Getting an ADHD Diagnosis in Adults

Many people seek a diagnosis when they realize that ADHD is causing them issues at work or in their relationships. NIMH suggests that people seeking diagnoses speak with their primary care provider or a mental health professional.

They will ask for a detailed medical history and perform tests like symptom rating scales and psychological tests. They can also undergo a physical exam to rule out other medical conditions that may be mistaken for ADHD like thyroid issues or seizures.

Diagnosis

It can be empowering and eye-opening to be given an diagnosis of ADHD, but it can also be a source of anxiety. Adults who have been struggling with the symptoms of ADHD for years may decide to seek a professional opinion, prompted by frustrations at workplace or in their relationships or due to being informed by family members or friends that they might have ADHD. It's important to note that it may take a while for a healthcare professional to determine an ADHD diagnosis and the process requires more than just a series of clinical interviews or tests.

The first step in the process is to identify whether your ADHD symptoms are in line with the requirements for the disorder: A number of them are present before the age of 12. They are seen in a variety of settings, for example, home, school, and work. They can affect the daily functioning of a person.

Since symptoms of ADHD can also be caused by mood disorders such as bipolar disorder or anxiety, and other physical conditions and illnesses, your doctor may want to do additional evaluations before making an official diagnosis. This could include clinical interviews or rating scales for symptoms, or psychological tests to evaluate thinking abilities and problem-solving skills and memory.

It's crucial to be open with your mental health professional, and this might involve talking about how the struggles you're experiencing in various areas of your life have impacted your mood. In addition the mental health professional conducting your assessment may ask you to speak with your spouse or close family members to get a fuller picture of the struggles you've faced. They might also ask for permission to fill out questionnaires about their experiences with you and then compare them to your own.

Symptoms

Adults with ADHD typically notice that their issues interfere with everyday activities, particularly at school and work. They might have trouble finding work, staying in relationships or being able to make ends meet due to the inattention and impulsivity which makes it difficult to follow instructions and remember things, manage tasks or complete projects. The symptoms can be mild or moderate. They can also be severe.

To determine ADHD doctors use standardized tools, such as checklists, questionnaires and questions for interviews. They also review the family and medical history of the person and consider other mental health issues. If a person has several of the 9 symptoms, their provider uses guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition Text Revision (DSM-5-TR) to assign a diagnosis: inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive or combined type.

The symptoms of an inattentive person include difficulty paying attention to details, daydreaming and seeming to be easily distracted. Trouble following and finishing tasks and a tendency lose the track of time or get distracted are all signs of inattention.

People with the hyperactive/impulsive type often fidget, move around frequently and have trouble sitting still for long periods of time. They tend to forget things quickly and frequently have trouble organizing their home, work or everyday activities. They might lose their phones, keys or wallets often. They are often unable to wait for their turn at school, at work or playing. They have a low tolerance to stress or anger and experience frequent and intense mood swings.

In adults, it's more common for those with ADHD to have co-occurring disorders like conduct disorders or oppositional defiant depression or anxiety, tic disorders or Tourette syndrome and other substance abuse problems. Co-occurring disorders can make treatment more difficult and make it more difficult to diagnose ADHD.

Treatment

If you think you might have ADHD, the first step in getting a diagnosis is to talk with your primary care physician. He or she will probably refer you to a mental health professional. These professionals will examine your symptoms and problems at work at school, at home or at home to determine if they are interfering with your daily life. They will conduct an organized interview and might seek the assistance of family members or friends who know you well. They will also review the medical and family background of your family, and perform a physical examination.

Your doctor will also look at how long you've had these symptoms and what effect they have on your life now. To be considered to have ADHD, symptoms must be present for at minimum 6 months and are not explained by other conditions like depression or anxiety. Additionally, they must interfere with everyday activities like attending classes, completing tasks on time or maintaining an occupation.

In your assessment, a mental health professional could utilize standardized scales of behavior and ADHD symptoms checklists. You will also be administered an assessment of cognitive function which will test your executive and working memory functioning, as well as your spatial and visual abilities. They will also test for other conditions that can cause similar symptoms, such as a thyroid problem or seizure disorder.

If your psychiatrist determines that you have ADHD, they will discuss the available medications and treatment options. In most cases, a combination of medication and talk therapy (counseling) is the best. Therapy helps you learn to manage your symptoms and improve communication with family members and co-workers. Therapy can also aid in resolving issues that can arise in marriages and relationships due to the problems ADHD can cause.

Medication

The signs of ADHD in adults are typically more mild than in childhood, however they can cause issues at home and work. The disorder can result in problems in obtaining or maintaining a good job, problems with social relationships and interactions as well as self-esteem issues, academic failures emotional distress, temper tantrums, and an attitude that is antisocial.

Treatment with medication can help treat the disorder by increasing and balancing the levels of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters, which regulate the flow of information in the brain. Stimulants, commonly prescribed for ADHD in adults are the most commonly prescribed drugs. Jornay, Xelstrym, Cotempla and Adhansia are all examples of stimulants. The non-stimulant atomoxetine, a non-stimulant antidepressants, like bupropion, also are used to treat ADHD in adults. These drugs work more slowly than stimulants, and could be more suitable for people who can't take stimulant medication because of health problems or serious adverse effects.

Psychotherapy, also referred to as cognitive-behavioral treatment, may be helpful in treating conditions that can be comorbid like anxiety and depression connected to ADHD. I Am Psychiatry suggest that psychotherapy is the most effective treatment for these conditions than using medication on their own. Psychotherapy is focused on teaching techniques to manage the disorder and improve performance at work, school and in relationships. The goal is to improve the person's self-esteem, decrease problems with behavior, and improve performance and success. It is recommended that all psychotherapy methods for adult ADHD patients include a cognitive-behavioral component. In one study, researchers discovered that ADHD patients who received both psychotherapy and medication experienced an improvement in their condition more than those who just took the pills.

Counseling

For adults who don't want to take medication, therapy and counseling may provide significant relief. Individual therapy can help with issues such as low self-esteem and feeling of failure, and frequent job changes that often occur with ADHD. It can also improve relationships and improve communication by helping family members understand the condition and develop strategies for coping.


Cognitive behavioral therapy concentrates on teaching patients the skills to manage their behavior and change negative thoughts. This type of treatment can reduce symptoms of inattentive ADHD and hyperactive-impulsive ADHD, as well as comorbid mood disorders such as depression and anxiety disorders.

Therapists can also provide strategies for impulse control, emotional regulation and relationship issues that may arise as a result of the impulsive behavior. These strategies can help you live more productively especially at work.

Counseling can also guide those with ADHD in requesting work accommodations that may be offered under the Americans with Disabilities Act, which can dramatically improve job performance and satisfaction. For professionals, this can require modifying the way in which their work is structured to allow them more flexibility to meet deadlines and finish tasks on time.

It is important to choose the best therapist for adult ADHD treatment. Asking about the therapist's approach and if they have treated ADHD in adults is essential when interviewing potential therapists. It is also a good idea to verify the credentials of the therapist as well as insurance coverage. Some therapists have an affordable sliding scale fee or offer online therapy services that make therapy accessible to those who can't afford to pay out from their pockets.