Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult
For adults who are struggling professionally or personally, diagnosing ADHD can be a significant step towards taking control. A diagnosis requires a thorough assessment, often including reviews of school records and questionnaires filled out by parents and teachers.
The majority of people with ADHD suffer from symptoms since the age of five, 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 disorder.
Diagnosis
It is important to get diagnosed with ADHD at an early age. This will help you manage the symptoms that can cause havoc in your professional and personal life. First, you must consult your GP or an expert in mental health who has experience treating adults with ADHD. If your GP isn't familiar with ADHD, he or she could refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist for an assessment.
Typically the mental health professional will use the six-question ADHD screener to determine whether you might have the disorder, says Adler. Then, he or she will interview you about your symptoms and look at your medical history and family history to confirm that there are no other conditions not causing your ADHD-like symptoms.
People with ADHD tend to be easily distracted and can miss crucial details. They often have difficulty following instructions in class or at work. They are more likely to lose items necessary for tasks or activities, including tools, wallets, and keys. They may also have trouble staying focused when they are reading long speeches or assignments. Fidgeting, excessive talk or texting or squirming are other signs of adult ADHD.
In determining if someone suffers from adult ADHD, it is important to exclude other conditions that may cause similar symptoms, like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and addiction to drugs. Stress and physical issues such as thyroid issues can mimic ADHD symptoms. In the DSM-5, professionals are now required to consider the severity of a person's symptoms when diagnosing them with ADHD. Adult ADHD is classified as mild, moderate or severe.
Many people suffering from ADHD go their whole lives without ever being diagnosed because it is not apparent during childhood. For adults, a diagnosis can be a life-changing revelation as they realize the reasons why they struggled at school and could not achieve their full potential at work or at home. They might feel guilty about being blamed for their struggles and may also be devastated by missed opportunities if they were properly treated.
Treatment
The first step in getting treatment for ADHD as an adult is to see a healthcare professional for an assessment. This can be done in person or via video call. Only psychiatrists, psychologists, and specialist nurses are qualified to diagnose ADHD in the UK. The professional will require information about your medical history as well as family mental health issues. This is because many emotional and physical conditions can trigger symptoms similar to those of ADHD and must be eliminated before the diagnosis is made.
The expert will also inquire about your work and lifestyle, and how your symptoms influence your life. They will be particularly interested in whether or not you had signs of ADHD prior to the age of 12. They might also interview people who were close to you in childhood and ask about their experiences.
A thorough medical history can help your doctor decide if you need medication or other treatment. This is due to the fact that certain medical conditions, like sleep apnea, thyroid problems and lead poisoning can cause symptoms of ADHD. Adults who have a history of anxiety or depression will need to be evaluated and treated more carefully since these conditions can occur in conjunction.
If a medical professional believes that you require medication, they will prescribe a suitable medication. The type of medication you need will depend on the severity of your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. The most commonly used medication prescribed for ADHD are stimulants. However, they are not right for everyone and the first stimulant you try might not be effective or have uncomfortable adverse side effects. Your doctor will be interested in knowing if you use any other medication that are not prescription drugs, such as over-the counter ones and supplements, since certain kinds of drugs may interact with ADHD stimulants.
Counseling is also an essential element of the treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help you deal better with feelings of frustration, disappointment and inadequacy that are often associated with untreated ADHD. It can also help you learn how to manage your anger and improve your organization and time management abilities.
If you suffer from an illness of the mind it is crucial to find a healthcare professional who specializes in the field. A psychiatrist or neurologist can diagnose and treat ADHD, but you might prefer to see an expert psychologist or therapist. These experts are likely to be more familiar with the challenges of treating adult ADHD and have experience helping others who have similar issues. You can contact your local mental health service or ADDitude's directory to find a specialist who is working with adults suffering from ADHD.
Medication
If you're an adult who has had to deal with ADHD, getting a diagnosis is the first step toward managing your symptoms and improving your life. If you're struggling to achieve your full potential at work, have difficulty maintaining relationships, or experience trouble completing tasks at home then an ADHD diagnosis could be just what you require.
ADHD treatment for adults starts with an extensive interview and a review of your medical history, including the symptoms you've been experiencing. The psychiatrist or psychologist will then determine if 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 are not treated for ADHD often have coexisting disorders, including anxiety and depression. These disorders can cause or worsen the symptoms of ADHD, Jaksa says. Stress and frustration from the lack of performance can lead to feelings of low self-esteem, he says. how to get an adhd diagnosis uk Getting an evaluation can help them gain perspective on the root causes of their difficulties which can help alleviate or alleviate some of their anxiety and help them concentrate more effectively on the areas where they excel," Jaksa says.
The best treatment for adults suffering from ADHD is usually an amalgamation of medication and behavior therapy. Stimulants can boost concentration, reduce impulsive behaviors and help with organization. In many cases they can enhance motivation and mood. Side effects of stimulants include insomnia and difficulties eating or drinking enough. People who take stimulants to treat ADHD can experience mood swings that can be difficult to manage.
Speak to your doctor about whether or not you're a candidate for clinical trials of new medications or treatments. These studies aid researchers in finding more effective ways to prevent, diagnose, or treat diseases and conditions.
Counseling
If you are suffering from untreated ADHD, it can cause a variety of problems throughout your life. Your career, relationships and financial health can be negatively affected by procrastination or poor time management, impulsive spending, and other symptoms. Getting a diagnosis and seeking treatment is the first step to reduce the negative impact and regaining control of your life.
Many adults diagnosed with ADHD weren't diagnosed as children due to the fact that their families and teachers weren't aware of the disorder, or because they showed mild symptoms that were not spotted. Some adults may be able to manage their symptoms as children, but were unable to manage their symptoms in adulthood due to increased work and family obligations.
To determine ADHD, mental health professionals must determine that your symptoms are causing significant impairment in two areas of your everyday life. In the event of an impairment, you could lose your job due to a lack in organization and focus or being placed on academic probation in college because you're unable to study for tests.
Women are more adept at hiding their symptoms than men, which may make it more difficult to receive an accurate diagnosis. If you're suffering from ADHD symptoms that impact your home or work life, you can accelerate the process of diagnosis by being open with your doctor. You might also be able to get reasonable accommodations under ADA laws as well as other workplace laws.
Your mental health professional regardless of the kind of ADHD that you have will be interested in knowing whether your symptoms started before the age of 12. They may suggest that you talk to people who were close to you at the time, and they might also conduct a series of tests to test your attention and memory.
After you are given an diagnosis, your therapist will recommend the use of a combination of medication and non-medication therapies to manage your symptoms. Most people will try a few different treatments before they find the best one. It is recommended to keep a diary of your progress and consult with your doctor regularly so they can help you adjust your treatment plan as needed.