Untreated ADHD can cause problems in many areas of one’s life, including work and personal relationships. The first step in treating anything is figuring out what is wrong with you.
Combining psychotherapy and medication is generally effective in treating ADHD in adults. The diagnosis of ADHD cannot be made with a single test. Instead, a thorough evaluation aids doctors in making a diagnosis of ADHD.
The most important diagnostic tool is a structured interview, but your doctor may also want to talk to your relatives and run other tests to rule out possible causes. A specialist in ADHD Phoenix can help.
How do doctors identify adult ADHD?
Due to the lack of a gold standard diagnostic test, ADHD can be difficult to diagnose. When making a diagnosis, a medical professional considers many factors, including but not limited to:
- Standardized behavior rating scales Tests to rule out other ailments or learning problems
- A symptom checklist for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
- A thorough history of your previous and current level of functioning Information gathered from family members or other close loved ones
A checkup with the doctor
When making a diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), your doctor will use criteria established in the DSM-5. This is a diagnostic reference manual used by medical professionals.
DSM-5 standards offer a standard set of directions to help doctors arrive at the same diagnosis more consistently.
These norms outline three distinct designs that may emerge.ADHD Information You Can Trust:
- Mixed symptoms of impulsivity and hyperactivity
- Each of the inattentive and hyperactive patterns is defined by a set of nine indicators. A diagnosis of ADHD in an adult requires five symptoms from either pattern, whereas a kid needs six.
You have a mixed pattern if you exhibit at least five signs of both the inattention and hyperactivity patterns.
Here are the criteria used by the DSM-5 to diagnose ADHD:
- Problems with organization, a general unwillingness to engage in activities that demand sustained mental effort, a propensity to lose things, a propensity to forget duties or daily activities, and a general inability to pay close enough attention to details to avoid making frequent mistakes in school or at work all qualify as forms of inattention.
- Hyperactivity manifests itself through a wide range of behaviors, including fidgeting or squirming when seated; getting up from a seat when it is not appropriate; being unable to focus on a task in silence; constantly interrupting others; talking too much; and speaking before questions are finished.