Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult
For adults who are struggling with their personal or professional lives in any way, recognizing ADHD can be a significant step in getting control. A thorough examination is necessary to determine if you have an accurate diagnosis. This includes analyzing school records as well as questionnaires completed by teachers and caregivers.
Most people with ADHD suffer from symptoms since the age of three, and it's not uncommon to be diagnosed in adulthood. See NIMH for suggestions on talking with your health professional about the condition.
Diagnosis
It is essential to be diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood. This will allow you to gain control over the symptoms that can cause a lot of trouble in your personal and professional life. First, you should consult your GP or a mental health professional who has experience in treating adults with ADHD. If your GP doesn't have any experience in treating ADHD or other disorders, they could refer you to either psychologist or psychiatrist for an assessment.
A mental health professional will usually employ a six-question ADHD screener to determine if you are suffering from the condition. He or she will then ask you questions about your ADHD-like symptoms and review your medical history and family history to determine if other medical conditions aren't the cause of them.
Because people with ADHD are more likely to overlook details and become easily distracted, they often have difficulty following instructions or listening during class or at work. They tend to lose things necessary for tasks or activities, including keys, wallets and tools. They may also have trouble staying focused when they are reading long speeches or assignments. Other signs of adult ADHD include fidgeting, texting or talking frequently or squirming around in the seat.
When determining whether someone has adult ADHD, it is important to rule out other conditions that can 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 required to assess the severity of a person's symptoms when diagnosing them as having ADHD. Adult ADHD is classified as moderate, mild or severe.
Many people suffering from ADHD live their entire lives without ever getting a diagnosis because it's not evident during childhood. A diagnosis can alter the course of an adult's life as they understand why they struggled at school and never reached their full potential at work or at home. They might feel guilty about being blamed for their struggles and may also be grieved over missed opportunities if they were properly treated.
Treatment
The first step to receive treatment for ADHD as an adult is to consult the healthcare professional to get an assessment. This can be done either in person or by video calls. In the UK, only psychiatrists, psychologists, and specialist nurses are qualified to diagnose ADHD. The specialist will inquire about your medical history, including mental health issues in the family. This is due to the fact that a number of physical and emotional conditions can cause symptoms similar to those that occur in ADHD and must be addressed before the diagnosis is made.
The doctor will inquire about your job and lifestyle, as well as how your symptoms impact your daily life. They will be particularly interested in whether you showed symptoms of ADHD before the age of 12. They may also wish to interview people who knew you as a child and ask about their memories.
A thorough medical history can help the doctor decide whether you need medication or other treatments. Certain medical conditions, like sleep apnea, thyroid disorders and lead poisoning can cause ADHD symptoms. Adults who have a history of anxiety or depression require evaluation and treated with greater care since these conditions can occur in conjunction.
If a professional believes that you need medication, they will prescribe the appropriate drug. The type of medication you need will depend on the severity of your symptoms and the way they impact your life. Stimulants, the most common medication prescribed for ADHD are stimulants. However, they're not suitable for everyone, and the first one you try may not be effective or have uncomfortable adverse effects. Your healthcare provider might ask whether you're taking any other medication. This includes over-the-counter drugs, supplements, and prescription drugs. Certain kinds of drugs can interact with ADHD stimulants.
Counseling is an important component of treatment for adults with ADHD. Individual therapy can help you cope better with feelings of frustration, failure and underachievement 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 skills.
It's important to seek out the services of a doctor who is specialized in mental disorders. A psychiatrist or neurologist can diagnose and treat ADHD. However, you may prefer to consult a specialist therapist. They are likely to be more familiar with adult ADHD and their challenges and also have worked with other clients. You can inquire with your local mental health services or ADDitude's directory to find a specialist who works with adults with ADHD.
Medication
If you are an adult who has struggled with ADHD, getting a diagnosis is the first step towards addressing your symptoms and improving your quality of life. If you're struggling to achieve your full potential at work or have trouble maintaining relationships, or are having difficulty completing tasks at home then an ADHD diagnosis may be the answer you've been looking for.
ADHD treatment for adults begins with thorough interviews and a thorough review of your medical history, including the symptoms you've experienced. The psychiatrist or psychologist determines if you satisfy the criteria for ADHD in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5), 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.
diagnosing adhd in adults who suffer from untreated ADHD are frequently co-morbid with other disorders, such as depression and anxiety. These conditions can cause or worsen the symptoms of ADHD, Jaksa says. Stress and frustration from inadequate performance can result in feelings of low self-esteem he says. "Getting an assessment can help these individuals get a better understanding of the root causes of their difficulties, which may alleviate or reduce some of their worries and help them concentrate more on the areas where they excel," Jaksa says.
The most effective treatment for adults with ADHD is usually the combination of behavior therapy and medication. Stimulants improve concentration, reduce impulsive behavior and aid in organization. In many instances, these medications can also improve mood and increase motivation. People who take stimulants should be aware of the potential negative effects, which could include insomnia and trouble with eating or drinking enough. Some people who take stimulants to treat ADHD might have mood swings that could be difficult for them to manage.
Talk to your health care provider regarding whether you are a good candidate for clinical trials of new treatments or drugs. These studies assist researchers in finding more effective ways to prevent, diagnose or treat illnesses and conditions.
Counseling
If you are suffering from untreated ADHD, it can cause many issues throughout your life. The effects of procrastination, among others, can negatively impact your relationships, career, and financial health. The first step in reducing the negative effects and getting control back is to obtain an assessment and seek treatment.
Many adults who are diagnosed with ADHD were not diagnosed as children, either because their family and teachers weren't aware of the condition or they displayed mild symptoms which were not noticed. Certain adults may have been able to manage their symptoms as children, but were unable to manage these issues in adulthood due increasing family and work obligations.
In order to be diagnosed with ADHD mental health professionals must determine that your symptoms are causing significant impairment in at minimum two areas of your life. The effects of ADHD can include losing your job due to a deficit in focus and organization skills or being placed on academic probation at your college due to your inability to study for tests.
Women are generally better in hiding their symptoms than men, which could make it difficult to receive an accurate diagnosis. If you suffer from ADHD symptoms that affect your home or work life, you can speed up the diagnosis process by being upfront with your doctor. You may also be able to receive reasonable accommodations under ADA laws and other workplace laws.
Your mental health professional, regardless of the type of ADHD you have will be interested in knowing the time when your symptoms began. the age of 12. They might ask you to talk to people who were close to you at this time, and may also administer a series tests to assess your memory and attention.
After receiving an assessment, the therapist will recommend a combination medication and non-medication treatment to help manage your symptoms. The majority of patients will try various treatments before they find the best one. Keep a journal of your progress, and consult your doctor frequently to modify your treatment plan as needed.