Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult
For adults who find themselves struggling in their work or personal life, diagnosing ADHD could be a crucial step in gaining control. A thorough examination is necessary for determining an accurate diagnosis. This includes analyzing school records as well as questionnaires that are completed by caregivers and teachers.
It is not uncommon for adults to be diagnosed with ADHD. Visit NIMH for tips on talking to your health care provider about the condition.
Diagnosis
It is important to get diagnosed with ADHD at an early age. This will help you get control of the symptoms that can cause havoc in your personal and professional life. The first step is to talk to your GP or consult a mental health professional who has expertise in treating adults suffering from ADHD. If your doctor does not have any experience in treating ADHD or other disorders, they could refer you to psychologist or psychiatrist for an assessment.
Typically an expert in mental health will use the six-question ADHD screener to determine whether you might have the condition, says Adler. They will interview you about your symptoms that are similar to ADHD and review your medical history and family history to ensure that other conditions aren't contributing to them.
People suffering from ADHD are prone to being easily distracted and miss important details. They often have difficulty following directions in class or at work. They frequently lose essential items needed for their tasks such as wallets, keys and other tools. They may also have difficulty staying focused when listening to or reading long speeches. Other symptoms of adult ADHD include fidgeting, talking or texting too much or squirming in the seat.
It is crucial to rule out other medical conditions when determining if someone has adult ADHD. These include depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder. Stress and physical ailments like thyroid issues could be similar to the symptoms of ADHD. The DSM-5 is now requiring professionals to assess how severe a person's symptoms are before identifying them with the disorder. Adult ADHD is classified as mild, moderate or severe.
Many people who suffer from ADHD do not receive a diagnosis in childhood because it is not evident. A diagnosis can alter the course of an adult's life as they understand why they struggled at school and failed to reach their maximum potential at work or home. They might even feel guilty for blaming their problems on themselves or others, and they can experience sadness over the missed opportunities that could have been had if they had been properly treated.
Treatment
To get treatment for ADHD for adults the first step is to speak with an expert in healthcare. This can be done 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 mental health issues. This is due to the fact that there are many physical and mental conditions that can cause symptoms similar to ADHD. These conditions need to be ruled out 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 showed symptoms of ADHD before the age of 12 years old. They might also talk to 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 require medications or other treatments. Certain medical conditions, such as sleep apnea, thyroid disorders and lead poisoning can cause ADHD symptoms. Adults who have a history of depression or anxiety might require a more thorough assessment and treatment, as these conditions can be co-existing with ADHD.
If a medical professional believes that you need medication, they will prescribe a suitable medicine. The kind of medication you require is determined by the severity of your symptoms and how they affect your life. Stimulants are among the most commonly prescribed drugs for ADHD. They aren't for all people and the first treatment you try might not work or cause undesirable negative side consequences. Your healthcare provider might ask if you are taking any other medications. This includes over-the-counter medications or supplements as well as prescription drugs. Certain kinds of medications may interfere with ADHD stimulants.
Counseling is also an essential part of the treatment process for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help you deal with feelings of failure frustration, underachievement, and anger that are often associated with untreated ADHD. It can also help you learn to manage your anger and improve your time management and organization skills.
It is crucial to find an expert in healthcare who specializes in mental illnesses. A psychiatrist or neurologist can diagnose and treat ADHD. However, you may prefer to consult a specialist psychotherapist. These specialists are likely to be more familiar with the challenges of treating adults with ADHD and have experience helping others who have similar issues. You can use search engines like ADDitude or contact 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 towards managing your symptoms and improving your life. If you're struggling to reach your full potential at work or in maintaining relationships, or are having trouble completing tasks at home then an ADHD diagnosis could be the answer you've been looking for.
The first step in treating ADHD for adults is thorough medical history review, which includes your symptoms. The psychologist or psychiatrist will 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 often suffer from co-occurring disorders, such as depression and anxiety. Jaksa says that these conditions can exacerbate or cause symptoms of ADHD. He says that stress and anger due to low performance can cause feelings of low-self-esteem. "Getting diagnosed can help them gain a perspective on the causes of their struggles. This may reduce or eliminate their worries and enable them to focus on areas where they excel," Jaksa states.
The most effective treatment for adults suffering from ADHD is typically an amalgamation of therapy and medication. The use of stimulants can help improve concentration, reduce impulsive behaviors and aid in organizing. These drugs can boost moods and improve motivation in a variety of cases. The negative effects of stimulants are sleepiness and having trouble drinking or eating enough. Mood swings can also occur in people who are taking stimulants for ADHD, and these can be difficult to manage.
Speak to your doctor about whether or not you're a candidate for clinical trials of new medications or treatments. These studies aid researchers in finding better ways to prevent, diagnose, or treat illnesses and conditions.
Counseling
If you have untreated ADHD, it can cause a variety of problems in all areas of your life. Procrastination and other signs can affect your relationships, career, and financial health. Finding a diagnosis and seeking treatment is the first step towards reducing these negative impacts and regaining control of your life.
Many adults diagnosed with ADHD did not receive a diagnosis when they were children because their parents and teachers were unaware of the disorder or they experienced mild symptoms that weren't recognized. Some adults might have been able manage their symptoms as children but struggled with these issues in adulthood due increased work and family obligations.
To be diagnosed as having ADHD, adhd diagnostic must find that your symptoms cause significant impairment in at least two aspects of your life. Impairment can result in losing your job because of lack of focus and organizational skills or being put on academic probation in college due to the inability to study for tests.
Women are generally better in hiding their symptoms than men, which can make it more difficult for them to get an accurate diagnosis. If you have ADHD symptoms that impact your work or home life, you can accelerate the process of diagnosing by being open with your doctor. You might also be able to receive reasonable accommodations under ADA laws and other workplace laws.
Whatever kind of ADHD you suffer from the mental health professional will verify that your symptoms were present prior to the age of 12. They may ask to speak with people who were close to you at the time, and may also conduct a series of tests to assess your memory and attention.
After receiving a diagnosis, the specialist will recommend a combination medication and non-medication treatment to help manage your symptoms. The majority of people will test several different treatments before settling on the most effective one. It is recommended that you keep track of your progress and speak with your physician regularly so that they can assist in adjusting your treatment program when needed.