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 evaluation is needed to determine if you have the diagnosis. This involves examining the school records and filling out questionnaires completed by teachers and caregivers.

Most people with ADHD have symptoms since the age of five, and it's not unusual to be diagnosed as an adult. NIMH offers guidelines on how to talk with your doctor about the condition.

Diagnosis

It is essential to be diagnosed with ADHD at an early age. This will allow you to gain control over the symptoms that can cause chaos in your personal and professional life. The first step is to talk with your GP or find an expert in mental health who has expertise in treating adults with ADHD. If your GP doesn't have any experience with ADHD and is unable to help, they can refer you to either a psychiatrist or psychologist for an assessment.

Typically the mental health professional will use an eight-question ADHD screener to determine whether you are susceptible to the condition, according to Adler. Then, the doctor will talk to you about your symptoms and look at your family history and medical history to confirm that there are no other conditions not causing your symptoms of ADHD.

People with ADHD are prone to being easily distracted and miss 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, such as tools, wallets, and keys. They may also have trouble staying focused during long speeches or reading assignments. Other symptoms of adult adhd diagnosis ADHD include fidgeting, talking or texting excessively or squirming in their seats.

When determining whether someone has adult ADHD it is essential to eliminate other conditions that can cause similar symptoms, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and abuse of substances. Stress and physical ailments such as thyroid issues can be similar to the symptoms of ADHD. The DSM-5 now requires professionals to determine how severe a person's symptoms are when determining if they have diagnosed the condition. Adult ADHD is classified as mild, moderate or severe.

Many people suffering from ADHD go their whole lives without ever receiving a diagnosis because it is not apparent in the early years. For adults, a diagnosis can be a life-changing experience because they can finally understand the reason why they struggled in school and never seemed to achieve their full potential at work or at home. They might feel guilty about blameing other people or themselves for their troubles and could be resentful over missed opportunities that could have been if they were treated properly.

Treatment

To seek treatment for ADHD in adults the first step is to speak with an expert in the field of healthcare. This can be done in person or by video call. In the UK only psychiatrists, psychologists and Getting diagnosed with adhd as an adult specialist nurses are qualified to diagnose ADHD. The specialist will inquire about your medical history, including mental health issues in the family. This is because there are a variety of mental and physical ailments that can cause symptoms similar to ADHD. These conditions must be ruled out to determine if you have ADHD.

The doctor will also inquire about your work and lifestyle and how your issues affect your life. They are particularly interested in whether or not you showed symptoms of ADHD prior to the age of 12 years old. They might also interview those who knew you in your childhood and ask them about their experiences.

A detailed medical history can help your doctor decide whether you require medication or another treatment. Some medical conditions such as thyroid disorders, sleep apnea and lead poisoning can trigger ADHD symptoms. Adults who have a history of anxiety or depression require evaluation and treated with more care since these conditions can occur in conjunction.

If a medical professional believes that you need medication they will prescribe a suitable medication. The type of medication you need depends on the severity of your symptoms and how they impact your life. The most commonly used medication prescribed for ADHD are stimulants. They are not suitable for everyone and the first medication you try might not work or cause undesirable side effects. Your doctor may inquire whether you are taking other medication. This includes prescription drugs or supplements as well as prescription drugs. Certain types of drugs can interfere with ADHD stimulants.

Counseling is a crucial part of treatment for adults with ADHD. Individual therapy can help you deal better with feelings of frustration, disappointment and inadequacy that are often associated untreated ADHD. It can teach you how to control your anger, improve your time management and organizational skills.

It is crucial to find a healthcare professional that specializes in mental illnesses. A psychiatrist or neurologist is able to diagnose and treat ADHD. However you might prefer to consult a specialist psychotherapist. These specialists are likely to be more familiar with adults with ADHD and the challenges they face as well as having worked with other clients. You can inquire with your local mental health clinic or with ADDitude's directory to find a professional who can assist adults with ADHD.

Medication

A diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the first step in managing your symptoms and enhancing your life. If you are struggling to achieve your maximum potential in your work or have trouble maintaining relationships, or have trouble completing tasks at home then an ADHD diagnosis could be just what you require.

The first step in treating ADHD in adults is an extensive medical history review, including your symptoms. The psychiatrist or psychologist 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, such as depression and anxiety. Jaksa states that these disorders can exacerbate or cause symptoms of ADHD. Chronic stress and frustration over inadequate performance can cause feelings of low self-esteem, he says. "Getting an evaluation can help them gain perspective on the root causes of their issues which can help reduce or alleviate some of their anxiety and allow them to focus more productively on the areas where they excel," Jaksa says.

The most effective treatment for adults suffering from ADHD is usually a combination of therapy and medication. Stimulants can boost concentration, decrease impulsive behavior and aid in organizing. These medications can improve moods and boost motivation in a variety of cases. People who are taking stimulants must be aware of potential negative effects, which could include insomnia and trouble with drinking or eating enough. People who take stimulants to treat ADHD may have mood swings that could be difficult to manage.

Discuss with your health care provider regarding whether you would be a good candidate for clinical trials of upcoming treatments or drugs. These studies help researchers find better ways to prevent, diagnose or treat illnesses and conditions.

Counseling

Untreated ADHD can lead to problems in all aspects of your life. Procrastination and other symptoms can have a negative impact on your relationships, career, and financial health. Finding a diagnosis and seeking treatment is the first step towards reducing these negative impacts and regaining control over your life.

Many adults who are diagnosed with ADHD were not diagnosed as children, either because their family and teachers were not aware of the disorder or because they had mild symptoms that weren't noticed. Certain adults may be able to manage their symptoms as children but were unable to manage them in adulthood due to increasing family and work obligations.

To determine ADHD mental health professionals need to find that your symptoms result in significant impairments in two areas of your daily life. In the event of impairment, it could result in losing your job due to of a lack of focus and organization skills or being placed on academic probation at college due to the inability to learn for tests.

Women tend to be better at avoiding their symptoms than men, which may make it harder to receive a diagnosis. If you're experiencing ADHD symptoms that are affecting your life at work and at home speaking up with your doctor can help accelerate the process and enable you to get reasonable accommodations under ADA and other workplace laws.

Your mental health professional, regardless of the type of ADHD you have, will want to know whether your symptoms started before the age of 12. They may ask you to speak to people who knew you at this period and could perform a series of tests to assess your attention and memory abilities.

After receiving an diagnosis, your therapist will recommend a combination medication and non-medication treatment to help manage your symptoms. The majority of patients will try several different treatments before settling on the most effective one. Keep a record of your progress and make sure to consult your doctor regularly to adjust your treatment plan if needed.