Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult
Adults who have difficulty in their professional or personal lives may benefit from a diagnosis of ADHD. A diagnosis is based on a thorough examination, often including reviews of school records and questionnaires filled out by parents and teachers.
It is not unusual for adults to be diagnosed with ADHD. Visit NIMH for suggestions on talking with your health professional regarding 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. The first step is to talk to your GP or find a mental health professional who has expertise in treating adults suffering from ADHD. If your GP is unfamiliar with ADHD and/or ADHD, they could refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist for assessment.
A mental health professional will usually employ a six-question ADHD screener to determine if you are suffering from the condition. The doctor will ask you questions about your ADHD-like symptoms and look over your medical history and family history to determine if other medical conditions aren't the cause of them.
People with ADHD are prone to being easily distracted and can miss important details. They may have trouble following instructions in class or at work. They tend to lose things that are essential for their work or activities, such as tools, wallets, and keys. They may also have trouble staying focused during long lectures or reading assignments. Fidgeting, excessive talk or texting, or squirming, are other symptoms of adult ADHD.
In determining if someone suffers from adult ADHD, it is important to rule out other conditions that can cause similar symptoms, like anxiety, depression bipolar disorder, anxiety and addiction to drugs. Stress and physical ailments like thyroid issues could be similar to the symptoms of ADHD. In the DSM-5 professionals are now required to take into consideration the severity of an individual's symptoms when diagnosing them as having ADHD. Mild moderate, severe, and mild are the classifications for adult ADHD.
Many people suffering from ADHD are not diagnosed in childhood, because it's not obvious. A diagnosis can alter the course of an adult's life, as they can now see why they struggled at school and never reached their full potential at work or at home. Some may even feel guilty for blaming their problems on others or themselves and may experience sadness over the missed opportunities that could have been achieved in the event that they had been properly treated.
Treatment
The first step in obtaining treatment for ADHD as an adult is to visit a medical professional to get an assessment. This can be conducted in person or by video calls. Only psychiatrists, psychologists and specialist nurses are qualified to diagnose ADHD in the UK. The specialist will require information about your medical history as well as family-related mental health issues. This is due to the fact that there are a variety of mental and physical ailments which can trigger symptoms similar to ADHD. These conditions must be ruled out to determine if you have ADHD.
The professional will also ask about your lifestyle and work and how your issues influence your life. They are particularly interested in whether or not you displayed symptoms of ADHD prior to the age of 12 years old. They may also speak with people who were close to you as a child and ask them about their memories.
A thorough medical history will aid the doctor in determining whether you need medication or other treatments. This is because some medical conditions, including sleep apnea, thyroid issues and lead poisoning may cause symptoms of ADHD. Adults who have a history of depression or anxiety will need to be assessed and treated more carefully, as these conditions often are in synergy.
If a doctor believes you require medication, he or she will prescribe the appropriate medication. The type of medication you need will depend on the severity of your symptoms and how they affect your daily routine. Stimulants, which are the most popular medication prescribed for ADHD are stimulants. However, they're not for everyone and the first stimulant you try might not be effective or trigger bothersome adverse side effects. Your healthcare provider will need to know if take any other medications that are not prescription drugs, such as over-the counter ones and supplements, since certain types of drugs can interact with ADHD stimulants.
Counseling is an important component of treatment for adults with ADHD. Individual therapy can help you deal with the feelings of disappointment or underachievement that are frequently associated with untreated ADHD. It can also help you learn how to manage your anger and improve your organization and time management skills.
If you suffer from an illness of the mind it is essential to locate an expert in healthcare who is trained in that condition. A psychiatrist or neurologist can diagnose and treat ADHD, but you might prefer to consult a specialist therapist or psychologist. These specialists are likely to have more experience with adult ADHD and their struggles as well as having previous experience working with clients. You can use search engines like ADDitude or your local mental health services to find a professional who works with adults who have ADHD.
Medication
If you are an adult who has had to deal with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder getting a diagnosis is the first step toward managing your symptoms and improving your life. If you're struggling to reach your full potential in the workplace or have trouble maintaining relationships, or experience trouble completing tasks at home then an ADHD diagnosis may be just what you need.
The first step in treating ADHD in adults is thorough medical history review, including your symptoms. The psychologist or psychiatrist determines if you satisfy the requirements for ADHD in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5) which is published by the American Psychiatric Association. 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 with untreated ADHD often have coexisting disorders, like depression and anxiety. Jaksa says that these disorders can cause or worsen symptoms of ADHD. He says that stress and frustration due to inadequate performance can trigger feelings of low-self-esteem. "Getting an assessment can help these individuals understand the root of their struggles and may help to reduce or eliminate some of their anxieties and allow them to concentrate more on areas in which they excel," Jaksa says.
Adults suffering from ADHD are typically treated by a combination of medication and behavior therapy. Stimulants can boost concentration, decrease impulsive behavior and aid in achieving organization. In many instances they can improve mood and increase motivation. People who are taking stimulants must be aware of potential negative effects, which could include problems with sleeping and eating or drinking enough. Some people who take stimulants to treat ADHD can have mood swings that could be difficult to manage.
Talk to your health care provider about whether you would be a good candidate for clinical trials of upcoming treatments or medications. These studies help researchers discover more effective ways to diagnose and treat illnesses, as well as prevent them from occurring.
Counseling
Untreated ADHD can cause problems in all aspects of your life. Your relationships, work and financial health could be negatively affected by procrastination, poor time management, excessive spending and other symptoms. The first step to reducing the negative effects and regaining control is to get diagnosed and seek treatment.
Many adults diagnosed with ADHD were not diagnosed as children, either because their family and teachers were not aware of the condition or they had mild symptoms that were not spotted. Others might have managed their symptoms during childhood, but struggled in adulthood when their family and work obligations increased.
To determine ADHD Mental health professionals must find that your symptoms result in significant impairments in two areas of your daily life. Impairment can result in losing your job due to of lack of focus and organizational skills or being placed on academic probation in college due to your inability to do well on tests.
Women are generally better in hiding their symptoms than men, which can make it difficult for them to get an accurate diagnosis. If you're suffering from ADHD symptoms that are affecting your home and work life speaking up with your doctor can help accelerate the process and allow you to get reasonable accommodations under ADA and other workplace laws.
Regardless of the type of ADHD you suffer from Your mental health professional will verify that your symptoms began before age 12. They might ask you to talk to people who were around you during this time and may also take a number of tests to assess your attention and memory levels.
After receiving an diagnosis, your doctor will suggest a combination of medication and non-medication treatment to manage your symptoms. adhd diagnosed of people will test various treatments before finding the right one. It is suggested that you keep a diary of your progress and speak with your doctor on a regular basis so they can help adjust your treatment program as needed.