5 Lessons You Can Learn From ADHD Adult Diagnosis > 자유게시판

Adult Diagnosis of ADHD

A diagnosis of ADHD can alter the lives of adults suffering from the condition. It can help people to understand the reasons they struggle with work, family and relationships.

It can be difficult to diagnose because symptoms can overlap. A health care professional or mental health professional will assess the patient and conduct tests.

Symptoms

It is possible that a person doesn't realize they have ADHD until they reach adulthood. This could be due to parents and teachers failed to recognize the symptoms at an earlier age or because work or college demands made the disorder more apparent. Adults with ADHD who are not treated suffer in their academic, social and professional lives. Undiagnosed ADHD can cause numerous issues including relationship problems as well as financial difficulties.

A mental health professional will review and interview the patient's medical, mental health and personal history, paying special attention to the symptoms in various situations. The patient will discuss the symptoms and how they affect their daily functioning and their relationships. It is important that patients are honest about their symptoms and not cover them up to avoid embarrassment.

It is also essential for the mental health professional to determine whether these symptoms are related to comorbid conditions such as anxiety or depression, which often coexist with diagnosing adhd. These conditions can make the symptoms of ADHD worse and can hinder effective treatment for the disorder.

If the psychiatrist or psychologist believes that the symptoms of ADHD are being impacted by other conditions, additional cognitive, neuropsychological, or learning disabilities testing may be used to help establish an accurate diagnosis. These tests can also be used to determine the level of impairment to function caused by these conditions. The mental health professional may also request interviews with other significant people like spouses or siblings to get a complete picture of how the individual is doing.

Diagnosis

For adults the diagnosis of adhd diagnosis and other conditions is usually made by a mental health care specialist or doctor who conducts a thorough diagnosis. This involves a thorough discussion of the symptoms and their impact on the daily activities. It also considers the presence of other mental disorders that can co-occur alongside ADHD, such mood disorders and anxiety. The doctor might also ask to speak to your significant others such as your spouse or a close family member, in order for them collect more information.

A diagnosis of adhd adult diagnosis can change your life. The diagnosis provides adults with an explanation for their behavior that they believed were "normal". It's often a relief to discover that the issues are not simply inattention or forgetfulness.

The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth edition (DSM-5) requires that adults meet specific criteria for symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity. This is a standard that has been established to ensure that people receive the help and treatment they require. To be eligible for an ADHD diagnosis, the person must have experienced the symptoms for at least 12 consecutive months and they must have caused significant impairment in several situations, such as at school, home, or work as well as with family members or friends or in other activities. For adults age 17 and older the number of needed symptoms has been reduced to five, from the six that are required for children younger than 12.

Having a good relationship with your primary healthcare provider can be beneficial in identifying ADHD. Many providers diagnose and treat ADHD in children and refer you to an expert in mental health to assess adults.

Treatment

When people with ADHD are diagnosed, their lives can change dramatically. They may finally have reasons for their school failures or a struggle to find relationships or pursue a career. For some, a diagnosis can provide relief from shame that may have built up over years of their issues being ignored.

The first step in getting an diagnosis is speaking to a health care provider or mental health professional. They can ask questions about family history and perform an examination to rule out any conditions which could trigger symptoms that are similar to ADHD like sleep disorders, learning disabilities or alcohol/drug abuse. They can also request that the person complete the checklist of symptoms.

In many cases, the doctor will request that a spouse or partner be interviewed during the assessment process. This assists the non ADHD spouse or partner to develop an understanding of their loved one's ADHD, and an empathetic approach towards those symptoms. This is essential to improve relationships following diagnosis. If this isn't possible the doctor can conduct an interview with acquaintances or colleagues who are familiar with the individual.

Adults suffering from ADHD are treated primarily by medication. Stimulants such as methylphenidate (Ritalin(r)) and dextroamphetamine (Adderall(r)) are the most effective and widely used drugs to treat adult ADHD. Other medications such as atomoxetine, (Strattera(r),) and Guanfacine (Intuniv (r), Tenex (r)) are able to increase norepinephrine in the brain. These drugs can alleviate ADHD symptoms.

Psychotherapy is also an option. Cognitive-behavioral therapy can teach patients techniques to manage their ADHD symptoms, such as time management and strategies for organizing, self-regulation of behavior and emotions, and coping with self-criticism and negative feelings. Other treatments, such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy can help adults recognize automatic or irrational thoughts that lead to negative behaviors and develop ways to replace them with positive self-talk.

Medication

Many people have found that ADHD medication helps to improve their symptoms. The medication is usually in the form of a stimulant and is effective by increasing brain activity in areas that regulate the behavior and attention. Methylphenidate is the most frequently used medication for adults with ADHD, and it is available in various forms. It can be taken in immediate-release tablets, or as modified-release tablets that release the medication throughout the day. Clonidine is a different kind of medication that works by decreasing brain activity. It can be taken in pill or liquid form.

The psychiatrist or therapist will examine the medical and family history of the adult patient to identify factors that may cause similar symptoms. This is crucial due to the fact that certain medical conditions such as thyroid problems and seizure disorders can trigger symptoms similar to the symptoms of ADHD. Certain medications and nutritional supplements can also cause similar signs.

During the test, the person is likely to describe the ADHD symptoms. They will be asked for standardized ADHD ratings and check lists, as well as psychological tests that measure executive function, working memory (abilities like making decisions and planning) spatial and visual ability, and reasoning skills.

If the therapist believes that ADHD symptoms are seriously affecting the quality of life of a person the therapist will suggest medication. In some cases, the therapist will ask the individual's partner or spouse to talk with them about the effects of the symptoms of the patient on their relationship. This can help decrease blame between individuals and can lead to better, more productive relationships.

Counseling

getting diagnosed with adhd in adulthood a diagnosis is a huge relief to many adults with ADHD. It's an opportunity to discover the reason why they face difficulties at school or at work and learn ways to overcome them. It's also an opportunity to change negative behaviors and increase self-esteem.

A strong support system is vital to success, and counseling can help. Counseling for ADHD can involve psychological (or psychotherapy) therapy and a range of behavioral interventions. A therapist could create a chart that rewards positive behaviors and imposes consequences on bad ones. The therapist may also instruct the patient in skills to manage their symptoms, for example, relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or meditative yoga postures.

Another benefit of counseling is helping people comprehend and accept their ADHD. It can be difficult to admit that you struggle in organizing, planning and paying attention. It can even be embarrassing to tell co-workers and supervisors about your ADHD. However, most bosses and teachers will be willing to make accommodations for your condition. They might, for example permit you to write on the computer instead of paper or give more in-depth explanations of the material in class.

In addition the therapist can also teach you ways to cope with your ADHD through cognitive behavioral therapy which is a form of therapy that helps you change negative thoughts and behavior into positive ones. Counseling for ADHD can also involve family or marital therapy, which teaches family members how to interact better with a person suffering from ADHD and improve the ability to communicate and solve problems. People suffering from ADHD might also be suffering from other mental disorders, such depression or anxiety and may have substance abuse problems.