Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult
Adults who have difficulty in their personal or professional lives can benefit from diagnosing ADHD. A diagnosis requires a thorough assessment that may include reviews of school records and questionnaires filled out by parents and teachers.
It is not uncommon for adults to be diagnosed with ADHD. NIMH offers tips on how to talk with your doctor about the disorder.
Diagnosis
It is crucial to be diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood. This will allow you to get control of the symptoms that can cause havoc in your personal and professional life. The first step is to talk to your GP or consult a mental health professional who has experience in treating adults suffering from ADHD. If your doctor is not familiar with ADHD, he or she might refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist for assessment.
Typically an expert in mental health will employ an eight-question ADHD screener to determine whether you may be suffering from the condition, according to Adler. Then, the doctor will interview you about your symptoms and look at your medical history and family history to make sure that there are no other conditions not causing your symptoms of ADHD.
People suffering from ADHD tend to be easily distracted and forgetting important details. They may have trouble following directions in class or at work. They often lose important items needed for their tasks such as wallets, keys, and tools. They may also have trouble staying focused when reading or listening to long speeches. Fidgeting, excessive talking or texting or squirming are other symptoms of adult ADHD.
In determining if someone suffers from adult ADHD it is essential to exclude other conditions that can cause similar symptoms, like anxiety, depression bipolar disorder, anxiety and abuse of substances. Stress and certain physical conditions such as thyroid issues can be a source of symptoms similar to ADHD. The DSM-5 is now requiring professionals to assess the severity of a person's symptoms are when determining if they have diagnosed the disorder. Mild moderate, severe and mild are the categories used to describe adult ADHD.
Many people with ADHD live their entire lives without ever getting a diagnosis because it's not obvious in the early years. A diagnosis can alter the course of an adult's life because they now understand why they struggled at school and failed to reach their maximum potential at work or home. They may feel guilty for being blamed for their troubles, and they may be resentful over missed opportunities that could have been if they were treated properly.
Treatment
To receive treatment for ADHD in adults the first step is to speak with a healthcare professional. This can be conducted in person or by video call. In the UK, only psychiatrists, psychologists and specialist nurses have the qualifications to diagnose ADHD. The doctor will inquire about your medical history, including mental health issues in the family. This is because many physical and emotional issues can cause symptoms that are similar to those associated with ADHD, and these must be ruled out before the diagnosis is made.
The expert will inquire about your job and lifestyle and how your symptoms affect your life. They will be particularly interested in whether or not you had signs of ADHD prior to the age of 12. They may also wish to interview those who knew you in childhood and ask them about their experiences.
A thorough medical history can aid the doctor in determining whether you require medications or other treatments. Certain medical conditions, such as thyroid disorders, sleep apnea and lead poisoning can cause ADHD symptoms. Adults who have a history of anxiety or depression might require more careful evaluation and treatment because these conditions are often associated with ADHD.
If a medical professional believes you require medication, they will prescribe the appropriate drug. The kind of medication you require is determined by your symptoms and the way they affect your life. Stimulants are the most commonly prescribed medication for ADHD. They are not suitable for everyone, and the first drug you try might not be effective or cause unwanted side effects. Your doctor will want to know if you take any other medications, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements, since certain types of drugs can interact with ADHD stimulants.
Counseling is an essential aspect of treatment for adults with ADHD. Individual therapy can help you cope better with feelings of anger, failure and underachievement that are often associated untreated ADHD. It can also help you learn how to manage your anger as well as improve your time management and organization skills.
It is essential to find a healthcare professional that specializes in mental illness. A psychiatrist or neurologist can diagnose and treat ADHD. However you might prefer to consult a specialist therapist. These professionals will likely have more experience with adult ADHD and the challenges they face and also have worked with other clients. You can search ADDitude or contact your local mental health service to find a professional who assists adults with ADHD.
Medication
If you are an adult who has been struggling with ADHD, getting a diagnosis is the first step toward managing your symptoms and improving your life. If you're struggling to realize your full potential in the workplace, have difficulty maintaining relationships, or have difficulty completing tasks at home then an ADHD diagnosis might be just what you need.
The first step to treat ADHD for adults is an extensive medical history review, including your symptoms. The psychologist or psychiatrist 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.
how to get an adult adhd diagnosis with untreated ADHD are often afflicted with disorders such as depression and anxiety. These disorders can cause or worsen symptoms of ADHD, Jaksa says. Chronic stress and frustration over inadequate performance can result in feelings of self-doubt, Jaksa says. "Getting an assessment can help these individuals understand the causes of their struggles. This could help alleviate or eliminate their anxiety and enable them to concentrate more productively on areas where they excel," Jaksa states.
Adults with ADHD are typically treated by a combination of medication and behavior therapy. Stimulants can boost concentration, decrease impulsive behaviors and help with organization. These medications can improve moods and increase motivation in many instances. Some of the side effects of stimulants include insomnia and difficulties eating or drinking enough. Certain people who use stimulants to treat ADHD might experience mood swings that can be difficult to manage.
Talk to your health care provider about whether you would be suitable for clinical trials of novel treatments or drugs. These studies help researchers find more effective ways to prevent, diagnose or treat illnesses and conditions.
Counseling
If you have untreated ADHD it could cause many issues throughout your life. Your relationships, career and financial health can be negatively impacted by procrastination or poor time management, impulsive spending, and other signs. Getting a diagnosis and seeking treatment is the first step towards lessening the negative effects and regaining control over your life.
Many adults diagnosed with ADHD weren't diagnosed as children due to the fact that their families and teachers were unaware of the condition or they displayed mild symptoms which were not spotted. Some adults might have been able manage their symptoms as children, but had difficulty with these issues in adulthood due increasing family and work obligations.
To determine if you have ADHD Mental health professionals need to find that your symptoms cause significant impairment in two areas of your daily 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 at your college due to your inability to do well on tests.
Women are generally better in hiding their symptoms than men, which could make it more difficult for them to get an accurate diagnosis. If you're suffering from ADHD symptoms that affect your life at work and at home, being forthright about them with your doctor will help speed up 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 that you have, will be interested in knowing whether your symptoms started before the age of 12. They might ask you to speak to people who were close to you at the time, and may also administer a series tests to test your memory and attention.
After receiving an diagnosis, your doctor will suggest a combination of medication and non-medication therapy to help manage your symptoms. The majority of people will test different methods before they discover the one that is most effective for them. It is recommended to keep track of your progress and consult with your doctor regularly so they can help adjust your treatment program as needed.