Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult
Adults who have difficulty in their personal or professional lives can benefit from diagnosing ADHD. A diagnosis is based on a thorough examination, often including reviews of school records and questionnaires completed by parents and teachers.
Most people with ADHD have symptoms since the age of three, and it's not unusual to be diagnosed with it as an adult. Visit NIMH for suggestions on talking to your doctor about the disorder.
Diagnosis
It is crucial to be diagnosed with ADHD as you reach adulthood. This will allow you to gain control over the symptoms that can cause a lot of trouble in your personal and professional life. The first step is to consult your GP or a mental health professional who has experience treating adults suffering from ADHD. If your GP is unfamiliar with ADHD and/or ADHD, they may refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct an assessment.
Typically, a mental health professional will use an eight-question ADHD screener to determine if you may be suffering from the disorder, says Adler. He or she will then ask you questions about your ADHD-like symptoms and examine your medical and family history to confirm that other conditions aren't contributing to them.
Since people who suffer from ADHD tend to overlook details and become easily distracted, they often have difficulty following instructions or listening in class or on the job. They often lose things that are essential for their work or activities, like tools, wallets, and keys. They might also have difficulty staying focused when reading or listening to long speeches. Other symptoms of adult ADHD include fidgeting, texting or talking frequently or squirming around in their seats.
It is important to rule out other conditions when determining if someone has adult ADHD. These include depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder. Stress and physical ailments such as thyroid issues can be similar to the symptoms of ADHD. In the DSM-5 professionals are required to consider the severity of an individual's symptoms when diagnosing them with ADHD. Adult ADHD is classified as mild, moderate or severe.
Many people suffering from ADHD are not diagnosed in childhood because it is not readily apparent. A diagnosis can alter the course of an adult's life as they understand why they struggled at school and didn't reach their full potential at work or home. They may feel guilty for being blamed for their troubles and may also be devastated by missed opportunities if they were properly treated.
Treatment
The first step in obtaining treatment for ADHD as an adult is to visit a healthcare professional to get an assessment. This can be done in person or by video conference. In the UK, only psychiatrists, psychologists, and specialist nurses are qualified to diagnose ADHD. The doctor will inquire about your medical history, which includes mental health issues in the family. This is due to the fact that there are many mental and physical ailments which can trigger symptoms that are similar to ADHD. These conditions must be ruled out in order to establish a diagnosis.
The doctor will also inquire about your work and lifestyle, and how your symptoms influence your life. They will be particularly interested in whether you showed signs of ADHD before age 12 years old. They may also speak with people who were close to you as when you were a child and ask them about their memories.
A thorough medical history will aid your doctor in determining whether you require medication or another treatment. This is due to the fact that certain medical conditions, such as sleep apnea, thyroid problems and lead poisoning can cause symptoms of ADHD. Adults who have a history of anxiety or depression will need to be evaluated and treated with greater care because these conditions frequently are in synergy.
If a doctor believes you require medication, they will prescribe the right medication. adhd uk diagnosis of medicine you need depends on your symptoms and the way they affect your life. Stimulants are the most commonly prescribed medication for ADHD. They aren't for everyone, and the first drug you try might not work or cause unwanted side consequences. Your healthcare provider will want to know if you use any other medication, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements, since certain kinds of medications can interact with ADHD stimulants.
Counseling is a crucial part of the treatment process for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help you to cope better with feelings of frustration and failure that are often associated untreated ADHD. It can help you learn to control your anger, as well as improve your time management and organizing abilities.
If you suffer from mental illness it is crucial to find a healthcare professional who specializes 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 knowledgeable about the challenges of treating adults with ADHD and have worked with others who have similar issues. You can use search engines like ADDitude or contact your local mental health services to find a specialist who is working with adults who suffer from ADHD.
Medication
A diagnosis of ADHD is the first step towards managing your symptoms and enhancing your life. If you are struggling to realize your maximum potential in your work or have trouble maintaining relationships, or have difficulties completing your tasks at home and at work, an ADHD diagnosis could be the answer you've been looking for.
The first step to treat ADHD in adults is thorough medical history review, which includes your symptoms. 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 are often afflicted with disorders such as depression and anxiety. Jaksa states that these disorders can worsen or cause symptoms of ADHD. Stress and frustration from inadequate performance can cause feelings of self-doubt, Jaksa says. "Getting an assessment can help them get a better understanding of the root of their struggles which can help alleviate or reduce some of their worries and help them concentrate more effectively on the areas where they excel," Jaksa says.
Adults suffering from ADHD are typically treated with a combination of medications and behavior therapy. The use of stimulants can help improve concentration, decrease impulsive behaviors and help with organization. In many instances these drugs can boost motivation and improve mood. The negative effects of stimulants are sleepiness and having trouble drinking or eating enough. Mood swings can also occur in people who are taking stimulants to treat ADHD and they can be difficult to manage.
Discuss with your health care provider regarding whether you're a good candidate for clinical trials of new treatments or medicines. These studies assist researchers in finding more effective methods to detect, prevent or treat diseases.
Counseling
If you're suffering from untreated ADHD the disorder can lead to many issues in all areas of your life. Your relationships, work and financial health may be negatively affected by procrastination or poor time management, impulsive spending and other signs. The first step to reduce the negative effects and regaining control is to get diagnosed and seek treatment.
Many adults who are diagnosed with ADHD were not diagnosed as children, either because their family and teachers were unaware of the disorder, or because they displayed mild symptoms which were not spotted. Some may have been able to manage their symptoms as children but struggled as they grew older as their family and work obligations increased.
To determine if you have ADHD Mental health professionals must find that your symptoms are causing significant impairment in two areas of your daily life. The impairment could mean losing your job because of an inability to focus and organization skills or being placed on academic probation in college due to inability to do well on tests.
Women are generally better at hiding their symptoms than men, which could make it more difficult to receive a diagnosis. If you suffer from ADHD symptoms that impact your home or work life it is possible to accelerate the process of diagnosis by being honest with your doctor. You may also be able to get reasonable accommodations under ADA laws as well as other workplace laws.
No matter what kind of ADHD you have, your mental health professional will see that your symptoms were present prior to the age of 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 attention and memory abilities.
If you're given the diagnosis, your therapist will recommend the use of a combination of medication and non-medication treatments to treat your symptoms. A majority of patients will try a variety of different methods before they discover the one that is most effective for them. It is recommended to keep track of your progress and check in with your doctor regularly so they can help adjust your treatment program as needed.