Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult
Adults who have difficulty in their personal or professional lives may benefit from a diagnosis of ADHD. A thorough examination is necessary to make a diagnosis. This involves examining school records and questionnaires filled out by caregivers and teachers.
Most people with ADHD have symptoms since the age of three, and it's not uncommon to be diagnosed with it in adulthood. NIMH provides guidelines on how to talk with your doctor about the disorder.
Diagnosis
Being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult is often the first step towards gaining control over the symptoms that can cause destruction on people's professional and personal lives. First, you should consult your GP or an expert in mental health who has experience treating adults suffering from ADHD. If your GP isn't familiar with ADHD and/or ADHD, they might refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct an assessment.
Typically the mental health professional will employ a six-question ADHD screener to determine if you are susceptible to the condition, says Adler. Then, the doctor will talk to you about your symptoms, and examine your family history and medical history to make sure that there are no other conditions not causing the symptoms of ADHD.
Because people who suffer from ADHD are more likely to miss details and get easily distracted, they frequently have difficulty following instructions or listening in class or on the job. They are often unable to locate important items needed for their tasks like keys, wallets and other tools. They may also have difficulty staying focused when listening to long speeches. Fidgeting, excessive talking or texting, or squirming, are other signs of adult ADHD.
It is essential to rule out other conditions in determining if a person has adult ADHD. This includes anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder. Stress and physical conditions like thyroid problems can also cause ADHD symptoms. The DSM-5 is now requiring professionals to consider how severe a person's symptoms are when determining if they have diagnosed the disorder. Mild moderate, severe and mild are the three categories for adults with ADHD.
Many people with ADHD live their entire lives without ever being diagnosed because it's not evident in the early years. For adults, a diagnosis could be a life-changing revelation as they realize the reasons why they struggled at school and could not reach their potential at work or at home. They may feel guilty about being blamed for their troubles, and they may be grieved over missed opportunities when they were treated with respect.
Treatment
To receive treatment for ADHD for adults The first step is to talk with a healthcare professional. This can be done in person or via video chat. In the UK only psychiatrists, psychologists and specialist nurses are qualified to diagnose ADHD. The doctor will want to know your medical history and family-related mental health issues. This is because a variety of physical and emotional conditions can cause symptoms similar to those of ADHD, and these must be ruled out before an assessment can be made.
The expert will inquire about your job and lifestyle as well as 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 old. They may also speak with those who were close to you as an infant and ask them about their memories.
A thorough medical history can aid the doctor in determining if you require medication or other treatments. Certain medical conditions, such as thyroid disorders, sleep apnea, and lead poisoning, can trigger ADHD symptoms. Adults with a history depression or anxiety will need to be evaluated and treated with more care since these conditions can are in synergy.
If a medical professional believes that you require medication, they will prescribe a suitable drug. The type of medicine you need will depend on your symptoms and how they affect your life. Stimulants are among the most commonly prescribed medication for ADHD. They aren't for everyone and the first medication you try might not be effective or cause unwanted negative side consequences. Your healthcare provider might ask whether you are taking other medication. This includes prescription drugs, supplements, and prescription drugs. Certain types of drugs can interfere with ADHD stimulants.
Counseling is an important part of treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help you cope better with feelings of anger, disappointment and inadequacy that are frequently associated with untreated ADHD. It can also help you learn how to manage your anger and improve your organization and time management abilities.
If you have mental illness, it's important to find an expert in healthcare who is trained in this condition. A psychiatrist or neurologist can diagnose and treat ADHD, but you might prefer to consult a specialist therapist or psychologist. These specialists are likely to have more experience with adult ADHD and their struggles, as well as having worked with other clients. You can use search engines like ADDitude or your local mental health clinic to find a specialist who works with adults who have ADHD.
Medication
If you are an adult who has been struggling with ADHD, getting a diagnosis is the first step toward managing your symptoms and improving your life. If you've been unable to realize your maximum potential at work, have found it difficult to maintain relationships, or struggle to finish tasks at home, a diagnosis of ADHD might be the answer you have been looking for.
The first step to treat ADHD in adults is a thorough medical history, including your symptoms. The psychologist or psychiatrist determines if you satisfy 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 are frequently co-morbid with other disorders, such as anxiety and depression. Jaksa says that these conditions can exacerbate or cause symptoms of ADHD. Stress and frustration from the lack of performance can cause feelings of self-doubt, he adds. "Getting diagnosed will help them gain a perspective on the root of their issues. This may alleviate or eliminate their anxiety, and allow them to concentrate more productively on areas in which they excel," Jaksa states.
The most effective treatment for adults suffering from ADHD is typically the combination of behavior therapy and medication. Stimulants can improve concentration, decrease impulsive behavior and aid in achieving organization. These medications can improve moods and boost motivation in many cases. Some of the side effects of stimulants include sleepiness and having trouble eating or drinking enough. The mood swings can also happen in those who take stimulants for ADHD and can be difficult to manage.
Consult your physician about whether or not you're a candidate for clinical trials of new medications or treatments. These studies help researchers discover better methods to detect and treat illnesses, as well as prevent them from occurring.
Counseling
If you're suffering from untreated ADHD it could cause many issues in every area of your life. The effects of procrastination, among others, can negatively impact your relationships as well as your career and financial health. The first step to reduce the negative effects and getting back in control is to get an assessment and seek treatment.
Many adults who are diagnosed with ADHD weren't diagnosed as children or because their families and teachers were not aware of the disorder, or because they showed mild symptoms that weren't noticed. Some may have had the ability 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 cause significant impairment in two areas of your daily life. The impairment could mean losing your job because of lack of focus and organization skills or being placed on academic probation in college due to inability to study for tests.
Women are more adept in hiding their symptoms than men. This makes it harder for them to receive a diagnosis. However, if you are struggling with ADHD symptoms that affect your home and work life speaking up with your doctor will help accelerate the process and enable you to take advantage of reasonable accommodations under the ADA and other workplace laws.
Your mental health professional regardless of the kind of ADHD you have, will want to know whether your symptoms started before the age of 12. diagnosis for adhd in adults may ask you to talk with people who were around you during this time and may also conduct a series of tests to determine your attention and memory abilities.
After you are given a diagnosis, your therapist will recommend the use of a combination of medication and non-medical treatments to help manage your symptoms. The majority of people will test various treatments before settling on the most effective one. Keep a record of your progress and visit your physician regularly to alter your treatment plan if needed.