ADHD Symptoms in Adults Test
You'll be asked about your childhood (technically at the age of 12) by a mental health professional who is conducting an ADHD assessment. They may use ADHD symptom checklists or standardized behavior ratings scales.
Psychotherapists, psychiatrists, psychologists, and some physicians are qualified to diagnose ADHD in adults. They'll be looking over your past and determine how your symptoms affect your life.
Signs and symptoms
If you're concerned about your memory and organization skills, or are noticing that it's difficult for you to keep up with your home or work tasks, consult your doctor. You could be referred for a psychological evaluation to determine if your condition is ADHD. These tests could include the use of a questionnaire, rating scales to assess symptoms or specialized cognitive behavioral tests. The test will also consider your medical history and family background, in addition to other issues, such as learning disabilities and depression which may be similar to ADHD symptoms.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders that is used 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 impacted the person's social, school and work performance.
Many adults live with undiagnosed ADHD even when their symptoms are evident and impact nearly every facet of everyday life. They might have been able to overcome their symptoms as children, however, as they grow older and try to juggle more responsibilities the demands on their ability to pay attention and remain organized rise dramatically.
People suffering from ADHD have trouble controlling their emotions. They tend to be less self-controlled. In turn, they tend to react on impulse and make impulsive decisions. They can also lose track of things forget appointments, or lose 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 work and social interactions. Because of this, doctors rely more on a person's history and their current problems to make a diagnosis. The symptoms must be severe enough that they interfere with an individual's daily life.
A health care professional must first perform a thorough examination to determine if you suffer from ADHD. This includes examining hearing, vision and thyroid function. The doctor must also look over the patient's health history, family history along with school records and other relevant documents. This information can be used to determine if a person suffers from any other mental disorders or learning disabilities.
A physician or trained mental health professional will interview the person. During the interview, a professional will ask the patient questions about their symptoms and how these impact their lives. The clinician will also ask for an assessment of the symptoms over the course of six months. The responses of the person will be compared to the criteria used to diagnose ADHD in adults, as set 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 demonstrate significant impairment in at least two different settings in their daily lives.
There are a number of online sources that can be used to determine whether or not you are suffering from ADHD in adults. While these tests and rating scales can give you an idea of what you might expect, they should not be used to self-diagnose or determine the treatment plan you will follow. If you think you might be suffering from ADHD, you should consult an experienced and skilled healthcare professional for an assessment.
Treatment
A primary care provider can test you for ADHD when you have difficulty remembering things, are always prone to lose your keys, or have trouble keeping up with school. Finding out if you have ADHD is the first step in finding solutions that will benefit you and your family.
A thorough evaluation includes a physical examination and discussion of your symptoms, their history as a child and any issues they may have caused in adulthood. Your doctor may ask to talk to your partner or close friends, as well to get a more complete picture of your behavior and the history. They'll also check for a medical condition that might explain your symptoms, like thyroid disorders or seizures.
Adults are assessed for ADHD by using standardized behavioral rating scales and ADHD symptoms checklists. Psychological tests can also be used to assess working memory, executive functions (planning and decisions) as well as spatial and visual abilities, and reasoning abilities. These tests can help them determine if you're an inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive or combined type of ADHD.
Dextroamphetamine, methylphenidate, and other stimulants are among the most common treatments for ADHD. Non-stimulants, such as atomoxetine and clonidine, are also available. However, they may have adverse effects and may take longer to work.
Your doctor may suggest cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). It assists people in learning to overcome negative thinking patterns and manage their emotions, as well as develop strategies for coping. CBT can also be used to improve relationships and work performance. If your health care provider doesn't have experience in treating adults with ADHD, they might recommend you to a psychologist or psychiatrist. You can also find specialists by contacting your health insurance provider's online directory or by looking up the list of specialists within your local support group.
Medication
ADHD can affect adults and may be treated with medication, counseling, or lifestyle changes. Your doctor can help you discover solutions that will work for you. Request your primary care physician to recommend you to a specialist. You can also look up doctors in the directory of your health insurance plan. A coach or therapist may also be able to give suggestions and tools to manage symptoms.
A thorough evaluation will include medical examinations, a family history and reports of problems at work or school 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 ask you to keep the record of the activities you've engaged in along with where you've been, and what you've eaten for several days. They'll also see if you have any other medical conditions that may cause similar symptoms, for example, seizures or thyroid issues.
There is no definitive ADHD test, however an expert in mental health or health care provider will have to take a close look at your situation in order to identify the issue and the best treatment. If you were diagnosed with ADHD when you were a child and it has caused issues in your adult life the doctor is likely to be interested in how your symptoms affect you on a a daily basis.
Adults suffering from ADHD are typically treated with medication first. The most commonly used medications are methylphenidate, lisdexamfetamine and the atomoxetine. ADHD symptoms in women adults increase the levels of certain chemicals in your brain which helps you focus and control impulsive behavior. The long-acting and extended release versions of these drugs remain in your body longer and reduce the need to take medication more often and minimizing the effect of rebound when it is gone.
Counseling
If your symptoms are severe enough your doctor will recommend you to a specialist who can diagnose and treat you. Specialists in this field include psychologists who have been trained to treat adults suffering from ADHD as well as psychiatrists and therapists. Contact your primary care doctor to refer you to a specialist or look online for mental health specialists in your region. Your health insurance plan might also have the names of specialists.
It's important to discuss any issues that you or your ADHD symptoms have caused at school, at work or at home. You may be embarrassed by the effects your symptoms can have on coworkers or teachers, as well as your supervisors. These individuals may be able make small adjustments to improve your performance in class or at work.
It is common to use medications to treat adult ADHD. Stimulants can improve attention, decrease impulsivity and enhance working memory in adults with ADHD. However, they can have adverse effects, so your doctor may suggest a combination of medication and therapy to best manage your symptoms. Your doctor will also look over your medical history to make sure that any other medications you are taking don't interact with the stimulants you may be prescribed.
Other treatments for ADHD in adults include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or mindfulness meditation or brain training. CBT helps you alter negative thoughts and patterns of thought and help you reframe your thoughts about your ADHD symptoms. Meditation can increase self-awareness and decrease emotional sensitivities.
Other behavioral therapies are promising for adults who don't respond to medication. The therapies include motivational interviewing (MI) as well as couple and family counseling as well as dialectical behavior therapy for adults, and mindfulness-based cognitive treatment (MBCT). MBCT combines CBT with mindfulness meditation to enhance your ability to focus and control impulsive behavior.