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Adults Diagnosis of ADHD A diagnosis of ADHD can be a first step towards managing symptoms that cause havoc at work, home and in relationships. It is also a way to gain perspective on problems that have been a source of confusion and frustrating for decades. Mental health professionals utilize ADHD symptom checklists and standardized scales for assessing behavior in the process of evaluation to determine if an adult is meeting the diagnostic criteria. They can also conduct interviews with family members and significant others to gain further insight. 1. Talk to Your Health Care Provider Speak to your doctor is the first step in getting a diagnosis. Your doctor will be able to assist you in understanding your symptoms and refer you to specialists if required. You can also ask your family, friends and colleagues to suggest professionals who are skilled in ADHD evaluations of adults. Your insurance provider may be able to give you information about the providers in your area. Another option is to join an ADHD support group to talk with other people who are facing similar challenges and to learn about how they deal with these challenges. Many adults decide to seek treatment because they're frustrated that their symptoms interfere with daily functioning, either at work or in their private lives. They're tired of losing their keys, being late for meetings and struggling to keep their jobs or maintain healthy relationships. You can control these symptoms by seeking a diagnosis. If you are discussing your symptoms with your physician, be honest. Don't hold back because you do not want to be perceived as a weak or unreliable person. Your doctor must be aware of all the issues you have, including how these have affected your work performance and personal life. If your doctor suggests taking medication be ready to discuss your opinion on it. Some adults don't like to take medication and prefer alternative treatments, such as psychotherapy (the medical term used to describe mental health therapy) and lifestyle modifications that are referred to as accommodations. Accommodations enable people with ADHD to reach their goals, just as a step stool permits people who are shorter to be as tall as the rest of us. Your doctor will inquire about your past experiences with ADHD. It is recommended to remember specific details from your childhood as this is when the disorder will likely manifest. You might need to talk to your teachers or other adults from your childhood depending on the location you live in. But, these things do not necessarily confirm the diagnosis. 2. Ask for a Referral If you are concerned about how your behavior affecting your work, school, or relationships, your family doctor can suggest an ADHD assessment and treatment. They may also refer you to other specialists who treat adults suffering from ADHD like psychologists and psychiatrists. If you are visiting an expert for an evaluation, be sure you are open and honest about your problems. This is especially true for any ADHD-related issues. It is important to not cover up information due to shame or fear of being criticized. The quality of your evaluation and the efficacy of any treatment you recommend will be determined by how accurate your history is. Examiners will review your academic, social and emotional past. They will also discuss how these issues affect you today. They will also review the American Psychiatric Association's diagnostic guidelines in the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,” fifth edition (DSM-5). They will want to know about any symptoms you are experiencing now as well as any you've experienced since your childhood. They will conduct an interview with you and should they be able to, if possible, speak with people who knew you as a child. In addition to evaluating whether you meet the requirements for ADHD in addition, they will look at whether your symptoms may be explained better by a different mental health issue or medical issue, such as anxiety or depression. They will also determine if you have any learning disabilities or other neurodevelopmental disorders. If a medical professional isn't convinced that you suffer from ADHD they will tell what other conditions or issues could be causing your difficulties and the reason why they don't believe you have ADHD. This does not mean you have to accept the diagnosis, but it may help plan future care. In many cases, a person who is diagnosed with adult ADHD will receive support from others with ADHD and their families, as along with co-workers, friends teachers, coaches and trainers. They could also benefit from classes, therapy that teach communication skills, or couple and marriage counseling. Counseling can help those with ADHD who struggle with low confidence. It can teach them how to improve their communication skills. 3. Schedule a Consultation ADHD is caused either due to a deficiency or imbalance of neurotransmitters which regulate brain activity. This can affect the ability of an individual to focus and follow through on tasks. Adults with untreated ADHD might have difficulty in their work as well as in other areas of their lives. If you think you might have ADHD consult your health care provider or ask for an appointment with an a psychiatrist or psychologist who specializes in mental health. A mental health professional will determine whether you have ADHD symptoms by using a scale of rating. A mental health professional might also interview people important to your life like your spouse, and then complete a checklist of symptoms. A thorough examination could include psychological tests that test working memory, executive function (the capacities involved in planning and making decisions), visual and spatial ability and reasoning abilities. The results can be used to rule out conditions that can cause similar symptoms such as anxiety or depression. During the examination the healthcare professional will also take into account how you have managed your symptoms over time. If you tend to forget appointments, make impulsive choices or miss deadlines, your doctor may recommend therapy or classes in order to help you learn more effective ways to deal with these challenges. Your health care provider might suggest medication, too. The most common stimulant drugs used to treat ADHD in adults are highly effective. They don't work on everyone, and may cause adverse consequences. Nonstimulant drugs that don't have the potential to be abused are now available. They can be equally effective as stimulants. It is crucial to educate others on ADHD. While those who suffer from ADHD should get a diagnosis and receive treatment, it is also helpful to help them inform their spouses, parents and co-workers. Many people suffering from ADHD struggle to get their spouses, parents, and even their coworkers to accept their behavior. Educating others can improve relationships and increase support systems. There are also ADHD support groups in many communities as well as online. It isn't easy to determine ADHD in adults however, it is doable. Begin by talking to your GP, who will be able to recommend the most appropriate service for your needs. 4. Schedule for an Evaluation It may take a while to get an accurate evaluation and diagnosis. Request a referral from your primary care physician but if your GP is reluctant or doesn't consent to refer you, talk with other health professionals. You can contact your local chapter of National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find out who is specialized in your area in adult ADHD. Or, you should contact professional associations which support adults suffering from ADHD. Prepare yourself for a detailed and lengthy discussion regarding your symptoms and how they impact your life. The evaluator will look over your medical, personal, and family history as along with the issues you're currently experiencing. They'll also inquire if the symptoms have affected your finances, relationships, or work performance. They could use standardized rating scales to assess your behavior to that of people who do not have ADHD. These ratings can help you determine whether your symptoms are related to ADHD or if they're more likely to be explained by other disorders, like anxiety and depression. Your evaluator could also conduct cognitive tests in order to check for learning or intellectual disabilities which could cause your problems in school or at work. Certain evaluators look for conditions that can produce symptoms similar to ADHD like thyroid disorders or seizures disorders. Certain evaluators may request additional physical examinations or laboratory tests, such as brain imaging or blood tests, to rule out any other health issues. They might require you to fill out a a questionnaire aimed at identifying specific signs, such as difficulty planning and organizing, or being overly energetic and indecisive. More may also ask a family member or your friends about your childhood to look for information that could indicate that you may have ADHD. It is essential to be honest during the interview. Many adults are uncomfortable asking for a diagnosis and may withhold information, thinking that it will make their appearance look worse. It is crucial that the evaluator receives accurate information about your issues in the areas of the control of your impulses, organizational skills and interpersonal relationships.