How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis For Adults
People with ADHD are often stigmatized and discriminated against at work, at schools, and in their relationships. They may also be mistaken for having other mental health disorders, like anxiety or depression.
Ask your GP to evaluate you if you suspect you may have ADHD. They'll discuss your symptoms and request family/whanau's input to create an understanding of your past.
Diagnosis Process
Many people begin with self-tests online and rating scales to see whether they have ADHD. These tools aren't able give a definitive diagnosis therefore it is recommended to talk to your family physician or a mental health specialist if you suspect that you may have ADHD. They can assist you in finding the right specialist to examine your symptoms to determine whether ADHD is the cause or if there is something else to blame like anxiety or depression is the cause.
During the assessment, your doctor will ask your child or you to write down the symptoms you have experienced in two different locations (at home and at school) over the last six months. They'll also determine how long you or your child has suffered from them and if they affect your daily activities. For adults, a diagnosis requires at least five established symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity/impulsivity. The symptoms must also have been present in childhood, i.e. before the age of 12 and they must be causing major difficulties at home, in school, or at work.
A thorough psychiatric examination includes a medical background, family and social history. In some cases your evaluator will inquire about your spouse, parents, teachers or colleagues who can provide an outsider's perspective of your symptoms. They may also request information about your past or present drinking and drug usage, sleep habits and physical health.
Your evaluator will also consider whether your symptoms could be explained by a mental health issue, such as depression or anxiety or physical problems, such as low birth weight or exposure to toxic substances during pregnancy. It is important to be as truthful and thorough as you can in this phase of the process because these other conditions can trigger similar symptoms as those of ADHD.
Once your evaluator has this information they'll create a report or diagnosis. They'll then share it with you and your family and talk to you about treatment options. This is the perfect time to discuss goals and expectations. A diagnosis of ADHD can be the first step towards a partnership that will help you manage your symptoms and live more fulfilled lives.
Signs and symptoms
The first step to get an adhd diagnosis for adults is to identify the signs that are affecting their lives. It could be as simple as being late for social events, losing keys or putting off work projects. Other signs include being unorganized not completing chores or homework or appointments, having trouble remembering them and making a few erroneous mistakes. The doctor will not only discuss current issues, but will also review the patient's past mental health issues such as anxiety and depression from childhood until adulthood.
The current guidelines state that in order for an adult be diagnosed with adhd, symptoms must be present since early childhood, and they must be consistent across a variety of areas, such as family life as well as academic performance at school, workplace behavior, and social relationships. The specialist will ask about the person's family, work and health background as well as any prior psychiatric evaluations. They might request information from friends and family as well as old report cards or other school documents and may also conduct physical examinations to rule out other medical conditions that could be similar to the symptoms of ADHD like a thyroid problem or a seizure disorder.
In addition, the specialist will also conduct an interview with the person being evaluated as well as the other people who are that are involved in their lives. This could include teachers, spouses coworkers, parents, and children. It is essential that the person receiving evaluations discuss the issues openly and honestly. They should not be scared of embarrassing themselves or shame, and should feel at ease discussing how the symptoms of ADHD affect their lives.
The psychiatrist who is examining the patient will review the criteria laid out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) to determine if the patient meets diagnostic guidelines. The examiner can also seek medical records, such as blood tests or a CBC to check for any other conditions that could be affecting the patient's capacity to function, for instance an issue with thyroid or seizure issue. The examiner may also request psychological or neuropsychological testing to better comprehend how ADHD symptoms affect an individual's capacity.
Evaluations
If a person is seeking a diagnosis of ADHD or ADD, their primary care physician will first examine them to ensure that their symptoms aren't triggered by a different disorder. This could be due to anxiety or depression, that often coexist with ADHD as well as physical issues like thyroid problems or seizures. These may be similar to the symptoms of ADHD and it's essential to rule them out prior to a treatment plan is established.
A doctor will conduct an organized interview to look over the person's history of ADHD symptoms, including whether they started in childhood and how long have been suffering. The doctor will also review the person's life, family and medical background to determine if any of these factors are contributing to their ADHD symptoms.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders of the American Psychiatric Association provides a list of ADHD symptoms that doctors should be aware of when diagnosing ADHD. To be diagnosed with ADHD the person must exhibit symptomatic behavior in at least two different settings, such as school and home and the symptoms must impact their daily functioning. The symptoms must begin in the early years of childhood and cannot be explained by other mental disorders, such as depression or anxiety.
When evaluating the person for ADHD, mental health professionals usually ask the person to evaluate their own symptoms on an assessment scale or checklist. These tools help ensure that the psychologist or psychiatrist is evaluating the individual in accordance with standardized criteria. They can also conduct interviews with other people in the patient's life, like a spouse or close friend or their teachers or parents to obtain a full picture of the person's issues and how they affect their lives.
Adults usually seek an assessment when they realize that they aren't doing as well at work or in relationships as they could. A diagnosis of ADHD can be a sigh of relief for these adults. It means they're not blaming their shortcomings on insufficiency of intelligence or laziness and can take steps to overcome their challenges. However, it can also be a struggle to adjust to accepting that they have an ongoing condition that requires continuous treatment to manage.
Treatment
Many people who are given an ADHD diagnosis have lived with the disorder for years without ever realizing it. They may seek an assessment because of frustrations they have at work or in school. An investigation can be triggered by family issues for example, arguments over misplaced objects or failure to keep commitments.
A health professional who specializes in ADHD will conduct the assessment. They might request that you fill out a questionnaire and request feedback from others, such as co-workers and classmates as well as your spouse. The health care specialist will also examine your medical history and complete an exam. Some medical conditions such as sleep apnea and seizure disorders can trigger ADHD-like symptoms and signs. It is essential to look for these conditions.
All licensed professionals are able to conduct an ADHD assessment. This includes psychologists, psychiatrists and social workers. You can request an appointment from your primary care physician or you can contact a local support group for people with ADHD to locate a specialist. You can also contact your insurance company for the list of doctors who are qualified to conduct ADHD evaluations.
To diagnose ADHD, your doctor will need to know about your behavior from your childhood until the present time. To determine the diagnosis your doctor will also review your family history and compare your symptoms with those of other people with ADHD.
If you're diagnosed with ADHD and your doctor will be able to prescribe medication to help manage your symptoms. They can also refer you to a counselor or therapist who can teach you strategies to deal with your issues.
You can also take part in a clinical trial to learn about the latest treatments for ADHD. These trials are conducted by researchers at NIMH as well as other institutions across the country. Your doctor can tell you more about the clinical trials available.
Adults suffering from ADHD aren't able to overcome the disorder however, they can learn to manage their symptoms and enjoy success at work, in school, and in their personal lives. Getting the appropriate treatment can help them avoid difficulties at home and at work, and bring them closer to their families and goals in the workplace.