Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult
Adults who are struggling in their personal or professional lives can benefit from diagnosing ADHD. A diagnosis is based on a thorough examination that may include reviews of school records and questionnaires filled out by teachers and caregivers.
Most people suffering from ADHD live with symptoms since childhood, and it is not uncommon to be diagnosed with it at an adult age. NIMH provides tips on how to talk with your doctor about the condition.
Diagnosis
It is crucial to be diagnosed with ADHD at an early age. This will allow you to get control of the symptoms that can cause chaos in your personal and professional life. The first step is to speak with your GP or consult a mental health professional with expertise in treating adults with ADHD. If your doctor is not familiar with ADHD or other disorders, they may refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct an assessment.
Typically an expert in mental health will use a six-question ADHD screener to determine whether you might have the condition, says Adler. Then, he or she will ask you questions about your symptoms and review your family history and medical background to ensure 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 have a difficult time following instructions in class or at work. They tend to lose things necessary for tasks or activities, such as tools, wallets, keys and wallets. They might also have difficulty staying focused during long speeches or reading assignments. Other symptoms of adult ADHD include fidgeting, texting or talking too much or squirming in the seat.
When determining whether someone has adult ADHD It is crucial to exclude other conditions that may cause similar symptoms, like depression, anxiety bipolar disorder, anxiety and substance abuse. Stress and certain physical conditions like thyroid problems can 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 with ADHD. Adult ADHD is classified as moderate, mild or severe.
Many people who suffer from ADHD never receive a diagnosis in their childhood because it's not evident. A diagnosis can change the course of an adult's life because they now understand why they struggled at school and failed to reach their full potential at work or at home. They might feel guilty about blameing other people or themselves for their troubles, and they may be devastated by missed opportunities when they were treated with respect.
Treatment
To get treatment for ADHD in adults, the first step is to talk with an expert in the field of healthcare. getting a adhd diagnosis can be done either in person or by video call. Only psychiatrists, psychologists, and specialist nurses are qualified to diagnose ADHD in the UK. The professional will ask about your medical history, including mental health issues that are present in the family. This is because many physical and emotional conditions can cause symptoms that are similar to those associated with ADHD, and these must be eliminated before the diagnosis can be made.
The expert will inquire about your job and lifestyle and how your symptoms impact your daily life. They will be especially interested in if you displayed symptoms of ADHD before age 12 years old. They may also wish to interview people who were close to you in childhood and ask about their memories.
A thorough medical history will aid your doctor to determine if you need medication or another treatment. This is because certain medical conditions, like sleep apnea, thyroid problems and lead poisoning, can trigger symptoms of ADHD. Adults with an underlying history of depression or anxiety may need more careful evaluation and treatment because these conditions are often associated with ADHD.
If a medical professional believes that you require medication, they will prescribe a suitable medication. The type of medication you require will depend on the severity of your symptoms and the way they impact your daily life. The most commonly used medication prescribed for ADHD, are stimulants. They aren't for everyone, and the first drug you try might not be effective or cause undesirable side effects. Your healthcare provider may ask if you are taking any other medications. This includes over-the-counter drugs or supplements as well as prescription drugs. Certain kinds of drugs can interact with ADHD stimulants.
Counseling is also an essential element of the treatment process for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help you cope better with feelings of frustration and failure that are often associated untreated ADHD. It can help you learn to control your anger, and improve your time management and organizational abilities.
It's important to seek out the services of a doctor who is specialized in mental illness. A psychiatrist or neurologist can diagnose and treat ADHD however, you may prefer to consult an expert psychologist or therapist. They are likely to have more experience with adult ADHD and their challenges as well as having worked with other clients. You can use search engines like ADDitude or your local mental health clinic to find a professional that assists adults with ADHD.
Medication
A diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the first step in managing your symptoms and improving your life. If you're struggling to reach your full potential in the workplace or in maintaining relationships, or have difficulties completing your tasks at home and at work, an ADHD diagnosis could be just what you require.
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 psychiatrist or psychologist 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 such as depression and anxiety. These disorders can trigger or worsen symptoms of ADHD, Jaksa says. He adds that chronic stress and frustration due to low performance can cause feelings of low-self-esteem. "Getting an assessment will help them gain a perspective on the reasons behind their struggles. This can help to alleviate or eliminate their anxiety and help them focus more effectively on areas where they excel," Jaksa states.
The best treatment for adults suffering from ADHD is usually the combination of medication and behavior therapy. Stimulants can boost concentration, decrease impulsive behavior and aid in organizing. In many cases these drugs can enhance motivation and mood. Side effects of stimulants include sleepiness and having trouble drinking enough or eating well. Mood swings can also occur in some people who take stimulants for ADHD and they can be difficult to manage.
Talk to your health care provider about whether you are suitable for clinical trials of novel treatments or drugs. These studies help researchers find more effective ways to prevent, diagnose or treat diseases and conditions.
Counseling
Untreated ADHD can lead to issues in all areas of your life. Your relationships, work and financial health can be negatively affected by procrastination, poor time management, impulsive spending, and other symptoms. The first step to reduce the negative effects and getting control back is to obtain an assessment and seek treatment.
Many adults who are diagnosed with ADHD didn't receive a diagnosis as children, because their teachers and family weren't aware of the disorder or they had mild symptoms that weren't noticed. Others might have managed their symptoms as children but struggled in adulthood when their family and work obligations increased.
To determine if you have ADHD Mental health professionals must find that your symptoms cause significant impairment in two areas of your everyday life. Impaired can be losing your job due to a lack in focus and organization skills, or being placed on academic probation at college because you are unable to concentrate on your tests.
Women are more adept at hiding their symptoms than men, which could make it difficult to receive an accurate diagnosis. However, if you are suffering from ADHD symptoms that are affecting your life at work and at home and family life, speaking openly about them with your doctor will help accelerate the process and allow you to get reasonable accommodations under ADA and other workplace laws.
Your mental health professional regardless of the kind of ADHD you have, will be interested in knowing whether your symptoms started before the age of 12. They may suggest that you speak to people who were close to you at this time, and they might also administer a series tests to test your attention and memory.
If you're given an diagnosis your therapist will recommend a combination of medication and non-medical treatments to help manage your symptoms. Most people will try several different therapies before they can find the one that is most effective for them. Keep a log of your progress, and consult your doctor frequently to modify your treatment plan as needed.