Screening For ADHD in Adults
Blood tests and brain scans are not usually used to detect ADHD. You will instead be asked to speak with an experienced healthcare professional about your symptoms.
Different kinds of health professionals, such as neurologists, psychologists, psychiatrists and psychologists can diagnose ADHD. These providers follow guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association and a book referred to as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
Diagnosis
Adults can have a difficult time diagnosing ADHD than children. This is due to the fact that many of the same symptoms are present in adulthood, but they have different effects and must be assessed in relation to a person's current life and their experiences. If a child was struggling with working through school or deadlines for work, they may have developed better strategies as an adult. However it doesn't mean that they have overcome ADHD.
During a consultation, the diagnostician will ask the individual to explain the symptoms they experience and how they have affected their lives. They will also inquire if the symptoms have a long history and how they manifest in different circumstances. Because ADHD can be a co-occurring disorder with other conditions, it's essential to find other issues that could be causing the person's problems (for instance depression or anxiety) before the diagnosis of ADHD is established.
The health professional will usually refer the patient to a specialist who specializes in adult ADHD. This can be a psychiatrist, psychologist or neurologists. A psychologist will not prescribe medication, but they can utilize cognitive behavioral therapy or talk therapy to deal with and eliminate bad habits and thoughts that contribute to ADHD symptoms.
A mental health professional will usually also conduct a few neuropsychological tests during the evaluation process. These tests could include computer-based attention tests as well as tests for problem-solving. These kinds of tests are not necessary to establish a diagnosis however, they can shed light on the way that a person's symptoms affect their daily life and can help identify co-existing disorders.
There is a genetic element in ADHD. Certain environmental factors, like exposure to lead during crucial developmental stages, can increase the risk. Three times or more likely are people who have ADHD siblings to develop it.
It can be challenging for people to take the first steps to seek treatment for adult ADHD, but it is a crucial step to living an enjoyable and productive life. If you're having a hard time finding the health professional There are online sources that can help you find an expert in adult ADHD.
Evaluation
If you suspect you may have ADHD, it is important to consult an expert in mental health. They can assist you to assess your symptoms. They can also take a survey. These questionnaires ask questions about a person’s work and family life, their use or alcohol and how well they get along with their friends and family members. People who suffer from ADHD are often troubled by relationships. They may have trouble keeping their jobs and are frequently confronted with financial problems. They are also more likely to smoke and abuse drugs. The evaluator must know if the problem began in the early years of childhood. Current guidelines state that ADHD must have been present by age 12.
The examiner wants to know the severity of the symptoms. They will consider how much difficulty a person has in working and social interactions, as well as how long their problems have been ongoing. They will also look at whether the person is suffering from other disorders that could cause similar issues. This includes depression, anxiety, and physical conditions like thyroid disorders.
A specialist will inquire about the person's past as well as any symptoms that might have occurred. They will need documents from the past and speak with family members, teachers and others who knew them well. They will inquire about how a person has done in school, and about their work, driving habits and family history. They will need to know about any previous issues with alcohol or drugs.
They will also test the mental capacity of the individual, his memory and physical health. They'll likely conduct tests that measure the speed and accuracy with which a person solves problems. They could also take neuropsychological tests, such as spatial and visual testing as well as reasoning tests.
Some doctors will ask you if would like to be part of an investigational study. These are studies that aim to discover new methods to prevent, diagnose or treat diseases and disorders. They could be seeking ways to help people who have ADHD or they may be looking for treatments for other disorders like anxiety and depression.
Treatment
To determine if you have ADHD your doctor will require an extensive medical history. The doctor will then talk to you to identify your symptoms and how they impact you at home, school, or work. The doctor will also inquire about your family history and personal details. In addition to the details you provide, your healthcare professional may want to rule out other conditions that may have similar symptoms to ADHD like seizures and thyroid disorders.
The person who will review and note down the information you provide. The provider will request you to fill out rating scales and questionnaires about your behavior. Then, the provider will interview other people who know you well to get their opinions.
These interviews will allow the provider to determine whether your or your child meets the standard criteria for ADHD. These criteria include having six or more established symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity over the past 6 months. The symptoms must be evident in at least two different settings and must cause serious problems at home, school or at work. The symptoms must be ADHD-related and not due to another condition.
A physical exam and a psychological or neurological exam will also be conducted. Read Homepage are intended to determine if there are other conditions, like anxiety and depression that could trigger similar symptoms similar to ADHD. They can also assist doctors find out if the symptoms are caused by other medications or by certain lifestyle factors.
Once a diagnosis has been established, a treatment plan will be developed. Adults may be offered psychotherapy (also called cognitive behavioral therapy) or a prescription for medication. Always adhere to the advice of your healthcare provider. NIMH offers suggestions for talking to your doctor about ADHD if you're unsure what to do. It is also advisable to check with your insurance to find out whether your plan offers an inventory of specialists who can perform ADHD evaluations.
You might be able to participate in a clinical study which examines new methods of treating ADHD. These trials won't directly benefit you, but they could lead to better treatments in the near future.
Support
Being diagnosed with ADHD is a crucial step to managing symptoms that can cause issues at work and home. The process of evaluating ADHD doesn't typically involve any brain scans or blood tests however it could involve a lengthy interview and psychological and behavioral testing. Some health care professionals may request records from the child's life, and they may want to talk to those who knew them well as children. This is because current guidelines for diagnosing ADHD state that symptoms must be present since childhood for them to qualify as ADHD.
Adults who have been diagnosed with ADHD are happy that they have a reason to explain the challenges they're experiencing and are hopeful that treatment will aid in their improvement. They can also feel anger or frustration over the fact that the condition wasn't detected and treated sooner, and regret that untreated ADHD has hampered their professional and personal goals.
There are many support services available to those who suffer from ADHD. Certain support services are part of the health system, and others are based in the community. For instance, there are programs that teach yoga-based techniques to increase an awareness of calm and balance. Other resources can be found by talking to friends and family, or by joining an organization for support. Some people with ADHD discover that telling coworkers or supervisors about their symptoms is helpful. This can help them obtain accommodations at work, for example more time for work or a quiet area to work in.
Many people with ADHD want to participate in clinical trials in order to better understand the treatment for the disorder. They should speak to their health care providers about the benefits and risks of participating in the course of a clinical trial. They should also consult the NIMH's website for clinical trials to learn more about current research studies in ADHD. Before registering for a clinical study, individuals should carefully go through the entire details. The NIMH's site for clinical trials includes links to information on the potential risks and benefits of participating in a study, including possible side effects.