Who Is The World's Top Expert On Diagnose ADHD?
Wiki Article
How to Diagnose ADHD in Adults
For many adults, the frustration of living with ADHD symptoms is what leads people to seek an evaluation. They may be losing their jobs due to missing deadlines, having trouble with relationships because of impulsive behaviors or having financial trouble because they forget to pay their bills or lose track of purchases.
Ask your health care provider or an expert in mental health about their training and expertise in diagnosing ADHD in adults.
Signs and symptoms
Find a doctor who will evaluate your symptoms if you suspect you or your child has ADHD. The evaluation will consist of physical examination and a review your medical background. This will include mental health issues as well as addiction to drugs. It is important to be forthcoming with the doctor about your issues and how they affect your life. Many people with ADHD hide their problems out of fear of shame or criticism However, a thorough evaluation will give your doctor more of a complete picture of your life and your issues.
Because adulthood is very different from childhood, diagnosing ADHD in adults is more difficult than diagnosing children with the disorder. The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5) offers guidelines for diagnosing ADHD that are generally valid for adults as well as children. In addition to examining the patient, the doctor could also ask other people in the person's life -for example, spouse or co-habitating partners siblings, parents or coaches and teachers -- to describe the person's behavior and how it has affected them. This could reveal information that may not show up on a checklist or other tests.
In certain cases the doctor may want to look into other conditions that can cause similar symptoms to ADHD. These conditions can include mental health issues and physical injuries like concussions or head trauma. He or she will review the individual's work and personal life to determine whether their symptoms are interfering with their daily activities.
The symptoms of adult ADHD can vary from mild to severe with moderate symptoms causing difficulty in work and social situations. Severe symptoms may interfere with schoolwork or work performance and can cause tension in relationships, making it difficult to live independently.
Everyone can be affected by ADHD However, it is more common in men and boys than girls. It is unclear the reason for this, but there are probably genetic and environmental factors at play. Certain foods and chemicals have been shown to trigger ADHD in a few people. It is also possible that certain individuals are predisposed to it due to brain structures involved in processing stimuli.
Diagnosis
Being diagnosed with ADHD isn't always straightforward. People often feel embarrassed about their symptoms and have difficulty speaking to a health care provider or mental health professional. This can prolong the evaluation process. To ensure that you receive a thorough evaluation it is essential to be honest and upfront about your health issues as well as your past medical experiences.
During the examination, your doctor will utilize standardized behavioral ratings scales and ADHD symptoms checklists to determine if you meet the criteria for diagnosis. Your doctor may also ask for your family history and childhood information along with a detailed description of your work and personal life. Your doctor may also order an exam to determine the cause of your symptoms, for example, thyroid problems or seizure disorders.
A physical exam typically involves blood tests and a head scan, which can help identify any structural or chemical problems in the brain that may be contributing to your ADHD symptoms. A physical can also help determine other conditions that could cause similar symptoms, including addiction or depression.
Your doctor may suggest that you take part in an investigation into the effectiveness of new treatments for ADHD in adults. These trials are conducted by research centers, including NIMH. You should be aware, however, that these studies could carry risks and not lead to the right treatment for you.
Tell your doctor about any other medications you take, as these could interact with stimulants that are used to treat ADHD in adults. The effectiveness of stimulants can be affected by medications that affect sleep, appetite and blood pressure. The NIMH's Medication Interactions page can provide you with more information on the best way to discuss other medications with your physician.
Treatment
For adults who have been diagnosed with ADHD, treatment options include therapy, medication and educational support. Often, it's the combination of these that can help people to achieve success in work, school and other areas. Referrals from primary care doctors or other health professionals are the first step to treatment. Check out the professional's qualifications and experience in working with adults suffering from ADHD. If a professional refuses or is not able to provide you this information, it's best to find another professional.
The diagnostic process for adult ADHD typically involves interviews with the patient's parents or other significant others, as well as teachers. The process of diagnosis may include a medical and family history as well as an assessment of psychiatric issues. It's important that the person being evaluated for ADHD be honest, not holding back due to embarrassment, or fear of criticism. Multiple symptoms must be evident in more than one setting and cause significant impairment in the person's life for an ADHD diagnosis to be made.
Many adults with untreated ADHD suffer from comorbid conditions, including anxiety and depression. This is particularly true when those with ADHD have an ongoing history of anxiety or discontent in their lives. Discontent can result in a self-fulfilling prophecy of underachievement and lead to feelings of low self-esteem and a poor performance.
A diagnosis of ADHD can be a great relief for some adults. They may begin to see their own behavior and realize that it wasn't their fault that they could not make friends or build a career. For certain adults, a diagnosis of ADHD can come with a sense of grief and regret over lost opportunities that were left unexplored.
Adults suffering from ADHD should always be prepared to discuss their issues openly with supervisors, coworkers and teachers. It's also an excellent idea to think about joining an ADHD support group, in which people who suffer from the disorder can share their experiences and get help. Also, those who have the diagnosis of ADHD should verify their health insurance coverage to see the services covered and to find the names and numbers of specialists who specialize in treating adults suffering from ADHD.
Support
A person diagnosed with ADHD is able to seek help to address the issues and symptoms that afflict him or her at the workplace, at home at the classroom, in relationships and in many other situations. Treatments for adult ADHD typically include psychotherapy and medications. Some individuals also discover they need specialized coaching to provide structure and help for their daily life.
Adults who have been diagnosed with ADHD often feel relieved to learn that their issues aren't typical or caused by bad parenting or lazyness. A diagnosis can be the first step towards receiving the assistance they require.
Adults also have the potential to suffer from ADHD. It's more difficult to identify in children. Many adults live with undiagnosed ADHD.
A psychiatrist who has experience with this type of disorder can identify ADHD in adults by conducting a clinical interview. The interview might include questions regarding the patient's family history as well as the person's own emotional and social background. Some doctors use brain scans or computer programs to assess patients. However, most experts agree that the most accurate indicator of ADHD is a thorough clinical interview and that it is essential to take a patient's history into consideration when diagnosing the disorder.
Depending on the nature of a person's difficulties, additional psychological or neuropsychological tests can be conducted to assess the presence and effects of co-existing conditions such as anxiety, learning disabilities and mood disorders, which often are associated with ADHD. The results of these tests may also help in determining the proper dosage of medication for a particular person.
Asking your friends and colleagues to recommend specialists who have experience diagnosing ADHD is a good idea. Check their qualifications, diagnosis of adhd in adulthood including academic degrees and the length of time they have worked. They should be able explain their diagnostic procedure and answer any questions you may have. You can also find professional who are certified on the internet or in the phone book. Find out about their approach to counseling and what type of therapy they may recommend for you.