How to Get a Diagnosis of ADHD
For many adults, getting a diagnosis of ADHD isn't easy to accept. Some people feel relief that they can finally comprehend their struggles and others feel grief for having missed out on opportunities due to the symptoms that were not treated for so long.
A mental health healthcare professional or health care provider can diagnose ADHD by analyzing a person's mood, their past and current mental and physical ailments, as well as their childhood behavior and experiences at school. The assessment usually includes ADHD symptoms checklists as well as standard scales of rating.
Symptoms
People with ADHD are unable to complete tasks that require concentration or attention to detail. These problems are usually caused by other conditions such as depression or abuse disorders. Making sure you are diagnosed with ADHD is the first step to getting control of symptoms that can cause chaos in your professional and personal life.
ADHD symptoms usually begin in childhood and last into adulthood. To be considered to have ADHD, symptoms must result in significant impairment in at least two areas of one's life (home school, home, and work). For symptoms to be considered to meet this criteria, they must have lasted at least six month and cannot be caused by mental disorders such as mood disorders, anxiety disorder dissociative disorder or personality disorders.
In addition to looking into the person's symptoms, the health care provider will also review their medical history and mental health history. He or she will talk with the person and, if they are able, their family members, in order to gain an understanding of childhood behavior. The health professional may also look at the patient's current working and home environments, and speak with their teachers.
The American Psychiatric Association provides clinical guidelines for diagnosing ADHD in its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition. To be diagnosed with the inattentive version of ADHD, one must have six or fewer symptoms of inattention that are serious enough to affect their daily activities. To be diagnosed with the hyperactive/impulsive type of ADHD, an individual must have six of the following symptoms:
A health professional is usually able to identify a person suffering from ADHD by conducting a thorough psychiatric evaluation. This includes a thorough interview with the person as well as their family members, caregivers and teachers, in addition to taking the time to complete questionnaires and scales. The health care professional will also go over the person's medical, psychiatric and family histories and might refer the person for a physical examination to rule out other reasons for their symptoms. They will look at the person's sleeping patterns, diet, the home and work environments to determine if stressors may be causing their symptoms.
Diagnosis
If you think that you might have ADHD it is recommended that you consult a specialist doctor in the field of ADHD. Your doctor will inquire about your symptoms and how they impact your daily life. They will be looking to find out if you are struggling to complete tasks, if you often lose things, or forget where you left your keys. They may also ask a question about whether or not these issues create stress at work, home or in relationships. Your doctor will also look over the medical history and physical exam. This information will help your doctor rule out other conditions that may cause the symptoms of ADHD, such a depression, sleep disorders, anxiety or thyroid problems.
Your health care provider may interview family members, caregivers, and friends about your behavior. They'll also talk about your behavior in different settings, such as at school and work or with your religious or scout leaders. Your doctor might also request you to complete self-tests or a rating scale to determine the severity of your symptoms. They are available online, however, they shouldn't be used in lieu of the face-to-face consultation with your physician.
Adults must meet an lower threshold than children in order to be diagnosed with ADHD -- five of nine symptoms in the span of six months. Additionally, you must be able to show significant impact on your work, school and at home.
If your symptoms are severe, your doctor may recommend neuropsychological or psychological testing to determine if you have the inattentive or hyperactive-impulsive subtype of ADHD. These tests usually look at the way your brain works and may help determine if you suffer from co-existing mental disorders, such as anxiety or depression.
If you're diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, it can create a variety of emotions. The emotions of Matlen ranged from sadness at missed opportunities to relief that she could pinpoint a cause for her issues. Consult your doctor or local support group to send you to a medical professional who can conduct ADHD assessments on adults. You can also contact your insurance company to learn which providers are listed on their list.
Treatment
Medication is often the first choice for people with ADHD. The stimulants like methylphenidate and amphetamine function by increasing or balancing neurotransmitters in the brain which regulate behavior and attention. They can help some people with ADHD concentrate and remain well-organized. They can also manage their impulses and make more rational decisions enhance communication, and lessen the risk of impulsive behavior.
Nonstimulant medicines, such as atomoxetine, or some antidepressants work slower than stimulants. However, they can still be effective in treating some people suffering from ADHD. The type of medication that works best for a person's needs may change over time, so it is essential to discuss all possibilities with the healthcare professional conducting the test.
A medical specialist with experience in ADHD will conduct a comprehensive assessment. This will include an interview, the filling out of questionnaires, scales, and a review family history, mood disorders, and medical conditions including sleep disorders, and other physical illnesses. A appointment to a medical exam can also be recommended to rule out any medical reasons for the ADHD symptoms.
It is likely that the test will take a while. adhd undiagnosed in adults is especially true in the case of an adult who has struggled to cope with symptoms over many years. The evaluation should be as thorough as possible, which means that the individual should bring copies of performance assessments from their school or job and other records like old report cards. The healthcare professional may ask permission to speak to close friends or relatives to gain a more complete picture of the person's past experiences and behavior.
A diagnosis of ADHD in adults can be life-changing. It is common for people to feel an array of emotions, ranging from relief at finding a clear explanation for their struggles to grief over lost opportunities and relationships that have been damaged due to untreated ADHD. Matlen however, claims that after receiving a diagnosis she was able make changes in her life, including in her career and her relationships.
Counseling
Getting help from a counselor is a vital step for people with ADHD. Finding the right therapist isn't always easy. There are many methods to find a therapist in the area. Request your physician to refer you to. He or she might have a list of specialists who are skilled in treating ADHD. You can also search online. There are many websites that provide directories of doctors, and provide information on their areas of expertise and areas of expertise. Another option is to ask for recommendations from friends or family members. You can also reach out to your local mental health clinic, or an ADHD support group to get recommendations.
It is crucial to be honest when visiting an experienced therapist who has experience treating ADHD. This includes discussing how ADHD symptoms affect your life, as well as the impact they have on others. It is also essential to discuss your past and current medical background. This helps the counselor rule out any other conditions that might be causing similar symptoms, for example anxiety or depression.
In addition to monitoring an individual's behavior, the psychotherapist is likely to conduct interviews and use standard rating scales to assess the severity of symptoms. The therapist could solicit input from other caregivers such as teachers or religious and scout leaders, to get a clear image of the individual's behavior in different situations.
Adults suffering from ADHD might be overwhelmed and irritated by their symptoms and be reluctant to talk about them. This can affect the accuracy and reliability of the diagnosis. A therapist with experience in working with adults suffering from ADHD is generally able to assist them in overcoming these obstacles.
It is important to know that a diagnosis of ADHD does not mean a therapist will prescribe medication. While some individuals who suffer from ADHD require medication, there are a number of treatment options that are efficient, such as the use of behavioral therapy. These treatments can be used in conjunction with medication or as separate treatments.