ADHD Symptoms in Adults Test
You will be asked about your childhood (technically, before the age of 12) by an expert in mental health who is conducting an ADHD assessment. They might employ ADHD symptoms checklists or standardized behavior ratings scales.
Psychotherapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, and some physicians are able to diagnose ADHD in adults. They'll be looking over your medical history and assess how your symptoms affect your life.
Signs and symptoms
Speak to your doctor in case you're concerned about your memory or organization abilities or you notice it's becoming difficult to stay on with your home or work tasks. You may be recommended for a psychological test to determine if are suffering from ADHD. These tests could include the use of a questionnaire and rating scales to evaluate symptoms, or specialized cognitive behavior tests. The test will also look at your family history and medical history, as well as other issues such as depression and learning disabilities that could be a symptom of ADHD symptoms.
The psychiatric manual used by health professionals, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), establishes 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 adversely affected the person's ability to perform in school, social and work settings.
Undiagnosed ADHD can affect adults in different ways, despite the fact that the symptoms are severe and affect almost every aspect of daily life. They may have been able to compensate for their ADHD symptoms as children but as they mature and try to juggle more obligations and responsibilities, the demands on their ability to concentrate and stay organized are heightened.
People with ADHD often have more difficulty controlling their emotions than those who are not affected and tend to have less self-control. This means they tend to react on impulse and make decisions based on impulsiveness. They may also lose things, forget appointments and forget 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 social and work interactions. Because of this, physicians depend more on an individual's background and current issues to determine a diagnosis. The symptoms must also be severe enough that they affect a person's daily life.
A health professional will first need to conduct a thorough exam in order to diagnose ADHD. This includes checking the thyroid, vision and hearing. The doctor should also look over the patient's health history and any relevant records, including school records. This information can aid in determining if the patient has other psychiatric conditions or learning disabilities.
A trained mental health professional or physician will interview the person. During the interview, a physician will ask questions regarding the person's symptoms and how they affect their lives. The doctor will also request a rating of the symptoms over the course of six months. The person's responses will be compared to the criteria used to diagnose ADHD in adults, as defined 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 patient must also demonstrate significant impairment in two aspects of their daily lives.
Online resources can be used to determine if you suffer from ADHD symptoms in adults. These tests and scales of rating can be useful to get a general idea, however, they shouldn't be relied upon to make a diagnosis or determine if you need treatment. If you suspect you have ADHD, it is best to speak with a qualified and experienced health care professional for a thorough evaluation.
Treatment
If you have trouble remembering things, seem to always lose your keys or experience difficulty keeping up in school, a primary care provider will be able to evaluate you for ADHD. Getting a diagnosis is the first step towards finding solutions that are beneficial for you and your family.
A thorough examination includes a physical examination and a discussion about your symptoms, the history of their occurrence as a child and any issues they may have caused in adulthood. Your doctor might also suggest to talk to your partner or close friends to obtain a complete picture of your background and behavior. They may also look for a medical condition which could be the cause of your symptoms.
Health care professionals employ standardized behavioral rating scales and ADHD symptom checklists to evaluate adults for the condition. They'll also administer psychological tests to test your working memory, executive functioning abilities (planning and decision-making), visual and spatial 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 drugs for ADHD. Non-stimulants are also readily available like atomoxetine the guanfacine and clonidine. However, they require longer time to work and can have side effects.
You doctor may recommend cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). It helps people learn how to reframe their negative patterns of thinking as well as manage their emotions and develop coping strategies. CBT can also be used to improve relationships and work performance. If your healthcare provider doesn't have experience treating adults with ADHD, they might refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist. You can also search for an expert in the online directory of your health insurance company or by looking up a list of providers in your local support group.
Medication
ADHD can affect adults and may be treated with medication, counseling, or lifestyle changes. Your doctor can help you in identifying solutions that are most suitable for you. Speak to your primary care doctor for a referral to a specialist, or search for doctors in your health insurance plan's directory. A coach or therapist may also be able to give suggestions and tools to manage symptoms.
A complete assessment includes medical examinations, a family history and reports of school or work problems or alcohol or drug abuse, and your relationships with friends and family members. severe ADHD symptoms adults might request you to write down the activities you took part in and where you went and what you ate over several days. This is because people suffering from ADHD tend to forget things. They will also check if you suffer from any other medical conditions which could cause similar symptoms. For example seizures, thyroid issues or thyroid disorders.
There isn't a definitive ADHD test, but an expert in mental health or health care provider will have to take a close look at your situation to determine the cause and the best treatment. If you were diagnosed with ADHD as a child and it has caused problems in your adult life the doctor is likely to be interested in how your symptoms affect you on an everyday basis.
The first medication is typically the primary treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. The most frequently prescribed drugs are methylphenidate (Ritalin) and the lisdexamfetamine (Adderall) and Atomoxetine. These drugs boost the levels of certain chemicals in your brain which helps you focus and control impulsive behavior. The extended release and long-acting versions of these medications remain in your body longer and reduce the need to take the medication more frequently and minimizing the effect of rebound when it is finished.
Counseling
If your symptoms are serious enough your doctor will recommend you to a specialist who can diagnose and treat you. They include psychologists, psychiatrists and therapists with training in treating adults suffering from ADHD. Consult your primary care physician for a referral or look online for a mental health specialist in your region. Your health insurance plan may provide the names of specialists.
It's important to discuss any issues that you or your ADHD symptoms have caused at school, at work or at home. You might be embarrassed about the effects of your symptoms on your colleagues as well as teachers or supervisors. They may be able to make small adjustments to improve your performance in your class or at work.
Medications are often used to treat adult ADHD. Stimulants improve attention, decrease impulsivity, and enhance working memory in adults suffering from ADHD. However, they can have side effects, so your doctor might recommend a combination of medication and therapy to help manage your symptoms. Your doctor will also go over your medication history to ensure that any other medications you take do not interact with the stimulants you might be prescribed.
Other treatments for ADHD in adults include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) mindfulness meditation or brain training. CBT helps you alter negative thoughts and patterns of thought and help you reframe your thoughts about your ADHD symptoms. Meditation can increase self-awareness reduce emotional sensitivity and improve control of impulses.
For adults who are unable to respond to medications, other behavioral therapies have shown promising results. These include motivational interviewing as well as family and couples counseling and dialectical behavior therapy for adults and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT). MBCT integrates CBT with mindfulness meditation to enhance your ability to focus and control an impulsive behaviour.