Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult
For adults who are struggling with their personal or professional lives in any way, recognizing ADHD can be a significant step towards getting control. A thorough assessment is required to make an accurate diagnosis. This includes reviewing school records and questionnaires completed by teachers and caregivers.
It is not unusual for adults to be diagnosed with ADHD. Visit NIMH for advice on how to talk to your doctor about the condition.
Diagnosis
Getting diagnosed with ADHD as an adult is usually the first step to gain control over the symptoms that cause havoc on a person's personal and professional lives. The first step is to talk with your GP or find an expert in mental health who has experience in treating adults suffering from ADHD. If your GP does not have any knowledge of ADHD, they may recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct an assessment.
A mental health professional would typically use a six question ADHD screener to determine if you are suffering from the condition. Then, he will interview you about your symptoms and look at your medical history and family background to ensure that any other conditions are not causing your ADHD-like symptoms.
Since people who suffer from ADHD are more likely to be unable to pay attention and are easily distracted, they often have trouble following instructions or listening in class or at work. They often lose important items required for tasks or activities such as keys, wallets and tools. They may also have trouble staying focused during long speeches or reading assignments. Fidgeting, over-talking or texting or squirming are other signs of adult ADHD.
When determining whether how to get an adult adhd diagnosis has adult ADHD it is essential to exclude other conditions that may cause similar symptoms, such as depression, anxiety bipolar disorder, anxiety and substance abuse. Stress and certain physical conditions like thyroid issues could be a source of symptoms similar to ADHD. In the DSM-5 professionals are now required to consider the severity of an individual's symptoms when diagnosing them as having ADHD. Adult ADHD is classified as moderate, mild or severe.
Many people with ADHD go their whole lives without ever getting a diagnosis because it is not apparent in the early years. For adults, being diagnosed can be a life-changing revelation because they can finally understand the reasons why they struggled at school and failed to attain their full potential at work or at home. They may feel guilty about being blamed for their troubles, and they may be grieved over missed opportunities that could have been if they were treated properly.
Treatment
The first step to receive treatment for ADHD as an adult is to consult a medical professional for an assessment. This can be conducted in person or by video calls. In the UK only psychiatrists, psychologists, and specialist nurses have the qualifications to diagnose ADHD. The professional will ask about your medical history, which includes mental health issues within the family. This is due to the fact that a number of emotional and physical conditions can trigger symptoms similar to those of ADHD, and these must be eliminated before an assessment can be made.
The professional will ask you about your work and lifestyle and how your symptoms affect your daily life. They will be particularly interested in whether or not you displayed signs of ADHD prior to the age of 12 years. They might also talk to people who were close to you as when you were a child and ask them about their memories.
A thorough medical history can aid the doctor in determining whether you need medications or other treatments. This is due to the fact that certain medical conditions, like sleep apnea, thyroid issues and lead poisoning can cause symptoms of ADHD. Adults who have a history of depression or anxiety may need more careful evaluation and treatment because these conditions can be co-existing with ADHD.
If a doctor believes you require medication, he or she will prescribe the appropriate medication. The type of medication you will require will depend on the severity of your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. Stimulants, which are the most popular medication prescribed for ADHD are stimulants. However, they're not suitable for everyone, and the first one you try may not be effective or have uncomfortable adverse side effects. Your healthcare provider might ask if you are taking any other medication. This includes prescription drugs, supplements, and prescription drugs. Certain types of drugs may interfere with ADHD stimulants.
Counseling is also an important element of the treatment process for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help you cope better with feelings of anger, disappointment and inadequacy that are often associated with untreated ADHD. It can also help you to manage your anger and improve your time management and organization abilities.
If you suffer from an illness of the mind it is crucial to find a doctor who is specialized in the field. A psychiatrist or neurologist can diagnose and treat ADHD. However it is recommended to consult a specialist psychotherapist. These experts are likely to be more familiar with the challenges of treating adults with ADHD and have experience helping other clients with similar struggles. You can search ADDitude or visit your local mental health services to find a professional that assists adults with ADHD.
Medication
If you're an adult who has been struggling with ADHD getting a diagnosis is the first step towards addressing your symptoms and improving your quality of life. If you are struggling to reach your maximum potential in your work, have difficulty maintaining relationships, or are having trouble completing tasks at home, an ADHD diagnosis could be just what you need.
ADHD treatment for adults begins with thorough interviews and a thorough review of your medical history, including the symptoms you've been experiencing. The psychiatrist or psychologist determines if you meet the requirements 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 with untreated ADHD frequently have coexisting disorders, including depression and anxiety. These disorders can cause or worsen symptoms of ADHD, Jaksa says. Stress and frustration from poor performance can also result in feelings of low self-esteem, he says. "Getting an assessment will help them get a better understanding of the root of their struggles, which may alleviate or reduce some of their worries and help them concentrate more on the areas where they excel," Jaksa says.
Adults with ADHD are usually treated by a combination of medication along with behavior therapy. Stimulants can improve concentration, decrease impulsive behaviors and aid in organizing. These drugs can boost moods and improve motivation in a variety of cases. People who take stimulants should be aware of potential negative effects, which could include insomnia and difficulty drinking or eating enough. Some people who take stimulants to treat ADHD may have mood swings that could be difficult to manage.
Speak to your doctor about whether or not you're a candidate for clinical trials of new medicines or treatments. These studies help researchers discover better methods to detect, prevent or treat diseases.
Counseling
Untreated ADHD can lead to issues in all areas of your life. Your career, relationships and financial health could be negatively affected by procrastination and poor time management, impulsive spending, and other signs. Finding a doctor and seeking treatment is the first step towards reduce the negative impact and regaining control of your life.
Many adults diagnosed with ADHD were not diagnosed as children because their parents and teachers were unaware of the disorder or they experienced mild symptoms that were not noticed. Others might have been able to manage their symptoms during childhood, but struggled as they grew older as their family and work responsibilities increased.
To diagnose ADHD mental health professionals need to find that your symptoms result in significant impairments in two areas of your daily 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 at college because you're unable to concentrate on your tests.
Women are more adept at hiding their symptoms than men, which could make it harder to receive an accurate diagnosis. However, if you are experiencing ADHD symptoms that are affecting your home and work life, being forthright about them with your doctor can help speed up the process and allow you to benefit from reasonable accommodations under ADA and other workplace laws.
Regardless of the kind of ADHD you have the mental health professional will want to verify that your symptoms were present prior to age 12. They may request that you speak to people who knew you at this period and could take a number of tests to determine your memory and attention levels.
After receiving an diagnosis, your 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 finding the right one. Keep a journal of your progress and make sure to consult your doctor frequently to modify your treatment plan as necessary.