ADHD Symptoms in Adults Test
You may be asked about your childhood (technically at the age of 12) by a mental health professional who is conducting an ADHD assessment. They may utilize standardized behavior rating scales or ADHD symptom checklists.
Psychiatrists, psychologists, psychotherapists, and some physicians are trained to diagnose ADHD in adults. They'll be looking over your history and how your symptoms affect your life.
Symptoms
If you're worried about your memory and organization abilities, or you notice that it's hard for you to keep up with home or work tasks, talk to your doctor. You could be referred to a psychological test to determine if you are suffering from ADHD. These tests may include ratings scales and a questionnaire which measure symptoms, or they may include specialized cognitive behavior testing. The test will also consider your family history and medical history as well as other issues such as depression and learning disabilities that may mimic ADHD symptoms.
The psychiatric manual that is used by health care providers and health care professionals, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), defines the criteria for diagnosing adults with ADHD. 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 affected the person's social, school, and work functioning.
Adults can live with undiagnosed ADHD, even though their symptoms are pronounced and impact almost every aspect of daily living. They might have had the ability to manage their symptoms as children, but as they mature and have to manage more tasks, the demands on their ability to pay attention and stay organized increase dramatically.
People suffering from ADHD tend to have more trouble managing their emotions than people who are not affected and tend to be less self-controlled. They are more likely to act impulsively and make impulsive decisions. They may also lose track of their schedules forget appointments, or misplace important documents. Adults with ADHD are classified as mild, moderate or severe.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing ADHD in adults is more complex than diagnosing it in children, as symptoms in adulthood are focused on work and social interactions. Due to this, doctors are more dependent on a person's past and present problems to make an assessment. The symptoms must also be severe enough that they affect a person's daily life.
A medical professional will first perform a thorough examination in order to diagnose ADHD. This includes checking hearing, vision and thyroid function. The doctor must also look over the health history of the family member, school records and any other pertinent records. This information can help determine if the person is suffering from other mental health issues or learning disabilities.
A doctor or trained mental health professional will interview the patient. During the interview, a physician will ask questions regarding the individual's symptoms and how they impact their lives. They will also ask the patient to evaluate their symptoms over a 6-month period. The answers of the person will be compared to the guidelines 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 demonstrate significant impairment in at least two different settings in their daily lives.
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 scales can provide an idea of the situation but they should not be used to self-diagnose or determine the treatment plan you will follow. If you think you may have ADHD you should talk to an experienced and trained healthcare professional to conduct an assessment.
Treatment
If you have trouble remembering things, you seem to constantly lose your keys or experience difficulty keeping up in school, a primary care provider can evaluate you for ADHD. A diagnosis is the first step in finding solutions that will benefit you and your family.
A thorough assessment includes a physical examination as well as an examination of your symptoms, their history as a child and any problems they have caused in their adult lives. Your doctor might also suggest to speak with your close friends or family members to get a full picture of your history and behavior. They may also look for a medical condition that could be the cause of your symptoms.
Adults are assessed for ADHD by using standardized behavioral rating scales and ADHD symptoms checklists. Psychological tests can also be used to assess working memory, executive functions (planning and decisions) spatial and visual capacities, and reasoning skills. These tests can help them determine if you're an inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive or combined type of ADHD.
Dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate as well as other stimulants are the most common medications for ADHD. Non-stimulants, like atomoxetine and clonidine are also available. However, they can have adverse effects and take longer to work.
Your doctor might recommend you try cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). It assists people in learning how to reframe their negative thinking patterns and manage their emotions. It also helps them develop coping strategies. CBT can also be utilized to improve relationships and work performance. If your health care provider doesn't have experience treating adults with ADHD they may recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist. You can also search for an expert in the online directory of your health insurance provider or by searching for a list of providers at your local support group.
Medication
ADHD can affect adults and may be treated with medication, counseling or lifestyle changes. Your doctor can assist you in finding solutions that are right for you. Request your primary care physician 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 provide advice and tools to help manage symptoms.
A thorough evaluation will include medical tests, a family history and reports of school or work problems, drug and alcohol use and your relationship with family members and friends. A mental health professional might require you to keep a record of the things you did when you were out, where you went, and what you ate for some time. This is because people with ADHD tend to forget things. They'll also look into whether you have any other medical conditions which may cause similar symptoms. For example seizures, thyroid problems or thyroid disorders.
There is no definitive test for ADHD, but a careful examination of your situation by a medical professional or mental health professional is needed to pinpoint the issue and determine the best course of action. If you suffered from ADHD as a child and it has caused issues for you throughout your life, your doctor will be especially interested in how your symptoms affect your daily functioning.
combined ADHD symptoms in adults with ADHD are typically treated with medication first. The most frequently prescribed medication is methylphenidate (Ritalin) and lisdexamfetamine (Adderall) and atomoxetine. These drugs increase the levels of certain brain chemicals and help you concentrate and control your impulsive behavior. The long-acting and extended release versions of these medications remain in your body for a longer time and reduce the need to take the medication more frequently and minimizing the effects of rebound after it is finished.
Counseling
If your symptoms are serious enough, your doctor may refer you to a specialist to determine the cause and treatment. Specialists in this field include psychologists who have been specially trained to treat people with ADHD as well as psychiatrists and therapists. Ask your primary care physician to recommend you or search online for mental health professionals in your area. Your health insurance plan might also have a list of specialists.
It is important to discuss any issues you have with your ADHD symptoms may cause at work, home or at school. You may be uncomfortable about the impact your symptoms can have on colleagues or teachers, as well as your supervisors. They may be able to make small adjustments to assist you in class or at work.
The use of medications is often to treat adults with ADHD. They can boost attention, decrease the impulsivity of children and improve working memory in adults with ADHD. However, they can cause adverse effects, so your doctor might suggest a combination of medications and therapy to best manage your symptoms. Your doctor will review your medication history to ensure that the stimulants prescribed don't interfere with other medications.
Other treatments for ADHD for adults include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or brain training or mindfulness meditation. CBT helps you change negative thought patterns and reframe your feelings about your ADHD symptoms. Meditation can increase self-awareness and decrease emotional sensitiveness.
For adults who don't respond to medications, other behavioral therapies have shown promising results. These include motivational interviewing (MI) as well as family and couple counseling and dialectical behavioral therapy for adults as well as mindfulness-based cognitive treatment (MBCT). MBCT integrates cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with mindfulness meditation to improve your ability focus and control impulsive behaviors.