Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult
For adults who are struggling professionally or personally and are unable to resolve the issue, identifying ADHD is a significant step towards taking control. A thorough examination is necessary to determine if you have an accurate diagnosis. This involves examining the school records and filling out questionnaires that are completed by caregivers and teachers.
It is not unusual for adults to be diagnosed with ADHD. NIMH provides tips on how to talk with your doctor about the condition.
Diagnosis
It is essential to be diagnosed with ADHD at an early age. This will help you manage the symptoms that can cause havoc in your professional and personal life. The first step is to speak with your GP or consult an expert in mental health who has expertise in treating adults suffering from ADHD. If your GP isn't familiar with ADHD, he or she may refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct an assessment.
Typically, a mental health professional will employ the six-question ADHD screener to determine if you may be suffering from the disorder, says Adler. They will interview you about the symptoms of ADHD and review your medical history and family history to ensure that other conditions aren't contributing to them.
People suffering from ADHD tend to be easily distracted and forgetting important details. They often have difficulty following directions in class or at work. They tend to lose things that are essential for their work or activities, such as tools, wallets, keys and wallets. They may also have trouble staying focused during long lectures or reading assignments. Fidgeting, over-talking or texting, or squirming, are other symptoms of adult ADHD.
When determining whether someone has adult ADHD It is crucial to eliminate other conditions that may cause similar symptoms, like anxiety, depression bipolar disorder, anxiety and abuse of substances. Stress and physical conditions such as thyroid issues can cause ADHD symptoms. In the DSM-5, professionals are now required to consider the severity of a person's symptoms when diagnosing them as having ADHD. Adult ADHD is classified as mild, moderate or severe.
Many people suffering from ADHD have a lifelong struggle without ever getting a diagnosis because it's not evident during childhood. For adults, being diagnosed can be a life-changing event as they realize why they struggled in school and never seemed to attain their full potential at work or at home. They may feel guilty about blameing other people or themselves for their struggles, and they may be devastated by missed opportunities when they were treated with respect.
Treatment
To seek treatment for ADHD for adults, the first step is to talk with a healthcare professional. This can be done in person or via video call. In the UK, only psychiatrists, psychologists, and specialist nurses have the qualifications to diagnose ADHD. The specialist will inquire about your medical history, which includes mental health issues that are present in the family. This is due to the fact that a number of physical and emotional issues can cause symptoms similar to those that occur in ADHD and need to be eliminated before an assessment can be made.
The professional will ask you about your job and lifestyle and how your symptoms affect your daily life. They will be particularly interested in whether or not you showed signs of ADHD prior to the age of 12 years old. They may also want to interview people who knew you as a child and ask them about their experiences.
A detailed medical history can help your doctor decide if you need medication or any other treatment. Certain medical conditions, like thyroid disorders, sleep apnea, and lead poisoning, can cause ADHD symptoms. Adults with an underlying history of anxiety or depression might require more careful assessment and treatment, as these conditions are often associated with ADHD.
If a medical professional believes you need medication, he/she will prescribe the appropriate medication. The kind of medication you need will depend on your symptoms and how they impact your life. Stimulants, the most common medication prescribed for ADHD, are stimulants. They aren't for everyone, and the first drug you try might not work or cause unwanted adverse effects. Your healthcare provider will want to know if you use any other medication, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements, as certain kinds of drugs may interact with ADHD stimulants.
Counseling is an important aspect of treatment for adults with ADHD. Individual therapy can help you cope better with feelings of frustration, disappointment and inadequacy that are often associated untreated ADHD. It can help you learn to control your anger, improve your time management and organizational skills.
It is essential to find an expert in healthcare who specializes in mental disorders. A psychiatrist or neurologist is able to diagnose and treat ADHD however, you may prefer to see an expert psychologist or therapist. They are likely to be more familiar with adult ADHD and the challenges they face as well as having worked with other clients. You can contact your local mental health services or with ADDitude's directory to find a professional who works with adults with 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 quality of life. If you've been unable to reach your maximum potential at work, are finding it difficult to maintain relationships or struggle to complete tasks at home and at work, a diagnosis of ADHD may provide the solution you've been seeking.
The first step in treating ADHD for adults is thorough medical history review, including your symptoms. The psychologist or psychiatrist will 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.
adult adhd diagnosis uk who are not treated for ADHD often have coexisting disorders, such as depression and anxiety. These disorders can trigger or worsen the symptoms of ADHD, Jaksa says. Chronic stress and frustration over the lack of performance can cause feelings of self-doubt, Jaksa says. "Getting an assessment will help them understand the causes of their struggles. This could help alleviate or eliminate their anxiety, and allow them to concentrate more productively on areas in which they excel," Jaksa states.
Adults suffering from ADHD are usually treated best with a combination of medications and behavior therapy. The use of stimulants can help improve concentration, decrease impulsive behaviors and aid in organizing. In many cases, these medications can also enhance motivation and mood. Some of the side effects of stimulants include sleepiness and having trouble drinking enough or eating well. The mood swings can also happen in some people who take stimulants for ADHD and they are often difficult to manage.
Talk to your health care provider regarding whether you are suitable for clinical trials of new treatments or drugs. These studies assist researchers in finding better methods to prevent, diagnose, or treat illnesses and conditions.
Counseling
If you are suffering from untreated ADHD it could cause many issues throughout your life. Your career, relationships and financial health may be negatively affected by procrastination, poor time management, excessive spending and other signs. The first step to reducing the negative effects and regaining control is to get an assessment and seek treatment.
Many adults who are diagnosed with ADHD did not receive a diagnosis as children because their parents and teachers were unaware of the condition or they had minor symptoms that weren't recognized. Others might have been able to manage their symptoms during childhood, but struggled in adulthood as their family and work responsibilities increased.
To determine ADHD mental health professionals must determine that your symptoms are causing significant impairment in two areas of your daily life. The impairment could result in losing your job due to of an inability to focus and organizational skills or being placed on academic probation in college due to your inability to learn for tests.
Women are more adept at hiding symptoms than men. This can make it more difficult for them to receive a diagnosis. If, however, you are struggling with ADHD symptoms that affect your work and home 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 kind of ADHD you suffer from, your mental health professional will see that your symptoms began prior to age 12. They might ask you to speak to people who knew you during this time period. They may also take a number of tests to evaluate your memory and attention levels.
When you receive the diagnosis the therapist will suggest a combination of medications and non-medication therapies to manage your symptoms. The majority of people will test several different treatments before settling on the most effective one. It is suggested that you keep track of your progress and consult with your doctor regularly so they can assist in adjusting your treatment plan as needed.