Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult
Adults who are struggling in their work or personal life, diagnosing ADHD is a significant step in gaining control. A thorough evaluation is needed to determine if you have the diagnosis. This includes analyzing school records as well as questionnaires filled out by caregivers and teachers.
Most people with ADHD suffer from symptoms since childhood, and it is not uncommon to be diagnosed at an adult age. NIMH has guidelines on how to talk with your doctor about the condition.
Diagnosis
Getting diagnosed with ADHD as an adult is often the first step in gaining control over the symptoms that cause havoc on a person's personal and professional lives. First, you must consult your GP or an expert in mental health who has experience treating adults with ADHD. If your GP does not have any knowledge of ADHD and is unable to help, they can refer you to psychologist or psychiatrist for an assessment.
A mental health professional would typically employ a six-question ADHD screener to determine if you are suffering from the condition. The doctor will interview you about your symptoms that are similar to ADHD and review your medical history and family history to determine if other medical conditions aren't the cause of them.
Since people with ADHD are more likely to overlook details and become easily distracted, they often have difficulty following instructions or listening during class or on the job. They tend to lose things essential to their tasks or activities, like keys, wallets and tools. They might also have difficulty staying focused when reading or listening to long speeches. Other symptoms of adult ADHD include fidgeting, texting or talking too much or squirming in their seats.
It is important to rule other conditions out in determining if a person has adult ADHD. This includes depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. Stress and other physical ailments such as thyroid issues can be a source of symptoms similar to ADHD. The DSM-5 now requires professionals to assess the severity of the symptoms a person's experiences are before identifying him or her with the condition. Adult ADHD is classified as moderate, mild or severe.
Many people suffering from ADHD live their entire lives without ever getting a diagnosis because it's not evident during childhood. For adults, a diagnosis could be a life-changing event as they realize why they struggled in school and never seemed to achieve their full potential at work or at home. Some may even feel guilt-ridden for blaming their troubles on others or themselves and may experience regret over missed opportunities that could have been achieved if they had been properly treated.
Treatment
The first step in getting treatment for ADHD as an adult is to consult a healthcare professional for an assessment. This can be done either in person or by video calls. Only psychiatrists, psychologists, and specialist nurses are able to diagnose ADHD in the UK. The professional will ask about your medical history, which includes mental health issues that are present in the family. This is because there are a variety of physical and mental conditions that could cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD. These conditions need to be eliminated in order to establish a diagnosis.
The professional will also ask about your work and lifestyle and how your symptoms influence your life. They are particularly interested in whether or not you displayed signs of ADHD prior to the age of 12 years. how to get an adult adhd diagnosis may also interview people who were close to you as when you were a child and ask them about their memories.
A detailed medical history can aid your doctor in determining whether you require medication or another treatment. Certain medical conditions, like sleep apnea, thyroid disorders, and lead poisoning, can cause ADHD symptoms. Adults with a history anxiety or depression need to be assessed and treated with more care, as these conditions often are in synergy.
If a medical professional believes that you require medication they will prescribe a suitable medication. The kind of medication you need will depend on the severity of your symptoms and how they affect your life. The stimulants are the most frequently prescribed medication for ADHD. They are not suitable for everyone, and the first drug you try might not be effective or cause undesirable negative side consequences. Your doctor will be interested in knowing if you use any other medication such as over-the-counter medications and supplements, as certain kinds of medications can interact with ADHD stimulants.
Counseling is also an essential element of the treatment process for adults with ADHD. Individual therapy can help you cope better with feelings of frustration, failure and underachievement that are often associated with untreated ADHD. It can teach you how to manage your anger, improve your time management and organizational skills.
If you suffer from an illness of the mind it is crucial to find a healthcare professional who specializes in this condition. A psychiatrist or neurologist can diagnose and treat ADHD however, you may prefer to see psychologists or specialist therapists. These professionals will likely be more familiar with adults with ADHD and their struggles as well as having previous experience working with clients. You can use search engines like ADDitude or visit your local mental health clinic to find a professional who works with adults who have ADHD.
Medication
If you're an adult who has struggled with ADHD and is diagnosed, it's the first step to managing your symptoms and improving your life. If you're struggling to achieve your full potential in the workplace or have trouble maintaining relationships, or have difficulties completing your tasks at home, an ADHD diagnosis might be the answer you've been looking for.
ADHD treatment for adults begins with an extensive interview and a review of your medical history, which includes the symptoms you've been experiencing. 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 are applicable 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 are frequently co-morbid with other disorders, like anxiety and depression. These disorders can cause or worsen the symptoms of ADHD, Jaksa says. A constant stress and anger over poor performance can also result in feelings of self-doubt, he adds. "Getting an assessment can help these individuals understand the root of their struggles, which may alleviate or alleviate some of their anxiety and allow them to concentrate more effectively on areas in which they excel," Jaksa says.
The best treatment for adults suffering from ADHD is typically the combination of therapy and medication. Stimulants can boost concentration, reduce impulsive behaviors and help with organization. These medications can improve moods and increase motivation in many cases. The negative effects of stimulants are insomnia and difficulty eating or drinking enough. Mood swings can also occur in those who take stimulants to treat ADHD, and these can be difficult to manage.
Discuss with your health care provider regarding whether you would be an ideal candidate for clinical trials of upcoming treatments or medicines. These studies aid researchers in finding more effective ways to prevent, diagnose, or treat illnesses and conditions.
Counseling
If you're suffering from untreated ADHD it could cause many issues in every area of your life. The effects of procrastination, among others, can affect your relationships, career, and financial health. The first step to reduce the negative effects and getting back in control is to get a diagnosis and seek treatment.
Many adults who are diagnosed with ADHD weren't diagnosed as children due to the fact that their families and teachers were not aware of the condition or they showed mild symptoms that were not noticed. Some may have had the ability to manage their symptoms in childhood but struggled as they grew older as their family and work obligations increased.
To be diagnosed as having ADHD, mental health professionals must find that your symptoms are causing severe impairment in at minimum two areas of your life. The effects of ADHD can include losing your job due to a deficit in focus and organization skills or being placed on academic probation at your college due to your inability to do well on tests.
Women are better at hiding symptoms than men. This makes it more difficult for women to be diagnosed. If you suffer from ADHD symptoms that affect your work or home life it is possible to accelerate the process of diagnosing by being honest with your doctor. You might also be eligible for reasonable accommodations under ADA laws as well as other workplace laws.
Your mental health professional regardless of the kind of ADHD you suffer from will want to know whether your symptoms started before the age of 12. They may ask to speak to people who were close to you at the time, and they may also administer a series tests to measure your attention and memory.
When you receive a diagnosis your therapist will recommend a combination of medications and non-medication therapies to help manage your symptoms. A majority of patients will try a variety of different treatments before they find the one that works best for them. Keep a journal of your progress and visit your physician regularly to alter your treatment plan as needed.