10 Misconceptions Your Boss Shares Regarding ADHD Diagnosis In Adults
Getting an ADHD Diagnosis in Adults
Many people seek a diagnose when they realize that ADHD is causing them issues at work or in their relationships. NIMH suggests that people seeking diagnoses speak with their primary care provider, or a mental health professional.
They will request an extensive medical history and take tests such as symptom-rating scales and psychological tests. They can be subjected to a physical examination to rule out other medical conditions that may be mistaken for ADHD like thyroid issues or seizures.
Getting a Diagnosis
Receiving a diagnosis of ADHD can be revealing and empowering, but it can also be a source of anxiety. Adults who have struggled with the symptoms of ADHD for decades might finally decide to seek out a medical opinion, prompted by frustrations at work or in relationships, or because they've been informed by family members or friends that they may have ADHD. It is important to keep in mind that it takes time for a medical professional to determine an ADHD diagnosis and the process includes more than just a series of clinical interviews or tests.
The first step in the process is to determine whether your ADHD symptoms meet requirements for the disorder: Many of them occur before age 12 years old. They occur in two or more settings--for example, school, home and at work. They can affect the daily functioning of a person.
Since symptoms of ADHD can be triggered by mood disorders such as bipolar disorder or anxiety and other physical ailments and illnesses, your healthcare professional might want to conduct additional tests prior to making an official diagnosis. This could include interviews with a clinical psychologist, rating-scales for symptoms, or psychological testing to assess thinking abilities, problem solving skills, and memory.
It is essential to be honest with your health professional. And that might mean discussing how the difficulties you're experiencing in various areas of your life affect your mood. Additionally the mental health professional conducting your assessment may ask you to talk to your spouse or close friends and family members to get a more complete picture of how you've struggled. They might even request permission to have family members fill out questionnaires to compare their experiences to yours.
Symptoms
Adults with ADHD might find that their symptoms can affect their daily life, especially at work and school. They might have difficulties finding work, staying in relationships, or getting by due to the inattention and impulsivity which makes it difficult to follow directions and remember things, manage tasks or complete projects. The symptoms may be mild or moderate. They can also be severe.
To diagnose ADHD, providers use standardized tools, such as checklists, questionnaires and questions for interviews. They also check medical and family history and take into account other mental health problems. If a person has several of the 9 symptoms, their provider uses guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition Text Revision (DSM-5-TR) to assign a diagnosis: inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive or combined type.
Inattention symptoms include inattention issues with small details, waking up and appearing easily distracted. Inattention is also characterized by difficulty following and completing tasks, as well being prone to getting distracted or lose track of time.
People with the hyperactive/impulsive type often fidget, move around frequently and have trouble sitting still for long periods of time. They tend to lose things easily and have difficulty organizing their day-to-day activities at work or at home. They may lose phones, keys and wallets, or papers frequently. They are often unable to wait for their turn at school, work or playing. They are easily frustrated or stressed and have frequent mood shifts.
In adulthood, it's more typical for people with ADHD to have co-existing conditions, such as oppositional defiant or conduct disorders, anxiety or depression as well as tic disorders, Tourette syndrome and substance abuse issues. Co-occurring disorders may complicate treatment and make it more difficult to diagnose ADHD.
Treatment
Talking with your primary healthcare provider is the first step in being diagnosed in the event that you suspect you may have ADHD. He or she may refer you to a specialist in mental health. These professionals will review your symptoms and concerns at work, school or home to see how they impact your life. They might conduct an organized interview or ask family members or close friends to help. They will also review your family and medical history and conduct a physical examination.
Your doctor will also consider the length of time you've been experiencing these symptoms, and the impact they affect your life today. To be considered to have ADHD, symptoms must have been present for at least six months and cannot be caused by other disorders such as anxiety or depression. They also have to interfere with daily tasks, such as getting to school, completing assignments on time, or sustaining a career.
During your evaluation the mental health specialist may employ standardized behavior rating scales and ADHD symptoms checklists. You will also be given an assessment of cognitive function that will assess your executive and working memory functioning and also your visual and spatial capabilities. They may also test for other conditions which can cause similar symptoms, such as seizures or thyroid condition.
If your mental health professional finds that you have ADHD, they will discuss the medications available and treatment options. In adults diagnosed with adhd , a combination of medication and talk therapy (counseling) is best. Therapy can assist you in managing your symptoms, and also improve communication between your family members and colleagues. It can also help with issues that could arise in marriages and relationships due to the problems ADHD can cause.
Medication
ADHD symptoms in adults tend to be milder than in childhood. However, they can still create problems at home and at work. The disorder can lead to difficulties in obtaining or keeping a job, trouble with social relationships and relationships, academic failures, poor self-esteem and emotional distress, temper tantrums and potentially antisocial behaviors.
Treatment with medication can help treat the disorder by balancing and increasing the levels of brain chemicals referred to as neurotransmitters, which regulate the flow information in the brain. The stimulants, which are typically prescribed for ADHD in adults are the most frequently prescribed drugs. Examples include Jornay (methylphenidate extended-release tablets), Xelstrym (dextroamphetamine extended-release oral suspension), Cotempla (methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release orally disintegrating tablet) and Adhansia (methylphenidate hydrochloride instant-release orally disintegrating tablet). The non-stimulant atomoxetine, a non-stimulant antidepressants like bupropion are also used to treat ADHD in adults. These medications work slower than stimulants and could be a better choice for people who are unable to take stimulants due to health problems or serious side-effects.
Psychotherapy (also known as cognitive-behavioral therapy) can be effective in treating comorbid disorders associated with ADHD like anxiety and depression. Research suggests that psychotherapy can be a more effective treatment for these disorders than using medication in isolation. Psychotherapy focuses primarily on teaching strategies to manage the disorder as well as improving performance at school, work and with relationships. The goal is to increase the person's self-esteem, decrease problematic behavior and increase functioning and success. It is recommended that all psychotherapy approaches for adults ADHD patients include a cognitive-behavioral component. In one study, researchers discovered that ADHD patients who received both therapy and medication showed an improvement in their condition more than those who just took the medication.
Counseling
Adults who don't want to take medication can benefit from counseling and therapy. Individual therapy can help with issues such as low self-esteem and feelings of being insecure that are commonly associated with ADHD. It can also improve communication and strengthen relationships by helping patients and family members understand the condition and learn strategies for coping.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is primarily focused on teaching patients to change their negative thoughts and how to manage their behavior. This type of treatment can reduce symptoms of inattentive ADHD and hyperactive-impulsive ADHD, as well as comorbid mood disorders such as depression and anxiety disorders.
Therapists may also focus on developing organizational and time-management skills, or teach coping mechanisms for dealing with emotional regulation, impulse control, and relationship problems that may arise from impulsive behavior. These techniques can aid people in living a more productive and satisfying life, particularly at work.
Counseling can assist people with ADHD seek accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act. This can improve their work performance and overall satisfaction. For professionals, this could mean changing the way their work is structured so that they have more flexibility to meet deadlines and complete tasks in time.
Selecting the right therapist is essential to getting the most value from treatment for adults with ADHD. When interviewing potential therapists it is important to ask about their approach and whether they have prior experience in treating ADHD in adults. It is important to verify the credentials of the therapist as well as insurance coverage. Some therapists have a sliding scale fee or provide online therapy which make therapy accessible to those who are unable to pay out from their pockets.