Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult

For adults who are struggling with their personal or professional lives, diagnosing ADHD could be a crucial step towards gaining control. A diagnosis for adhd in adults requires a thorough evaluation that may include reviews of school records and questionnaires completed by caregivers and teachers.

Most people with ADHD suffer from symptoms from childhood, and it is not uncommon to be diagnosed in adulthood. NIMH has suggestions on how to speak with your doctor about the condition.

Diagnosis

Being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult is usually the first step to gain control over symptoms that wreak destruction on people's professional and personal lives. The first step is to speak with your GP or find a mental health professional with experience in treating adults suffering from ADHD. If your GP doesn't have any experience with ADHD, they may refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct an assessment.

Typically an expert in mental health will use the six-question ADHD screener to determine if you might have the condition, says Adler. They will interview you about the symptoms of ADHD and examine your medical history and family history to confirm that other medical conditions aren't the cause of them.

People suffering from ADHD tend to be easily distracted and forgetting important details. They often have difficulty following instructions in class or at work. They often lose important items required for tasks or activities such as keys, wallets and other tools. They may also have trouble staying focused when reading or listening to long speeches. Other symptoms of adult ADHD include fidgeting, talking or texting frequently or squirming around in the seat.

In determining if someone suffers from adult ADHD it is essential to eliminate other conditions that could cause similar symptoms, including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder and substance abuse. Stress and physical issues like thyroid problems can also be a source of ADHD symptoms. In the DSM-5, professionals are now required to consider 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 never receive a diagnosis in childhood because it is not readily apparent. For adults, a diagnosis could be a life-changing revelation because they can finally understand why they struggled in school and failed to attain their full potential at work or at home. They might feel guilty about being blamed for their troubles and may also be grieved over missed opportunities that could have been if they were treated properly.

Treatment

To receive treatment for ADHD for adults, the first step is to consult an expert in healthcare. This can be done in person or by video calls. Only psychiatrists, psychologists, and specialist nurses are qualified to diagnose ADHD in the UK. The doctor will inquire about your medical history, which includes mental health issues in the family. This is because a variety of physical and emotional issues can cause symptoms similar to those of ADHD, and these must be eliminated before a diagnosis can be made.

The expert will also inquire about your lifestyle and work, and how your symptoms affect your life. They will be especially interested in if you displayed signs of ADHD before age 12. They might also interview people who knew you in your childhood and ask about their experiences.

A thorough medical history will aid the doctor in determining if you require medication or other treatments. Certain medical conditions, like sleep apnea, thyroid disorders, and lead poisoning, can cause ADHD symptoms. Adults with an history of anxiety or depression may need more careful assessment and treatment, as these conditions are often associated with ADHD.

If a doctor believes that you need medication they will prescribe a suitable drug. The kind of medication you will require will depend on the severity of your symptoms and how they affect your daily routine. The most commonly used medication prescribed for ADHD, are stimulants. However, they're not suitable for everyone and the first one you try may not be effective or cause uncomfortable side effects. Your doctor will be interested in knowing if you take any other medications such as over-the-counter medications and supplements, since certain kinds of medications can interact with ADHD stimulants.

Counseling is an important part of treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help you deal with the feelings of disappointment, underachievement and frustration that are often associated with untreated ADHD. It can also teach you how to manage your anger as well as improve your organization and time management abilities.

If you suffer from a mental illness it is essential to locate a healthcare professional who specializes in the field. A psychiatrist or neurologist is able to diagnose and treat ADHD however, you may prefer to see a specialist therapist or psychologist. These specialists are likely to be more familiar with the difficulties of treating adults with ADHD and have had experience in helping others who have similar issues. You can use search engines like ADDitude or your local mental health service to find a professional that is working with adults who suffer from ADHD.

Medication

A diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the first step to managing your symptoms and enhancing your life. If you've found it difficult to realize your full potential at work, are finding it difficult to maintain relationships or struggle to finish tasks at home A diagnosis of ADHD might be the solution you've been looking for.

ADHD treatment for adults starts with an extensive interview and a review of your medical history, which includes the symptoms you've been experiencing. The psychologist or psychiatrist will then determine if the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria for ADHD apply to you. 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 who are not treated for ADHD frequently have coexisting disorders, like anxiety and depression. These disorders can cause or worsen symptoms of ADHD, Jaksa says. He also says that constant stress and frustration due to inadequate performance can trigger feelings of low-self-esteem. "Getting an assessment will help them get a better understanding of the reasons behind their struggles. This can help to reduce or eliminate their anxieties and enable them to focus on areas where they excel," Jaksa states.

Adults suffering from ADHD are usually treated best by a combination of medication and behavior therapy. Stimulants can boost concentration, decrease impulsive behaviors and aid in achieving organization. These drugs can improve moods and boost motivation in a variety of cases. People who are taking stimulants must be aware of potential side effects, which include insomnia and trouble with eating or drinking enough. The mood swings can also happen in some people who take stimulants to treat ADHD and can be difficult to manage.

Discuss with your health care provider regarding whether you're suitable for clinical trials of upcoming treatments or medicines. These studies aid researchers in finding better ways to prevent, diagnose or treat conditions and diseases.

Counseling

If you are suffering from untreated ADHD it could cause various problems in all areas of your life. Procrastination and other signs can negatively impact your relationships as well as your career and financial health. Finding a doctor and seeking treatment is the first step to lessening the negative effects and regaining control of your life.

Many adults diagnosed with ADHD didn't receive a diagnosis as children because their parents and teachers were unaware of the disorder or they experienced mild symptoms that weren't noticed. Certain adults may have been able manage their symptoms in childhood, but had difficulty with these issues in adulthood due increased work and family obligations.

To be diagnosed as having ADHD, getting diagnosed with ADHD mental health professionals must discover that your symptoms cause significant impairment in at least two areas of your life. In the event of impairment, it could mean losing your job because of a lack of focus and organizational skills or being placed on academic probation in college due to inability to learn for tests.

Women are better in hiding their symptoms than men. This makes it more difficult for them to receive a diagnosis for adhd in adults. If, however, you are suffering from ADHD symptoms that are affecting your life at work and at home, being forthright about them with your doctor will help accelerate the process and allow you to take advantage of reasonable accommodations under the ADA and other workplace laws.

Your mental health professional, regardless of the type of ADHD you suffer from, will be interested in knowing if your symptoms began before the age of 12. They may ask you to speak to people who knew you at this period and could take a number of tests to determine your attention and memory levels.

After you are given an diagnosis, your therapist will recommend the use of a combination of medication and non-medication therapies to help manage your symptoms. The majority of patients will try several different treatments before finding the right one. It is suggested that you keep a journal of your progress and check in with your doctor on a regular basis so they can help adjust your treatment plan when needed.