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Adult Diagnosis of ADHD

For adults who struggle with ADHD A diagnosis of ADHD can have a major impact on your life. It can help people to discover the reason for their struggles at work, at home and in their relationships.

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

Symptoms

It is possible that a person does not realize they have ADHD until they reach the age of adulthood. This could be due to teachers and parents failed to recognize the symptoms at an earlier age or because work or college demands brought out the disorder. Adults with ADHD who are not diagnosed suffer in their academic, social and work lives. Many people who have not been diagnosed with ADHD suffer from a variety of problems, including financial issues and relationship issues.

A mental health professional will conduct an interview and review the patient's medical, psychiatric and personal history, paying special attention to the symptoms in different settings. The patient will be asked to describe how these symptoms affect his or her daily functioning and relationships. It is important that the patient is honest about the symptoms, and that he or she does not hide behind feelings of shame or embarrassment.

The mental health professional must also determine if these symptoms are related to other comorbidities, such as depression and anxiety that often coexist with ADHD. These conditions can make ADHD symptoms worse and may interfere with treatment for the disorder.

If a psychologist or psychiatrist thinks that the symptoms of ADHD are influenced by comorbid conditions, additional cognitive, neuropsychological, or testing for learning disabilities could be used to help establish an accurate diagnosis. These tests can also be used to determine the degree of impairment in function that these conditions cause. Additionally, the mental health professional could require an interview with one or more significant others like spouses, siblings and colleagues, in order to gather a complete picture of the person's functioning and difficulties.

Diagnosis

For adults the diagnosis of ADHD is usually determined by a mental health specialist or doctor who conducts a thorough diagnosis. This includes a detailed interview about the history of symptoms and their impact on everyday functioning and the presence of any other mental health disorders that could co-occur with ADHD like mood disorders and anxiety. In addition, the physician may ask to speak with significant others -- typically a spouse or close friend--to assist in gaining more information about the person's behavior.

Finding a reliable diagnosis of ADHD in adulthood can be a life-changing moment. The diagnosis gives adults an explanation for the behaviors they believed were "normal". Often, it provides relief to know that they're not just naive or forgetful and 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 standard is created to ensure that people receive the help and treatment they need. To be eligible for an ADHD diagnosis, one must have experienced the symptoms for at least 12 months, and they must be causing significant impairment in multiple environments, such as school, at home, or at work as well as with family members or friends or in other settings. The number of symptoms needed for adults over the age of 17 has been reduced from six to five.

A strong relationship with your primary healthcare provider can help determine ADHD. Many providers diagnose and treat ADHD in children and refer you to a mental health professional qualified to assess adults.

Treatment

When people with ADHD receive a diagnosis their lives can alter dramatically. They may finally have explanations for failures in school or a struggle to find an occupation or a relationship. For certain people, a diagnosis may help them overcome the shame that may have been accumulated over the years of their issues going untreated.

Talking to a mental health professional or health care provider is the first step in getting a diagnosis. They might inquire about family history and perform a physical exam to rule out conditions like learning disabilities or sleep disorders that can cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD. They may also ask the person to fill out a checklist of symptoms.

During the assessment process the doctor may request to interview an individual partner or spouse. This will help the spouse who is not an ADHD or partner develop an accurate understanding and empathetic attitude toward their loved one's ADHD symptoms which is crucial in improving relationships after the diagnosis. If this isn't possible, the clinician may interview colleagues or friends who know the individual.

Adults suffering from ADHD are treated primarily by medication. Stimulants such as methylphenidate (Ritalin(r)) and dextroamphetamine (Adderall(r)) are the most effective and widely prescribed drugs for treating adult ADHD. Other medications, like atomoxetine (Strattera(r)) and guanfacine (Intuniv(r), Tenex(r)) increase norepinephrine levels in the brain, and can improve symptoms of ADHD.

Psychotherapy is also an option. Cognitive-behavioral therapy can teach patients techniques to manage their ADHD symptoms, including time management and self-regulation of behavior and emotions and managing self-criticism and negative feelings. Other treatments, such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, help adults identify subconscious or unfounded thoughts that lead to negative behavior and learn ways to overcome them using positive self-talk.

Medication

Many people find that ADHD medication helps improve their symptoms. This medicine is typically in the form of a stimulant and works by increasing activity in brain areas that regulate attention and behavior. Methylphenidate is the most frequently used medication for adults with ADHD and is available in different forms. It is available in immediate-release tablets, or modified-release tablet forms that release the medication throughout the day. Clonidine is another type of medication that works by reducing brain activity. It can be taken in liquid or pill form.

The psychiatrist or therapist will look over the medical and family background of the adult patient to determine factors that could cause similar symptoms. This is important, as some medical conditions like seizures and thyroid problems can cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD. In addition, some drugs and nutritional supplements can cause similar symptoms.

During the assessment it is likely that the person will be asked to describe their ADHD symptoms to a therapist or psychiatrist. They will be asked to fill out standard ADHD rating scales and check lists, as well as complete psychological tests that measure working memory, executive functioning (abilities such as planning and decision-making), visual and spatial abilities, and reasoning skills.

If a psychiatrist or therapist believes that the symptoms of ADHD are seriously affecting a person's life they may recommend treatment with medication. In some cases a therapist may request the patient's partner or spouse to speak with them about the impact of their ADHD symptoms on their relationship. This can help reduce the blame between individuals and promote healthier, more productive relationships.

Counseling

Many adults with ADHD get relief from receiving the diagnosis. It gives them a chance understand why they are having issues at school or at work and to learn how can i get diagnosed with Add to overcome these problems. It's also a chance for them to change negative behaviors and boost self-esteem.

Counseling is a great method of helping you create a strong support system. Counseling for ADHD can involve psychological (or psychotherapy) therapy as well as a variety of behavioral strategies. For instance the therapist could create a reward chart which rewards positive behavior, and is able to impose consequences for negative behavior. The therapist can teach the patient techniques to manage their symptoms, such as relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or meditative poses in yoga.

Counseling can help people accept and understand their ADHD. It can be difficult to admit that you struggle with planning, organizing and paying attention. It is embarrassing to admit that you have ADHD to supervisors or colleagues. Most teachers and bosses provide accommodations to accommodate your needs. They could, for instance let you write on a computer instead of paper, or provide a more detailed explanation of the material in class.

The therapist will also instruct you how do you get diagnosed with add to cope with ADHD by using cognitive behavioral therapy. It is a structured form of talk therapy which helps you transform negative behaviours and thoughts into positive ones. Counseling for ADHD can also involve family or marital therapy which helps loved ones learn to better interact with someone with ADHD and to improve communication and problem-solving skills. People suffering from ADHD typically suffer from other mental health disorders like anxiety or depression and may be afflicted by substance abuse, which can also exacerbate their symptoms.