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 might use ADHD symptom checklists or standardized behavior ratings scales.
Adult ADHD is diagnosed by psychologists and psychiatrists. Certain doctors are competent to diagnose it. They'll want to review your history and how your symptoms impact your life.
Signs and symptoms
Speak to your doctor if you're worried about your memory or organizational skills or notice it's difficult to keep on top of work or home tasks. You could be referred for a psychological assessment to determine if you are ADHD. These tests can include a questionnaire or rating scale to determine symptoms or specialized cognitive behavioral tests. The test will also consider your medical history and family history, as well as any other issues that could mimic ADHD symptoms or coexist with them, such as depression or learning disabilities.
The psychiatric guideline used by health care providers The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), establishes the criteria for diagnosing 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 adversely affected the person's ability to perform in school, social and workplace settings.
Many adults live with undiagnosed ADHD, even when their symptoms are evident and interfere with almost every aspect of daily life. They may have been able to compensate for their symptoms as children, however, as they grow older and have to manage more responsibilities, the demands on their ability to concentrate and stay organized are heightened.
People with ADHD have trouble controlling their emotions and tend to be more self-controlled. They tend to be impulsive and make impulsive choices. They may also lose the track of things, forget appointments, and forget important documents. Adults with 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. Due to this, doctors rely more on a person's history and their current problems to make an assessment. The symptoms must be severe enough that they interfere with an individual's daily life.
To diagnose ADHD, medical professionals must first conduct a thorough examination. This includes checking the thyroid and hearing, as well as vision. The doctor must also look over a patient's family health history along with school records and other relevant records. This information can help determine if the person suffers from any other mental illness or learning disabilities.
A trained physician or mental health professional will interview the person. During the interview, a doctor will ask the patient questions about their symptoms and how they affect their lives. The doctor will also request a rating of the symptoms over a period of six months. The answers of the person will be compared with criteria established 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. The person must also show significant impairment in two areas of their everyday life.
There are a number of online resources that can be used to gauge whether or not you have symptoms of ADHD in adults. Although these tests and rating scales can provide an idea of the situation, they shouldn't be used to self-diagnose or determine the treatment plan you will follow. If you suspect you might have ADHD You should speak with a trained and experienced medical professional for an assessment.
Treatment
If you are having trouble remembering things, seem to always lose your keys or experience difficulty keeping up with your schoolwork A primary care doctor is able to test you for ADHD. Getting a diagnosis is the first step towards finding solutions that work for you and your family.
A thorough examination includes a physical examination as well as discussion of your symptoms, their history as a child and any problems they have caused in adulthood. Your doctor may also request to speak with your close friends or family members to obtain a complete picture of your history and behavior. They'll also look for a medical condition which could be the cause of your symptoms, such as seizures or thyroid disorders.
Health care professionals employ standardized behavioral rating scales and ADHD symptom checklists to evaluate adults for the condition. They also conduct psychological tests to assess your working memory, executive functioning capabilities (planning and decision-making) as well as spatial and visual abilities and reasoning. These tests can help them determine if you're an inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive or combined type of ADHD.
The most common treatment for ADHD is stimulants, such as dextroamphetamine as well as methylphenidate. Non-stimulants, such as Clonidine and atomoxetine, are also available. However, they can have adverse effects and can take longer to effect.
Your doctor may suggest you to try cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). It assists people in learning to change negative thinking patterns and manage their emotions as well as develop strategies for coping. 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 psychiatrist or psychologist. You can also find a specialist in the online directory of your health insurance company or by looking up a list of specialists at your local support group.
Medication
The effects of ADHD tend to last into adulthood, and treatment can include medications, counseling or lifestyle changes. Your doctor can help in determining solutions that work best for you. Speak to your primary care provider to refer you to a specialist, or search for doctors in the health insurance plan's directory. A coach or therapist may provide advice and tools to manage symptoms.
A complete evaluation will include medical examinations and family histories, as well as reports of school or work issues, alcohol or drug use as well as your relationships with family members and friends. A mental health professional could require you to keep a record of what you did 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 determine if you suffer from any other medical conditions that could cause similar symptoms, like seizures or thyroid issues.
There isn't an exact ADHD test, however a mental health professional or health care provider must carefully examine your situation in order to determine the cause and the best way to treat it. If you were diagnosed with ADHD as a child and it has caused issues for you throughout your life, your doctor will be especially interested in the way your symptoms affect your daily functioning.
Adults with ADHD are usually treated first with medication. inattentive ADHD in adults symptoms used are methylphenidate, lisdexamfetamine, and atomoxetine. These drugs increase the levels of certain chemicals in your brain and help you concentrate and manage your impulsive behavior. The extended release and long-acting versions of these drugs stay in your body longer and reduce the need to take the medication more frequently and lessening the effect of rebound when it is gone.
Counseling
If your symptoms are serious enough, your doctor will recommend you to a specialist who can diagnose and treat you. They include psychologists who have been trained to treat adults with ADHD as well as psychotherapists and psychiatrists. Contact your primary care doctor for a referral or look online for a mental health specialist in your region. Your health insurance plan may also have a list of specialists.
It is important to talk about any issues you or your ADHD symptoms have caused at school, work or home. You might be uncomfortable about the impact your symptoms can have on your coworkers or teachers, as well as your supervisors. They might be able to make small adjustments to help you perform better in your class or at work.
Adult ADHD is usually treated with medication. stimulants increase attention, reduce the tendency to be impulsive, and improve working memory for adults with ADHD. However, they can cause side effects, so your doctor will likely suggest a combination of medications and therapy to help manage your symptoms. Your doctor will also review your medical history to make sure that any other medications you're taking don't interact with the stimulants that you may be prescribed.
Cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT), mindfulness meditation, or brain training are all other options for ADHD. CBT helps you to change negative thought patterns, and reframe how you feel about your ADHD symptoms. Mindfulness meditation can sharpen self-awareness as well as reduce emotional sensitivity. It can also improve control of impulses.
For adults who are unable to respond to medication, other behavioral therapies have shown promising results. These include motivational interviewing and counseling for couples and families as well as dialectical behavior therapy for adults, and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT). MBCT integrates cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with mindfulness meditation to improve your ability focus and control impulsive behaviors.