Adults Diagnosis of ADHD
A diagnosis of ADHD is a good first step to managing the effects of ADHD that cause chaos at home, work and in relationships. It can also be a way to see the bigger picture of issues that have been confusing and frustrating for decades.
During the evaluation process mental health professionals utilize standard behavior rating scales and ADHD symptom checklists to help determine if an adult meets diagnostic criteria. They may also speak with family members and significant others to gain additional insight.
1. Talk to your Health Care Provider
If you have been having issues at work or in your relationships and believe that ADHD is at fault, the first step toward finding a treatment and diagnosis is talking to your health care provider. Your doctor can help you identify the symptoms and refer you to a specialist, if needed.
You could also ask your family members, friends and co-workers for recommendations for professionals who specialize in ADHD assessments for adults. Your insurance company might be able to provide details about the services available in your area. Another option is to go to an ADHD support group and talk with people who have the same challenges and learn how they manage them.
Many adults seek a diagnosis because they're unhappy with how their symptoms hinder their daily functioning, either at work or in their personal lives. They're fed up of losing their keys, being late for meetings and struggling to maintain their jobs or maintain healthy relationships. You can manage these signs by obtaining an appointment with a doctor.
Be honest when you talk to your doctor about the symptoms. Do not be shy because you don't want to be viewed as unreliable or weak. Your doctor needs a full picture of your difficulties and how they have affected your job performance and personal life.
Be prepared to discuss your views regarding medications If your doctor recommends it. Some adults choose to avoid medications and prefer other treatment methods, such as psychotherapy or lifestyle modifications. Like a step stool can help someone who is small achieve the same heights that other people achieve accommodations allow those who suffer from ADHD to achieve their goals and achieve.
Your doctor will inquire about your history of ADHD. It is recommended to remember specific details from your childhood as this is when the disorder will most likely show up. Depending on where you live, you may need to get copies of your school records or talk to teachers or other adults who were around you as a child, but remember that these don't necessarily confirm the diagnosis.
2. Request a Referral
If you are concerned about how your behavior is negatively impacting your work, school or your relationships, your family physician might suggest an ADHD evaluation and treatment. They can also refer you to other specialists who treat adults with ADHD, such as psychiatrists and psychologists.
If you're going to a specialist to get an assessment, be sure to be open and honest about the issues you are facing. This includes any ADHD-related issues. It is crucial not to hide information because of feelings of shame or fear that you could be scrutinized. The quality of your evaluation and the efficacy of any treatment you recommend will be determined by how precise your medical history is.
The examiner will review your social, emotional and academic background and discuss how these problems are affecting you right now. 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 ask you about any symptoms you have now as well as any you have had since childhood. They will interview you and when possible, talk to those who knew you when you were a child.
In addition to determining whether you meet the criteria for ADHD, they will consider whether your symptoms may be attributed to another mental health condition or medical problem such as anxiety or depression. 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 discuss what other conditions or issues could be causing your difficulties and why they do not believe you have ADHD. This doesn't mean that you have to accept this diagnosis; however it could be useful in planning for future treatment.
In many instances adults who are diagnosed with ADHD will receive support not only from other adults with ADHD as well as their families, friends, coworkers, teachers and coaches. They could also benefit from classes, therapy that teach communication skills, or marriage and couple counseling. People with ADHD typically struggle with low self-esteem, so counseling can help build their confidence and teach them ways to improve their interpersonal skills.
3. Request a Consultation
ADHD is caused by a deficiency or imbalance of neurotransmitters which regulate brain activity. This can hinder the ability of an individual to concentrate and to follow through on tasks. Adults with untreated ADHD may have difficulty in their work, relationships and in many other aspects of their lives. If you suspect you have ADHD consult your doctor or ask for an appointment with an experienced psychologist or psychiatrist who specializes in mental illnesses.
A mental health professional will assess whether you have ADHD symptoms using an assessment scale. They may also conduct interviews with significant people in your life, such as your spouse, and fill out a symptom checklist. A thorough evaluation may 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 skills. The results can help rule out other conditions that can cause similar symptoms, such as depression and anxiety.
During your examination your health care provider will also take into consideration how you've been managing your symptoms over time. If you are prone to forgetting appointments, make decisions impulsively, and miss deadlines, your doctor could recommend therapy or classes to help you develop how to better manage these challenges. Your doctor could also suggest medication. These drugs are commonly used to treat adults with ADHD, and they are extremely efficient. They don't work on everyone, and may cause negative side effects. Nonstimulant medicines that do not have the potential for be abused are now available. They are as effective as stimulants.
While getting a diagnosis and treatment are crucial for adults with ADHD but it's also important to educate others about the disorder. For instance, many adults with ADHD are frustrated that their spouses, parents and co-workers are unable to comprehend their behavior. Educating others can improve relationships and increase support systems. There are ADHD support groups within many communities as well as online.
Being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult can be challenging, but it's possible. 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 an accurate evaluation and diagnosis. If your GP is unable or does not agree to refer you to another health professional, then you should ask for a referral. Contact your local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD for names of local professionals who are experts in adult ADHD or consult the professional associations that support adults with ADHD to see if they have any suggestions.
Once you've been referred to an evaluator, be prepared for a long and detailed interview about your symptoms and how they impact your life. The evaluator is going to review your medical, family, and personal background and any current issues. They'll also ask how the symptoms affect your financial situation, relationships, or work performance. They may employ standardized rating scales that measure your behavior against the behavior of people who do not have ADHD. These ratings can help them determine whether your symptoms are related to ADHD or are more likely to be explained by another disorder, such as depression or anxiety.
Your evaluator will likely also conduct cognitive tests to look for intellectual or learning impairments that could explain your problems at school or at work. Some evaluators screen for conditions that can produce symptoms similar to ADHD, such thyroid disorders or seizures disorders.
Some evaluators will order additional physical examinations or laboratory tests, such as brain imaging or blood tests, to rule out any other health issues. They might request you to fill out an assessment that focuses on specific signs, like trouble with planning and organizing or being overly active and impulsive. They might also interview relatives or a friend about your childhood in order to search for clues that you have ADHD.
It is important to be open and honest during the interview. Many adults are embarrassed to ask for a diagnosis and may refuse to divulge information because they believe it will make their appearance worse. diagnosis adhd is essential that the person evaluating you receives accurate information about your challenges in terms of the control of your impulses, organizational skills, and relationships.