ADHD Symptoms in Adults Test
You may be asked about your childhood (technically prior to the age of 12) by a mental health professional who is conducting an ADHD assessment. They may use ADHD symptom checklists or standardized behavior ratings scales.
Psychotherapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, and some physicians are able to diagnose ADHD in adults. They'll want to look over your medical history and assess how your symptoms impact your life.
Signs and symptoms
Consult your physician if you're worried about your memory or organizational skills or you're finding it difficult for you to keep on top of work or home tasks. You may be sent for a psychological test to determine if your condition is ADHD. These tests could include an assessment questionnaire, rating scales to assess symptoms, or specialized cognitive behavior tests. The evaluation will also look at your medical history and family history as well as any other issues that might be a cause of ADHD symptoms or coexist with them, for example, depression or learning disabilities.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders that is used by health professionals to identify adults with ADHD, defines the criteria. For an adult to meet the diagnosis, several inattentive or hyperactive-impulsive symptoms must have been present before age 12 and be persistently present for at least 6 months. These symptoms must have impacted the person's social, educational and work performance.
Adults can live with undiagnosed ADHD even the symptoms are obvious and affect the majority of aspects of daily living. As children, they might have been able to compensate for their symptoms, but as adults, their ability to pay attention and remain organized increases dramatically.
People suffering from ADHD have a difficult time controlling their emotions and tend to be less self-controlled. As a result, they are more likely to make decisions based on their emotions and make decisions based on impulsiveness. They also tend to lose track of things and forget appointments. They also misplace important documents. Adults with ADHD are classified as mild, moderate or severe.
Diagnosis
Adults are more difficult to identify than children, because adult symptoms are more focused on work and social interactions. Due to this, doctors rely more on a person's history and their current problems to determine the diagnosis. The symptoms must also be serious enough to disrupt the person's life.
A medical professional will first need to complete a thorough examination in order to diagnose ADHD. This includes examining the thyroid as well as hearing, vision and thyroid. The provider must also review a patient's family health history along with school records and other relevant records. This information can be used to determine if a patient has any other psychiatric disorders or learning disabilities.
A trained mental health professional or doctor will meet with the patient. During the interview, a professional will ask the patient questions about their symptoms and how these impact their lives. They will also ask the person to evaluate their symptoms over a six-month period. symptoms of ADHD in an adult will be compared with the criteria used to diagnose ADHD in adults, as set by the American Psychiatric Association.
To be diagnosed with ADHD, a person must have at least six inattentive and/or hyperactive-impulsive symptoms that are not caused by a medical condition or another mental illness. Several of the inattentive or hyperactive-impulsive symptoms must have been present before age 12. The person must also exhibit significant impairment in at least two settings in their daily life.
There are many online resources that can be used to gauge whether or not you exhibit symptoms of ADHD in adults. While these tests and rating scales can provide an idea of what you might expect but they shouldn't be used to self-diagnose or determine the treatment plan you will follow. If you suspect you might be suffering from ADHD, you should consult an experienced and trained medical professional for an assessment.
Treatment
A primary care provider can test you for ADHD If you have trouble remembering things, are always prone to lose your keys, or are having trouble keeping up with school. Getting a diagnosis is the first step towards finding solutions that work for you and your family.
A thorough assessment includes a physical examination as well as discussion of your symptoms, the history of their occurrence as a child and any problems they have caused in their adult lives. Your doctor might also suggest to talk to your family members or friends to get a more complete picture of your history and behavior. They'll also check for a medical condition that could be causing your symptoms, for example, thyroid disorders or seizures.
Health care professionals employ the same scales for assessing behavior and ADHD symptom checklists to evaluate adults for the condition. They'll also use psychological tests to assess your working memory, executive functioning abilities (planning and decision-making), visual and spatial skills and reasoning abilities. These tests can help them determine if you're an inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive or combined type of ADHD.
The most common medication for ADHD is stimulants, such as dextroamphetamine as well as methylphenidate. Non-stimulants, such as atomoxetine and clonidine, are also available. However, they can have negative side effects and can take longer to effect.
You doctor may recommend cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). It assists people in learning to reframe negative thinking patterns and manage their emotions as well as develop strategies to cope. CBT can be used to improve performance and relationships. If your doctor does not have expertise in treating adults suffering from ADHD they might refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist. You can also locate specialists through your health insurance company's online directory or by looking through the list of providers in your local support group.
Medication
The effects of ADHD tend to persist into adulthood, and treatment could include medication and counseling as well as lifestyle changes. Your doctor can help in determining solutions that work best for you. Speak to your primary care physician for a referral to a specialist, or look up doctors listed in the health insurance plan's directory. A coach or therapist may provide advice and tools to manage symptoms.
A complete evaluation will include medical examinations and family histories, as well as reports on school or work issues, alcohol or drug usage as well as your relationships with family members and friends. Because people with ADHD tend to forget things that are important to them, a mental health professional might request that you keep track of what you've been doing, where you've been and what you've eaten over several days. They'll also check if you're suffering from any other medical conditions that may cause similar symptoms, like seizure disorders or thyroid problems.
There is no definitive test for ADHD, but a careful examination of your situation by a health care provider or mental health professional is required to pinpoint the issue and determine the best treatment. If you were diagnosed with ADHD as a child and it has caused problems for you in your life, your doctor will be particularly interested in how your symptoms impact your daily life.
The first medication is typically the primary treatment recommended for adults with ADHD. The most frequently used medications are methylphenidate, lisdexamfetamine and atomoxetine. These drugs boost the levels of certain brain chemicals, which help you concentrate and control impulsive behaviors. These medications are available in extended-release and long-acting versions that remain in your system longer. This means that you don't have to take them more frequently and the rebound effect after they are gone.
Counseling
If your symptoms are severe enough, your doctor might refer you to an expert for diagnosis and treatment. These specialists include psychologists trained to treat adults with ADHD, as well as psychiatrists and therapists. Consult your primary care physician for a referral or search online for a mental health specialist in your area. Your health insurance plan may also have an alphabetical list of specialists.
It is important to talk about any issues that your ADHD symptoms have caused at school, work or at home. You might be embarrassed about the effects of your symptoms on your colleagues, teachers or supervisors. These individuals may be able make small adjustments to assist you in your class or at work.
Medications are often used to treat adults with ADHD. Stimulants improve attention, decrease the tendency to be impulsive, and improve working memory for people with ADHD. However, they may cause adverse effects, so your doctor might recommend a combination of medication and therapy to best manage your symptoms. Your doctor will also review your medical history to ensure that any other medications you are taking don't interact with the stimulants you might be prescribed.
Other treatment options for ADHD in adults include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or brain training or mindfulness meditation. CBT can help you change negative thought patterns and reframe your feelings about your ADHD symptoms. Meditation can increase self-awareness reduce emotional sensitivity and improve control of impulses.
For adults who don't respond to medication, other behavioral therapies have demonstrated promising results. These include motivational interviewing (MI), family and couple counseling as well as dialectical behavior therapy for adults and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT). MBCT combines CBT with mindfulness meditation to increase your ability to concentrate and control impulsive behavior.