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Adult Diagnosis of ADHD

For adults who struggle with ADHD, a diagnosis can have a profound impact on their lives. It can help people to understand why they have difficulties at work, with their families and in their relationships.

However it can be a challenge to determine a diagnosis since symptoms can be overlapping with other conditions. A health care professional or a mental health professional will evaluate the patient and run tests.

Symptoms

It is possible that a person may not be aware of having ADHD until they reach the age of adulthood. This could be due to parents and teachers did not recognize the symptoms at an earlier time or because college or work demands brought out the disorder. Adults with untreated ADHD are being disadvantaged in their school, work and social lives. Undiagnosed ADHD can lead to many problems including relationship problems and financial problems.

To determine the presence of ADHD, a mental health professional will talk to the patient and review the patient's personal, medical and mental health history, taking note of symptoms in different environments. The patient will discuss the symptoms and how they impact their daily functioning and their relationships. It is crucial that patients are honest about their symptoms and not cover them up to avoid embarrassment.

It is also essential for the mental health professional to determine whether these symptoms are connected to comorbid conditions such as anxiety or depression, which frequently coexist with ADHD. These conditions can cause adhd adult diagnosis symptoms worse and may interfere with the treatment of the disorder.

If the psychiatrist or psychology believes that the symptoms are affected by comorbid conditions such as learning disabilities, psycho-psychological disorders, or neuropsychological disorders, further testing could be performed to determine an accurate diagnosis. These tests will also aid in determining the degree of impairment in function caused by these conditions. Additionally, the mental health professional might require an interview with one or more significant people, such as spouses, siblings and coworkers, in order to gather an entire picture of the person's behavior and issues.

Diagnosis

Adults are diagnosed with ADHD by a mental healthcare specialist or physician following an exhaustive examination. This involves a thorough discussion of the symptoms and how they impact the way you live your life. Additionally, it is important to consider the presence of any other mental disorders that can occur alongside ADHD like mood disorders and anxiety. In addition, the physician might ask for the assistance of significant others -- typically the spouse or a close friend -- to provide more details about the person's behavior.

Being diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood can be a life-changing experience. The diagnosis gives adults an explanation for their behavior that they thought were "normal". Often, it provides relief knowing that they're not just naive or forgetful; their problems are more complicated.

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 is a standard established to ensure that people receive the care and support they need. To be eligible for an ADHD diagnosis, one must have had the symptoms for at least 12 months, and they must cause significant impairment in multiple settings, including home, school, or work as well as with family members or friends; or with other activities. The number of symptoms that are required for adults over 17 has been reduced from six to five.

A strong relationship with your primary healthcare provider can help you identify ADHD. Many doctors regularly diagnose and treat ADHD in children. They can refer you to a mental health professional who is able to perform an assessment on adults.

Treatment

When those with ADHD receive a diagnosis their lives may change dramatically. They will finally have solutions to their issues in school, with starting a new career, or in relationships. For certain people, a diagnosis may provide relief from anxiety that could have been built up over the years from their ailments going untreated.

Talking to a mental health professional or health care provider is the first step towards receiving an diagnosis. They might ask questions about family history and conduct a physical examination to rule out any conditions that can cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD or other disorders, such as learning disabilities, sleep disorders or use of alcohol/drugs. They can also ask the patient to complete the checklist of symptoms.

During the assessment process, the doctor may request to interview a spouse or partner. This helps the non-ADHD spouse or partner develop a clear understanding and compassionate attitude towards their loved one's ADHD symptoms, which is important in enhancing relationships following an assessment. If this is not feasible the doctor can conduct an interview with friends or colleagues who know the person well.

Medications are the main treatment options for adults suffering from ADHD. Adult ADHD is treated with stimulants such as methylphenidate, Adderall, and dextroamphetamine. Other medications, such as atomoxetine (Strattera(r),) and guanfacine, (Intuniv (r), Tenex (r)) can increase the amount of norepinephrine found in the brain. These medications can improve ADHD symptoms.

Psychotherapy also is an option. Cognitive-behavioral therapy can help patients learn skills to manage their ADHD symptoms, such as time management and strategies for organizing, self-regulation of behavior and emotions, and coping with negative self-criticism and negative emotions. Other therapies, such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, help adults identify subconscious or unfounded thoughts that lead to negative behavior and devise strategies to overcome them using positive self-talk.

Medication

Many people discover that ADHD medications help to alleviate their symptoms. This medication typically comes in the form of a stimulant and is effective by boosting activity in brain areas that control attention and behavior. Methylphenidate, the most common medication used by adults suffering from ADHD is available in many forms. It can be taken as immediate-release tablets, or as modified-release tablets that release the medication throughout the day. Clonidine, another type of medicine is a drug that works by reducing brain activity and can be taken in pill form or liquid.

If treating adult patients suffering from get adhd diagnosis the doctor or therapist will review the person's family and medical history to identify factors that can cause similar symptoms to ADHD. This is important, as certain medical conditions, such as thyroid problems and seizures can trigger symptoms similar to ADHD. Certain medications and nutritional supplements can cause similar symptoms.

During the test, the person will likely to discuss the ADHD symptoms. They will be asked to provide standard ADHD ratings and check lists as along with psychological tests to measure executive function, working memory (abilities such as planning and decision making) spatial and visual ability, and reasoning abilities.

If the psychiatrist or therapist believes that the symptoms of ADHD are causing serious harm to the life of a person they will suggest treatment with medication. In some cases the therapist might ask the person's partner or spouse to talk with them regarding the effects of the symptoms of the patient on their relationship. This can help reduce the blame between the two people and help to foster healthier, more productive relations.

Counseling

Being diagnosed is a great relief for many adults with ADHD. It gives them a chance recognize the reason for their problems at school or work and to understand how to overcome these problems. It's an opportunity to transform negative behavior and build self-esteem.

A solid support system is crucial to success and counseling can be a great help. Counseling for ADHD can involve psychological (or psychotherapy) therapy and a range of behavioral interventions. A therapist might make a chart to reward positive behaviors and imposes consequences for negative behaviors. The therapist could also guide the patient on how to manage their symptoms, for example, relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or yoga postures.

Another benefit of counseling is helping people comprehend and accept their ADHD. It's difficult to admit you have problems in organizing, planning and paying attention. It can be embarrassing to admit that you have ADHD to co-workers or supervisors. However, most bosses and teachers will be willing to provide accommodations for your situation. For example, they might allow you to make use of a computer to write assignments instead of writing on paper and give more in-depth explanations of classroom material.

Additionally, the therapist can help you cope with your ADHD through cognitive behavioral therapy which is a type of therapy that assists to change negative thoughts and behavior into positive ones. Counseling for adhd diagnosis for adults may also include family or marital therapy which teaches loved ones how to interact better with someone with ADHD and improve communication and problem-solving skills. People with ADHD may also suffer from other mental disorders, such as anxiety or depression, and adhd adult diagnosis may have issues with substance abuse.