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 thorough evaluation is needed to make the diagnosis. This includes analyzing school records and questionnaires filled out by caregivers and teachers.
Most people suffering from ADHD have symptoms since the age of three, and it's not uncommon to be diagnosed with it as an adult. NIMH provides suggestions on how to speak with your doctor about the condition.
Diagnosis
Being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult is usually the first step to gain control over symptoms that wreak destruction on people's professional and personal lives. First, you should consult your GP or an expert in mental health who is experienced in treating adults with ADHD. If your doctor does not have any knowledge of ADHD and is unable to help, they can refer you to either a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct an assessment.
Typically an expert in mental health will use a six-question ADHD screener to determine if you may be suffering from the disorder, says Adler. The doctor will interview you about your ADHD-like symptoms and examine your medical history and family history to ensure that other medical conditions aren't the cause of them.
Because people with ADHD have a tendency to be unable to pay attention and are easily distracted, they often struggle with following directions or listening in class or on the job. They frequently lose essential items required for tasks or activities like keys, wallets, and tools. They may also have difficulty staying focused when listening to long speeches. Other signs of adult ADHD include fidgeting, texting or talking excessively or squirming in the seat.
It is crucial to rule out other medical conditions when determining if someone has adult ADHD. These include depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder. Stress and other physical ailments like thyroid issues could be a source of symptoms similar to ADHD. The DSM-5 now requires doctors to consider the severity of the symptoms a person's experiences are when diagnosing them with the condition. Mild moderate, severe and mild are the classifications for adult ADHD.
Many people with ADHD live their entire lives without ever getting a diagnosis because it's not obvious in childhood. For adults, a diagnosis can be a life-changing experience because they finally understand the reason why they struggled in school and never seemed to achieve their full potential at work or at home. They may feel guilty about blaming others or themselves for their troubles and could be grieved over missed opportunities when they were treated with respect.
Treatment
The first step in obtaining treatment for ADHD as an adult is to visit a healthcare professional to get an assessment. This can be accomplished in person or via video call. In the UK, only psychiatrists, psychologists, and specialist nurses are qualified to diagnose ADHD. The doctor will require information about your medical history as well as family mental health issues. This is because a variety of physical and emotional issues can trigger symptoms similar to those that occur in ADHD and must be eliminated before a diagnosis can be made.
The doctor will inquire about your work and lifestyle as well as how your symptoms impact your daily life. They will be particularly interested in whether or not you showed signs of ADHD prior to the age of 12. They might also interview people who knew you in your childhood and ask about their memories.
A thorough medical history can aid your doctor in determining whether you require medication or another treatment. This is due to the fact that certain medical conditions, such as thyroid problems, sleep apnea and lead poisoning, can trigger symptoms of ADHD. Adults who have an history of depression or anxiety might require more careful assessment and treatment, as these conditions can be co-existing with ADHD.
If a doctor believes you need medication, he/she will prescribe the appropriate drug. The kind of medication you require will depend on the severity of your symptoms and how they interfere with your daily routine. The most commonly used medication prescribed for ADHD are stimulants. They aren't for everyone, and the first drug you try may not work or cause unwanted negative side negative effects. adhd adult diagnosis will want to know if you take any other medications such as over-the-counter medications and supplements, since certain kinds of medications can interact with ADHD stimulants.
Counseling is an important aspect of treatment for adults with ADHD. Individual therapy can help you to cope better with feelings of frustration and failure that are often associated untreated ADHD. It can teach you how to manage your anger, and improve your time management and organization skills.
It is crucial to find an expert in healthcare who specializes in mental illnesses. A psychiatrist or neurologist can diagnose and treat ADHD, but you might prefer to see an expert psychologist or therapist. They are likely to be more familiar with adult ADHD and their struggles, as well as having experience working with other clients. You can search ADDitude or visit your local mental health clinic to find a professional that works with adults who have ADHD.
Medication
A diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the first step towards managing your symptoms and enhancing your life. If you've been unable to reach your maximum potential at work, are finding it difficult to maintain relationships or struggle to finish tasks at home and at work, a diagnosis of ADHD may provide the answer you have been looking for.
The first step to treat ADHD in adults is an extensive medical history review, which includes your symptoms. The psychologist or psychiatrist will 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 with untreated ADHD are frequently co-morbid with other disorders, such as anxiety and depression. Jaksa states that these disorders can worsen or cause symptoms of ADHD. Stress and frustration from poor performance can also lead to feelings of low self-esteem, he adds. "Getting an evaluation can help these individuals understand the root causes of their issues, which may alleviate or alleviate some of their anxiety and help them focus more productively on the areas where they excel," Jaksa says.
Adults suffering from ADHD are typically treated with a combination of medications along with behavior therapy. Stimulants can improve concentration, decrease impulsive behaviors and aid in organizing. In many cases they can boost motivation and improve mood. People who take stimulants should be aware of the potential negative effects, which could include problems with sleeping and drinking or eating enough. The mood swings can also happen in people who are taking stimulants for ADHD and they are often difficult to manage.
Discuss with your health care provider about whether you would be a good candidate for clinical trials of new treatments or medicines. These studies assist researchers in finding better methods to detect and treat or prevent diseases.
Counseling
If you're suffering from untreated ADHD, it can cause many issues in every area of your life. Your relationships, career and financial health may be negatively impacted by procrastination or poor time management, impulsive spending, and other signs. The first step to reducing the negative effects and regaining control is to get a diagnosis and seek treatment.
Many adults diagnosed with ADHD weren't diagnosed as children, either because their family and teachers weren't aware of the condition or they displayed mild symptoms which were not spotted. Some adults may be able to manage their symptoms as children but struggled with their symptoms in adulthood due to increased work and family obligations.
In order to be diagnosed with ADHD mental health professionals must determine that your symptoms cause significant impairment in at minimum two areas of your life. Impaired can be losing your job due to a decline in focus and organization skills or being placed on academic probation in college because you are unable to study for tests.
Women are more adept at avoiding their symptoms than men, which could make it difficult to receive a diagnosis. If you're suffering from ADHD symptoms that affect your home or work life, you can accelerate the process of diagnosis by being open with your doctor. You might also be eligible for reasonable accommodations under ADA laws and other workplace laws.
Regardless of the type of ADHD you have, your mental health professional will want to see that your symptoms started prior to the age of 12. They might ask you to talk to people who knew you at this period and could conduct a series of tests to determine your attention and memory abilities.
When you receive a diagnosis the therapist will suggest a combination of medication and non-medication therapies to help manage your symptoms. The majority of people will test a few different treatments before settling on the most effective one. Keep a record of your progress and make sure to consult your doctor regularly to adjust your treatment plan as needed.