Adults Diagnosis of ADHD
A diagnosis of ADHD is a good first step in managing the effects of ADHD that cause chaos at work, home and in relationships. It also provides a means to gain perspective on problems that have been a source of confusion and frustrating for decades.
Mental health professionals employ ADHD checklists for symptoms and standardized scales for assessing behavior during the evaluation process to determine if an adult meets the diagnostic criteria. They can also conduct interviews with relatives and friends to gain more insight.
1. Talk to Your Health Care Provider
Speak to your doctor is the first step towards receiving a diagnosis. Your doctor can help to understand the causes and refer you to a specialist should you require it.
You might also ask family members, friends and co-workers for recommendations for specialists in ADHD evaluations for adults. Your insurance provider may be able to provide information on the professionals in your region. Participating in an ADHD support group is a different alternative. You can speak to people who have the same struggles, and learn from them how they handle these challenges.
Many adults seek medical attention when their symptoms interfere with their daily performance at home or at work. They're frustrated with losing their keys, constantly being late for meetings and struggling to maintain their jobs or maintain healthy relationships. You can control these signs by obtaining a diagnosis.
Be honest when talking to your doctor about your health issues. Don't hold back because you don't want to be seen as a weak or unreliable person. Your doctor requires a complete picture of your problems and how they've affected your work performance and personal life.
If your doctor suggests taking medication be prepared to discuss your position on the topic. Some adults prefer to avoid medication and instead opt for alternative treatment methods, such as therapy or lifestyle changes. Just as the step stool helps a person who is short achieve the same heights that other people achieve accommodations help those with ADHD to achieve their goals and achieve.
Your specialist will ask you about your history with ADHD. It is recommended to remember specific details from your childhood as this is when the disorder is most likely show up. Depending on the location you live in, you may need to obtain copies of your school records or talk to teachers or other adults who were around you as a child However, keep in mind that these documents don't always confirm the diagnosis.
2. Request a recommendation
Your family doctor can refer you for an ADHD evaluation and treatment if you have any concerns about how your behavior affects your school, work or relationships. They may also be able to provide you referrals for other specialists, such as psychologists and psychiatrists that specialize in treating adults suffering from ADHD.
If you see a doctor to get an evaluation, make sure to speak openly and honestly about the issues you are having that may be that are related to ADHD. It is important to not hide information for fear of shame or fear of being judged. The quality of your evaluation and the effectiveness of any treatment you recommend will be determined by how accurate your medical history is.
Examiners will examine your academic, social, and emotional past. They will also discuss how these issues affect you in the present. They will also review the American Psychiatric Association's diagnostic guidelines, which are found in the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders," fifth edition (DSM-5). They will want to know about any symptoms you have in the present, in addition to any symptoms you have had since your childhood. They will conduct an interview with you and should they be able to, if possible, speak with people who knew you as a child.
They will also determine if your symptoms are more likely to be explained by another mental health or medical problem, such as depression or an anxiety disorder. They will also determine whether you suffer from a neurodevelopmental condition or a learning disability.
If a medical professional doesn't think you are suffering from ADHD, they will tell you the other conditions or issues that might be causing your issues and why they do not think you suffer from ADHD. This doesn't mean that you must accept this diagnosis; however it can be helpful in planning for future treatment.
In most cases, a person who has been diagnosed with adult ADHD will receive help from other people with ADHD and their families as well as co-workers, friends as well as teachers and coaches. They could also benefit from classes, therapy that teach communication skills, or marriage and couple counseling. Counseling can be beneficial for those who suffer from ADHD who struggle with low confidence. It can teach them how to improve their communication skills.
3. Schedule a Consultation
ADHD is caused by a deficiency or imbalance of neurotransmitters which regulate brain activity. This can affect the ability of an individual to focus and complete tasks. Adults who have not been treated for ADHD are likely to struggle with their careers, relationships and in many other aspects of their lives. If you think you might be suffering from ADHD discuss it with your health care provider or ask for an appointment with a psychiatrist or psychologist who is specialized in mental health.
A mental health professional will assess whether you are suffering from ADHD symptoms using an assessment scale. A mental health professional could also interview people important to your life like your spouse and complete a checklist of symptoms. A thorough assessment could include psychological tests to measure working memory, executive function (the abilities involved with making decisions and planning), visual and spatial ability and reasoning skills. The results can help identify other conditions that could cause similar symptoms, for example anxiety and depression.
In the course of an assessment the health care professional will also look at how you've managed your symptoms over time. For example, if you often miss appointments, don't remember deadlines and make impulsive decisions, your health care provider might suggest therapy or classes to help you learn better strategies to deal with these issues. Your doctor may also recommend medication. The most popular stimulant medications used to treat ADHD in adults are extremely effective. They aren't for everyone, and may cause side negative effects. Nonstimulant medications that don't have the potential for abuse are now available and could be just as effective as stimulants.
While finding a diagnosis and a treatment are important for those suffering from ADHD but it's also important to make others aware of the condition. For example, many adults with ADHD are frustrated that their spouses, parents and co-workers have trouble understanding their behavior. Education can improve relationships and support systems. There are also ADHD support groups in a variety of communities and online.
Getting a diagnosis of ADHD as an adult can be difficult, but it's possible. Talk to your GP who can refer you to a service that is best suited to your needs.
4. Schedule and an Evaluation
It may take a while to get a precise evaluation and diagnosis. If your GP is unwilling or is not willing to refer you to another health professional, then ask for a referral. Contact your local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD for the names of local specialists who specialize in adult ADHD or consult the professional associations that help people suffering from ADHD to find out whether they have any recommendations.
Prepare yourself for a detailed and lengthy conversation about your symptoms, and how they impact your life. The evaluator is going to examine your medical family, personal, and medical background along with any current issues. They'll also inquire how the symptoms affect your relationships, finances, or work performance. They may use standard rating scales that compare your behavior with those of people with ADHD. These ratings can help you determine whether your symptoms are due to ADHD or if they're more likely to be explained by other disorders, such as depression and anxiety.
Your evaluator might also request cognitive tests in order to check for intellectual or learning disabilities that could cause your problems at school or work. Some evaluators also screen for other conditions that may cause symptoms similar to those associated with ADHD such as thyroid disorders or seizure disorders.
Some evaluators may order additional physical exams or laboratory tests, like blood work and brain imaging to rule out other health issues. They may request you to fill out a questionnaire that looks for specific symptoms, such as problems with organizing and planning or being too active and impulsive. They may also ask your family members or friends about your childhood in order to search for information that could indicate that you suffer from ADHD.
It is important to be honest during the interview. diagnosis adhd feel embarrassed seeking a diagnosis and they might hold back information in fear that they will look bad. However, it's crucial for a successful diagnosis that the evaluator receives precise information regarding your issues with organizational skills and impulse control relationships.