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ADHD Diagnosis For Adults Finding a reliable diagnosis of ADHD can help you manage symptoms that can cause problems at home and in your professional life. Symptoms of ADHD can also cause depression and anxiety. A thorough examination could consist of a thorough interview as well as screening questionnaires to identify other conditions, such as anxiety or depression that may coexist or look like ADHD. Your healthcare professional may invite you to speak with your family member. Diagnosis It is important to get a licensed health professional assess your situation if you suspect you may have ADHD. This could include a psychologist, psychiatrist, family doctor, or nurse practitioner with specialized knowledge in mental disorders. The evaluation will involve talking about your symptoms, the problems they cause, and how you've dealt with them. The healthcare provider will also review your medical history, including any prior mental health issues as well as any other medications you're taking. To determine a diagnosis the healthcare professional must identify at least six traits (symptoms) of ADHD. They must be present in at minimum two different environments (home or school and social situations) and significantly impair your functioning. The symptoms should have been present for at minimum 6 months and be constant. In addition, your healthcare provider must determine whether your symptoms are inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive or a combination of both. Symptoms of inattentiveness include a tendency to forget things, losing things, and having trouble paying attention. School problems are also common. People with inattention ADHD may have difficulty following directions and completing assignments, or submitting work on time. They may have difficulty sitting still or paying attention to other people or keeping track of their own belongings. They often interrupt and blurt out answers before questions are finished. They have trouble waiting for their turn in conversations or games. Hyperactive/impulsive ADHD symptoms include restlessness, fidgeting or excessively tapping hands and speaking without thinking. This kind of ADHD can lead to issues at school, home and work. adhd adult diagnosis www.iampsychiatry.com are often related to problems in relationships and getting into financial difficulties. The person who is conducting the assessment might want to talk with your parents or teachers and review any evidence of your behavior issues as a child. They'll likely conduct physical examinations to rule out any other medical conditions that could contribute to your symptoms, like seizures or thyroid problems. If you have problems at work, in school or with your relationships, they might recommend additional psychological, learning disabilities, and/or neuropsychological testing. These tests aren't able to diagnose ADHD however they could provide valuable information about the disorder. Evaluation If you suspect you or your child may be suffering from ADHD or other disorders, you should seek out a qualified medical professional who can examine your symptoms. You can request a referral, contact your insurance provider or search the internet for specialists who specialize in ADHD evaluations for adults. You can also seek suggestions from an adult ADHD support group. During the evaluation the person who conducts it could ask you or your child questions about your childhood and current life to get an understanding of what's going on. They may also ask to talk to your teachers or others who were around you as a kid. They could inquire about your medical history as well as past illnesses to see if you are suffering from any issues that look like symptoms of ADHD such as anxiety or depression. The evaluator may also use ratings scales and questionnaires to determine the frequency at which your child or you display certain ADHD behaviors and how severe they are. These tools let them examine your child's or your child's symptoms with those of other children as well as adults who have already been diagnosed with ADHD. This will help ensure that you or your child is in line with the criteria that are standard for diagnosing. They may also conduct a physical or your child a physical examination and an examination of the brain. They can also look for medical issues that may be the cause of ADHD, such a thyroid issue or seizures. For children to be diagnosed with ADHD, they need to consistently demonstrate six or more of the behavioral symptoms listed in two categories — inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity — over the course of six months. For adults, five established symptoms in one category are needed — either inattention or hyperactivity/impulsivity. The symptoms cannot be better explained by another mental disorder, like depression or anxiety. The evaluator will use the results of the tests and interview to diagnose ADHD. The evaluator will draft a report that outlines his or her findings and suggests solutions. Your child or you will likely receive a copy. Treatment Having ADHD can create difficulties in a variety of areas of life, including family and work. Some of the signs include impulsive and forgetfulness that can cause financial issues or trouble at work or school. Family therapy and marriage counseling can aid people suffering from ADHD overcome the obstacles they encounter in their relationships. Individual psychotherapy (also called talk therapy) can help alleviate the feelings of frustration and inadequacy that are often associated with an diagnosis of ADHD. Finding a therapist with expertise in working with ADHD patients and who can relate to their unique challenges is important. Health care professionals employ a variety of methods to assess whether someone has ADHD, including watching them in various environments and asking them about their symptoms and how they impact their lives, examining past behavior, conducting tests of neuropsychology and psychological, as well as an examination for medical reasons. They may also consult teachers and caregivers to gain a complete picture of the individual's life. This includes their work, home and social setting. The symptoms must be present in at least two settings and disrupt the daily activities. They must be present for a minimum of 6 months. The symptoms must have occurred before the age of 12 and cannot be explained by any other mental disorder, like anxiety or depression. Older teens and adults must meet the criteria for both the inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive types of ADHD to be diagnosed with this disorder. They must exhibit at least five signs in different settings. Therapists can help students develop skills that can help alleviate symptoms of ADHD by planning ahead and keeping track of timetables using a notebook or planner as well as developing and adhering to routines. They can also teach communication and problem-solving skills that can help manage symptoms. Treatment options also include medication, lifestyle adjustments and accommodations—tools or changes in the environment that make it easier for people with a condition to function, like step stools that allow short people to reach things that are high up. Support Many people feel relieved after being diagnosed as adults. They feel that they've finally found out what's wrong. It's also a time of grief due to missed opportunities at school or at work or relationships that have been ruined. Matlen explained that it's especially difficult for women and girls whose symptoms may have been ignored in childhood or were not recognized until they grew older. A specialist or doctor will review the person's life-history including childhood and adolescence. They will look at school and work records and then interview the individual and anyone else who is familiar with them and ask questions about the symptoms. They will check to make sure that the symptoms are not more easily explained by a mental health condition, like depression or anxiety, and that the person is not suffering from physical issues such as low blood pressure or a hearing or vision impairment. The specialist may also suggest cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) in addition to the physical examination. The aim of CBT is helping the person change their thoughts and actions to help them manage their ADHD more efficiently. The therapist will assist the client develop strategies to improve their time management, organizational skills, and impulse control. The therapist will instruct the patient to recognize and avoid triggers that cause ADHD symptoms. Some doctors may refer the patient to a psychiatrist who has experience treating adults with ADHD. They will be able to discuss the challenges the person having at work, at home and in relationships. They will be able recommend support groups and other resources for adults suffering from ADHD. If a person has trouble finding a specialist doctor they can ask their primary healthcare provider for a referral or search their health insurance provider's online directory. They can also ask their friends and family members for suggestions or find an area-based support group for adults suffering from ADHD. The specialist can assist the person locate a psychiatrist or neurologist to monitor their medication, and a life coach or therapist who can give them strategies to manage symptoms and make positive changes in their daily lives.