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 taking control. A diagnosis requires a thorough assessment, often including reviews of school records and questionnaires filled out by parents and teachers.
The majority of people with ADHD suffer from symptoms from the age of five, and it's not uncommon to be diagnosed with it in adulthood. NIMH has suggestions on how to speak with your doctor about the disorder.
Diagnosis
It is important to get diagnosed with ADHD at an early age. This will allow you to get control of the symptoms that can cause havoc in your personal and professional life. The first step is to consult your GP or an expert in mental health who is experienced in treating adults suffering from ADHD. If your doctor is not familiar with ADHD or other disorders, they could refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist for assessment.
Typically, a mental health professional will employ an eight-question ADHD screener to determine whether you might have the disorder, says Adler. The doctor will ask you questions about your symptoms that are similar to ADHD and look over your medical and family history to confirm that other medical conditions aren't the cause of them.
Because people who suffer from ADHD tend to be unable to pay attention and are easily distracted, they often have trouble following instructions or listening during class or on the job. They are often unable to locate important items for tasks or activities such as keys, wallets and tools. They may also have trouble staying focused during long lectures or reading assignments. Fidgeting, excessive talking or texting, or squirming, are other symptoms of adult ADHD.
It is important to rule other conditions out when determining if someone has adult ADHD. This includes anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder. Stress and physical issues such as thyroid issues can mimic ADHD symptoms. The DSM-5 now requires doctors to determine the severity of a person's symptoms are before identifying him or her with the disorder. Mild moderate, severe and mild are the categories used to describe adult ADHD.
Many people who suffer from ADHD are not diagnosed in childhood, because it's not evident. A diagnosis can alter the course of an adult's life, as they can now see the reasons why they struggled in school and failed to reach their maximum potential at work or home. Some may even feel guilt-ridden for blaming their troubles on others or themselves and can feel grief over lost opportunities that could have been achieved when they were properly treated.
Treatment
To receive treatment for ADHD for adults, the first step is to consult an expert in the field of healthcare. This can be done in person or via video conference. In the UK only psychologists, psychiatrists, and specialist nurses are qualified to diagnose ADHD. The professional will ask about your medical history, including mental health issues in the family. This is due to the fact that a number of emotional and physical conditions can trigger symptoms similar to those that occur in ADHD and must be addressed before a diagnosis can be made.
The professional will ask you about your lifestyle and work as well as how your symptoms impact your life. They are particularly interested in whether or not you displayed symptoms of ADHD prior to the age of 12. They may also want to interview people who knew you in your childhood and ask about their memories.
A thorough medical history can aid the doctor in determining if you require medication or other treatments. This is because some medical conditions, like thyroid problems, sleep apnea and lead poisoning may cause symptoms of ADHD. Adults who have a history of anxiety or depression will need to be evaluated and treated more carefully because these conditions frequently occur in conjunction.
If a medical professional believes you need medication, he or she will prescribe the right medication. The type of medication you require will depend on the severity of your symptoms and how they affect your life. Stimulants are the most commonly prescribed drugs for ADHD. They aren't for all people and the first treatment you try might not work or cause unwanted adverse negative effects. Your doctor may inquire whether you are taking other medications. This includes prescription drugs, supplements, and prescription drugs. Certain types of drugs may interfere with ADHD stimulants.
Counseling is also an important part of the treatment process for adults with ADHD. Individual therapy can help you cope with the feelings of disappointment frustration, underachievement, and anger that are frequently associated with untreated ADHD. It can help you learn to control your anger, as well as improve your time management and organizing abilities.
If you suffer from a mental illness it is crucial to find a doctor who is specialized in this condition. A psychiatrist or neurologist is able to diagnose and treat ADHD. However you might prefer to seek out a specialist therapist. They are likely to have more experience with adult ADHD and their challenges as well as having worked with other clients. You can search ADDitude or your local mental health clinic to find a professional who works with adults who have ADHD.
Medication
If you are 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 struggled to reach your full potential at work, have found it difficult to maintain relationships or struggle to complete tasks at home A diagnosis of ADHD might be the answer you have been seeking.
ADHD treatment for adults begins with an extensive interview and a review of your medical history, which includes the symptoms you've been experiencing. The psychologist or psychiatrist determines whether you meet the criteria for ADHD in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5) which is published by the American Psychiatric Association. 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 co-morbid with disorders like anxiety and depression. Jaksa states that these disorders can cause or worsen symptoms of ADHD. A constant stress and anger over the lack of performance can lead to feelings of self-doubt, he adds. diagnosis adhd Getting an assessment will help them get a better understanding of the causes of their struggles. This may reduce or eliminate their anxieties and help them focus on areas where they excel," Jaksa states.
Adults suffering from ADHD are usually treated best with a combination of medications along with behavior therapy. The use of stimulants can help improve concentration, decrease impulsive behavior and aid in organizing. In many cases, these medications can also improve mood and increase motivation. People who are taking stimulants must be aware of potential side effects, which include insomnia and difficulty eating or drinking enough. People who take stimulants to treat ADHD may suffer from mood swings that may be difficult to manage.
Talk to your health care provider regarding whether you're suitable for clinical trials of novel treatments or medications. These studies help researchers find more effective ways to prevent, diagnose, or treat conditions and diseases.
Counseling
Untreated ADHD can cause issues in all areas of your life. Procrastination and other signs can negatively impact your relationships, career, and financial health. Getting 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 were not diagnosed as children or because their families and teachers were not aware of the disorder, or because they displayed mild symptoms which weren't noticed. Some might have managed their symptoms during childhood, but struggled later in life when their family and work obligations increased.
In order to be diagnosed with ADHD, mental health professionals must find that your symptoms are causing significant impairment in at least two areas of your life. In the event of an impairment, you could lose your job due to a decline in focus and organization skills, or being placed on academic probation in college due to your inability to do well on tests.
Women are more adept in hiding their symptoms than men, which may make it more difficult to receive a diagnosis. However, if you are struggling with ADHD symptoms that are affecting your home and work life and family life, speaking openly about them with your doctor will help speed up the process and let you get reasonable accommodations under the ADA and other workplace laws.
Regardless of the kind of ADHD you have Your mental health professional will determine if your symptoms were present prior to the age of 12. They may ask you to talk with people who knew you at this time and may also conduct a series of tests to assess your attention and memory levels.
After you are given the diagnosis, your therapist will recommend a combination of medication and non-medication treatments to help manage your symptoms. The majority of patients will try various treatments before settling on the most effective one. It is recommended to keep track of your progress and consult with your physician regularly so that they can help you adjust your treatment plan according to your needs.