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 could utilize ADHD symptoms checklists or standardized behavior ratings scales.
Psychotherapists, psychiatrists, psychologists and some doctors are qualified to diagnose ADHD in adults. They'll want to review your medical history and assess how your symptoms affect your life.
Symptoms
Speak to your doctor If you're concerned about your memory or organization skills or you're finding it difficult to keep on with your home or work tasks. You may be sent for a psychological assessment to determine if your condition is ADHD. These tests may consist of ratings scales and a questionnaire which measure symptoms, or they may include specialized cognitive behavioral tests. The evaluation will also look at your family and medical background, as well as any other issues that could be a cause of ADHD symptoms or coexist with them, such as depression or learning disabilities.
The psychiatric manual that is used by health care professionals, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), specifies the criteria used to diagnose adults suffering from 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, educational and work performance.
Many adults live with undiagnosed ADHD even the symptoms are obvious and interfere with nearly every facet of everyday life. As children, they might have been able to overcome their symptoms, but as they become adults their ability to pay more attention and stay organized is dramatically increased.
People with ADHD have a harder time controlling their emotions. They are also more likely to be less self-controlled. This means they are more likely to act on impulse and make impulsive choices. They also tend to lose things, forget appointments and forget important documents. Adults with ADHD can be classified as moderate, mild, 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 depend more on an individual's background and current issues to make an assessment. The symptoms must also be serious enough to cause disruption to the person's life.
A health professional will first conduct a thorough exam to determine if you suffer from ADHD. This includes examining the thyroid as well as hearing, vision and thyroid. The doctor should also look at the health history of the family member, school records and any other pertinent documents. This information will 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 person. During the interview, a professional will ask the patient questions about their symptoms and how they impact their lives. They will also ask the individual to rate their symptoms over a six-month period. The results 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. ADHD adult symptoms 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.
Online resources can be used to determine if you suffer from ADHD symptoms in adults. While these tests and rating scales can give you a general idea but they should not be used to diagnose yourself or determine the treatment plan you will follow. If you suspect that you might have ADHD you should talk to an experienced and trained healthcare professional for an assessment.
Treatment
If you have trouble remembering things, are prone to lose your keys, or have difficulty keeping up with your schoolwork, a primary care provider will be able to evaluate you for ADHD. A diagnosis is the first step in finding solutions that will benefit you and your family.
A thorough examination includes a physical examination as well as a discussion about your symptoms, the history of their occurrence as a child, and any issues they may have caused in their adult lives. Your doctor may also request to speak to your family members or friends to obtain a complete understanding of your past and behavior. They'll also look for a medical condition that might explain your symptoms, for example, seizures or thyroid disorders.
Adults are assessed for ADHD using standardized behavioral ratings scales and ADHD symptoms checklists. They also conduct psychological tests to test your working memory, executive functioning abilities (planning and decision-making) as well as spatial and visual abilities, 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 among the most common medications for ADHD. Non-stimulants are also available, such as atomoxetine, clonidine and guanfacine, but they require longer time to work and may have adverse effects.
Your doctor may recommend that you to try cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). It assists people in learning how to reframe their negative thinking patterns as well as manage their emotions and develop coping strategies. CBT can also be used to improve relationships and performance. If your health care provider isn't experienced enough or doesn't have experience treating adults with ADHD they may refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist. You can also find a specialist in the online directory of your health insurance provider or by searching a list of doctors in your local support group.
Medication
The effects of ADHD tend to last until adulthood and treatment can include medications and counseling as well as lifestyle changes. Your doctor can help you in identifying solutions that work best for you. Ask your primary care provider to refer you to an expert. You can also look up doctors in the directory of your health insurance plan. A coach or therapist may also be able to offer tips and techniques to manage symptoms.
A complete evaluation includes medical examinations, a family history, reports of problems at work or school, drug and alcohol use and your relationships with family and friends. Because people with ADHD tend to forget things that are important to them, a mental health professional may request that you keep the record of what you've been doing, where you've been and what you've eaten for several days. They'll also look into whether you have any other medical conditions that may cause similar symptoms. For example seizures, thyroid problems or thyroid disorders.
There isn't a definitive test for ADHD, but a careful examination of your situation by a medical professional or mental health professional is required to pinpoint the issue and determine the best course of action. If you were diagnosed with ADHD as a child and it caused issues in your adult life Your doctor is likely to be interested in the way your symptoms affect you on an everyday basis.
Medication is usually the first treatment recommended for adults with ADHD. The most common medications used are methylphenidate, lisdexamfetamine, and atomoxetine. These drugs increase the levels of certain brain chemicals, which helps you focus and control impulse-driven behaviors. The extended release and long-acting versions of these drugs stay in your body for a longer time and reduce the need to take medications more often and reducing the effects of rebound after it is finished.
Counseling
If your symptoms are serious enough, your doctor will refer you to a specialist who will diagnose and treat you. Specialists in this field include psychologists who have been trained to treat adults suffering from ADHD and also psychotherapists and psychiatrists. Contact your primary care doctor to refer you to a specialist or search online for mental health specialists in your region. Your health insurance plan may also include a list.
You should discuss any problems you have with your ADHD symptoms could cause at work, at home or school. You may feel ashamed of the impact your symptoms have on your coworkers, teachers, or supervisors. But these individuals might be able to provide small adjustments that can assist you in performing better at your job or in class.
The use of medications is often to treat adult ADHD. Stimulants improve attention, decrease the tendency to be impulsive, and improve working memory in adults suffering from ADHD. However, they can cause adverse effects, so your doctor will likely suggest a combination of medication and therapy to manage your symptoms. Your doctor will also look over your medication history to ensure that any other medications you take do not interact with the stimulants you may be prescribed.
Other treatments for ADHD in adults include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or mindfulness meditation or brain training. CBT helps you alter negative thinking patterns and change your feelings about your ADHD symptoms. Meditation can help you become more aware of yourself and reduce emotional sensitivities.
For adults who do not respond to medication, other behavioral therapies have shown promising results. Included are motivational interviewing (MI), counseling for couples and families and dialectical behavioral therapy for adults and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT). MBCT incorporates CBT and mindfulness meditation to increase your ability to concentrate and control the impulsive behavior.