Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult
Adults who are struggling professionally or personally and are unable to resolve the issue, identifying ADHD is a significant step towards getting control. A diagnosis requires a thorough evaluation which may include a review of school records and questionnaires filled out by caregivers and teachers.
It is not uncommon for adults to be diagnosed with ADHD. NIMH provides suggestions on how to speak with your doctor about the condition.
Diagnosis
Being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult is usually the first step in gaining control over the symptoms that can cause havoc on a person's personal and professional lives. The first step is to speak with your GP or find an expert in mental health who has expertise in treating adults with ADHD. If your doctor does not have any experience in treating ADHD and is unable to help, they can refer you to either psychologist or psychiatrist for an assessment.
A mental health professional will usually use a six question ADHD screener to determine if you have the condition. Then, he will talk to you about your symptoms and review your family history and medical history to make sure that any other conditions are not causing your ADHD-like symptoms.
People with ADHD are prone to being easily distracted and miss crucial details. They may have trouble following instructions in class or at work. They are often unable to locate important items for tasks or activities like keys, wallets and tools. They might also have difficulty staying focused when they are reading long speeches or assignments. Other signs 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 whether someone suffers from adult ADHD. These include depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder. Stress and physical ailments such as thyroid issues can be a source of ADHD symptoms. The DSM-5 now requires professionals to assess the severity of a person's symptoms are when diagnosing the condition. Mild, moderate and severe are the categories used to describe adult ADHD.
Many people who suffer from ADHD never receive a diagnosis in childhood, because it's not evident. A diagnosis can alter the course of a person's life because they now understand the reasons why they struggled in school and never reached their maximum potential at work or home. They might even feel guilty for blaming their issues on themselves or others and can feel grief over lost opportunities that could have been achieved if they had been properly treated.
Treatment
To seek treatment for ADHD for adults the first step is to talk with an expert in healthcare. This can be done in person or through a video call. Only psychiatrists, psychologists and specialist nurses are qualified to diagnose ADHD in the UK. The doctor will need to know your medical history and your family's mental health issues. This is because many physical and emotional conditions can cause symptoms similar to those that occur in ADHD and must be addressed before the diagnosis can be made.
The doctor will inquire about your lifestyle and work and how your symptoms impact your daily life. They will be particularly interested in whether or not you showed symptoms of ADHD prior to the age of 12. They might also interview those who knew you as a child and ask about their experiences.
A detailed medical history can help your doctor decide whether you require medication or other treatment. This is because certain medical conditions, including thyroid problems, sleep apnea and lead poisoning may cause symptoms of ADHD. Adults who have an underlying history of anxiety or depression might require more careful evaluation and treatment because these conditions can be co-existing with ADHD.
If a doctor believes that you need medication they will prescribe a suitable medicine. The type of medication you require is determined by the severity of your symptoms and how they affect your life. Stimulants, the most common medication prescribed for ADHD are stimulants. However, they are not right for everyone and the first stimulant you try may not be effective or have unpleasant adverse effects. Your healthcare provider might ask whether you are taking other medication. This includes prescription drugs or supplements, as well as prescription drugs. Certain types of drugs may interfere with ADHD stimulants.
Counseling is an essential part of treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help you deal with the feelings of failure or underachievement that are frequently associated with untreated ADHD. It can also help you how to manage your anger as well as improve your organization and time management abilities.
It's important to seek out an expert in healthcare who specializes in mental illnesses. A psychiatrist or neurologist can diagnose and treat ADHD. However you might prefer to consult a specialist psychotherapist. These professionals will likely be more familiar with adult ADHD and their struggles as well as having worked with other clients. You can use search engines like ADDitude or your local mental health service to find a specialist who works with adults who have ADHD.
Medication
A diagnosis of ADHD is the first step towards managing your symptoms and improving life. If you've found it difficult to achieve your maximum potential at work, find it difficult to maintain relationships or have trouble finishing tasks at home and at work, a diagnosis of ADHD could be the answer you have been looking for.
The first step to treat ADHD in adults is a thorough medical history review, including your symptoms. The psychologist or psychiatrist will then determine if 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 suffer from untreated ADHD are frequently co-morbid with other disorders, such as anxiety and depression. Jaksa says that these disorders can exacerbate or cause symptoms of ADHD. Stress and frustration from inadequate performance can result in feelings of self-doubt, Jaksa says. "Getting a diagnose can help these individuals gain a perspective on the causes of their struggles. This can help to reduce or eliminate their anxieties and help them concentrate more productively on areas where they excel," Jaksa states.
adult diagnosis of adhd suffering from ADHD are usually treated best by a combination of medication in conjunction with behavior therapy. The stimulants help improve concentration, reduce the risk of impulsive behavior, and help with the process of organizing. In many instances, these medications can also boost motivation and improve mood. People who take stimulants should be aware of potential negative effects, which could include insomnia and trouble with drinking or eating enough. People who take stimulants to treat ADHD might experience mood swings that can be difficult to manage.
Speak to your doctor about whether or not you are a candidate for clinical trials on new medications or treatments. These studies help researchers discover better ways to diagnose and treat illnesses, as well as prevent them from occurring.
Counseling
If you have untreated ADHD it could cause various problems in every area of your life. Procrastination and other symptoms can negatively impact your relationships, career, and financial health. Finding a doctor and seeking treatment is the first step towards lessening the negative effects and regaining control of your life.
Many adults who are diagnosed with ADHD weren't diagnosed as children, either because their family and teachers weren't aware of the disorder or because they showed mild symptoms that weren't noticed. Certain adults may have been able to manage their symptoms as children, but struggled with their symptoms in adulthood due to the increased demands of work and family.
To be diagnosed as having ADHD, mental health professionals must discover that your symptoms cause significant impairment in at least two areas of your life. Impaired can be losing your job due to a decline in organization and focus, or being placed on academic probation in college because you are unable to do well on tests.
Women are more adept at hiding their symptoms than men, which may make it harder for them to get a diagnosis. If you're experiencing ADHD symptoms that are affecting your life at work and at home, being forthright about them with your doctor can speed up the process and allow you to take advantage of reasonable accommodations under ADA and other workplace laws.
Your mental health professional regardless of the type of ADHD that you have will be looking to determine the time when your symptoms began. the age of 12. They may ask to speak to people who were close to you at this time, and may conduct a series of tests to measure your attention and memory.
After you are given an diagnosis the therapist will suggest the use of a combination of medication and non-medication therapies to help manage your symptoms. The majority of people will test several different treatments before they find the best one. Keep a journal of your progress and consult your doctor frequently to modify your treatment plan if needed.