Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult
Adults who are struggling in their professional or personal lives can benefit from diagnosing ADHD. A thorough assessment is required to make the diagnosis. This includes analyzing school records as well as questionnaires that are completed by teachers and caregivers.
It is not uncommon for adults to be diagnosed with ADHD. Check out NIMH for advice on how to talk to your health care provider regarding the disorder.
Diagnosis
It is essential to be diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood. This will help you manage the symptoms that can cause a lot of trouble in your professional and personal life. First, you should consult your GP or a mental health professional who has experience in treating adults suffering from ADHD. If your GP isn't familiar with ADHD and/or ADHD, they could refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist for an assessment.
A mental health professional would typically employ a six-question ADHD screener to determine if you suffer from the condition. Then, the doctor will ask you questions about your symptoms, and examine your medical history and family history to confirm that there are no other conditions not causing the symptoms of ADHD.
Since people with ADHD have a tendency to overlook details and become easily distracted, they often struggle with following directions or listening to lectures or at work. They often lose things necessary for tasks or activities, like keys, wallets and tools. They may also have trouble staying focused during long lectures or reading assignments. Other signs of adult ADHD include fidgeting, talking or texting too much or squirming in their seats.
When determining whether a person has adult ADHD it is essential to rule out other conditions that could cause similar symptoms, like anxiety, depression bipolar disorder, depression and addiction to drugs. Stress and certain physical conditions like thyroid problems can be a source of symptoms similar to ADHD. The DSM-5 is now requiring professionals to determine the severity of a person's symptoms are when diagnosing them with the disorder. Mild moderate, severe and mild are the categories used to describe adult ADHD.
Many people suffering from ADHD are not diagnosed in their childhood because it's not obvious. A diagnosis can change the course of a person's life, as they can now see why they struggled at school and never reached their maximum potential at work or home. They might even feel guilt-ridden for blaming their troubles on others or themselves and may experience grief over lost opportunities that could have been a reality if they had been properly treated.
Treatment
The first step in obtaining treatment for ADHD as an adult is to visit a healthcare professional to get an assessment. This can be accomplished in person or by video call. In the UK, only psychiatrists, psychologists and specialist nurses have the qualifications to diagnose ADHD. The doctor will want to know your medical history and family-related mental health issues. This is due to the fact that there are many mental and physical ailments which can trigger symptoms that are similar to ADHD. These conditions must be ruled out to make a diagnosis.
The doctor will inquire about your lifestyle and work, as well as how your symptoms affect your life. They will be particularly interested in whether or not you had signs of ADHD prior to the age of 12 years. They may also wish to interview those who knew you in childhood and ask them about their experiences.
A thorough medical history can aid the doctor in determining whether you need medications or other treatments. Certain medical conditions, such as sleep apnea, thyroid disorders, and lead poisoning, can cause ADHD symptoms. Adults who have an history of depression or anxiety might require more careful assessment and treatment, as these conditions can be co-existing with ADHD.
If a medical professional believes you require medication, he or she will prescribe the appropriate medication. The kind of medication you will require will depend on the severity of your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. The most commonly used medication prescribed for ADHD, are stimulants. However, go!! are not for everyone and the first one you try might not be effective or cause bothersome adverse side effects. Your healthcare provider will be interested in knowing if you use any other medication, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements, because certain kinds of medications can interact with ADHD stimulants.
Counseling is also an essential part of the treatment process for adults with ADHD. Individual therapy can help you cope with the feelings of disappointment or underachievement that are often associated with untreated ADHD. It can also help you how to manage your anger as well as improve your organization and time management skills.
It is essential to find a healthcare professional that specializes in mental disorders. A psychiatrist or neurologist is able to diagnose and treat ADHD, but you might prefer to consult psychologists or specialist therapists. These professionals will likely have more experience with adult ADHD and their challenges as well as having experience working with other clients. You can inquire with your local mental health clinic or ADDitude's directory to find a professional who works with adults with ADHD.
Medication
If you're an adult who has struggled with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder getting a diagnosis is the first step to managing your symptoms and improving your life. If you're struggling to reach your maximum potential in your work or in maintaining relationships, or have difficulties completing your tasks at home and at work, an ADHD diagnosis could be the answer you've been looking for.
The first step in treating ADHD for adults is an extensive medical history review, which includes your symptoms. The psychiatrist or psychologist 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 with untreated ADHD are frequently co-morbid with other disorders, such as depression and anxiety. These disorders can trigger or worsen symptoms of ADHD, Jaksa says. He also says that constant stress and anger due to poor performance can lead to feelings of low self-esteem. "Getting a diagnosis will help them gain perspective on the root of their issues, which may alleviate or alleviate some of their anxiety and help them concentrate more effectively on the areas where they excel," Jaksa says.
Adults with ADHD are typically treated with a combination of medications in conjunction with behavior therapy. Stimulants increase concentration, decrease the risk of impulsive behavior, and help with organization. In many cases, these medications can also improve mood and increase motivation. Side effects of stimulants include insomnia and difficulty drinking or eating enough. Mood swings can also occur in some people who take stimulants for ADHD and they are often difficult to manage.
Discuss with your health care provider about whether you would be a good candidate for clinical trials of upcoming treatments or drugs. These studies assist researchers in finding more effective ways to diagnose and treat or prevent diseases.
Counseling
If you are suffering from untreated ADHD, it can cause various problems in every area of your life. Your relationships, career and financial health could be negatively impacted by procrastination or poor time management, impulsive spending and other signs. The first step to reduce the negative effects and getting control back is to obtain an assessment and seek treatment.
Many adults diagnosed with ADHD were not diagnosed as children, either because their family and teachers were unaware of the condition or they displayed mild symptoms which weren't noticed. Some adults might have been able to manage their symptoms as children but were unable to manage them in adulthood due to increasing family and work obligations.
In order to be diagnosed as having ADHD mental health professionals must find that your symptoms cause significant impairment in at least two aspects of your life. The effects of ADHD can include losing your job due to a decline in organization and focus, or being placed on academic probation at college due to your inability to concentrate on your tests.
Women are better at avoiding symptoms than men. This makes it harder for women to be diagnosed. However, if you are struggling with ADHD symptoms that affect your home and work life, being forthright about them with your doctor can speed up the process and allow you to take advantage of reasonable accommodations under the ADA and other workplace laws.
Whatever type of ADHD you have, your mental health professional will determine if your symptoms started prior to the age of 12. They may ask to talk to people who were close to you at this time, and they might also administer a series tests to measure your attention and memory.
When you receive a diagnosis your therapist will recommend a combination of medication and non-medical treatments to treat your symptoms. A majority of patients will try a variety of different treatments before they find the one that works for them. Keep a journal of your progress, and consult your physician regularly to alter your treatment plan if needed.