ADHD Symptoms in Adults Test
A mental health professional conducting an ADHD evaluation will start by asking you about your experiences in childhood (technically before age 12). They may employ standardized scales for assessing behavior or ADHD symptom checklists.
Adult ADHD is diagnosed by psychiatrists and psychologists. Certain doctors are qualified to make this diagnosis. They will be interested in knowing your history and the way you feel.
Signs and symptoms
Consult your physician if you're worried about your memory or organization skills or you're finding it difficult to stay on with your home or work tasks. You may be sent for a psychological assessment to determine if your condition is ADHD. These tests could include an assessment questionnaire or rating scale to determine symptoms, or specialized cognitive behavioral tests. The test will also consider 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 which is used by health professionals to identify 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 negatively affected the person's ability to function in social, school and work settings.
Undiagnosed ADHD can affect adults in many ways, despite the fact that their symptoms are severe and affect the majority of aspects of daily life. As children, they might have been able compensate for their symptoms, but as adults they are able to pay attention and remain organized increases dramatically.
People suffering from ADHD have a difficult time controlling their emotions and tend to be less self-controlled. In turn, they are more likely to react on impulse and make impulsive decisions. They may also lose things, forget appointments or forget important documents. Adults suffering from ADHD are classified as mild, moderate or severe.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing ADHD in adults is more complicated than diagnosing children because symptoms in adulthood are centered on social and work interactions. Because of this, physicians depend more on an individual's background and current issues to determine an assessment. The symptoms must be severe enough that they interfere with an individual's daily life.
To determine if you have ADHD, medical professionals must first perform a thorough exam. This includes checking hearing, vision and thyroid function. The provider should also review the patient's health history as well as any pertinent records, such as school records. This information will help determine if the person has other psychiatric conditions or learning disabilities.
A physician or trained mental health professional will then interview the patient. During the interview, the doctor will ask questions about the person's symptoms and how they impact their lives. The doctor will also require an assessment of the symptoms over a period of six months. The answers of the person will be compared with the criteria established by the American Psychiatric Association for diagnosing ADHD in 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 show significant impairment in two aspects of their daily life.
Online resources can be used to determine if you have ADHD symptoms in adults. Although these tests and rating scales can give you an idea of the situation however they shouldn't be used to self-diagnose or determine the treatment plan you will follow. If you suspect that you might be suffering from ADHD you should talk to an experienced and skilled medical professional for an assessment.
Treatment
If you are having trouble remembering things, you seem to constantly lose your keys or experience difficulty keeping up in school, a primary care provider will be able to evaluate you for ADHD. Finding the right solutions for you and your loved ones starts with a diagnosis.
A thorough examination will include a physical exam and an explanation of your symptoms, including the history of your symptoms in childhood and any issues they've caused in adulthood. Your doctor may also ask to talk to your close friends or family members to get a full picture of your background and behavior. They will also look for a medical condition which could explain your symptoms.
Health care professionals employ standardized behavioral rating scales and ADHD symptoms checklists to test adults for the condition. Psychological tests will also be used to check working memory, executive functions (planning and making decisions), visual and spatial capabilities, as well as reasoning abilities. 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 frequently prescribed medications for ADHD. There are also non-stimulants available like atomoxetine clonidine and guanfacine, but they are more difficult to use and may cause side effects.
Your doctor may suggest you to try cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). It helps people learn to change negative thinking patterns and manage their emotions, and develop coping strategies. CBT can be used to improve work performance and interpersonal relationships. If your doctor has no expertise in treating adults suffering from ADHD they might refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist. You can also locate a specialist through your health insurance company's online directory or by searching the list of providers in your local support group.
Medication
ADHD can affect adults and can be treated with medication, counseling, or lifestyle changes. Your doctor can assist you in finding solutions that work best for you. Consult your primary care provider for a referral to a specialist, or search for doctors in your health insurance plan's directory. A coach or therapist can provide tips and tools to manage symptoms.
A complete assessment includes medical examinations, a family history including reports on school or work problems as well as alcohol and drug use, and your relationships with family and friends. Because people who suffer from ADHD tend to forget things that are important to them, a mental health professional may require you to keep track of what you've been doing, where you've been and what you've eaten for several days. They will also check if you suffer from any other medical conditions which may cause similar symptoms. For example, thyroid problems or seizures disorders.
There isn't a definitive ADHD test, however an expert in mental health or health care professional 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 when you were a child and it's resulted in problems for you later in your life Your doctor will be especially interested in how your symptoms impact your daily activities.
Adults suffering from ADHD are usually treated first by medication. The most frequently prescribed medications are methylphenidate (Ritalin) and lisdexamfetamine (Adderall) and atomoxetine. These drugs boost the levels of certain brain chemicals, which help you concentrate and control impulsive behaviors. These medications are available in extended-release and long-acting versions that stay in your system for longer. This means that you don't have to take them more often and the rebound effect after they are gone.
Counseling
If your symptoms are serious enough, your doctor will recommend you to a specialist who will diagnose and treat you. Specialists in this field include psychologists who are specially trained to treat people with ADHD as well as psychiatrists and therapists. Consult your primary care physician for a referral or search online for a mental health specialist in your area. Your health insurance plan may also have an alphabetical list of specialists.
It is important to talk about any issues that you or your ADHD symptoms have caused at school, at work or home. You might be embarrassed about the effects of your ADHD symptoms on your co-workers as well as teachers or supervisors. But these individuals might be able to make small accommodations that will help you perform better at work or in class.
It is common to use medications to treat adult ADHD. They can boost the concentration of children, reduce the tendency to be impulsive and increase working memory among adults suffering from ADHD. combined ADHD symptoms in adults can also cause adverse effects. Your doctor may prescribe a combination of medications together with therapy to help manage your symptoms. Your doctor will also go over your medical history to make sure that any other medications you're taking do not interact with the stimulants you may be prescribed.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) mindfulness meditation, or brain training are all other options for ADHD. CBT helps you change negative thought patterns and reframe your perceptions about your ADHD symptoms. Meditation can increase self-awareness reduce emotional sensitivity and increase control over impulses.
For adults who are unable to respond to medication, alternative behavioral therapies have shown promising results. These include motivational interviews and counseling for couples and families and dialectical behavior therapy for adults and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT). MBCT combines CBT with mindfulness meditation to increase your ability to focus and control the impulsive behavior.