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ADHD Diagnosis For Adults Many adults are unable to get an ADHD diagnosis since doctors use an entirely different set of guidelines for treating the disorder than those for children and teens The diagnosis must include at least five symptoms from the categories of hyperactivity inattention and an impulsiveness The professionals conducting the evaluation will ask you questions about your childhood your work and academic life alcohol and drug usage and family history They might also talk with your spouse or friends What is ADHD Whether you keep losing your keys have difficulty with work or school or are having trouble staying focused in conversations getting an ADHD diagnosis as an adult can be a huge relief You know that youre not crazy and it puts you in an ideal position to handle it says pediatrician Mary V Solanto PhD professor of psychiatry and psychology at HofstraNorthwell School of Medicine on Long Island New York The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision of the American Psychiatric Association DSM5 is a guideline for doctors to diagnose ADHD Adults need to meet a lower threshold of symptoms than children 5 out of 9 over the past 6 months to be diagnosed with either inattentive or hyperactiveimpulsive ADHD or a combination A facetoface meeting with your healthcare professional is typically the first step in an ADHD assessment They will discuss your symptoms and how they impact your life Bring any reports from your childhood to help the provider to understand the history of your ADHD Your doctor may suggest that you speak to a close friend spouse family member or a coworker who knows you well They might inquire about your relationship how they observe your behavior and how it affects your life They may also ask what ADHD symptoms interact with other conditions such as depression or an anxiety disorder You will be asked about your life during the interview such as how often you dont go to appointments or pay bills or if you have difficulty with time management It is crucial to be truthful in your answers and take note of how these behaviors affect your daily life If youre not sure about your symptoms its worth consulting your healthcare professional to refer you to another doctor or psychologist for an evaluation Selftests are available as well as rating scales online however theyre not as reliable and valid as an interview with a trained professional Certain tests could even lead to a wrong diagnosis so it is recommended to always consult with your doctor prior to using them Signs and symptoms Speak to your primary healthcare provider if suspect you may have ADHD They can refer you to an expert in mental health like a psychologist or psychiatrist to be evaluated The American Psychiatric Association provides clinical guidelines for diagnosing disorders in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision DSM5 Its important to provide as much detail regarding your symptoms as you can to enable your doctor to make an accurate assessment The person doing the evaluation will review your mental psychological and medical history including past problems and ask about how your symptoms impact your life He or she will also talk to your spouse children teachers colleagues and others who know you well Your assessment could include neuropsychological behavioral or testing for learning disabilities These tests will give your healthcare provider additional information on how your ADHD symptoms affect you and can help rule out other conditions that cause similar symptoms In addition to evaluating your current symptoms the professional will determine whether you have predominantly inattentive hyperactiveimpulsive or combined type ADHD To receive a diagnosis you must show that you have at least six of the nine symptoms for either the inattentive or hyperactiveimpulsive presentation Symptoms of the predominantly inattentive type include difficulty paying attention ignoring important details or making erroneous mistakes The person doing the evaluation will also assess how these symptoms interfere with work school and social life The impulsivehyperactiveimpulsive symptoms of ADHD include fidgeting difficulty sitting still or squirming in the chair excessive talking and interrupting others frequent blurting out answers before questions are finished and difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly Usually these symptoms manifest in childhood However they may also be present in adulthood Adults may recognize their own ADHD symptoms when their children are diagnosed or because of changes in their lives such as a new job or marriage or move to their own home In other cases the condition goes undiagnosed until an adult is confronted with significant issues at work or with their relationships diagnosing adhd could include being fired from a job and having financial problems or being in trouble with the law Diagnosis A screening is the first thing you should do when you suspect that you may are suffering from ADHD A licensed mental health professional will interview you and review your symptoms as well as your medical history and family history Interview questions may also be asked about your work and school performance and how the symptoms affect your life at home and with relationships You might be required to bring a copy of your report cards teacher notes and any other documentation that may be relevant The psychiatric specialist will use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition DSM5 to help determine the diagnosis The symptoms of ADHD must be present for at least six months and they should affect functioning or developmental progress in multiple environments like school or home The symptoms of ADHD must not be explained by other mental disorder like anxiety or mood disorders Many people suffering from ADHD continue to have problems into adulthood These symptoms can impact education and work lead to poor health in the financial or personal aspects and can cause stress in relationships If diagnosed and treated you can enjoy your life Certain ADHD symptoms may change as you the passage of time For example inattentiveness can become more evident as you age and the ability to control impulses and hyperactivity may decrease as you get older Other factors can contribute to the difficulties like obstructive sleeping apnea occurs more often in adults with ADHD and sleep habits that are not optimal can exacerbate ADHD symptoms People with ADHD frequently have cooccurring disorders such as anxiety depression bipolar disorder and other learning disabilities Sometimes treating the underlying disorder can help eliminate ADHD symptoms It is important to inform your mental health professional that you suffer from any other condition This could influence the effectiveness of treatment It is important that you talk to your primary doctor who can refer to an expert in ADHD assessments for adults It is also a good idea to ask if there are any support groups for adults suffering from ADHD in your area They may have resources and a list of specialists with specialization You can also contact your insurance company to learn about health care providers that are covered by your plan Treatment The most effective method to determine if you have ADHD is to undergo a thorough examination by a health care professional The evaluation should include questions about your childhood as well as questions about your current life and a screening for ADHD symptoms You might be asked whether your ADHD symptoms have caused problems at work in school or with your relationships There are many treatments for adults suffering from ADHD including medication and counseling Psychotherapy can be a part of counseling also called talk therapy and cognitive therapy for behavior These types of therapy aid you in learning to manage your symptoms and transform negative thinking patterns into positive ones They can also be helpful in the treatment of other mental health conditions like anxiety and depression which often occur in conjunction with ADHD Psychostimulants like dextroamphetamine or methylphenidate are often employed for treating adults with ADHD These drugs affect the way certain brain chemicals communicate to regulate behavior Your doctor will recommend a medication that is appropriate for your body and symptoms and adjusts the dosage and frequency as required There are also nonstimulants available which do not have the same brain pathways that psychostimulants do and are effective for adults with ADHD Nonstimulant drugs include atomoxetine Guanfacine and the guanfacine Other options for treatment for adults suffering from ADHD could include mentoring or coaching to help you learn strategies and coping techniques You may learn to utilize a diary or planner or be shown strategies for managing time You may also benefit from adjusting your living situation to accommodate your ADHD symptoms such as working at home instead of in a workplace or using apps on your smartphone to monitor your tasks or scheduling appointments at times that are less crowded You might also want to ask about participating in a clinical trial which is a research trial designed to test new methods to treat illnesses and conditions NIMH has information on clinical trials You could be referred to an expert in mental health or another health professional by your family physician for a diagnosis of your ADHD You could also ask your family member or a friend for recommendations or connect with a local support organization for people suffering from ADHD