Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult
For adults who are struggling professionally or personally, diagnosing ADHD could be a crucial step in gaining control. A thorough assessment is required to determine if you have a diagnosis. This includes reviewing the school records and filling out questionnaires that are completed by teachers and caregivers.
The majority of people with ADHD suffer from symptoms since the age of three, and it's not uncommon to be diagnosed with it as an adult. NIMH offers guidelines on how to talk with your doctor about the condition.
Diagnosis
It is important to get diagnosed with ADHD at an early age. This will help you gain control over the symptoms that can cause havoc in your personal and professional life. The first step is to talk to your GP or find an expert in mental health who has experience in treating adults suffering from ADHD. If your GP isn't familiar with ADHD, he or she might refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct an assessment.
A mental health professional would typically use a six question ADHD screener to determine if you are suffering from the condition. He or she will then interview you 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 who suffer from ADHD have a tendency to overlook details and become easily distracted, they frequently have trouble following instructions or listening in class or on the job. They often lose important items for tasks or activities such as wallets, keys and other tools. They might also have difficulty staying focused when they are reading long speeches or assignments. Other signs of adult ADHD include fidgeting, texting or talking excessively or squirming in the seat.
It is essential to rule other conditions out when determining whether someone suffers from adult ADHD. This includes anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder. Stress and certain physical conditions like thyroid issues could be similar to the symptoms of ADHD. The DSM-5 now requires doctors to consider how severe a person's symptoms are before identifying them with the condition. Mild moderate, severe, and mild are the classifications for adult ADHD.
Many people who suffer from ADHD are not diagnosed in their childhood because it's not readily apparent. For adults, a diagnosis could be a life-changing experience as they realize the reasons why they struggled at school and failed to achieve their full potential at work or at home. They may feel guilty about blameing other people or themselves for their troubles, and they may be grieved over missed opportunities if they were properly treated.
Treatment
The first step in getting treatment for ADHD as an adult is to visit a healthcare professional for an assessment. This can be accomplished in person or via video call. In the UK, only psychologists, psychiatrists, and specialist nurses have the qualifications to diagnose ADHD. The specialist will inquire about your medical history, including mental health issues in the family. This is because a variety of emotional and physical conditions can cause symptoms that are similar to those associated with ADHD, and these must be addressed before a diagnosis can be made.
The expert will also inquire about your work and lifestyle and how your symptoms affect your life. They will be particularly interested in whether you displayed symptoms of ADHD prior to the age of 12 years old. They might also talk to those who were close to you as a child and ask them about their memories.
A detailed medical history can aid your doctor in determining whether you require medication or any other treatment. This is because some medical conditions, such as thyroid problems, sleep apnea and lead poisoning, can trigger symptoms of ADHD. Adults who have a history of depression or anxiety will need to be evaluated and treated with more care since these conditions can are in synergy.
If the professional believes you require medication, they will prescribe a suitable medicine. The kind of medication you need depends on the severity of your symptoms and how they affect your life. The most commonly used medication prescribed for ADHD are stimulants. However, they're not right for everyone, and the first one you try may not be effective or have uncomfortable side effects. Your doctor will want to know if you use any other medication that are not prescription drugs, such as over-the counter ones and supplements, as certain kinds of medications can interact with ADHD stimulants.
Counseling is a crucial aspect of treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help you cope with the feelings of failure, underachievement and frustration that are frequently associated with untreated ADHD. It can also help you how to manage your anger and improve your organization and time management skills.
If you suffer from a mental illness it is essential to locate a healthcare professional who specializes in that condition. A psychiatrist or neurologist can diagnose and treat ADHD, but you might prefer to see psychologists or specialist therapists. These specialists are likely to be more familiar with adult ADHD and their challenges and also have worked with other clients. You can check with your local mental health services or with ADDitude's directory to find a specialist who works with adults with ADHD.
Medication
A diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the first step towards managing your symptoms and improving life. If you've struggled to realize your maximum potential at work, are finding it difficult to maintain relationships or have trouble finishing tasks at home and at work, a diagnosis of ADHD may provide the answer you have been searching for.
The first step in treating ADHD in adults is thorough medical history, 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 suffer from untreated ADHD often suffer from co-occurring disorders, including anxiety and depression. Jaksa states that these disorders can exacerbate or cause symptoms of ADHD. A constant stress and anger over poor performance can also cause feelings of low self-esteem Jaksa says. "Getting a diagnose will help them understand 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 most effective treatment for adults with ADHD is usually the combination of medication and behavior therapy. undiagnosed adhd in adults can improve concentration, reduce impulsive behaviors and aid in achieving organization. These drugs can improve moods and boost motivation in many instances. The negative effects of stimulants are insomnia and difficulty drinking enough or eating well. The mood swings can also happen in people who are taking stimulants to treat ADHD, and these are often difficult to manage.
Speak to your doctor about whether or not you are an eligible participant in clinical trials on new medications or treatments. These studies help researchers find more effective methods to prevent, diagnose or treat conditions and diseases.
Counseling
If you are suffering from untreated ADHD the disorder can lead to various problems in all areas of your life. Procrastination and other signs can affect your relationships as well as your career and financial health. The first step in reducing the negative effects and getting back in control is to get an assessment and seek treatment.
Many adults diagnosed with ADHD didn't receive a diagnosis when they were children because their teachers and family were unaware of the condition or they had mild symptoms that weren't noticed. Some may have managed their symptoms in childhood but struggled in adulthood as their family and work obligations increased.
To be diagnosed with ADHD mental health professionals must find that your symptoms are causing significant impairment in at minimum two areas of your life. Impaired can be losing your job due to a decline in organization and focus, or being placed on academic probation at college due to your inability to concentrate on your tests.
Women are generally better at avoiding their symptoms than men, which can make it more difficult to receive a diagnosis. If you're suffering from ADHD symptoms that affect your home and work life and family life, speaking openly about them with your doctor can speed up the process and let you get reasonable accommodations under ADA and other workplace laws.
No matter what kind of ADHD you suffer from, your mental health professional will determine if your symptoms began before age 12. They may request that you talk to people who were around you during this time and may also conduct a series of tests to evaluate your memory and attention levels.
After you are given a diagnosis your therapist will recommend a combination of medications and non-medical treatments to manage your symptoms. A majority of patients will try a variety of different therapies before they can find the one that works best for them. Keep a record of your progress, and consult your physician regularly to alter your treatment plan if needed.