ADHD Symptoms in Adults Test
You may be asked about your childhood (technically, before the age of 12) by a mental health professional who is conducting an ADHD assessment. They can utilize standardized behavior rating scales or ADHD symptom checklists.
Psychotherapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, and some physicians are able to diagnose ADHD in adults. They'll want to review your past and determine how your symptoms are impacting your life.
Signs and symptoms
If you're concerned about your memory and organization abilities, or you notice that you are struggling to keep up with your home or work tasks, talk to your doctor. You may be sent for a psychological evaluation to determine if your condition is ADHD. The tests may include the use of a questionnaire and rating scales to evaluate symptoms, or specialized cognitive behavior tests. The test will also consider your medical and family history and any other issues that might be a cause of ADHD symptoms or coexist with them, like depression or learning disabilities.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders that is used by health professionals to diagnose adults with ADHD is the source of 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 school, social and work performance.
Many adults live with undiagnosed ADHD even the symptoms are obvious and impact nearly every facet of daily living. As children, they might have been able compensate for their symptoms, but as adults, their ability to pay more attention and remain organized improves dramatically.
People with ADHD have a harder time controlling their emotions and tend to be more self-controlled. They are more likely to act impulsively and make impulsive choices. They may also lose track of important things forget appointments, or lose important documents. Adults suffering from ADHD are classified as moderate, mild or severe.
Diagnosis
Adults are more difficult to diagnose than children because adult symptoms are more focused on work and social interactions. Doctors look at the past of a patient's current issues to diagnose ADHD. The symptoms should also be severe enough to interfere with a person's everyday life.
To diagnose ADHD, the health professional must first conduct an extensive exam. This includes examining the thyroid as well as hearing, vision and thyroid. The doctor should also go over the patient's health history as well as any pertinent records, including school records. This information can be used to determine if the patient suffers from any other mental disorders or learning disabilities.
A trained physician or mental health professional will then interview the person. During the interview, the physician will ask questions regarding the individual's symptoms and how they affect their lives. They will also ask the individual to rate their symptoms over a six-month period. The responses of the person will be compared with criteria established by the American Psychiatric Association for diagnosing ADHD among adults.
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 be able to demonstrate significant impairment in at least two settings in their daily life.
Online resources can be used to determine if you have ADHD symptoms in adults. These tests and rating scales can be useful for a general overview however, they shouldn't be relied upon to make the diagnosis or determine whether you need treatment. If you suspect you have ADHD, it is best to consult with a trained and experienced health professional for a thorough evaluation.
Treatment
If you struggle to remember things, seem to always misplace your keys or have difficulty keeping up with your schoolwork, a primary care provider is able to test you for ADHD. Getting a diagnosis is the first step to finding solutions that work for you and your family.
A thorough examination 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 adulthood. Your doctor may also ask to speak with your close friends or family members to get a more complete picture of your history and behavior. They'll also search for a medical issue that might explain your symptoms, for example, seizures or thyroid disorders.
Health professionals use the same scales for assessing behavior and ADHD symptoms checklists to test adults for the condition. Psychological tests will also be used to test working memory as well as executive functions (planning and decisions) as well as spatial and visual abilities, and reasoning abilities. These tests can help them determine if you're an inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive or combined type of ADHD.
The most frequently prescribed medication for ADHD is stimulants, like dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate. Non-stimulants, like Clonidine and atomoxetine, are also available. However, they can have side effects and take longer to work.
Your doctor might recommend cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). It assists people to change negative thinking patterns and manage their emotions, and develop coping strategies. CBT can also be used to improve relationships and work performance. If your physician has no experience treating adults with ADHD they might recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist. You can also look for an expert in the online directory of your health insurance company or by searching for a list of specialists in your local support group.
Medication
ADHD can affect adults and be treated with counseling, medication or lifestyle modifications. Your doctor can help you in identifying solutions that are most suitable for you. Ask your primary care provider to recommend you to an expert. You can also look up doctors in the directory of your health insurance plan. A coach or therapist may also offer tips and tools for managing symptoms.
A thorough assessment will include medical examinations, family histories, reports of work or school problems, alcohol and/or drug use and your relationships with family and friends. A mental health professional might ask you to record the activities you took part in, where you went, and what you ate over a few days. This is because people suffering from ADHD tend to forget things. They'll also look into whether you suffer from any other medical conditions that can cause similar symptoms. For example seizures, thyroid issues or thyroid disorders.
There isn't adult female ADHD symptoms , however a mental health professional or health professional will have to take a close look at your situation to determine the cause and the best way to treat it. If you were diagnosed with ADHD as a child and it has resulted in problems for you later in your life your doctor will be especially interested in how your symptoms affect your daily life.
The first medication is typically the primary treatment recommended for adults with ADHD. The most frequently used medications are methylphenidate and lisdexamfetamine as well as the atomoxetine. These medications increase the levels of certain brain chemicals, helping you to focus and control your impulsive behavior. The long-acting and extended release versions of these drugs remain in your body for longer which means you don't have to take medications more often and reducing the effect of rebound when it wears off.
Counseling
If your symptoms are severe enough your doctor will recommend you to a specialist who can diagnose and treat you. They include psychologists trained to treat adults suffering from ADHD and also psychotherapists and psychiatrists. Ask your primary care physician to recommend you or search on the internet for mental health specialists in your area. Your health insurance plan may also have an alphabetical list of specialists.
It is important to discuss any issues your ADHD symptoms could have caused at work, at home or at school. You might be embarrassed by the effects your symptoms can have on coworkers, teachers, or supervisors. These individuals may be able make small adjustments to help you perform better in your class or at work.
It is common to use medications to treat adult ADHD. Stimulants improve attention, decrease the impulsivity of people, and increase working memory in adults suffering from ADHD. However, they can cause side effects, so your doctor will likely recommend a combination of medication and therapy to best manage your symptoms. Your doctor will also go over your medical history to make sure that any other medications you are taking aren't interfering with the stimulants you may be prescribed.
Other treatment options for ADHD in adults include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or mindfulness meditation or brain training. CBT can help you overcome negative thoughts and patterns of thought, and reframe how you feel about your ADHD symptoms. Meditation on mindfulness can help you become more aware of yourself reduce emotional sensitivity and improve impulse control.
For adults who don't respond to medication, alternative behavioral therapies have produced promising results. Included are motivational interviewing (MI) as well as family and couple counseling as well as dialectical behavior therapy for adults, and mindfulness-based cognitive treatment (MBCT). MBCT integrates cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with mindfulness meditation in order to increase your ability to focus and control impulsive behaviors.