Adults Diagnosis of ADHD
A diagnosis of ADHD is an important first step in managing issues that can cause chaos at home, work and in relationships. It's also a great way to gain a fresh perspective on problems which have been a source of confusion and frustration over the years.
Mental health professionals employ ADHD checklists for symptoms and standardized scales for assessing behavior 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 further insight.
1. Talk to Your Health Care Provider
If you have been having difficulties at work or with your relationships and believe that ADHD is to blame the first step towards getting a diagnosis and treatment is to talk to your health medical professional. Your doctor will help you to understand the causes and refer you to a specialist if needed.
You might also ask friends, family members and colleagues for recommendations for specialists who specialize in ADHD assessments for adults. You may also get information from your insurance company regarding the services available in your region. Participating in an ADHD support group is a different option. You can meet with people who share the same challenges, and learn from them how they handle them.
Many adults seek a diagnosis when their symptoms interfere with their everyday functioning at home or at work. They're fed up of losing their keys, constantly being late for meetings, and struggling to keep their jobs or maintain healthy relationships. Being diagnosed with ADHD can give you the control you require over these issues and help restore the balance in your life.
If you're discussing your symptoms with your physician be honest. Don't hide your feelings as you do not want to appear unreliable or weak. Your doctor needs a full picture of your difficulties, including how they have affected your work performance and personal life.
If your doctor recommends medication, be ready to discuss your opinion on it. Some adults opt to stay clear of medications and prefer other treatments, like therapy or lifestyle changes. Accommodations help those with ADHD to reach their goals, much like a step stool permits someone who is shorter to attain the same height as the rest of us.
Your specialist will ask you about your past experiences with ADHD. It's best to be able to recall specific details from your childhood, when the disorder is more likely to come up. Depending on the location you live in you may be required to obtain copies of your school records or talk to teachers or other adults who were around you as a child, but remember that these records don't necessarily indicate a diagnosis.
2. Ask for a referral
Your family physician can refer you undergo an ADHD evaluation and treatment if there are any concerns about how your behaviors are impacting your school, work or relationships. They can recommend you to other specialists who treat adults with ADHD including psychologists and psychiatrists.
If you're going to an expert for an evaluation, be sure you are open and honest about the issues you are facing. This is especially true for any ADHD-related issues. It is crucial to not cover up information due to fear of being judged. Your personal history will determine the accuracy of your assessment as well as the efficacy of any treatment recommendations.
Examiners will look over your academic, social and emotional background. They will also discuss how these issues are affecting you in the present. 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'll want to know about any symptoms you are experiencing now in addition to any symptoms you've had since your childhood. adhd diagnosis in adults will also interview you and as much as possible talk to those who knew you before you were a kid.
They will also determine if your symptoms could be better explained by a mental health or medical problem, such as anxiety or depression. They will also determine if you suffer from any learning disabilities or any other neurodevelopmental disorder.
If a professional doesn't agree that you suffer from ADHD they will explain the other conditions or issues that might be causing you difficulties and why they don't think you suffer from ADHD. This doesn't mean that you have to accept the diagnosis, but it can aid in planning your future care.
In most instances, an adult diagnosed with ADHD will receive help not just from other adults who suffer from ADHD, but also their families, friends colleagues, teachers and coaches. adhd diagnosis adult may also benefit from classes, therapy that teach communication skills, or couples and marriage counseling. Counseling can aid those who suffer from ADHD who have difficulty gaining confidence. It can help them improve their communication skills.
3. Schedule a Consultation
ADHD is caused by a shortage or imbalance of neurotransmitters which regulate brain activity. This can interfere with the ability of a person to pay attention and to follow through on tasks. Adults with untreated ADHD may have difficulties with their work or relationships, as well as other aspects of their lives. If you suspect that you be suffering from ADHD consult your health doctor or seek a referral to see a psychiatrist or psychologist who is trained in mental health.
A mental health professional will employ an assessment system to determine if you suffer from ADHD symptoms. A mental health professional may also interview people important to your life, such as your spouse, and then complete an inventory of symptoms. A thorough examination could include psychological tests that measure working memory, executive function (the capabilities involved in planning and making decisions) as well as spatial and visual ability and reasoning abilities. The results can be used to determine if there are any conditions that may be causing similar symptoms, like depression or anxiety.
During an evaluation, your health care professional will also consider how you've managed your symptoms over time. If you are prone to forgetting appointments, make impulsive choices or miss deadlines, your doctor may suggest therapy or classes in order to help you develop more effective ways to deal with these challenges. Your doctor might recommend medication as well. The most popular stimulant medications used to treat ADHD for adults are highly effective. However, they aren't for everyone, and may have adverse consequences. Nonstimulant drugs that don't have the potential for abuse are now available and can be as effective as stimulants.
While receiving a diagnosis and treatment is crucial for people suffering from ADHD but it's also important to inform others about the disorder. Many adults with ADHD have a difficult time getting their spouses, parents, and their co-workers to understand their behavior. Education can improve relationships and support systems. There are also ADHD on the internet and in a variety of communities.
It isn't easy to determine ADHD in adults however, it is doable. Talk to your GP who can recommend a treatment that's best suited to your needs.
4. Schedule and an Evaluation
It may take time to receive a thorough assessment and a diagnosis. If your GP is not willing or is not willing to refer you to a health professional, you can ask for a referral. You can contact your local chapter of National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to discover which chapter in your area is specialized in adult ADHD. Or, you can check with professional groups that help adults with ADHD.
Prepare yourself for a thorough and lengthy discussion regarding your symptoms and how they affect your life. The evaluator will review your medical, personal and family history as in addition to the issues you're currently experiencing. They will probably also want to know how your symptoms have impacted your relationships or work performance as well as financial situation. They may use standardized rating scales to compare your behavior with those of people with ADHD. These ratings will help them determine if your symptoms are caused by ADHD or are more likely to be explained by a different disorder, such as depression or anxiety.
Your evaluator may also order cognitive tests to look for intellectual or learning disabilities which could be the reason for your struggles at school or at work. Some evaluators screen for conditions that can produce symptoms similar to ADHD and thyroid disorders, for example or seizures disorders.
Some evaluators will order additional physical examinations or lab tests, such as brain imaging and blood work, to rule out any other health issues. They might ask you to fill out the questionnaire to determine specific symptoms such as difficulties in planning and organizing, or being overly energetic and impulsive. They may also inquire from a family member about your childhood to determine whether there are any clues that suggest you suffer from ADHD.
It is essential to be honest during the interview. Many adults feel embarrassed about asking for a diagnosis, and they may hesitate to share information because they fear it will make them look bad. It's important that the evaluator is given accurate information regarding your challenges in terms of impulse control, organizational skills and interpersonal relationships.