Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult
For adults who find themselves struggling professionally or personally and are unable to resolve the issue, identifying ADHD could be a crucial step in getting control. A diagnosis is based on a thorough examination which may include a review of school records and questionnaires completed by caregivers and teachers.
The majority of people with ADHD have symptoms since the age of three, and it's not uncommon to be diagnosed with it as an adult. Visit NIMH for tips on talking to your doctor about the disorder.
Diagnosis
It is essential to be diagnosed with ADHD at an early age. This will help you gain control over the symptoms that can cause chaos in your professional and personal life. The first step is to speak with your GP or find a mental health professional with expertise in treating adults suffering from ADHD. If your doctor is not familiar with ADHD and/or ADHD, they might refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct an assessment.
A mental health professional will typically employ a six-question ADHD screener to determine if you suffer from the condition. He or she will then ask you questions about your symptoms that are similar to ADHD and review your medical history and family history to ensure that other conditions aren't causing them.
People suffering from ADHD are prone to being easily distracted and miss crucial details. They may have trouble following directions in class or at work. They frequently lose essential items required for tasks or activities such as wallets, keys, and tools. They may also have trouble staying focused while listening to or reading long speeches. Fidgeting, over-talking or texting, or squirming, are other symptoms of adult ADHD.
It is essential to rule out other medical conditions in determining if a person has adult ADHD. This includes anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder. Stress and physical ailments like thyroid issues can cause ADHD symptoms. In the DSM-5 professionals are now required to assess the severity of a person's symptoms when diagnosing them with ADHD. Adult ADHD is classified as mild, moderate or severe.
Many people with ADHD are not diagnosed in childhood because it is not readily apparent. For adults, a diagnosis could be a life-changing revelation because they finally understand the reasons why they struggled at school and never seemed to achieve their full potential at work or at home. They may feel guilt-ridden for blaming their troubles on others or themselves and can feel regret over missed opportunities that could have been achieved when they were properly treated.
Treatment
The first step in getting treatment for ADHD as an adult is to see a healthcare professional to have an assessment. This can be accomplished in person or via video calls. 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 due to the fact that a number of physical and emotional conditions can trigger symptoms similar to those that occur in ADHD and must be ruled out before a diagnosis is made.
The doctor will also inquire about your lifestyle and work, and 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. They may also wish to interview those who knew you in your childhood and ask them about their experiences.
A thorough medical history can help your doctor decide if you need medication or another treatment. This is because certain medical conditions, including sleep apnea, thyroid problems and lead poisoning may cause symptoms of ADHD. Adults with a history depression or anxiety will need to be assessed and treated with more care, as these conditions often coexist.
If a professional believes that you require medication, they will prescribe the appropriate medication. The type of medicine you need depends on your symptoms and the way they impact your life. Stimulants are the most commonly prescribed medication for ADHD. However, they're not for everyone and the first stimulant you try might not be effective or cause unpleasant adverse side effects. Your doctor will be interested in knowing if you are taking any other medications that are not prescription drugs, such as over-the counter ones and supplements, since certain kinds of medications can interact with ADHD stimulants.
Counseling is an essential part of treatment for adults with ADHD. Individual therapy can help you cope better with feelings of anger and failure that are often associated untreated ADHD. It can also teach you to manage your anger and improve your organization and time management skills.
If you suffer from a mental illness, it's important to find a doctor who is specialized in that condition. A psychiatrist or neurologist can diagnose and treat ADHD however, you may prefer to consult a specialist therapist or psychologist. 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 search ADDitude or contact your local mental health service to find a specialist who works with adults who have ADHD.
Medication
If you are an adult who has been struggling with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and is diagnosed, it's the first step toward managing your symptoms and improving your quality of life. If you're struggling to achieve your full potential in the workplace or in maintaining relationships, or have trouble completing tasks at home then an ADHD diagnosis may be the answer you've been looking for.
The first step to treat ADHD in adults is a thorough medical history, including your symptoms. 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 with untreated ADHD often have coexisting disorders, like anxiety and depression. These disorders 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 an assessment can help them gain a perspective on the reasons behind their struggles. This can help to alleviate or eliminate their anxiety, and allow them to concentrate more productively on areas where they excel," Jaksa states.
Adults with ADHD are usually treated with a combination of medications and behavior therapy. The use of stimulants can help improve concentration, decrease impulsive behaviors and aid in organizing. In many instances, these medications can also enhance motivation and mood. People who take stimulants should be aware of the potential adverse effects, such as problems with sleeping and eating or drinking enough. People who take stimulants to treat ADHD may suffer from mood swings that may be difficult for them to manage.
Talk to your doctor about whether or not you are a candidate for clinical trials of new medications or treatments. These studies help researchers discover more effective methods to detect, prevent or treat diseases.
Counseling
Untreated ADHD can cause problems in all areas of your life. Your career, relationships and financial health may be negatively affected by procrastination and poor time management, impulsive spending, and other signs. Getting helpful site and seeking treatment is the first step towards reducing these negative impacts and regaining control over your life.
Many adults who are diagnosed with ADHD did not receive a diagnosis when they were children because their teachers and family weren't aware of the disorder or they had minor symptoms that weren't noticed. Certain adults may have been able manage their symptoms in childhood, but had difficulty with these issues in adulthood due increased work and family obligations.
To be diagnosed with ADHD mental health professionals must determine that your symptoms are causing severe impairment in at least two areas of your life. Impaired can be losing your job due to a decline in focus and organization skills, or being placed on academic probation in college because you're unable to do well on tests.
Women are generally better at avoiding their symptoms than men, which can make it more difficult for them to get a diagnosis. However, if you are experiencing ADHD symptoms that affect your home and work life and family life, speaking openly about them with your doctor can help accelerate the process and allow you to get reasonable accommodations under ADA and other workplace laws.
Your mental health professional regardless of the kind of ADHD you suffer from, will want to know whether your symptoms started before the age of 12. They may ask to talk to people who were close to you at this time, and they may also conduct a series of tests to measure your attention and memory.
After you are given the diagnosis the therapist will suggest a combination of medications and non-medication treatments to help manage your symptoms. Most people will try several different treatments before they find the one that works for them. It is recommended to keep track of your progress and check in with your doctor regularly so they can help you adjust your treatment program as needed.