Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult
Adults who are struggling in their personal or professional lives can benefit from diagnosing ADHD. A diagnosis requires a thorough evaluation that may include reviews of school records and questionnaires filled out by teachers and caregivers.
It is not uncommon for adults to be diagnosed with ADHD. diagnosis of adhd in adults adhddiagnosis for suggestions on talking to your doctor about the disorder.
Diagnosis
Getting diagnosed with ADHD as an adult is usually the first step to gain control over the symptoms that cause havoc on one's professional and personal lives. First, you must consult your GP or a mental health specialist who has experience treating adults suffering from ADHD. If your GP isn't familiar with ADHD or other disorders, they could refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist for assessment.
Typically the mental health professional will employ an eight-question ADHD screener to determine whether you might have the condition, says Adler. He or she will then interview you about your symptoms that are similar to ADHD and examine your medical history and family history to ensure that other medical conditions aren't the cause of them.
People with ADHD tend to be easily distracted and forgetting important details. They often have difficulty following directions in class or at work. They tend to lose things necessary for tasks or activities, including tools, wallets, and keys. They may also have trouble staying focused while listening to long speeches. Other signs of adult ADHD include fidgeting, texting or talking excessively or squirming in the seat.
It is essential to rule out other medical conditions when determining whether someone suffers from adult ADHD. These include depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. Stress and other physical ailments like thyroid issues could also mimic the symptoms of ADHD. In the DSM-5, professionals are now required to assess the severity of an individual's symptoms when determining if they are suffering from ADHD. Adult ADHD is classified as moderate, mild or severe.
Many people with ADHD have a lifelong struggle without ever being diagnosed because it is not apparent during childhood. A diagnosis can alter the course of a person's life, as they can now see why they struggled at school and never reached their maximum potential at work or home. They may feel guilty for blaming their issues on others or themselves, and they can experience regret over missed opportunities that could have been a reality if they had been properly treated.
Treatment
The first step in obtaining treatment for ADHD as an adult is to consult the healthcare professional to get an assessment. This can be done either in person or via video conference. In the UK, only psychologists, psychiatrists, and specialist nurses are qualified to diagnose ADHD. The specialist will need to know your medical history and family mental health issues. This is because many emotional and physical conditions can cause symptoms similar to those that occur in ADHD and must be eliminated before a diagnosis can be made.
The doctor will also inquire about your work and lifestyle and how your issues impact your daily life. They will be particularly interested in whether or not you displayed signs of ADHD prior to the age of 12 years. They may also interview those who were close to you as a child and ask them about their memories.
A thorough medical history will aid your doctor to determine if you need medication or any other treatment. Certain medical conditions, such as thyroid disorders, sleep apnea and lead poisoning can trigger ADHD symptoms. Adults who have a history of depression or anxiety may need more careful assessment and treatment, as these conditions are often associated with ADHD.
If a professional believes that you need medication, they will prescribe the appropriate medication. The kind of medication you will require will depend on the severity of your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. The stimulants are the most frequently prescribed medications for ADHD. However, they're not suitable for everyone, and the first one you try may not be effective or trigger uncomfortable adverse side effects. Your healthcare provider might ask whether you're 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 an important part of treatment for adults with ADHD. Individual therapy can help you deal with feelings of failure or underachievement that are often associated with untreated ADHD. It can teach you how to control your anger, and improve your time management and organizational abilities.
If you have an illness of the mind, it's important to find a healthcare professional who specializes in this condition. A psychiatrist or neurologist can diagnose and treat ADHD however, you may prefer to consult psychologists or specialist therapists. They are likely to have more experience with adult ADHD and their challenges as well as having worked with other clients. You can contact your local mental health clinic or with ADDitude's directory to find a professional who works with adults with ADHD.
Medication
A diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the first step in managing your symptoms and improving life. If you're struggling to achieve your full potential at work or have trouble maintaining relationships, or experience trouble completing tasks at home then an ADHD diagnosis could be just what you require.
The first step to treat ADHD in adults is an extensive medical history review, including your symptoms. The psychologist or psychiatrist determines whether you meet the requirements 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 frequently co-morbid with other disorders, such as anxiety and depression. These disorders can cause or worsen the symptoms of ADHD, Jaksa says. Stress and frustration from poor performance can also cause feelings of low self-esteem, he adds. "Getting an assessment can help them gain a perspective on the reasons behind their struggles. This could help alleviate or eliminate their anxiety and help them focus more effectively on areas in which they excel," Jaksa states.
The best treatment for adults suffering from ADHD is usually an amalgamation of medication and behavior therapy. Stimulants increase concentration, decrease impulse-driven behavior and aid in organization. In many cases they can boost motivation and improve mood. People who are taking stimulants must be aware of the potential side effects, which include insomnia and trouble with eating or drinking enough. People who take stimulants to treat ADHD might suffer from mood swings that may be difficult for them to manage.
Talk to your doctor about whether or not you're eligible for clinical trials on new medications or treatments. These studies assist researchers in finding better ways to prevent, diagnose, or treat illnesses and conditions.
Counseling
If you're suffering from untreated ADHD the disorder can lead to a variety of problems throughout your life. Your career, relationships and financial health may be negatively affected by procrastination or poor time management, impulsive spending and other signs. The first step in reducing the negative effects and getting control back is to obtain a diagnosis and seek treatment.
Many adults who are diagnosed with ADHD did not receive a diagnosis as children because their teachers and family weren't aware of the disorder or they experienced mild symptoms that weren't recognized. Certain adults may have been able to manage their symptoms in childhood, but were unable to manage their symptoms in adulthood due to increasing family and work obligations.
In order to be diagnosed with ADHD, mental health professionals must discover that your symptoms are causing significant impairment in at least two areas of your life. In the event of an impairment, you could lose your job due to a deficit in focus and organization skills, or being placed on academic probation in college because you're unable to do well on tests.
Women are generally better at avoiding their symptoms than men, which could make it difficult to receive a diagnosis. If you have ADHD symptoms that affect your work or home life it is possible to speed up the diagnosis process by being honest 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 you suffer from, will be looking to determine the time when your symptoms began. the age of 12. They may request that you talk to people who knew you at this time and may also perform a series of tests to determine your attention and memory abilities.
After receiving a diagnosis, the specialist will recommend a combination medication and non-medication treatment to help manage your symptoms. Most people will try several different methods before they discover the one that is most effective for them. Keep a journal of your progress, and consult your physician regularly to alter your treatment plan as needed.