Do You Know How To Explain ADHD Diagnosis In Adults To Your Boss
Getting an ADHD Diagnosis in Adults
Many people seek out a diagnosis when they realize that ADHD causes them to have problems at work or in their relationships. NIMH recommends that those seeking a diagnosis talk with their primary care physician or mental health professional.
They will ask for an extensive medical history as well as perform tests like symptom rating scales and psychological tests. They might also undergo a physical examination to rule out other medical conditions that could be misinterpreted as ADHD or thyroid issues, for example or seizures.
Diagnosis
It can be a great relief and eye-opening to receive a diagnosis of ADHD, but it can be also distressing. Adults who have struggled with the symptoms of ADHD for a long time may decide to seek out a medical opinion, prompted by frustrations at work or in relationships or after being informed by family members or friends that they may be suffering from ADHD. It is important to remember that a health professional can take an extended time to diagnose ADHD, and that the process involves much more than completing standard tests or conducting interviews with a clinical psychologist.
adhd diagnosed in the process is to determine if your ADHD symptoms meet criteria for the disorder: Many of them are present before age 12 years old. They are seen in multiple settings, for instance, at home, school, and work. They also interfere with everyday functioning.
Your healthcare professional may need to conduct additional tests to determine a diagnosis. This is because symptoms of ADHD are also triggered by mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder, anxiety, and other physical or mental illnesses. This may include clinical interviews or rating scales for symptoms, or psychological tests to evaluate thinking abilities, problem solving skills, and memory.
It's crucial to be honest with your mental health professional, and this might involve talking about how the struggles you're experiencing in various areas of your life have affected your mood. The mental health professional who is evaluating you may also want to speak with your spouse, close family members and close friends to get more insight into your issues. They might even request that your family members fill out questionnaires comparing their experiences to yours.
Symptoms
Adults suffering from ADHD might find that their symptoms can affect their the way they live their lives, particularly at school and work. They may have trouble keeping a job or maintaining relationships. They may also find it difficult to keep a roof over their heads due to their inattention and impulsivity, which makes it difficult for them remember things, plan tasks, or complete tasks. The symptoms could be mild or moderate. It could also be severe.
To determine ADHD doctors use standard tools such as checklists, interview questions, and questionnaires. They also look into the family and medical history of the person and consider other mental health issues. If a person has several of the 9 symptoms, their provider uses guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition Text Revision (DSM-5-TR) to assign a diagnosis: inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive or combined type.
Symptoms of the inattentive type include difficulty paying attention to details, daydreaming and appearing easily distracted. Inability to finish tasks and follow-through, and a tendency to lose the track of time or become distracted are all signs of inattention.
People with the hyperactive/impulsive type often fidget, move around frequently and have trouble sitting still for long periods of time. They tend to lose things easily and have difficulty managing their daily routines, work or home. They may lose keys, phones and wallets, or papers frequently. They have trouble waiting for their turn at school, work or at play. They can be easily annoyed or stressed and suffer from frequent mood shifts.
Adults who suffer from ADHD are more likely to suffer from co-occurring conditions such as oppositional defiant or conduct disorders, anxiety, depression and tic disorders Tourette syndrome and addiction issues. Co-occurring disorders may complicate treatment and make it more difficult to diagnose ADHD.
Treatment
Talking with your primary healthcare provider is the first step to getting a diagnosis in the event that you suspect you may have ADHD. They will likely refer you to a mental health specialist. They will assess your symptoms and concerns at work as well as at school or at home to determine how they affect your life. They may use an organized interview or ask family members or close friends to help. They will also review the medical and family history of your family, and will conduct a physical examination.
Your doctor will also look at the length of time you've had these symptoms, and the effect they are having on your life. To be eligible for a diagnosis of ADHD symptoms, the person's symptoms must be present for at least six months and can't be explained by a different disorder such as depression or anxiety. Additionally, they should hinder daily activities, such as attending classes, completing tasks on time or keeping the job.
In your assessment the mental health professional could utilize standardized scales of behavior and ADHD symptoms checklists. You will also be given an assessment of your cognitive abilities that will assess your working memory and executive functioning, as well as your spatial and visual abilities. They may also test for other conditions that can cause similar symptoms like seizures or thyroid problem.
If your mental health provider finds that you have ADHD they will go over the available treatments and medications options. Most often it is a combination of medications and talk therapy (counseling) is the best. Therapy can assist you in managing your symptoms, and improve communication between family members and colleagues. Therapy can also aid in resolving problems that may develop in relationships and marriages due to the difficulties ADHD can create.
Medication
ADHD symptoms in adults tend to be less severe than those in childhood. However they can still cause problems both at work and at home. The disorder can result in difficulties in getting or keeping an excellent job, issues with social relationships and interactions and academic failures, low self-esteem, emotional distress, temper tantrums, and antisocial behavior.
The medications can help treat the disorder by boosting and balancing the levels of neurotransmitters, brain chemicals that regulate the flow of information within the brain. Stimulants are among the most frequently prescribed drugs for ADHD in adults. Examples include Jornay (methylphenidate extended-release tablets), Xelstrym (dextroamphetamine extended-release oral suspension), Cotempla (methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release orally disintegrating tablet) and Adhansia (methylphenidate hydrochloride immediate-release oral disintegrating tablet). Adults can also be treated with atomoxetine, a nonstimulant, and antidepressants like bupropion. These drugs work more slowly than stimulants and are better suited to those who are unable to take stimulants because of health problems or serious adverse effects.
Psychotherapy (also called cognitive-behavioral therapy) may be useful for treating comorbid disorders associated with ADHD like anxiety and depression. Research suggests that psychotherapy can be an effective treatment for these conditions than using medication alone. Psychotherapy focuses primarily on teaching techniques to manage the disorder and improving functioning at school, at work and in relationships. The aim is to boost the self-esteem of the person, decrease problematic behaviors and increase their functioning and success. It is recommended that each psychotherapy method for adults ADHD patients include a cognitive behavior component. Researchers have found that ADHD patients who received both therapy and medication showed more improvement than those who only took pills.
Counseling
Adults who do not want to take medication can find relief through counseling and therapy. Individual therapy can help with issues such as low self-esteem and feelings of being insecure that are commonly associated with ADHD. It can also improve relationships and improve communication by helping the patients and their families to comprehend the disorder and learn coping techniques.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is primarily focused on teaching patients how to change their negative thoughts and control their behavior. This type of treatment can reduce symptoms of inattentive ADHD and hyperactive-impulsive ADHD, as well as comorbid mood disorders such as depression and anxiety disorders.
Therapists can also help people develop strategies for impulse control as well as emotional regulation and relationship issues that can arise as a result of an impulsive behavior. These strategies can help you live more productively especially at work.
Counseling can assist people with ADHD seek accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act. This can help improve their job performance and satisfaction. This may include changing the structure of their work to give them to be more flexible in meeting deadlines and completing tasks on time.
It is essential to choose the right therapist for adult ADHD treatment. The therapist's approach and whether they have dealt with ADHD in adults is crucial when interviewing potential therapists. Verifying the credentials of therapists and insurance coverage is also an excellent idea. Some providers offer an affordable sliding scale fee or provide online therapy which make therapy accessible to those who are unable to pay out from their pockets.