Adult Diagnosis of ADHD

For those who suffer from ADHD, a diagnosis can have a profound impact on their lives. It can help people understand why they struggle in work, family and relationships.

However it can be a challenge to determine a diagnosis since symptoms often overlap with other conditions. A mental health specialist or health care professional will examine the individual and perform tests.

Symptoms

A person may not be aware that they suffer from ADHD until they reach the age of adulthood or perhaps because teachers and parents were not aware of symptoms earlier, or because the demands of college or working made the disorder more apparent. Adults who are not treated for ADHD are being disadvantaged in their academic, professional and social lives. Many people who are not diagnosed with ADHD experience a variety of issues, including financial issues and relationship issues.

To determine the presence of ADHD, a mental health professional will speak with the patient and review his or her personal, medical and psychiatric history, with particular attention paid to symptoms in various situations. The patient will discuss the symptoms and how to diagnose adults with adhd they impact their daily functioning as well as their relationships. It is important that patients are honest about their symptoms and not hide them out of embarrassment.

It is also crucial for the mental health professional to assess whether these symptoms are connected to comorbid disorders such as anxiety or depression, which frequently coexist with ADHD. These conditions can cause ADHD symptoms worse and cause problems with the treatment of the disorder.

If the psychiatrist or psychologist believes that the symptoms of ADHD are influenced by comorbid conditions, further psycho-, neuropsychological or learning disabilities tests could be performed to determine an accurate diagnosis. These tests can also be used to determine the extent of impairment in function that these conditions cause. Additionally the mental health professional could require an interview with one or more significant people like spouses, siblings and colleagues to get an entire picture of the person's behavior and issues.

Diagnosis

Adults are diagnosed with ADHD by a mental health specialist or physician following an extensive examination. This includes a detailed interview regarding the history of symptoms and their impact on daily functioning and the presence of any other mental health issues that may be co-occurring with ADHD such as depression and anxiety. In addition, the physician might ask for the assistance of significant others, usually the spouse or a close friend -- to help gather more information about the person's behavior.

Being diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood can be a life-changing experience. For many adults, this diagnosis finally gives them an explanation for what always seemed like "normal" behaviors. Often, it provides relief to know that they're not just lazy or forgetful or incompetent; their issues are more complex.

The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth edition (DSM-5) requires that adults meet specific criteria for symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity. This is a standard that has been established to ensure that people receive the help and treatment they require. To qualify for an ADHD diagnosis, a person must have experienced the symptoms for at least 12 consecutive months and they must cause significant impairment in multiple settings, including school, at home, or at work; with friends or family or in other activities. For adults age 17 and older, the number of required symptoms has been reduced to five from the six that are needed for children under age 12 years old.

Maintaining a positive relationship with your primary care physician can you self diagnose adhd be helpful in identifying ADHD. Many doctors diagnose and treat adhd diagnosis in adulthood in children and refer you to an expert in mental health to assess adults.

Treatment

When those with ADHD get a diagnosis their lives can alter drastically. They can finally find some answers to their problems in school, with the start of a career, or in relationships. For certain people, a diagnosis may provide relief from anxiety that could have been accumulated over the years of their ailments being ignored.

The first step in obtaining an diagnosis is speaking to a doctor or mental health professional. They might inquire about the family history and do physical examinations to rule out conditions that could cause symptoms that resemble ADHD like sleep disorders, learning disabilities or use of alcohol/drugs. They also can ask the patient to complete the checklist of symptoms.

In many instances, the doctor will request that a spouse or partner is interviewed during the process of assessing. This will help the spouse who is not an ADHD or partner gain a better understanding and an understanding of their loved one's ADHD symptoms which is crucial in improving relationships after a diagnosis. If this isn't an option the therapist may ask acquaintances or colleagues who are familiar with the individual.

Medications are the main treatment options for adults suffering from ADHD. Stimulants like methylphenidate (Ritalin(r)) and dextroamphetamine (Adderall(r)) are the most effective and commonly prescribed drugs for treating adult ADHD. Other medications like Atomoxetine (Strattera(r),) and Guanfacine (Intuniv (r) Tenex (r)) are able to increase norepinephrine in the brain. These drugs can alleviate ADHD symptoms.

Psychotherapy also is an alternative. Cognitive-behavioral therapy can teach patients skills for managing their adhd diagnosis adults london symptoms, such as time management and strategies for organizing, self-regulation of behavior and emotions and managing negative self-criticism and negative emotions. Other treatments, such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, help adults identify the automatic or irrational thoughts that cause negative behavior and learn ways to overcome them using positive self-talk.

Medication

Many people have found that ADHD medication helps to alleviate their symptoms. The medication is usually in the form of a stimulant and helps to increase activity in brain areas that control attention and behavior. Methylphenidate is the most popular medicine prescribed to adults with ADHD is available in many forms. It is available as immediate-release tablets as well as modified-release tablet forms that release the medication throughout the day. Clonidine, another type of medicine works by reducing the brain activity. It can be taken in pill form or liquid.

The psychiatrist or therapist will examine the medical and family history of the adult patient in order to determine factors that may cause similar symptoms. This is crucial, since certain medical conditions such as thyroid problems and seizures can cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD. Some medications and dietary supplement may also cause similar symptoms.

During the examination during the evaluation, the patient will describe their ADHD symptoms to the psychiatrist or therapist. They will be asked to fill out the standardized ADHD rating scales and check lists, along with full psychological tests that assess working memory, executive functioning (abilities such as making decisions and planning), visual and spatial abilities, and reasoning skills.

If the therapist believes that ADHD symptoms are affecting the quality of life of a person, he or she will recommend treatment. In some cases the therapist might ask the spouse or partner of the patient to interview them about the impact of their ADHD symptoms on their relationship. This will help reduce blame between people and result in better, more productive relationships.

Counseling

Receiving a diagnosis is a huge relief for many adults with ADHD. It's an opportunity to discover the reason why they face difficulties at work or school and learn ways to overcome them. It's also a chance to alter negative behavior and boost self-confidence.

A strong support system is crucial to success and counseling can be a great help. Counseling for ADHD can include psychotherapy (or psychological therapy) and a variety behavior-based interventions. For example, a therapist may create a reward chart which rewards positive behavior, and is able to impose consequences for negative behavior. Therapists can teach the patient techniques to manage symptoms, for example relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or meditative poses in yoga.

Counseling can help people accept and comprehend their ADHD. It's not always easy to admit you have difficulties paying attention or planning and organizing. It can even be embarrassing to tell co-workers and supervisors about your ADHD. However, most bosses and teachers will be willing to provide accommodations for your situation. For instance, they could permit you to make use of a computer to write assignments instead of paper or give more in-depth explanations of classroom material.

The therapist will also instruct you how to manage ADHD by using cognitive behavior therapy. It is a method of talk therapy which helps you transform negative thoughts and behaviors into more positive ones. Counseling for ADHD can also include family or marital therapy, which helps loved ones learn to better interact with a person suffering from ADHD and to improve the ability to communicate and solve problems. People suffering from ADHD may also suffer from other mental disorders such as anxiety or depression, and they may also be suffering from substance abuse problems.