ADHD Symptoms in Adults Test
A mental health professional conducting an ADHD evaluation will want to start by asking you about your experiences in childhood (technically prior to age 12). They could use ADHD symptoms checklists or standard behavior ratings scales.
Adult ADHD is diagnosed by psychiatrists and psychologists. Some doctors are qualified to make this diagnosis. They'll want to look over your history and how your symptoms impact your life.
Signs and symptoms
If you are concerned about your memory and organization abilities, or you notice that it's difficult for you to keep up with work or home tasks, speak to your doctor. You may be sent for a psychological test to determine if you suffer from ADHD. These tests could include a questionnaire or rating scale to determine symptoms, or specialized cognitive behavior tests. The test will also consider your family history and medical background, in addition to other issues, such as depression and learning disabilities that may mimic ADHD symptoms.
The psychiatric guideline used by health professionals and health care professionals, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), defines 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 function in social, school and work settings.
Undiagnosed ADHD can affect adults in a variety of ways even though their symptoms are severe and interfere with almost every aspect of daily life. They might have been able to compensate for their ADHD symptoms as children but as they mature and attempt to take on more responsibilities the demands on their ability to concentrate and stay organized are heightened.
People suffering from ADHD typically have a harder time managing their emotions than those who are not affected and, as a result, they tend to have less self-control. This means they tend to make decisions based on their emotions and make impulsive decisions. They can also lose their track of things, forget appointments, and misplace important documents. Adults with ADHD can be classified as moderate, mild or severe.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing ADHD in adults is more complicated than diagnosing ADHD in children since the symptoms of adulthood are focused on work and social interactions. Because of this, physicians rely more on a person's past and present problems to determine a diagnosis. The symptoms must also be serious enough to disrupt the person's life.
To diagnose ADHD, the health professional must first conduct a thorough examination. This includes checking hearing, vision and thyroid function. The doctor should also look over the patient's health history and any relevant records, including school records. This information can be used to determine if a person has any other psychiatric disorders or learning disabilities.
A doctor or trained mental health professional will interview the individual. During the interview, the physician will ask questions regarding the individual's symptoms and how they affect their lives. The doctor will also require an assessment of the symptoms over a period of six months. The person's responses will be compared to the criteria for diagnosing 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. In addition, the patient must exhibit significant impairment in at minimum two settings in their daily life.
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 shouldn't be used to self-diagnose or determine the treatment plan you will follow. If you suspect you have ADHD, it is best to consult with a trained and experienced health care professional for an assessment.
Treatment
If you struggle to remember things, you seem to constantly lose your keys, or have difficulty keeping up in school, a primary care provider is able to test you for ADHD. Finding out if you have ADHD is the first step to finding solutions that are beneficial for you and your family.
A thorough exam will include a physical examination and a discussion of your symptoms, including their history in childhood and any problems they've caused in adulthood. Your doctor might ask you to talk to your partner or other close friends, too to get a complete picture of your behavior and history. They'll also search for a medical issue that could be causing your symptoms, such as thyroid disorders or seizures.
Health care providers use the same scales for assessing behavior and ADHD symptoms checklists to test adults for the condition. They'll also use psychological tests to assess 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 drugs for ADHD. There are also non-stimulants available like atomoxetine clonidine and guanfacine, but they take longer to work and can have side effects.
Your doctor may recommend that you try cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). It assists people in learning to reframe negative thinking patterns and manage their emotions and also develop strategies for coping. CBT can be used to improve work performance and relationships. If your doctor has no experience in treating adults with ADHD they may refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist. You can also locate an expert through your health insurance provider's online directory or by looking through the list of providers in your local support group.
Medication
The effects of ADHD tend to last into adulthood, and treatment could include medication, counseling or lifestyle adjustments. Your doctor can help you discover solutions that will work for you. Talk to your primary care physician for a referral to a specialist or look up doctors listed on the health insurance plan's directory. A coach or therapist may provide advice and tools for managing symptoms.
A thorough evaluation will include medical tests, a family history and reports of school or work problems as well as alcohol and drug use and your relationship with family and friends. Since people who suffer from ADHD tend to forget things that are important to them, a mental health professional may require you to keep the record of what you've been doing as well as where you've been and what you've eaten over several days. They will also check to determine if you suffer from any other medical conditions that can cause similar symptoms, such as seizures or thyroid issues.
There isn't an exact ADHD test, however an expert in mental health or health care professional must carefully examine your situation in order to identify the issue and the best way to treat it. If you suffered from ADHD as an infant and it has caused problems for you in your life your doctor will be particularly interested in the way your symptoms affect your daily activities.
Adults suffering from ADHD are typically treated first by medication. The most commonly used medications are methylphenidate (Ritalin) as well as lisdexamfetamine (Adderall) and Atomoxetine. These medications increase the levels of certain brain chemicals, helping you to focus and control your impulsive behavior. These medications are available in extended-release and longer-acting versions that stay in your system longer. This decreases the need to take them more often and also the rebound effect after they have worn off.
Counseling
If your symptoms are serious enough your doctor will refer you to a specialist who will diagnose and treat you. They include psychologists who are specially trained to treat people with ADHD and also psychiatrists and therapists. Ask your primary care provider to recommend you or search on the internet for mental health specialists in your region. Your health insurance plan might provide the names of specialists.
It is important to talk about any problems that you or your ADHD symptoms have caused at work, school or home. You may be embarrassed by the impact of your symptoms on your coworkers as well as teachers or supervisors. However, ADHD symptoms in adult women might be able to make minor adjustments that can assist you in performing better at your job or in class.
ADHD in adults women symptoms is usually treated by medication. The use of stimulants can help improve the concentration of children, reduce the tendency to be impulsive and increase working memory in adults with ADHD. However, they can cause adverse effects, so your doctor might suggest a combination of medication and therapy to best manage your symptoms. Your doctor will also go over your medication history to ensure that any other medications you're taking aren't interfering with the stimulants you may be prescribed.
Other treatments for ADHD in adults include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) mindfulness meditation or brain training. CBT helps you change negative thought patterns and reframe your perceptions about your ADHD symptoms. Meditation can increase self-awareness, reduce emotional sensitivity and improve control of impulses.
Other behavioral therapies are promising for adults who aren't responding to medications. These include motivational interviews as well as family and couples counseling, dialectical behavior therapy for adults, and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT). MBCT incorporates CBT and mindfulness meditation to improve your ability to control your impulsive behavior.