ADHD Diagnosis For Adults

Adults often have trouble getting an ADHD diagnosis because doctors follow different guidelines for clinical diagnosis than they do for children and teenagers. The diagnosis must include at least five signs from the categories of hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity.

Professionals conducting an assessment will ask you questions about your education, childhood work, family, and history. They may also ask to speak with your spouse or a close friend.

What is ADHD?

It can be a relief to get an ADHD diagnosis in adulthood, whether you're constantly losing your keys, have difficulty at school or work, or have trouble staying focused in conversations. "You aren't crazy, and this puts you in better position to handle it," says pediatrician Mary V. Solanto, Ph.D. who is a professor of psychiatry and psychology at the Hofstra-Northwell School of Medicine on Long Island, New York.

The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision (DSM-5) contains the guidelines that doctors and specialists use to determine an ADHD diagnosis. Adults need to meet a lower threshold of symptoms than children -- 5 out of 9 over the past 6 months -- to be diagnosed with either inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive ADHD, or a combination.

A face-toface meeting with your healthcare professional is usually the first step in an ADHD assessment. They will discuss your symptoms and how they impact your life. It is beneficial to bring your report cards or other information from your childhood to aid the doctor in gaining more information about your history with ADHD. Your doctor may suggest that you talk to a family member, spouse, friend member, or a coworker who knows you well. They may ask about your relationship, how they perceive your behavior and how it affects your life. They might also inquire how ADHD symptoms interact with other conditions, like anxiety or depression.

You will be asked about your daily routine during the interview, including the frequency you fail to go to appointments or pay bills, or if you have difficulty with time management. It is essential to be honest with your answers and think about the impact these behaviors have on your daily life. If you're not sure about your symptoms, you should consider asking your healthcare professional to refer you to a doctor or psychologist to conduct an evaluation. There are self-tests and rating scales online, but they aren't as reliable or as valid as an appointment with a trained professional. Some of these tests can even result in the wrong diagnosis, so it's recommended to talk to your healthcare provider first.

Symptoms

Talk to your primary healthcare provider if you suspect that you have ADHD. He or she might refer you to a mental health professional for evaluation, such as psychologist or psychiatrist. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision DSM-5 provides clinical guidelines to diagnose mental disorders. It is crucial to provide your doctor as much detail as possible about your symptoms, so that they can provide an accurate diagnosis.

The person who is evaluating you will ask about your symptoms and how they affect your life. They might also talk to your spouse and children as well as teachers, colleagues and others who know you. Your test may include neuropsychological, behavioral, or learning disability tests. These tests can give your doctor additional information on how your ADHD symptoms affect you and help rule out other conditions that cause similar symptoms.

In addition to evaluating your current symptoms, the professional will determine whether you have predominantly inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive or combined type ADHD. To receive a diagnosis, you must show that you have at least six of the nine symptoms for either the inattentive or hyperactive-impulsive presentation.

Symptoms of the predominantly inattentive type include trouble paying attention, not noticing important details or making erroneous mistakes. The person who is evaluating the child will also be able to determine the impact these symptoms have on the school, work and personal life. The impulsive/hyperactive/impulsive symptoms of ADHD include fidgeting, difficulty sitting still or squirming in the chair, excessive talking and interrupting others, frequent blurting out answers before questions are finished and difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly.

These symptoms typically manifest in childhood. However, they can also be present in later life. Adults may recognize their own ADHD symptoms after their children are diagnosed, or due to changes in their lives, such as the start of a new job or marriage or move into their own home. In some instances the condition isn't recognized until an adult is experiencing significant problems at work or in their relationships. This could include being fired, having financial difficulties or getting in trouble with the law.

get diagnosed with adhd

If you think you have ADHD, a screening is the first step to finding treatment. A licensed mental health professional will talk to you and review your symptoms along with your medical history, and family history. Interview questions could also be asked about your work and school performance, and how symptoms affect you at home as well as with relationships. You might want to bring a copy of your report cards, teacher comments and any other information that may be relevant.

The psychiatric practitioner utilizes the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5), to establish the diagnosis. The symptoms of ADHD must be present in at least six months, and they should affect functioning or developmental progress in multiple environments like school or home. The symptoms of ADHD should not be explained by other mental disorder, such as anxiety or mood disorders.

Many people with ADHD continue to struggle into adulthood. The symptoms of ADHD can impact work and school. They can also lead to poor health or financial issues and can cause stress in relationships. The treatment and diagnosis you receive can improve the quality of your life.

Some ADHD symptoms may change as you the passage of time. For example, inattentiveness may become more apparent as you age, and impulse control and hyperactivity can decrease as you get older. Other factors can contribute to the difficulties. For instance the condition known as obstructive sleep apnea is more common among adults with ADHD. Poor sleeping habits can also worsen ADHD symptoms.

Many people with ADHD have co-occurring disorders like anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, and learning disabilities. Sometimes, treating the underlying disorder can eliminate ADHD symptoms. If you have other conditions, it is important to inform your mental health professional as this could have a significant effect on the effectiveness of your treatment.

adult diagnosis of adhd is essential to consult your primary physician who can refer you to an experienced health professional who is trained in ADHD assessments for adults. It is also recommended to inquire if there are any support groups specifically for adults with ADHD in your region. They can offer resources and a list by specialty of specialists. You can also contact your insurance company to learn about health care providers that are covered by your plan.

Treatment

A thorough evaluation by a healthcare professional is the best way to determine the severity of adult ADHD. The evaluation should include questions about your childhood, as well as questions about your current life, and a check for ADHD symptoms. You could also be asked about any issues that your ADHD symptoms cause problems at school, work or in your relationships.

Counseling and medication are two of the many treatments that are available to adults suffering from ADHD. Counseling includes psychotherapy (also called talk therapy) and cognitive behavioral therapy. These types of therapies help you learn skills to manage your symptoms and change negative patterns of thinking into positive ones. They can also aid with other mental health issues, like depression and anxiety, which often co-occur along with ADHD.


Treatment for adults suffering from ADHD usually involves psychostimulants such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) and dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine). These drugs alter the way that certain chemicals in your brain communicate and regulate your behavior. Your doctor will select a medication that is right for your needs and the symptoms you are experiencing and will adjust the dosage and frequency according to your needs. Nonstimulants can also be used to treat adults with ADHD. They do not interfere with the same brain pathways as psychostimulants do. Examples of nonstimulant medicines are atomoxetine and guanfacine.

Coaching or mentoring may be used to teach people with ADHD strategies and coping strategies. You may be taught how to use a diary or a planner, or be shown strategies for managing time. You could also benefit from adjusting your living situation to accommodate your ADHD symptoms, such as working from home rather than at a office and using apps on your phone to monitor your tasks or scheduling appointments for times that are less crowded. You might also inquire about joining clinical studies, which is a research-based project that aims to test new methods to treat illnesses and conditions. (NIMH has information about clinical trials.)

Sometimes, your family physician will refer you to a mental health specialist or other health medical professional to conduct an evaluation of your ADHD. You can also ask your family member or friend for recommendations, or join a local support group for those suffering from ADHD.