Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult
Adults who have difficulty in their professional or personal lives can benefit from diagnosing ADHD. A thorough assessment is required to determine if you have an accurate diagnosis. This includes reviewing the school records and filling out questionnaires completed by teachers and caregivers.
Most people suffering from ADHD live with symptoms since the age of five, and it's not uncommon to be diagnosed with it in adulthood. Visit NIMH for suggestions on talking to your health care provider about the condition.
Diagnosis
Getting diagnosed with ADHD as an adult is often the first step towards gaining control over symptoms that wreak destruction on people's professional and personal lives. The first step is to consult your GP or a mental health professional who has experience in treating adults with ADHD. If your GP does not have any knowledge of ADHD and is unable to help, they can refer you to psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct an assessment.
A mental health professional will usually use a six question ADHD screener to determine if you suffer from the condition. The doctor will interview you about the symptoms of ADHD and examine your medical history and family history to determine if other conditions aren't causing them.
Because people with 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 on the job. They frequently lose essential items required for tasks or activities such as wallets, keys and tools. They may also have trouble staying focused while reading or listening to long speeches. Other signs of adult ADHD include fidgeting, talking or texting frequently or squirming around in their seats.
It is important to rule out other conditions when determining if someone has adult ADHD. This includes depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. Stress and physical ailments like thyroid issues can be a source of ADHD symptoms. The DSM-5 is now requiring professionals to determine the severity of a person's symptoms are before identifying him or her with the condition. Adult ADHD is classified as mild, moderate or severe.
Many people who suffer from ADHD never receive a diagnosis in childhood because it is not readily apparent. For adults, being diagnosed can be a life-changing revelation because they finally understand the reason why they struggled in school and failed to attain their full potential at work or at home. They may feel guilty for blaming their issues on themselves or others, and they can experience grief over lost opportunities that could have been had if they had been properly treated.
Treatment
To receive treatment for ADHD in adults the first step is to talk with an expert in the field of healthcare. This can be done in person or via video conference. In the UK only psychiatrists, psychologists and specialist nurses have the qualifications to diagnose ADHD. The specialist will need to know your medical history and family-related mental health issues. This is because a variety of physical and emotional conditions can trigger symptoms that are similar to those associated with ADHD and must be ruled out 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 are particularly interested in whether or not you displayed symptoms of ADHD prior to the age of 12 years old. They may also want to interview people who knew you in your childhood and ask about their experiences.
A thorough medical history will aid your doctor in determining whether you require medication or any other treatment. This is due to the fact that certain medical conditions, such as sleep apnea, thyroid problems and lead poisoning may cause symptoms of ADHD. Adults with a history depression or anxiety will need to be evaluated and treated more carefully, as these conditions often occur in conjunction.
If a professional believes that you require medication, they will prescribe the right medication. The type of medication you will require will depend on the severity of your symptoms and how they interfere with your daily life. The stimulants are the most frequently prescribed medications for ADHD. However, they're not right for everyone and the first stimulant you try may not be effective or have unpleasant adverse side effects. Your healthcare provider 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, as certain kinds of drugs may interact with ADHD stimulants.
Counseling is an essential part of treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help you to cope better with feelings of anger and failure that are often associated untreated ADHD. It can teach you how to manage your anger, as well as improve your time management and organizing abilities.
how to get an adult adhd diagnosis is crucial to find an expert in healthcare who specializes in mental illness. A psychiatrist or neurologist can diagnose and treat ADHD, but you might prefer to consult an expert psychologist or therapist. These specialists are likely to be more familiar with adults with ADHD and their challenges, as well as having experience working with other clients. You can use search engines like ADDitude or contact your local mental health services to find a specialist who works with adults who have ADHD.
Medication
A diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the first step in managing your symptoms and improving life. If you are struggling to achieve your full potential in the workplace, have difficulty maintaining relationships, or experience difficulties completing your tasks at home and at work, an ADHD diagnosis could be just what you require.
The first step in treating ADHD for adults is 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 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 with untreated ADHD are often afflicted with disorders such as depression and anxiety. These disorders can cause or worsen the symptoms of ADHD, Jaksa says. He adds that chronic stress and frustration due to poor performance can lead to feelings of self-esteem loss. "Getting an evaluation can help them understand the root causes of their issues and may help to reduce or eliminate some of their anxieties and help them concentrate more effectively on the areas where they excel," Jaksa says.
The most effective treatment for adults with ADHD is usually an amalgamation of medication and behavior therapy. The stimulants help improve concentration, reduce the risk of impulsive behavior, and help with organization. In many cases, these medications can also enhance motivation and mood. People who take stimulants should be aware of the potential side effects, which include insomnia and difficulty drinking or eating enough. Also, mood swings can occur in some people who take stimulants for ADHD, and these are often difficult to manage.
Talk to your health care provider about whether you would be a good candidate for clinical trials of novel treatments or medications. These studies help researchers discover more effective ways to diagnose, prevent or treat diseases.
Counseling
Untreated ADHD can lead to problems in all areas of your life. Your relationships, career and financial health could be negatively affected by procrastination or poor time management, impulsive spending and other symptoms. Getting a diagnosis and seeking treatment is the first step to lessening the negative effects and regaining control over your life.
Many adults diagnosed with ADHD didn't receive a diagnosis as children because their family and teachers weren't aware of the disorder or they experienced mild symptoms that weren't recognized. Some adults might have been able to manage their symptoms as children but had difficulty with them in adulthood due to increased work and family obligations.
To be diagnosed as having ADHD mental health professionals must determine that your symptoms cause significant impairment in at least two areas of your life. The impairment could result in losing your job due to of lack of focus and organizational skills or being placed on academic probation in college due to the inability to do well on tests.
Women are more adept at avoiding their symptoms than men, which may make it more difficult for them to get an accurate diagnosis. If you have ADHD symptoms that impact your life at work or at home you can accelerate the process of diagnosing by being honest with your doctor. You may also be eligible for reasonable accommodations under ADA laws as well as other workplace laws.
Whatever kind of ADHD you have the mental health professional will want to determine if your symptoms were present before age 12. They might ask you to talk to people who were around you during this time and may also perform a series of tests to evaluate your attention and memory abilities.
If you're given the diagnosis your therapist will recommend a combination of medications and non-medical treatments to manage your symptoms. The majority of people will test various treatments before they find the best one. It is recommended to keep a diary of your progress and check in with your doctor regularly so they can help you adjust your treatment program as needed.