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A mental health professional conducting an ADHD assessment will start by asking you about your experiences in childhood (technically prior to age 12). They might employ ADHD symptoms checklists or standardized behavior ratings scales.

Adult ADHD is diagnosed by psychologists and psychiatrists. Some doctors are qualified to do so. They'll be looking over your past and determine how your symptoms affect your life.

Signs and symptoms

Talk to your doctor in case you're concerned about your memory or organization abilities or you notice it's becoming difficult for you to keep on the top of your work or home tasks. You may be referred for an assessment of your psychological health to determine if have ADHD. These tests could include the use of a questionnaire and rating scales to evaluate symptoms or specialized cognitive behavioral tests. The test will also consider your medical history and family history as well as other issues, such as learning disabilities and depression which may be similar to ADHD symptoms.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders which is utilized by health professionals to diagnose adults suffering from ADHD defines the criteria. For an adult to meet the diagnosis, several inattentive or hyperactive-impulsive symptoms must have been present before age 12 and be persistently present for at least 6 months. These symptoms must have impacted the person's social, school and work performance.

Some adults go through life with undiagnosed ADHD even though their symptoms are pronounced and impact almost every aspect of daily living. They might have been able to overcome their symptoms as children, but when they become adults and have to manage more responsibilities the demands on their ability to pay attention and stay organized increase dramatically.

People with ADHD have a harder time controlling their emotions and tend to be less self-controlled. They are more likely to make impulsive decisions and make impulsive choices. They also tend to lose track of important things, forget appointments, and lose important documents. Adults suffering from ADHD are classified as moderate, mild or severe.

Diagnosis

Adults are more difficult to identify than children, because adult symptoms are more focused on social and work interactions. Because of this, doctors are more dependent on a person's history and their current problems to determine an assessment. The symptoms must also be serious enough to disrupt the person's daily life.

To determine if you have ADHD, the health professional must first conduct an extensive exam. This includes examining the thyroid and hearing, as well as vision. The provider should also review the patient's medical history and any relevant records, including school records. This information can be used to determine if a person is suffering from any other psychiatric disorder or learning disabilities.

A doctor or trained mental health professional will then interview the person. During this interview, the doctor will ask the patient questions about their symptoms and how these impact their lives. They will also ask the individual to rate their symptoms over a 6-month period. The person's responses will be compared to the criteria used to diagnose ADHD in adults, as set by the American Psychiatric Association.

To be diagnosed with ADHD, a person must have at least six inattentive and/or hyperactive-impulsive symptoms that are not caused by a medical condition or another mental illness. Several of the inattentive or hyperactive-impulsive symptoms must have been present before age 12. In addition, the patient must be able to demonstrate significant impairment in at least two different settings in their daily life.

Online resources can be used to determine if you suffer from ADHD symptoms in adults. While these tests and rating scales can provide an idea of what you might expect however they shouldn't be used to self-diagnose or establish your treatment plan. If you think you might have ADHD you should talk to an experienced and skilled medical professional for an assessment.

Treatment

A primary care provider will test you for ADHD when you have difficulty remembering things, always seem to misplace your keys, or have trouble keeping up with school. Finding the right solutions for you and your family members begins with an assessment.

A thorough assessment includes a physical exam and an examination of your symptoms, the history of their occurrence as a child and any problems they have caused in adulthood. Your doctor may suggest that you talk to your partner or other close friends, as well to get a more complete picture of your behavior and the history. They will also look for a medical issue that may be causing your symptoms.

Health care professionals employ standard behavioral rating scales and ADHD symptom checklists to evaluate adults for the condition. Psychological tests will also be used to test working memory and executive functions (planning and decisions) as well as spatial and visual abilities, and reasoning abilities. These tests can help them determine if you're an inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive or combined type of ADHD.

Dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate as well as other stimulants are the most frequently prescribed treatments for ADHD. There are also non-stimulants available like atomoxetine Guanfacine and clonidine, however they are more difficult to use and may cause side effects.


You doctor may recommend cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). It assists people in learning to reframe negative thinking patterns and manage their emotions as well as develop strategies to cope. CBT can also be utilized to improve relationships and performance. If your health care provider isn't experienced enough or doesn't have experience in treating adults with ADHD, they might recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist. You can also locate a specialist through your health insurance company's online directory or by looking through the list of providers in your local support group.

Medication

The effects of ADHD tend to last until adulthood and treatment could include medication and counseling as well as lifestyle changes. Your doctor can assist you in finding solutions that work best for you. Consult your primary care physician to refer you to a specialist, or look up doctors listed in the directory of your health insurance plan. A coach or therapist may also be able to offer you tips and tools to help manage symptoms.

A complete evaluation includes medical examinations, a history of your family including reports on school or work problems, drug and alcohol use and your relationship with family members and friends. Because people who suffer from ADHD often forget things an expert in mental health might require you to keep an eye on what you've been doing, where you've been and what you've eaten for several days. They will also check to determine if you suffer from any other medical conditions that could cause similar symptoms, such as thyroid problems or seizure disorders.

There is no test that can be definitively used for ADHD, but a careful examination of your situation by a medical professional or mental health professional is needed to pinpoint the issue and determine the best course of action. If you had ADHD as an infant and it has caused issues for you throughout your life your doctor will be especially interested in how your symptoms affect your daily life.

Adults with ADHD are usually treated first with medication. The most frequently prescribed drugs are methylphenidate (Ritalin), lisdexamfetamine (Adderall) and atomoxetine. These drugs boost the levels of certain brain chemicals, helping you to focus and control impulsive behavior. The extended release and long-acting versions of these drugs stay in your body longer and reduce the need to take medication more often and lessening the rebound effect when it is gone.

Counseling

If your symptoms are severe enough, your doctor will refer you to a specialist who can diagnose and treat you. These specialists include psychologists who have been specially trained to treat people with ADHD as well as psychotherapists and psychiatrists. Ask your primary care physician to recommend you or look online for mental health specialists in your area. Your health insurance plan might provide the names of specialists.

It's crucial to discuss any issues that you or your ADHD symptoms have caused at work, school or at home. You might be embarrassed about the effects of your symptoms on your colleagues and teachers, or supervisors. They might be able to make small adjustments to help you perform better in your class or at work.

Medications are often used to treat adult ADHD. The use of stimulants can help improve concentration, reduce the impulsivity of children and improve working memory in adults with ADHD. They can cause side effects. Your doctor will likely prescribe a mixture of medications along with therapy to treat your symptoms. Your doctor will also look over your medical history to make sure that any other medications you are taking don't interact with the stimulants you might be prescribed.

Other treatments for ADHD for adults include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or brain training or mindfulness meditation. CBT can help you overcome negative thinking patterns and help you reframe your feelings about your ADHD symptoms. Meditation on mindfulness can help you become more aware of yourself reduce emotional sensitivity and improve impulse control.

For adults who don't respond to medications, other behavioral therapies have shown promising results. These include motivational interviews, family and couples counseling, dialectical behavior therapy for adults and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT). MBCT combines cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with mindfulness meditation in order to increase your ability to focus and control impulsive behaviors.