Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult
For adults who are struggling professionally or personally in any way, recognizing ADHD could be a crucial step towards taking control. A thorough examination is necessary for determining the diagnosis. This involves examining school records and questionnaires completed by caregivers and teachers.
It is not uncommon for adults to be diagnosed with ADHD. Visit NIMH for tips on talking with your health professional about the condition.
Diagnosis
It is essential to be diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood. This will allow you to manage the symptoms that can cause havoc in your personal and professional life. The first step is to talk with your GP or find a mental health professional with experience in treating adults suffering from ADHD. If your doctor is not familiar with ADHD and/or ADHD, they may refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct an assessment.
A mental health professional will usually use a six question ADHD screener to determine if you are suffering from the condition. The doctor will interview you about the symptoms of ADHD and review your medical history and family history to confirm that other conditions aren't contributing to them.
Since people with ADHD are more likely to miss details and get easily distracted, they often have difficulty following instructions or listening in class or at work. They are often unable to locate important items needed for their tasks such as keys, wallets, and tools. They may also have trouble staying focused while reading or listening to long speeches. Fidgeting, excessive talking or texting or squirming are other signs of adult ADHD.
It is essential to rule out other medical conditions in determining if a person has adult ADHD. This includes depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. Stress and physical conditions like thyroid issues can mimic 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. Adult ADHD is classified as moderate, mild or severe.
Many people suffering from ADHD never receive a diagnosis in childhood because it is not evident. A diagnosis can alter the course of an adult's life, as they can now see why they struggled at school and failed to reach their maximum potential at work or home. They may feel guilty about blameing other people or themselves for their problems, and they may be devastated by missed opportunities when they were treated with respect.
Treatment
The first step in getting treatment for ADHD as an adult is to see the healthcare professional to have an assessment. This can be accomplished in person or via video conference. Only psychiatrists, psychologists, and specialist nurses are qualified to diagnose ADHD in the UK. The professional will want to know your medical history as well as family-related mental health issues. This is due to the fact that a number of emotional and physical conditions can trigger symptoms that are similar to those associated with ADHD and must be addressed before a diagnosis can be made.
The expert will inquire about your lifestyle and work and how your symptoms affect your life. They will be particularly interested in whether you showed signs of ADHD before the age of 12. They may also speak with people who were close to you as when you were a child and inquire about their childhood memories.
A thorough medical history will aid the doctor in determining if you need medications or other treatments. This is because some medical conditions, including sleep apnea, thyroid issues and lead poisoning, can trigger symptoms of ADHD. Adults who have a history of depression or anxiety may need more careful evaluation and treatment because these conditions often coexist with ADHD.
If a doctor believes that you need medication they will prescribe a suitable drug. 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, they're not for everyone, and the first one you try might not be effective or trigger unpleasant adverse side effects. Your healthcare provider will want to know if you are taking any other medications, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements, because certain kinds of medications can interact with ADHD stimulants.
Counseling is also an important element of the treatment process for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help you cope with feelings of failure or underachievement that are often associated with untreated ADHD. how to get a adhd diagnosis can also help you learn how to manage your anger and improve your organization and time management abilities.
If you have a mental illness, it's important to find a healthcare professional who specializes in that condition. A psychiatrist or neurologist can diagnose and treat ADHD, but you might prefer to see an expert psychologist or therapist. They are likely to be more familiar with adults with ADHD and the challenges they face, as well as having previous experience working with clients. You can inquire with your local mental health clinic or ADDitude's directory to find a specialist who works with adults with ADHD.
Medication
If you're an adult who has had to deal with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, getting a diagnosis is the first step to managing your symptoms and improving your life. If you've been unable to reach your full potential at work, find it difficult to maintain relationships or struggle to finish tasks at home, a diagnosis of ADHD might be the answer you have been searching for.
The first step in treating ADHD in adults is thorough medical history review, 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 who suffer from untreated ADHD are often afflicted with disorders such as anxiety and depression. Jaksa says that these disorders can exacerbate or cause symptoms of ADHD. He says that anxiety and frustration resulting from poor performance can lead to feelings of low-self-esteem. "Getting diagnosed can help these individuals gain a perspective on the reasons behind their struggles. This may reduce or eliminate their anxieties and help them focus on areas where they excel," Jaksa states.
The best treatment for adults suffering from ADHD is usually the combination of behavior therapy and medication. Stimulants improve concentration, reduce the risk of impulsive behavior, and help with organization. These medications can improve moods and boost motivation in a variety of cases. Side effects of stimulants include sleepiness and having trouble drinking enough or eating well. Also, mood swings can occur in some people who take stimulants for ADHD, and these are often difficult to manage.
Consult your physician about whether or not you are a candidate for clinical trials on new medications or treatments. These studies aid researchers in finding more effective ways to prevent, diagnose, or treat conditions and diseases.
Counseling
If you have untreated ADHD it could cause many issues in all areas of your life. Your career, relationships and financial health can be negatively impacted by procrastination and poor time management, impulsive spending, and other symptoms. Finding a doctor and seeking treatment is the first step towards reducing these negative impacts and regaining control of your life.
Many adults diagnosed with ADHD were not diagnosed as children or because their families and teachers weren't aware of the condition or they displayed mild symptoms which weren't noticed. Certain adults may be able to manage their symptoms as children but struggled with their symptoms in adulthood due to the increased demands of work and family.
To diagnose ADHD mental health professionals need to find that your symptoms result in significant impairments in two areas of your daily life. Impaired can be losing your job due to a lack in organization and focus or being placed on academic probation at your college because you're unable to concentrate on your tests.
Women are more adept at hiding their symptoms than men, which may make it harder to receive a diagnosis. However, if you are struggling with ADHD symptoms that are affecting your home and work life, being forthright about them with your doctor will help accelerate the process and allow you to get reasonable accommodations under the ADA and other workplace laws.
Regardless of the type of ADHD you suffer from, your mental health professional will want to verify that your symptoms started prior to the age of 12. They may ask to speak with people who were close to you at the time, and they may also conduct a series of tests to measure your memory and attention.
After receiving an assessment, the doctor will suggest a combination of medication and non-medication treatment to help manage your symptoms. The majority of people will test different methods before they discover the one that works best for them. It is recommended to keep a diary of your progress and speak with your doctor regularly so they can assist in adjusting your treatment program when needed.