Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult
Adults who are struggling in their professional or personal lives can benefit from diagnosing ADHD. A diagnosis requires a thorough assessment which may include a review of school records and questionnaires completed by teachers and caregivers.
It is not unusual for adults to be diagnosed with ADHD. NIMH offers tips on how to talk with your doctor about the condition.
Diagnosis
It is crucial to be diagnosed with ADHD at an early age. This will help you get control of the symptoms that can cause a lot of trouble in your personal and professional life. The first step is to talk to your GP or find an expert in mental health who has expertise in treating adults suffering from ADHD. If your doctor does not have any experience in treating ADHD, they may recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct an assessment.
Typically, a mental health professional will employ a six-question ADHD screener to determine whether you might have the condition, according to Adler. Then, he or she will interview you about your symptoms and look at your family history and medical history to make sure that any other conditions are not causing your symptoms of ADHD.
Since people with ADHD are more likely to be unable to pay attention and are easily distracted, they often have difficulty following instructions or listening during class or at work. They are more likely to lose items necessary for tasks or activities, such as tools, wallets, keys and wallets. They might also have difficulty staying focused when they are reading long speeches or assignments. Other symptoms of adult ADHD include fidgeting, texting or talking excessively or squirming in their seats.
When determining whether a person has adult ADHD, it is important to exclude other conditions that can cause similar symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder and addiction to drugs. Stress and certain physical conditions like thyroid problems can also mimic the symptoms of ADHD. The DSM-5 is now requiring professionals to determine the severity of the symptoms a person's experiences are when determining if they have diagnosed him or her with the disorder. Mild, moderate and severe are the categories used to describe adult ADHD.
Many people who suffer from ADHD are not diagnosed in childhood, because it's not readily apparent. For adults, a diagnosis could be a life-changing event because they finally understand why they struggled in school and never seemed to achieve their full potential at work or at home. They may feel guilty for blaming others or themselves for their troubles, and they may be devastated by missed opportunities if they were properly treated.
Treatment
The first step in obtaining treatment for ADHD as an adult is to consult a healthcare professional to have an assessment. This can be done in person or via video call. In the UK, only psychiatrists, psychologists, and specialist nurses have the qualifications to diagnose ADHD. The professional will ask about your medical history, including mental health issues that are present in the family. This is due to the fact that there are many mental and physical conditions which can trigger symptoms that are similar to ADHD. These conditions must be ruled out to establish a diagnosis.
how to diagnose adhd ADHD Diagnosis will ask you about your work and lifestyle, as well as how your symptoms affect your daily life. They are particularly interested in whether or not you displayed signs of ADHD prior to the age of 12 years. They may also speak with those who were close to you as a child and inquire about their childhood memories.
A thorough medical history will aid the doctor in determining whether you need medication or other treatments. This is due to the fact that certain medical conditions, including sleep apnea, thyroid issues and lead poisoning can cause symptoms of ADHD. Adults with a history anxiety or depression will need to be evaluated and treated more carefully since these conditions can occur in conjunction.
If a doctor believes you require medication, he or she will prescribe the right medication. The kind of medication you need will depend on your symptoms and the way they impact your life. The most commonly used medication prescribed for ADHD, are stimulants. They are not suitable for everyone, and the first drug you try might not work or cause undesirable side negative effects. Your healthcare provider might ask whether you're taking any other medications. This includes prescription drugs or supplements, as well as prescription drugs. Certain types of drugs can interact with ADHD stimulants.
Counseling is an essential aspect of treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help you deal with the feelings of disappointment frustration, underachievement, and anger that are frequently associated with untreated ADHD. It can also help you how to manage your anger and improve your organization and time management abilities.
It's important to seek out the services of a doctor who is specialized in mental illness. A psychiatrist or neurologist is able to diagnose and treat ADHD. However you might prefer to consult a specialist therapist. These experts are likely to be more knowledgeable about the challenges of treating adult ADHD and have experience helping other patients who are struggling with similar issues. You can use search engines like ADDitude or contact your local mental health services to find a professional that works with adults who have ADHD.
Medication
If you are an adult who has been struggling with ADHD getting a diagnosis is the first step towards addressing your symptoms and improving your quality of life. If you've found it difficult to realize your maximum potential at work, find it difficult to maintain relationships, or struggle to finish tasks at home and at work, a diagnosis of ADHD could be the answer you have been looking for.
ADHD treatment for adults begins with an extensive interview and a review of your medical history, including the symptoms you've experienced. The psychologist or psychiatrist will then determine if the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria for ADHD apply to you. To be diagnosed with ADHD, you must have at least five symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity that persist throughout most of your day and interfere with social, academic or professional functioning.
Adults who suffer from untreated ADHD are frequently co-morbid with other disorders, such as anxiety and depression. Jaksa states that these disorders can cause or worsen symptoms of ADHD. Chronic stress and frustration over inadequate performance can cause feelings of low self-esteem, Jaksa says. "Getting a diagnose will help them gain a perspective on the reasons behind their struggles. This may reduce or eliminate their anxieties and enable them to focus more effectively on areas in which they excel," Jaksa states.
The most effective treatment for adults with ADHD is typically the combination of therapy and medication. Stimulants can boost concentration, reduce impulsive behaviors and help with organization. In many cases they can enhance motivation and mood. People who take stimulants should be aware of the potential side effects, which include insomnia and trouble with drinking or eating enough. Certain people who use stimulants to treat ADHD may experience mood swings that can be difficult to manage.
Talk to your doctor about whether or not you're an eligible participant in clinical trials of new medicines or treatments. These studies aid researchers in finding more effective methods to prevent, diagnose, or treat diseases and conditions.
Counseling
Untreated ADHD can lead to issues in all areas of your life. Your career, relationships and financial health could be negatively impacted by procrastination or poor time management, impulsive spending and other symptoms. The first step in reducing the negative effects and getting control back is to obtain diagnosed and seek treatment.
Many adults diagnosed with ADHD weren't diagnosed as children or because their families and teachers weren't aware of the condition or they had mild symptoms that were not spotted. Some adults may have been able to manage their symptoms as children but had difficulty with these issues in adulthood due the increased demands of work and family.
In order to be diagnosed with ADHD, mental health professionals must determine that your symptoms are causing significant impairment in at least two aspects of your life. Impaired can be losing your job due to a lack in organization and focus or being placed on academic probation at your college because you are unable to study for tests.
Women are better at hiding symptoms than men. This can make it harder for them to receive a diagnosis. If you're suffering from ADHD symptoms that impact your work or home life, you can speed up the diagnosis process by being upfront with your doctor. You might also be able to receive reasonable accommodations under ADA laws as well as other workplace laws.
Your mental health professional, regardless of the type of ADHD that you have, will be interested in knowing if your symptoms began before the age of 12. They may suggest that you talk to people who were close to you at this time, and may conduct a series of tests to test your attention and memory.
After receiving an diagnosis, your therapist will recommend a combination medication and non-medication treatment to manage your symptoms. Most people will try various treatments before finding the right one. Keep a log of your progress, and visit your doctor frequently to modify your treatment plan as needed.