ADHD Symptoms in Adults Test
You'll be asked about your childhood (technically prior to the age of 12) by an expert in mental health who is conducting an ADHD assessment. They may employ standardized scales for assessing behavior or ADHD symptoms checklists.
Psychiatrists, psychologists, psychotherapists, and some physicians are trained to diagnose ADHD in adults. They'll be looking over your past and determine how your symptoms are impacting your life.
Signs and symptoms
Consult your physician in case you're concerned about your memory or organizational skills or you're finding it difficult to keep on the top of your work or home tasks. You could be scheduled for a psychological evaluation to determine if you suffer from ADHD. ADHD symptoms in adults females may include a questionnaire and rating scales which measure symptoms, or they may include specialized cognitive behavior testing. The test will also look at your family history and medical history, as well as other issues like learning disabilities and depression which may be similar to 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 affected the person's social, school, and work functioning.
Many adults live with undiagnosed ADHD, even the symptoms are obvious and impact the majority of aspects of daily life. As children, they might have been able to compensate for their symptoms, but as they become adults, their ability to pay more attention and stay organized increases dramatically.
People suffering from ADHD tend to have more trouble managing their emotions than people who do not suffer from the disorder and tend to be less self-controlled. In turn, they are more likely to act on impulse and make decisions based on impulsiveness. They may also lose things, forget appointments and forget important documents. Adults with ADHD are classified as moderate, mild or severe.
Diagnosis
Adults are more difficult to identify than children, because adult symptoms are more focused on social and work interactions. Because of this, physicians are more dependent on a person's background and current issues to make a diagnosis. The symptoms should also be so severe that they interfere with a person's everyday life.
A health professional must first perform a thorough examination to determine the cause of ADHD. This includes examining the thyroid, vision and hearing. The doctor should also go over the patient's health history and any pertinent records, including school records. This information can be used to determine if the patient has any other psychiatric disorders or learning disabilities.
A physician or trained mental health professional will interview the patient. During the interview, the clinician will ask questions about the person's symptoms and how they affect their lives. They will also ask the person to evaluate their symptoms over a period of six months. The results 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. Lastly, the person must be able to demonstrate significant impairment in at least two different settings in their daily life.
Online resources can be used to determine if you suffer from ADHD symptoms in adults. These tests and rating scales are useful for a general overview but they should not be relied upon to create an assessment or determine if you require treatment. If you suspect that you suffer from ADHD, it is best to consult with a trained and experienced health care expert for an assessment.
Treatment
If you have trouble remembering things, seem to always misplace your keys or have difficulties keeping up with school A primary care doctor can evaluate you for ADHD. Finding the best solutions for you and your loved ones begins with a diagnosis.
A thorough examination will include a physical examination and an explanation of your symptoms, including the history of your symptoms in childhood and any issues they've caused in adulthood. Your doctor might also suggest to speak with your family members or friends to get a full picture of your background and behavior. They'll also search for a medical condition which could be the cause of your symptoms, like seizures or thyroid disorders.
Adults are screened for ADHD using standardized behavioral ratings scales and ADHD symptoms checklists. They'll also use 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.
The most frequently prescribed medication used to treat ADHD is stimulants, such as dextroamphetamine as well as methylphenidate. There are also extreme ADHD symptoms adults -stimulants available, such as atomoxetine, clonidine and guanfacine, but they are more difficult to use and may have adverse effects.
Your doctor may suggest you to try cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). It helps people to learn how to reframe their negative patterns of thinking, manage their emotions and develop coping skills. CBT can be used to improve performance and relationships. 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 locate specialists through your health insurance company's online directory or by searching the list of providers within your local support group.
Medication
ADHD can affect adults and can be treated with counseling, medication, or lifestyle changes. Your doctor can help you in finding solutions that work best for you. Speak to your primary care physician for a referral to a specialist, or look up doctors listed on the directory of your health insurance plan. A coach or therapist may also be able to give you tips and tools to help manage symptoms.
A thorough evaluation will include medical examinations, a history of your family including reports on school or work problems or alcohol or drug abuse and your relationship with family and friends. A mental health professional might request you to write down the activities you took part in when you were out, where you went, and what you ate for several days. This is because people with ADHD tend to forget things. They'll also see if you have any other medical conditions that could cause similar symptoms, for example, seizures or thyroid issues.
There isn't a definitive ADHD test, but an expert in mental health or health care provider will need to carefully review your situation to identify the issue and the best treatment. If you were diagnosed with ADHD as a kid and it caused you problems throughout your adulthood the doctor is likely to be interested in how your symptoms affect you on a a daily basis.
The first medication is typically the primary treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. The most common medications used are methylphenidate, lisdexamfetamine, and Atomoxetine. These medications increase the levels of certain chemicals in your brain and help you concentrate and control impulsive behavior. The long-acting and extended release versions of these drugs remain in your body longer, reducing the need to take medication more often and lessening the rebound effect when it is gone.
Counseling
If your symptoms are serious enough, your doctor will refer you to a specialist who can diagnose and treat you. They include psychologists trained to treat adults suffering from ADHD, as well as psychotherapists and psychiatrists. Contact your primary care doctor to refer you to a specialist or look online for mental health professionals in your region. Your health insurance plan might also have an alphabetical list of specialists.
It is important to discuss any issues that your ADHD symptoms could have caused at work, at home or at school. You may feel embarrassed by the effects your symptoms have on your colleagues, teachers, or supervisors. But these individuals might be able to provide small accommodations that will aid you in achieving better results at your job or in class.
Adult ADHD is often treated by medication. They can boost concentration, reduce the tendency to be impulsive and increase working memory in adults with ADHD. However, they can cause negative side effects, and your doctor may recommend a combination of medication and therapy to help 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 that you may be prescribed.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness meditation or brain training are other treatments for ADHD. CBT can help you change negative thoughts and patterns of thought and help you reframe your perceptions about your ADHD symptoms. Meditation can increase self-awareness reduce emotional sensitivity and improve impulse control.
For adults who do not respond to medications, other behavioral therapies have demonstrated promising results. They include motivational interviewing as well as family and couples counseling as well as dialectical behavior therapy for adults and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT). MBCT incorporates cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) with mindfulness meditation in order to improve your ability focus and control your impulsive behavior.