis, and they may refuse to divulge information because they believe it will make their appearance look worse. It is essential that the person evaluating you gets accurate information about your challenges in terms of the control of your impulses, organizational skills and relationships.