Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult
Adults who are struggling in their professional or personal lives can benefit from diagnosing ADHD. A diagnosis is based on a thorough examination which may include a review of school records and questionnaires filled out by teachers and caregivers.
It is not uncommon for adults to be diagnosed with ADHD. NIMH provides guidelines on how to talk with your doctor about the disorder.
Diagnosis
It is essential to be diagnosed with ADHD as you reach adulthood. This will allow you to get control of the symptoms that can cause havoc in your professional and personal life. The first step is to talk with your GP or seek out a mental health professional with expertise in treating adults suffering from ADHD. If your doctor does not have any experience in treating ADHD and is unable to help, they can refer you to either a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct an assessment.
A mental health professional would typically employ a six-question ADHD screener to determine if you have the condition. He or she will then interview you about your symptoms that are similar to ADHD and examine your medical and family history to confirm that other conditions aren't contributing to them.
Because people who suffer from ADHD are more likely to be unable to pay attention and are easily distracted, they frequently have trouble following instructions or listening to lectures or at work. They often lose things essential to their tasks or activities, including keys, wallets and tools. They might also have difficulty staying focused while listening to or reading long speeches. Fidgeting, over-talking or texting, or squirming, are other symptoms of adult ADHD.
When determining whether a person has adult ADHD It is crucial to exclude other conditions that can cause similar symptoms, such as anxiety, depression bipolar disorder, anxiety and substance abuse. Stress and physical conditions such as thyroid issues can cause ADHD symptoms. In the DSM-5 professionals are now required to consider the severity of an individual's symptoms when determining if they are suffering from ADHD. Mild moderate, severe, and mild are the three categories for adults with ADHD.
Many people suffering from ADHD go their whole lives without ever being diagnosed because it's not evident in the early years. A diagnosis can change the course of a person's life as they understand why they struggled at school and never reached their full potential at work or at home. They may feel guilty for blaming their issues on others or themselves and may experience sadness over the missed opportunities that could have been a reality in the event that they had been properly treated.
Treatment
The first step to receive treatment for ADHD as an adult is to consult a healthcare professional to have an assessment. This can be accomplished in person or via video conference. Only psychiatrists, psychologists, and specialist nurses are able to diagnose ADHD in the UK. The professional will ask about your medical history, including mental health issues within the family. This is due to the fact that there are many physical and mental conditions which can trigger symptoms that are similar to ADHD. These conditions need to be ruled out in order to establish a diagnosis.
The professional will also ask about your lifestyle and work and how your issues impact your daily life. They will be particularly interested in whether or not you had signs of ADHD prior to the age of 12. They may also want to interview those who knew you as a child and ask about their memories.
A detailed medical history can help your doctor decide whether you require medication or any other treatment. This is due to the fact that certain medical conditions, such as sleep apnea, thyroid issues and lead poisoning can cause symptoms of ADHD. Adults with a history anxiety or depression require evaluation and treated more carefully since these conditions can occur in conjunction.
If a doctor believes you need medication, he or she will prescribe the appropriate medication. The kind of medication you need depends on your symptoms and how they affect your life. Stimulants, the most common medication prescribed for ADHD are stimulants. They aren't for everyone, and the first drug you try may not work or cause unwanted negative side effects. Your healthcare provider might ask whether you are taking other medication. This includes prescription drugs or supplements as well as prescription drugs. Certain kinds of medications can interfere with ADHD stimulants.
Counseling is a crucial part of treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help you cope with the feelings of disappointment, underachievement and frustration that are frequently associated with untreated ADHD. It can help you learn to control your anger, as well as improve your time management and organizing skills.
It is essential to find an expert in healthcare who specializes in mental illnesses. A psychiatrist or neurologist is able to diagnose and treat ADHD however, you may prefer to consult psychologists or specialist therapists. They are likely to be more familiar with adults with ADHD and their struggles, as well as having worked with other clients. You can contact your local mental health services or with ADDitude's directory to find a professional who is working with adults suffering from ADHD.
Medication
If you're an adult who has been struggling with ADHD, getting a diagnosis is the first step towards addressing your symptoms and improving your life. If you've struggled to realize your maximum potential at work, are finding it difficult to maintain relationships, or struggle to finish tasks at home, a diagnosis of ADHD could be the solution you've been looking for.
The first step in treating ADHD in adults is a thorough medical history review, including your symptoms. The psychologist or psychiatrist determines if you meet the requirements for ADHD in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5) which is published by the American Psychiatric Association. 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 frequently have coexisting disorders, such as anxiety and depression. These conditions can cause or worsen symptoms of ADHD, Jaksa says. He says that anxiety and frustration resulting from inadequate performance can trigger feelings of low-self-esteem. "Getting a diagnose can help these individuals understand the root of their issues. This may reduce or eliminate their worries, and allow them to concentrate more productively on areas where they excel," Jaksa states.
adhd diagnostic suffering from ADHD are usually treated by a combination of medication in conjunction with behavior therapy. Stimulants can improve concentration, reduce impulsive behaviors and aid in achieving organization. In many cases, these medications can also boost motivation and improve mood. Side effects of stimulants include insomnia and difficulties eating or drinking enough. Also, mood swings can occur in those who take stimulants to treat ADHD and are often difficult to manage.
Discuss with your health care provider about whether you would be a good candidate for clinical trials of novel treatments or medications. These studies help researchers find better ways to prevent, diagnose or treat diseases and conditions.
Counseling
Untreated ADHD can lead to problems in all aspects of your life. Your relationships, work and financial health could be negatively affected by procrastination and poor time management, impulsive spending and other signs. The first step to reducing the negative effects and getting back in control is to get an assessment and seek treatment.
Many adults who are diagnosed with ADHD did not receive a diagnosis as children, because their family and teachers were unaware of the disorder or they experienced mild symptoms that were not noticed. Others might have been able to manage their symptoms in childhood but struggled in adulthood when their work and family obligations increased.
To be diagnosed as having ADHD, mental health professionals must discover that your symptoms are causing severe impairment in at least two aspects of your life. In the event of impairment, it could result in losing your job due to of a lack of concentration and organizational skills, or being put on academic probation in college due to inability to do well on tests.
Women are more adept at avoiding symptoms than men. This can make it harder for women to be diagnosed. If you have ADHD symptoms that impact your life at work or at home, you can speed up the diagnosis process by being open with your doctor. You may also be able to receive reasonable accommodations under ADA laws and other workplace laws.
Your mental health professional regardless of the type of ADHD you have, will want to know if your symptoms began before the age of 12. They may ask you to speak to people who knew you during this period and could conduct a series of tests to assess your attention and memory abilities.
When you receive a diagnosis, your therapist will recommend the use of a combination of medication and non-medication therapies to help manage your symptoms. Most people will try several different treatments before they find the one that works for them. Keep a log of your progress and make sure to consult your physician regularly to alter your treatment plan as necessary.