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Adult Diagnosis of ADHD For adults who struggle with ADHD the diagnosis can be life-changing. It can help people understand why they struggle in family, work and in relationships. However it can be challenging to establish a diagnosis because symptoms can be overlapping with other ailments. A health care professional or a mental health professional will evaluate the patient and run tests. Signs and symptoms It is possible that someone may not be aware of having ADHD until they reach adulthood. This could be due to parents and teachers failed to recognize the signs at an earlier age, or because college or work demands made the disorder more apparent. Adults who are not treated for ADHD are being disadvantaged in their academic, professional and social lives. Many people who have not been diagnosed with ADHD suffer from a variety of problems, such as problems with relationships and financial problems. To diagnose ADHD, a mental health professional will talk to the patient and review his or her personal, medical and mental health history, paying particular attention to symptoms in various environments. The patient will explain how these symptoms impact his or her daily functioning and relationships. It is important that patients are open about their symptoms and not cover them up to avoid embarrassment. It is also important for the mental health professional to determine whether these symptoms are related to comorbid disorders like anxiety and depression, which are often associated with ADHD. These conditions can make ADHD symptoms worse and may interfere with treatment for the disorder. If a psychologist or psychiatrist believes that the symptoms of ADHD are being impacted by comorbid conditions, additional psychological, neuropsychological or testing for learning disabilities could be utilized to establish an accurate diagnosis. These tests can also be used to determine the degree of functional impairment caused by these conditions. Additionally the mental health professional could request an interview with one or more significant others, such as spouses, siblings and colleagues in order to collect a complete picture of the person's functioning and challenges. Diagnosis Adults are diagnosed with ADHD by a mental healthcare doctor or a medical professional following a thorough examination. This involves a thorough interview about the causes of the symptoms and their impact on daily functioning and the presence of any other mental health issues that may co-occur with ADHD such as anxiety and mood disorders. The doctor may also request to speak to your significant others such as the spouse or a close family member to help them collect more information. A proper diagnosis of ADHD could alter your life. The diagnosis provides adults with an explanation for their behavior that they believed were “normal”. Often, it provides relief to know they're not just lazy or forgetful; their problems 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 is a standard that has been established to ensure that individuals receive the help and treatment they require. In order for a person to be eligible for an ADHD diagnosis the person must be suffering from symptoms for at minimum a year and be a significant handicap in a variety of settings such as home, school or at work with family members or friends or in other activities. For adults who are 17 or older the number of necessary symptoms has been reduced to five from the six that are needed for children under age 12. 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 evaluate adults. Treatment If people suffering from ADHD get a diagnosis their lives may change dramatically. They can finally find some solutions to their issues in the classroom, as well as in the start of a career, or in relationships. A diagnosis can relieve shame that has built up for some people throughout their lives. Talking to a mental health professional or health care provider is the first step to receiving an diagnosis. They may ask about family history and perform an examination to rule out any conditions such as sleep disorders or learning disabilities which can cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD. They can also request the person to complete a list of symptoms. In many cases the doctor will suggest that the spouse or partner be interviewed during the process of assessing. This assists the non ADHD spouse or partner to gain an accurate understanding of their loved one's ADHD and a sympathetic approach towards those symptoms. This is crucial for improving relationships after diagnosis. If this isn't possible, the clinician can interview colleagues or friends who know the person well. Adults with ADHD are treated primarily by medication. Adult ADHD is treated using stimulants such as methylphenidate, Adderall and dextroamphetamine. Other medications, for instance Atomoxetine (Strattera®) and Guanfacine (Intuniv®, Tenex®) increase norepinephrine levels in the brain and can aid in the treatment of ADHD. Psychotherapy also is an alternative. Cognitive-behavioral therapy can help patients learn skills to manage their ADHD symptoms, such as time management and organizational strategies, self-regulation of behavior and emotions and dealing with self-criticism and negative feelings. Other therapies, like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, help adults identify subconscious or unfounded thoughts that can lead to negative behaviors and develop ways to overcome them using positive self-talk. Medication Many people have found that ADHD medication can help improve their symptoms. www.iampsychiatry.com is usually in the form of a stimulant, and it is effective by increasing brain activity in areas that control the behavior and attention. Methylphenidate is the most frequently used medicine for adults with ADHD and is available in different forms. It can be taken in immediate-release tablets or modified-release tablets that release the medication throughout the day. Clonidine, another type of medicine works by reducing the activity in the brain and can be taken as a pill or liquid. The psychiatrist or therapist will examine the medical and family background of the adult patient in order to determine the factors that can cause similar symptoms. This is crucial, since some medical conditions like seizures and thyroid issues can cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD. In addition, certain drugs and nutritional supplements may cause similar symptoms. During the examination during the evaluation, the patient will explain their ADHD symptoms to their therapist or psychiatrist. They will be asked to fill out standardized ADHD rating scales and check lists, as well as complete psychological tests that measure executive functioning, working memory, (abilities like planning and decision-making), visual and spatial abilities, and reasoning skills. If the therapist believes that ADHD symptoms are affecting the quality of life of a person, he or she will suggest medication. In certain instances, a therapist may ask the patient's partner or spouse to interview them about the impact of their symptoms on their relationship. This can lessen the burden of blame between individuals and promote healthier, more productive relations. Counseling Many people suffering from ADHD get relief from receiving the diagnosis. It gives them a chance to understand the reasons for their difficulties at work or school and to discover ways to overcome these challenges. It's an opportunity to change negative behaviors and increase self-esteem. Counseling can be a wonderful method of helping you build a strong support system. Counseling for ADHD may include psychotherapy (or psychological therapy) as well as a variety of behavior-based interventions. A therapist could create a chart that encourages positive behaviors and imposes punishments on bad ones. The therapist could also guide the patient in skills to manage their symptoms, like relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or meditative yoga poses. Another benefit of counseling is helping people understand and accept their ADHD. It can be difficult to admit that you're having trouble with paying attention or planning and organizing. It is embarrassing to admit that you suffer from ADHD to your supervisors or coworkers. Most teachers and bosses will offer accommodations to accommodate your needs. For instance, they could allow you to make use of a computer to write assignments instead of writing on paper and give more in-depth explanations of class material. Additionally, the therapist can help you cope with your ADHD through cognitive behavioral therapy, which is a structured type of talk therapy that helps to change negative thoughts and behavior to positive ones. Counseling for ADHD can also include marital or family therapy, which teaches loved ones how to interact better with a person suffering from ADHD and improve the ability to communicate and solve problems. People with ADHD might also be suffering from other mental disorders, such as anxiety or depression, and could also have issues with substance abuse.