Adult ADHD Diagnostic Assessment and Treatment
In the majority of cases, a comprehensive ADHD diagnosis should take at least two hours. It will typically involve an interview with a semistructured format and psychoeducation (in easily understood language) and discussion on the impact of these symptoms in education or employment as well as social/family life.
Signs and symptoms
ADHD symptoms include issues with attention, organization and emotional control. These difficulties impact different aspects of daily life, including school or work and relationships with friends or family members. For a diagnosis of adult ADHD, several inattentive symptoms and at least one hyperactive-impulsive symptom must have been present before age 12. The symptoms must also result in significant impairments to two or more areas of daily living.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) of the American Psychiatric Association contains clinical guidelines for diagnosing adults suffering from ADHD. A trained psychiatrist or psychologist will interview the patient to obtain a detailed background of their symptoms beginning with the date they first began and how long they've been recurring. They will also ask about problems the symptoms caused in their school, work and social life.
In addition to assessing main ADHD symptoms Screening for other mental illnesses that can coexist with ADHD or mimic the symptoms is crucial (e.g. depression anxiety disorders, depression, and bipolar disorder). The assessment should ask about the person's mood, medical history, and any previous medication use.
A person can also be screened to determine whether they suffer from any physical or mental conditions that could be a cause of ADHD. These could include headaches, sleep disturbances and digestive problems. These conditions are usually discovered to be co-morbid.
It is crucial to make sure that the symptoms of ADHD are not caused by other factors such as a mood or medical disorder or abuse of substances. A thorough evaluation is important since undiagnosed ADHD can cause problems like anxiety and depression, in adults, especially if they are repeatedly advised to work harder or that their mistakes are their own fault.
Some adults with ADHD struggle to receive a proper diagnosis, because their symptoms are misinterpreted and/or not properly reported. This is particularly true in workplaces or schools which do not offer accommodations for those with ADHD. When they finally get the correct diagnosis, they can feel a range of emotions, from joy to regret over missed opportunities.
Diagnosis
If you think you might have ADHD and are concerned, you should seek out a professional diagnosis. A reputable professional will be able to provide information about their training and experience working with adults with ADHD. Reluctance to do so should be viewed with suspicion and could be a sign that you need to consider looking for a different professional.
The assessment will involve an in-depth interview that will review your development history, medical and psychiatric histories as well as your current functioning and risk assessment. It will also identify symptoms and their effects. Additionally, the doctor will look into possible co-morbidities (e.g. A co-existing learning disability or psychiatric illness will be examined. The clinician will also evaluate your interpersonal, social and work performance.
An important part of the test is to assess how ADHD symptoms are affecting your daily life. This will include work and school, leisure, family/close relationships as well as the effect of ADHD on your self-image. It is ideal that the assessment be performed by a number of individuals to get a complete picture of your functioning. It's not always feasible to have multiple informants attend assessments. Therefore, a written summary by one or more informants can be very beneficial.
It is essential to determine if your symptoms meet the criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). This will include the way in which your symptoms are affecting your daily life. It will also explore whether you've experienced these symptoms since the age of a child and, if so how long. The assessment will also look at how your symptoms affect your daily functioning and your ability to achieve your goals and aspirations.
ADHD can cause problems with organisation in deciding on priorities and avoiding losing things. You may also be prone to expressing unintentionally without thinking about the consequences. This can lead you to anger, when appointments are missed and tasks are left unfinished. Your attention and time will be focused on distractions that are irrelevant.
Treatment
Ask your doctor to evaluate your symptoms if ADHD can cause difficulties at school or at work. They will be able to advise you on the best method to cope with them. If necessary, they can refer you to a specialist. If you choose to take part in an experimental study your doctor will explain the risks and benefits. These trials assist researchers in finding new methods to prevent and treat diseases, diagnose them or treat them and conditions.
The diagnosis of adult ADHD is more complex than for children, and the symptom checklists that are used in diagnosing children are largely invalid for adults. A trained clinician will conduct a thorough clinical interview and will take their time to make a diagnosis.
Your doctor will inquire with you and someone else who knows you well such as a spouse or parent, for example -- about your symptoms and how they've affected your life. Doctors also employ the standard ADHD rating scales to compare your behavior with that of people who do not suffer from the disorder. You may also be offered a neurological examination, including tests of motor coordination and balance.
Based on your requirements depending on your needs, other neuropsychological or psychological tests could be conducted, too. These tests can help identify any co-existing disorders that could cause your ADHD symptoms. They can also help you understand how your ADHD affects different areas of your life, like academic performance and interpersonal relationships.
Sleep disorders often go hand with ADHD and an adequate amount of sleep can greatly improve your symptoms. Read the Full Guide will likely suggest a schedule for sleeping and waking time to help you get enough sleep to perform. They may also suggest that you stay away from nicotine, caffeine and sugary food, which could cause ADHD symptoms worse.
Clinical trials may be beneficial to adults suffering from ADHD. Clinical trials are research studies that evaluate the effectiveness of treatments for healthy or otherwise healthy participants. They are conducted at NIMH and other places. A clinical trial seeks to find more efficient and effective ways to identify, treat or prevent illnesses.
Prevention
If you suffered from ADHD as a child it is likely your symptoms will persist into adulthood. Symptoms may interfere with school, work or relationships. Adults suffering from ADHD may benefit from psychotherapy and medication. It is important to locate a health care professional who can conduct an assessment for ADHD in adults. You can request an appointment or call your insurance company. You can also ask for the recommendation of an ADHD support group in your area.
In an ADHD evaluation, the health care professional will ask you questions and collect information about your family members, friends, and coworkers. The professional will likely employ standardized behavior rating scales and ADHD symptom checklists to help determine if you meet criteria for a diagnosis of ADHD. The doctor may also conduct psychological tests to assess your executive functioning abilities (abilities like decision-making and planning) and visual and spatial reasoning skills.
The person who conducts the test will examine your symptoms to determine the severity and impact on your daily life. They will ask open-ended questions as well as real-world examples to help you understand your symptoms. You should be able to give examples of your symptoms and how they affect your daily activities. It is also important to talk about any comorbid conditions that may be contributing to your ADHD symptoms, such as anxiety, depression and substance use disorders.
They can ask a family member, friend, or partner to describe your childhood behavior. They might request your parents to fill out an retrospective ADHD Profile of your childhood behaviors.
A few people with ADHD work in large companies and might not want to tell their co-workers or managers about their condition. However, it's usually best to be honest with your professor or employer. They might be willing to make accommodations in your work environment or allow you extra time to complete assignments. You may also want to think about participating in a clinical study to try new treatment options for adults suffering from ADHD. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and other research institutions conduct these studies with volunteers.