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 assessment is required to determine if you have an accurate diagnosis. This includes analyzing school records and questionnaires completed by teachers and caregivers.
The majority of people with ADHD have symptoms since the age of five, and it's not unusual to be diagnosed in adulthood. find out here has suggestions on how to speak with your doctor about the disorder.
Diagnosis
Getting diagnosed with ADHD as an adult is usually the first step towards gaining control over symptoms that wreak destruction on people's personal and professional lives. First, you must consult your GP or a mental health professional who has experience treating adults with ADHD. If your GP doesn't have any experience in treating ADHD and is unable to help, they can refer you to either psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct an assessment.
Typically an expert in mental health will use the six-question ADHD screener to determine whether you might have the disorder, says Adler. Then, he or she will ask you questions about your symptoms, and examine your medical history and family history to confirm that any other conditions are not causing the symptoms of ADHD.
People with ADHD are prone to being easily distracted and forgetting important details. They may have trouble following instructions in class or at work. They are more likely to lose items necessary for tasks or activities, including keys, wallets and tools. They may also have trouble staying focused while listening to or reading long speeches. Other symptoms of adult ADHD include fidgeting, texting or talking frequently or squirming around in the seat.
When determining whether a person has adult ADHD, it is important to exclude other conditions that can cause similar symptoms, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and substance abuse. 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 determining if they are suffering from ADHD. Adult ADHD is classified as moderate, mild or severe.
Many people suffering from ADHD go their whole lives without ever receiving a diagnosis because it's not evident in the early years. A diagnosis can change the course of a person's life because they now understand the reasons why they struggled in school and never reached their full potential at work or home. They may feel guilty about blameing other people or themselves for their troubles and could be devastated by missed opportunities when they were treated with respect.
Treatment
The first step in obtaining treatment for ADHD as an adult is to visit a healthcare professional for an assessment. This can be accomplished in person or by video call. Only psychiatrists, psychologists, and specialist nurses are qualified to diagnose ADHD in the UK. The professional will require information about your medical history and your family's mental health issues. This is because a variety of physical and emotional issues can cause symptoms similar to those that occur in ADHD and need to be addressed before an assessment can be made.
The professional will ask you about your work and lifestyle, as well as how your symptoms affect your life. They will be particularly interested in whether or not you showed symptoms of ADHD prior to the age of 12 years. They may also wish to interview those who knew you in your childhood and ask about their experiences.
A detailed medical history can aid your doctor to determine if you need medication or any other treatment. This is due to the fact that certain medical conditions, like sleep apnea, thyroid issues and lead poisoning can cause symptoms of ADHD. Adults who have an underlying history of anxiety or depression may need more careful assessment and treatment, as these conditions are often associated with ADHD.
If a medical professional believes that you need medication they will prescribe a suitable medication. The type of medicine you need depends on the severity of your symptoms and how they impact your life. Stimulants are among the most commonly prescribed medications for ADHD. They are not suitable for everyone and the first medication you try may not work or cause unwanted adverse effects. Your doctor may inquire whether you are taking other medication. This includes over-the-counter medications or supplements as well as prescription drugs. Certain types of drugs can interfere with ADHD stimulants.
Counseling is a crucial component of treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help you deal better with feelings of anger and failure that are often associated with untreated ADHD. It can teach you how to control your anger, and improve your time management and organization skills.
It is crucial to find a healthcare professional that specializes in mental disorders. A psychiatrist or neurologist can diagnose and treat ADHD, but you might prefer to see an expert psychologist or therapist. These specialists are likely to have more experience with adult ADHD and their struggles as well as having experience working with other clients. You can inquire with your local mental health clinic or ADDitude's directory to find a professional who can assist adults with ADHD.
Medication
If you are an adult who has struggled with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and is diagnosed, it's the first step toward managing your symptoms and improving your quality of life. If you've been unable to realize your full potential at work, are finding it difficult to maintain relationships or have trouble finishing tasks at home and at work, a diagnosis of ADHD could be the answer you have been searching for.
The first step to treat ADHD for adults is a thorough medical history, including your symptoms. The psychologist or psychiatrist 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.
Adults with untreated ADHD are often afflicted with disorders such as anxiety and depression. Jaksa says that these disorders can exacerbate or cause symptoms of ADHD. Stress and frustration from the lack of performance can cause feelings of self-doubt, Jaksa says. "Getting an assessment can help these individuals get a better understanding of the reasons behind their struggles. This may alleviate or eliminate their anxiety and enable them to concentrate more productively on areas in which they excel," Jaksa states.
The best treatment for adults suffering from ADHD is typically the combination of behavior therapy and medication. Stimulants improve concentration, reduce impulse-driven behavior and aid in organizing. These drugs can boost moods and improve motivation in many cases. Some of the side effects of stimulants include insomnia and difficulty drinking or eating enough. Certain people who use stimulants to treat ADHD can have mood swings that could be difficult to manage.
Consult your physician about whether or not you're an eligible participant in clinical trials on new medications or treatments. These studies assist researchers in finding better ways to prevent, diagnose or treat illnesses and conditions.
Counseling
Untreated ADHD can cause problems in all areas of your life. Your relationships, career and financial health may be negatively impacted by procrastination, poor time management, impulsive spending, and other signs. The first step to reduce the negative effects and getting back in control is to get diagnosed 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 noticed. Some adults might have been able to manage their symptoms in childhood, but had difficulty with them in adulthood due to increasing family and work obligations.
To determine if you have ADHD, mental health professionals need to find that your symptoms result in significant impairments in two areas of your daily life. The impairment could mean losing your job because of an inability to focus and organizational skills or being put on academic probation at college due to the inability to learn for tests.
Women are more adept at avoiding symptoms than men. This makes it more difficult for women to be diagnosed. If you have ADHD symptoms that impact your work or home life you can speed up the diagnosis process by being upfront with your doctor. You might also be able to get reasonable accommodations under ADA laws and other workplace laws.
Your mental health professional, regardless of the type of ADHD that you have, will be interested in knowing whether your symptoms started before the age of 12. They may request that you speak to people who were around you during this period and could perform a series of tests to determine your attention and memory levels.
When you receive 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 a few different treatments before they find the best one. It is recommended to keep a journal of your progress and check in with your doctor on a regular basis so they can help you adjust your treatment program according to your needs.