Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult
Adults who have difficulty in their professional or personal lives can benefit from diagnosing ADHD. A diagnosis requires a thorough evaluation that may include reviews of school records and questionnaires filled out by caregivers and teachers.
It is not unusual for adults to be diagnosed with ADHD. Visit NIMH for tips on talking with your health professional about the disorder.
Diagnosis
Getting diagnosed with ADHD as an adult is usually the first step in gaining control over the symptoms that cause havoc on a person's personal and professional lives. First, you must consult your GP or a mental health specialist who has experience in treating adults suffering from ADHD. If your GP does not have any experience in treating ADHD or other disorders, they could recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist for an assessment.
Typically an expert in mental health will employ the six-question ADHD screener to determine if you may be suffering from the disorder, says Adler. The doctor will ask you questions about the symptoms of ADHD and review your medical history and family history to confirm that other conditions aren't causing them.
People with ADHD tend to be easily distracted and can miss important details. They may have trouble following directions in class or at work. They often lose things that are essential for their work or activities, such as tools, wallets, keys and wallets. They might also have difficulty staying focused when listening to long speeches. Fidgeting, over-talking or texting or squirming are other symptoms of adult ADHD.
When determining whether someone has adult ADHD, it is important to exclude other conditions that could cause similar symptoms, such as depression, anxiety bipolar disorder, anxiety and addiction to drugs. Stress and certain physical conditions like thyroid issues could also mimic the symptoms of ADHD. In the DSM-5 professionals are required to assess the severity of an individual's symptoms when diagnosing them with ADHD. Adult ADHD is classified as moderate, mild or severe.
Many people with ADHD have a lifelong struggle without ever being diagnosed because it is not apparent during childhood. For adults, being diagnosed can be a life-changing event as they realize the reason why they struggled in school and failed to reach their potential at work or at home. They may feel guilty for being blamed for their troubles, and they may be devastated by missed opportunities that could have been if they were treated properly.
Treatment
To receive treatment for ADHD for adults the first step is to talk with an expert in the field of healthcare. This can be done in person or through a video call. In the UK only psychiatrists, psychologists and specialist nurses have the qualifications to diagnose ADHD. The specialist will inquire about your medical history, which includes mental health issues that are present in the family. This is because there are a variety of physical and mental conditions that could cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD. These conditions need to be eliminated in order to make a diagnosis.
The expert will inquire about your work and lifestyle, as well as how your symptoms affect your daily 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 people who were close to you in your childhood and ask them about their experiences.
A thorough medical history will aid your doctor in determining whether you require medication or other treatment. This is because some medical conditions, like thyroid problems, sleep apnea and lead poisoning, can trigger symptoms of ADHD. Adults who have a history of anxiety or depression will require evaluation and treated with more care because these conditions frequently coexist.
If a professional believes that you require medication, he/she will prescribe the right medication. The kind of medication you need will depend on the severity of your symptoms and the way they impact your life. Stimulants, the most common medication prescribed for ADHD are stimulants. However, they're not for everyone and the first stimulant you try might not be effective or trigger unpleasant side effects. Your doctor will be interested in knowing if you take any other medications, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements, because certain kinds of medications can interact with ADHD stimulants.
Counseling is a crucial part 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 learn how to manage your anger and improve your organization and time management skills.
It is crucial to find the services of a doctor who is specialized in mental illnesses. A psychiatrist or neurologist is able to diagnose and treat ADHD. However it is recommended to consult a specialist therapist. These specialists are likely to be more familiar with the challenges of treating adults with ADHD and have worked with other patients who are struggling with similar issues. You can use search engines like ADDitude or visit your local mental health service to find a professional that works with adults who have ADHD.
Medication
A diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the first step to managing your symptoms and improving your life. If you've found it difficult to achieve your full potential at work, have found 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 searching for.
ADHD treatment for adults begins with an extensive interview and a review of your medical history, which includes 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 are applicable 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 are not treated for ADHD often have coexisting disorders, like depression and anxiety. These disorders can cause or worsen the symptoms of ADHD, Jaksa says. He says that stress and frustration due to inadequate performance can trigger feelings of low-self-esteem. "Getting a diagnose can help them get a better understanding of the causes of their struggles. This could help alleviate or eliminate their anxiety and help them focus more effectively on areas where they excel," Jaksa states.
The most effective treatment for adults suffering from ADHD is usually an amalgamation of behavior therapy and medication. Stimulants increase concentration, decrease impulse-driven behavior and aid in organizing. In many instances these drugs can boost motivation and improve mood. People who take stimulants should be aware of potential side effects, which include insomnia and difficulty drinking or eating enough. People who take stimulants to treat ADHD might experience mood swings that can be difficult for them to manage.
Discuss with your health care provider regarding whether you are a good candidate for clinical trials of upcoming treatments or medications. These studies assist researchers in finding more effective methods to prevent, diagnose or treat conditions and diseases.
Counseling
Untreated ADHD can lead to issues in all areas of your life. Your relationships, career and financial health could be negatively affected by procrastination and poor time management, excessive 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 weren't diagnosed as children or because their families and teachers were unaware of the disorder or because they displayed mild symptoms which were not spotted. Others might have managed their symptoms as children but struggled in adulthood when their family and work obligations increased.
To diagnose ADHD, mental health professionals need to find that your symptoms are causing significant impairment in two areas of your everyday life. In the event of impairment, it could mean losing your job because of lack of concentration and organizational skills, or being placed on academic probation in college due to inability to do well on tests.
Women are better in hiding their symptoms than men. This can make it harder for women to be diagnosed. However, if you are experiencing ADHD symptoms that are affecting your life at work and at home, being forthright about them with your doctor will help speed up the process and let you take advantage of reasonable accommodations under the ADA and other workplace laws.
Whatever adhd adults diagnosis uk of ADHD you suffer from Your mental health professional will want to verify that your symptoms were present before age 12. They may ask you to talk to people who knew you during this time period. They may also perform a series of tests to assess your attention and memory levels.
When you receive the diagnosis your therapist will recommend a combination of medication and non-medication treatments to manage your symptoms. The majority of people will test different methods before they discover the one that is most effective for them. It is suggested that you keep track of your progress and check in with your doctor regularly so they can help adjust your treatment program when needed.