Adults Diagnosis of ADHD
A diagnosis of ADHD is an important first step to manage the issues that can cause chaos at work, home and in relationships. It is also a way to gain perspective on problems that have been a source of confusion and frustrating for a long time.
Mental health professionals use ADHD symptoms checklists and standardized scales for assessing behavior during the evaluation process to determine if an adult fits the diagnostic criteria. They may also interview family members and other significant others to gain additional information.
1. Talk to your Health Care Provider
Talking 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, in the event of need.
You can also ask your friends, family members and colleagues for recommendations for professionals who specialize in ADHD evaluations for adults. Your insurance provider may be able to give you information about the providers in your region. Another option is to join an ADHD support group to chat with other people who are facing similar challenges and to learn about how they deal with them.
Many adults seek treatment due to the fact that they're annoyed by how their symptoms affect their daily functioning, either at work or in their personal lives. They are tired of getting lost keys, being late for meetings, and trying to maintain healthy relationships. You can control these symptoms by getting a diagnosis.
Be honest when you speak to your doctor about your health issues. Don't be afraid to speak up because you do not want to be perceived as a weak or unreliable person. Your doctor will require a complete picture of your difficulties, including how they have affected your job performance and personal life.
Be prepared to explain your position regarding medications if your doctor suggests it. Some adults aren't keen to take medication and prefer other treatments like psychotherapy (the medical term for mental health therapy) and lifestyle modifications that are known as accommodations. Accommodations allow those who suffer from ADHD to achieve their goals, much like a step stool allows those who are smaller to reach the same height as other people.
Your doctor will inquire about your past experiences with ADHD. It is important to keep specific details from your childhood as this is when the disorder is likely be evident. You may need to talk to your teachers or other adults from childhood depending on the location you live in. However, these things do not necessarily confirm a diagnose.
2. Request a Reference
Your family physician will be able to refer you undergo an ADHD assessment and treatment if you have any concerns about the way your behavior is affecting your work, school or relationships. They can also refer you to other specialists who deal with adults suffering from ADHD like psychiatrists and psychologists.
When you visit a doctor to get an evaluation, make sure to be honest and honestly about the issues you are having such as those that are related to ADHD. It is crucial not to keep information from being revealed because of guilt or fear of be scrutinized. Your past experiences will determine the validity of your assessment as well as the efficacy of any treatment suggestions.
Examiners will review your social, academic and emotional past. They will also discuss how these issues are affecting your life today. They will also review the American Psychiatric Association's diagnostic guidelines in the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders," fifth edition (DSM-5). They'll want to know about any symptoms you experience currently, 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 those who knew you as a child.
They will determine if your symptoms are better explained by another medical condition or mental health issue, such as anxiety or depression. They will also determine if you have a neurodevelopmental disorder or a learning impairment.
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 don't think you have ADHD. This does not mean you must accept this diagnosis; however it can be helpful in planning future care.
In many cases, an adult diagnosed with ADHD will receive assistance not just from other adults who suffer from ADHD but also from their families, friends, teachers, coworkers and coaches. They could also benefit from therapy, classes that teach communication skills, or couple and marriage counseling. Those with ADHD typically struggle with low self-esteem, so counseling can boost their confidence and help them learn how to improve their relationship management skills.
3. Schedule a Consultation
ADHD is caused by a shortage or imbalance of neurotransmitters which regulate brain activity. This can affect an individual's ability to pay attention and complete tasks. Adults who are not treated for ADHD may struggle in their jobs or relationships, as well as other aspects of their lives. If you suspect that you be suffering from ADHD talk to your doctor or request a recommendation to see an experienced psychologist or psychiatrist who specializes in mental illnesses.
A mental health professional will evaluate whether you are suffering from ADHD symptoms using a rating scale. They might also interview significant people who are important to you, such as spouses, and complete an assessment checklist for symptoms. A thorough evaluation may include psychological tests that test working memory, executive function (the capacities involved in planning and making decisions), visual and spatial ability and reasoning skills. The results can help rule out other conditions that may cause similar symptoms, such as anxiety and depression.
During the assessment your doctor will also take into account how you've dealt with your symptoms over the course of time. For instance, if you often miss appointments, don't remember deadlines and make impulsive decisions, your health care provider might recommend therapy or classes to teach you better strategies to deal with these issues. Your health care provider might suggest medication as well. The most popular stimulant medications used to treat ADHD in adults are extremely effective. They aren't suitable for everyone, and may cause negative side effects. Nonstimulant medicines that do not have the potential to abuse are now available. They are as effective as stimulants.
While getting a diagnosis and treatment are crucial for people suffering from ADHD, it's also helpful to make others aware of the disorder. For instance, many adults who suffer from ADHD have 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 a challenge but it's doable. Talk to adhd diagnoses who can suggest a service that is best suited to your needs.
4. Schedule an Evaluation
It may take a while to get a precise evaluation and diagnosis. If your GP is unable or unable to refer you to a different health professional, then ask for an appointment. Call your local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness or CHADD for names of local professionals who specialize in adult ADHD or contact the professional groups that serve adults with ADHD to determine if they have any recommendations.
Once you've been referred to an evaluator be prepared for a long and thorough discussion about your symptoms and how they affect your life. The evaluator will examine your medical, family, and personal background along with any current issues. They'll likely be interested in how the issues have affected your relationships, work performance, and finances. They may employ standardized rating scales that measure your behavior against the behavior of people who do not have ADHD. These ratings will help them determine if your symptoms are caused by ADHD or are more likely to be explained by a different disorder, such as depression or anxiety.
Your evaluator could also order cognitive tests to look for intellectual or learning impairments that may be the cause of your difficulties at school or at work. Some evaluators test for conditions that could cause symptoms similar to ADHD like thyroid disorders or seizures disorders.
Some evaluators will request additional physical examinations or lab tests, like brain imaging or blood tests to rule out other health issues. They might request you to complete a questionnaire aimed at identifying specific symptoms such as difficulty planning and organizing, or being overly energetic and hyperactive. They might also interview a family member or friends about your childhood in order to search for clues that you suffer from ADHD.
It is important to be honest during the interview. Many people feel embarrassed asking for a diagnosis, and may be reluctant to divulge information in fear that they will look poor. It is crucial that the evaluator is given accurate information regarding your challenges in terms of organization skills, impulse control, and relationships.