Screening For ADHD in Adults
Screening for ADHD typically doesn't require brain scans or blood tests. You will instead be asked to talk with an experienced healthcare professional about your symptoms.
Different kinds of health care professionals can diagnose ADHD which includes psychotherapists, psychiatrists, psychologists, and neurologists. These providers follow guidelines laid out by the American Psychiatric Association and a manual called the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
Diagnosis
Adults can have a more difficult time diagnosing ADHD than children. This is due to the fact that many of the same symptoms are present in adulthood, but they come with different implications and should be assessed in the context of a person's current life and their experience. If a child struggled with managing school or work deadlines, they may have learned better strategies as an adult. However it doesn't mean that they have overcome ADHD.
During an office visit the doctor will ask the patient to describe the symptoms they experience and how they have affected their lives. The doctor will also inquire about the severity of the symptoms and how they manifest themselves in various situations. ADHD can be a co-occurring disorder with other ailments. It is essential to determine if there are any other issues that may be contributing to the symptoms of a person prior to diagnosing ADHD.
The health care professional will typically refer the patient to a specialist who specializes in adult ADHD. This could be a neuroologist, psychiatrist or psychologist. A psychologist isn't able to prescribe medication, but they can employ cognitive behavioral therapy or talk therapy to address and eliminate unhealthy habits and thoughts that cause ADHD symptoms.
A mental health professional will typically also perform some neuropsychological testing during the assessment process. These tests may include timed computer-based attention and problem-solving measures. These tests aren't necessary to diagnose a person however they can to identify their symptoms and how they affect the way they function in their daily lives. They may also uncover co-existing disorders.
It is believed that there is a genetic element to ADHD, and some environmental factors can also increase the risk, including lead exposure at key times of development. Two to three times as likely are people who have ADHD siblings to develop it themselves.
It can be difficult for individuals to take the first step to seek treatment for adult ADHD, but it is essential to live a more productive and fulfilling life. Online resources can assist those who are having difficulty reaching out to medical professionals to locate an adult ADHD expert.
Evaluation
If you think you might have ADHD and are concerned, it is essential to talk to a mental health professional. They can assist you to determine the severity of your symptoms. They can also complete surveys. These questionnaires ask questions about a person’s life at home and work, their use or alcohol and how they interact with their friends and family members. People with ADHD can have trouble with relationships. They may have difficulty keeping a job and are often confronted with financial problems. They are more likely to smoke or use drugs, too. The evaluator will need to know whether someone's problem started in childhood, because the current guidelines suggest that for ADHD to be diagnosed, it must have caused problems by the age of 12.
The person evaluating will want to determine how severe the symptoms are. They will consider how much difficulty a person has in social and work interactions, as well as how long their difficulties have been lingering for. They will also consider whether the person suffers from other conditions that could cause similar issues like depression or anxiety or physical ailments such as thyroid disorders.
A specialist will inquire about the person's history and any symptoms that may have occurred. They will need to have old school records and speak with family members, teachers and other people who knew them well. They will ask about a person's school performance and their driving record, as well as their work history and family history. They will want to know if you have ever experienced any issues with alcohol or other drugs.
They will also examine the person's memory, thinking skills and physical health. They'll likely conduct timed assessments that measure how quickly a person can solve problems. They could also take neuropsychological tests, like visual and spatial tests and reasoning tests.
Some doctors may ask if a person would like to join an experimental study. These studies are designed to uncover new methods to diagnose, treat or prevent illnesses and disorders. They may be trying to find ways to aid those who have ADHD or they may be trying to find treatments for other disorders like anxiety and depression.
Treatment
Your doctor will need to be aware of your medical history in order to diagnose ADHD. Then, your doctor will talk to you about your symptoms and their effects on home, school or at work. The healthcare professional will also inquire about your family history and personal details. The healthcare professional will also inquire about your family and personal history.
The provider will examine and note down the information you provide. You will be asked to complete questionnaires and rating scales about your conduct. The service provider will then interview people who know you to get their opinion.
These sessions will help the doctor determine whether you or your child meet 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 present in at least two different settings and must cause serious problems at school, home or at work. The symptoms must be due to ADHD and not another condition.
A physical exam and a psychological or neurologic exam will be taken. These exams are designed to rule out any other health issues, like depression or anxiety, that may cause similar symptoms as ADHD. They can also assist doctors determine whether the symptoms are caused by other medications or by certain lifestyle factors.
Once a diagnosis has been established, a treatment plan is developed. Adults can receive psychotherapy (also called cognitive behavioral therapy) or a prescription of medication. Always follow the advice of your healthcare provider. NIMH provides tips on how to speak to your doctor about ADHD when you're not sure how to proceed. Check with your insurance company to see if they have an inventory of specialists who can conduct ADHD evaluations.
You might also be able to participate in a clinical study that is investigating new methods to treat ADHD. These trials won't directly benefit you, but they may provide better treatment options for other patients in the near future.
Support
Being diagnosed with ADHD is an important step in addressing symptoms that can cause issues at work and home. The process of evaluating ADHD is not always based on brain scans or blood tests, but may include a long interview and tests for psychology and behavior. Some health professionals require documents from the patient's childhood and may want to talk to people who knew the person well as when they were children. This is because current diagnostic guidelines stipulate that symptoms must be present since childhood for them to qualify as ADHD.
Adults who have been diagnosed with ADHD often feel relief that they have finally found an explanation for their difficulties, and hope that treatment will help them to improve their lives. They may also feel anger or frustration over the fact that the condition wasn't detected and treated earlier, and regret that untreated ADHD has hampered their personal and professional goals.
There are many support services available for those who suffer from ADHD. Some support services are offered by the health care system while others are provided in the community. For instance there are programs that provide yoga practices to help promote an awareness of balance and calm. Talking to family and close friends, or joining a support network can help you find other supports. Some adults with ADHD find it helpful to inform supervisors and coworkers about the symptoms they experience. This can assist them in receiving accommodations at work such as more time to complete tasks or a quiet space to work.
Certain people with ADHD are interested to participate in clinical trials to learn more about the treatments available for the disorder. They should speak to their health care providers about the advantages and disadvantages of being involved in the course of a clinical trial. For more information about the latest research studies on ADHD and related disorders, they should go to the NIMH website dedicated to clinical trials. Before signing up for adhd tests online in a clinical setting it is recommended that participants go through all the information. The NIMH's site for clinical trials contains links to information about the potential risks and benefits of taking part in a research study, including possible adverse effects.