ADHD Symptoms in Adults Test
A mental health professional who is conducting an ADHD evaluation will want to start by asking you about your childhood experiences (technically prior to age 12). They might employ ADHD symptoms checklists or standard behavior ratings scales.
Adult ADHD is diagnosed by psychiatrists and psychologists. Some physicians are also competent to diagnose it. They'll be looking over your past and determine how your symptoms are impacting your life.
Symptoms
If you're concerned about your memory and organizational skills, or notice that it's difficult for you to keep up with your home or work tasks, consult your doctor. You may be recommended for an assessment of your psychological health to determine if are suffering from ADHD. These tests can include a questionnaire and rating scales to evaluate symptoms or specialized cognitive behavioral tests. The evaluation will also examine your family history and medical background, in addition to other issues such as learning disabilities and depression that may mimic ADHD symptoms.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, utilized by health professionals to diagnose adults suffering from 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 adversely affected the person's ability to perform in school, social and work settings.
Many adults live with undiagnosed ADHD even though their symptoms are pronounced and impact the majority of aspects of everyday life. As children, they might have been able to overcome their symptoms, but as adults their ability to pay more attention and remain organized improves dramatically.
People with ADHD have a difficult time controlling their emotions and tend to be less self-controlled. They tend to be impulsive and make impulsive choices. They may also lose things, forget appointments or lose important documents. Adults with ADHD are classified as mild, moderate or severe.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing ADHD in adults is more complex than diagnosing ADHD in children since symptoms in adulthood are focused on social and work interactions. Because of this, physicians are more dependent on a person's past and present problems to determine the diagnosis. Symptoms must also be severe enough to disrupt the individual's life.
A health care professional will first need to complete a thorough examination to determine the cause of ADHD. This includes checking the thyroid and hearing, as well as vision. The doctor must also look over a patient's family health history along with school records and other relevant documents. This information can be used to determine if a patient suffers from any other mental disorders or learning disabilities.
A physician or trained mental health professional will interview the person. During the interview, a professional will ask the patient questions about their symptoms and how they affect their lives. The doctor will also require an assessment of the symptoms over the course of six months. The results of the individual will be compared to the criteria set 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. Lastly, the person must exhibit significant impairment in at minimum two settings in their daily lives.
There are numerous online resources available to determine if you are suffering from ADHD in adults. While these tests and scales can give you an idea of the situation, they should not be used to self-diagnose or establish your treatment plan. If you suspect you have ADHD you should to speak with a qualified and experienced health care expert for an assessment.
Treatment
A primary care provider will examine you for ADHD when you have difficulty remembering things, always seem to misplace your keys, or struggle to keep up with school. Finding the best solution for you and your family members begins with an assessment.
A thorough evaluation will include a physical examination and a discussion of your symptoms, which may include the history of your symptoms in childhood and any issues they've caused in adulthood. Your doctor may suggest that you talk to your partner or other close friends, as well to get a more complete picture of your behavior and history. They will also search for a medical issue that could explain your symptoms.
Health care professionals employ standardized behavioral rating scales and ADHD symptom checklists to evaluate adults for the condition. They also conduct psychological tests to test your working memory, executive functioning skills (planning and decision-making) as well as spatial and visual abilities and reasoning. These tests can help them determine if you're an inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive or combined type of ADHD.
Dextroamphetamine, methylphenidate, and other stimulants are among the most commonly prescribed drugs for ADHD. Non-stimulants, like atomoxetine and clonidine are also available. However, they may have negative side effects and take longer to work.
Your doctor may suggest you try cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). It helps people to learn how to change their negative patterns of thinking and manage their emotions. It also helps them develop coping skills. CBT can be used to improve work performance and relationships. If your healthcare provider doesn't have experience in treating adults suffering from ADHD they may recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist. You can also locate a specialist by contacting your health insurance provider's online directory or by searching the list of providers within your local support group.
Medication
ADHD can affect adults and be treated with counseling, medication or lifestyle modifications. Your doctor can help you in finding solutions that are most suitable for you. Contact adult male ADHD symptoms to refer you to an expert. You can also search for doctors in the directory of your health insurance plan. A therapist or coach can provide tips and tools to manage symptoms.
A thorough evaluation will consist of medical examinations, family histories, reports on school or work issues, alcohol or drug use, as well as your relationships with family and friends. Because people who suffer from ADHD often forget things that are important to them, a mental health professional may request that you keep an eye on what you've been doing, where you've been and what you've eaten over several days. They will also check if you have any other medical conditions that may cause similar symptoms. For instance seizures, thyroid issues or thyroid disorders.
There isn't a definitive test for ADHD however a thorough review of your situation by a health care provider or mental health professional is necessary to pinpoint the issue and determine the best course of action. If you were diagnosed with ADHD when you were a child and it has caused problems in your adult life, your doctor is likely to be interested in the way your symptoms affect you on every day.
Medication is usually the first treatment recommended for adults with ADHD. The most commonly used medications are methylphenidate, lisdexamfetamine and atomoxetine. These drugs boost the levels of certain chemicals in your brain which helps you focus and control your impulsive behavior. The long-acting and extended release versions of these drugs remain in your body longer and reduce the need to take the medication more frequently and minimizing the rebound effect when it wears off.
Counseling
If your symptoms are severe enough your doctor will recommend you to a specialist who will diagnose and treat you. These specialists include psychologists, psychiatrists and therapists trained in treating adults with ADHD. Consult your primary care physician for a referral or search online for a mental health specialist in your area. Your health insurance plan might also have the names of specialists.
It is important to discuss any issues that your ADHD symptoms could have caused at work, home or school. You may feel uncomfortable about the impact your symptoms can have on your colleagues or teachers, as well as your supervisors. They might be able to 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 impulsivity, and enhance working memory for people with ADHD. However, they can cause negative side effects, and your doctor might suggest a combination of medication and therapy to help manage your symptoms. Your doctor will also review your medical history to make sure that any other medications you're taking do not interact with the stimulants you may be prescribed.
Other treatments for ADHD for adults include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), brain training or mindfulness meditation. CBT can help you overcome negative thinking patterns and reframe how you feel about your ADHD symptoms. Meditation can increase self-awareness and reduce emotional sensitiveness.
For adults who don't respond to medication, other behavioral therapies have shown promising results. The therapies include motivational interviewing (MI), couple and family counseling, dialectical behavioral therapy for adults as well as mindfulness-based cognitive treatment (MBCT). MBCT integrates CBT with mindfulness meditation to enhance your ability to focus and control impulsive behavior.