Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult
For adults who find themselves struggling professionally or personally, diagnosing ADHD can be a significant step in gaining control. A thorough examination is necessary for determining a diagnosis. This includes analyzing school records as well as questionnaires that are completed by teachers and caregivers.
Most people suffering from ADHD live with symptoms from the age of five, and it's not unusual to be diagnosed with it in adulthood. NIMH provides tips on how to talk with your doctor about the condition.
Diagnosis
It is important to get diagnosed with ADHD at an early age. This will help you manage the symptoms that can cause chaos in your personal and professional life. The first step is to consult your GP or an expert in mental health who has experience in treating adults suffering from ADHD. If your GP does not have any experience with ADHD, they may refer you to psychologist or psychiatrist for an assessment.
A mental health professional will usually use a six question ADHD screener to determine if you are suffering from the condition. They will ask you questions about the symptoms of ADHD 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 crucial details. They often have difficulty following directions in class or at work. They often lose important items for tasks or activities such as wallets, keys, and tools. They may also have trouble staying focused during long speeches or reading assignments. Fidgeting, excessive talk or texting, or squirming, are other symptoms of adult ADHD.
When determining whether a person has adult ADHD It is crucial to rule out other conditions that may cause similar symptoms, including anxiety, depression bipolar disorder, depression and substance abuse. Stress and certain physical conditions like thyroid problems can be a source of symptoms similar to ADHD. In the DSM-5 professionals are now required to consider the severity of a person's symptoms when diagnosing them with ADHD. Mild, moderate and severe are the categories used to describe adult ADHD.
Many people with ADHD go their whole lives without ever receiving a diagnosis because it's not obvious in the early years. For adults, a diagnosis could be a life-changing revelation because they can finally understand the reasons why they struggled at school and failed to reach their potential at work or at home. They may feel guilty for blameing other people or themselves for their problems and may also 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 the healthcare professional to get an assessment. This can be conducted in person or by video call. Only psychiatrists, psychologists and specialist nurses are qualified to diagnose ADHD in the UK. The doctor will inquire about your medical history, including mental health issues within the family. This is because there are many mental and physical conditions that could cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD. These conditions must be ruled out to make a diagnosis.
The expert will also inquire about your lifestyle and work and how your symptoms impact your daily life. They will be particularly interested in whether you displayed symptoms of ADHD prior to the age of 12. They might also interview people who knew you as a child and ask about their memories.
A thorough medical history will aid your doctor to determine whether you require medication or any other treatment. Certain medical conditions, such as sleep apnea, thyroid disorders and lead poisoning can trigger ADHD symptoms. Adults with a history anxiety or depression will require evaluation and treated with greater care, as these conditions often coexist.
If a professional believes that you need medication, he/she will prescribe the appropriate medication. The type of medicine you need will depend on your symptoms and how they impact your life. The most commonly used medication prescribed for ADHD, are stimulants. However, they're not for everyone and the first one you try may not be effective or trigger unpleasant side effects. Your healthcare provider might ask whether you are taking other medication. This includes over-the-counter drugs, supplements, and prescription drugs. Certain types of drugs can interact with ADHD stimulants.
Counseling is a crucial aspect of treatment for adults with ADHD. Individual therapy can help you cope with feelings of failure or underachievement that are frequently associated with untreated ADHD. It can also help 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. However, you may prefer to consult a specialist psychotherapist. These professionals will likely have more experience with adult ADHD and their struggles, as well as having experience working with other clients. You can inquire with your local mental health service or ADDitude's directory to find a professional who works with adults with ADHD.
Medication
If you are an adult who has struggled with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, getting a diagnosis is the first step towards addressing your symptoms and improving your quality of life. If you've struggled to reach your maximum potential at work, find it difficult to maintain relationships or have trouble finishing tasks at home and at work, a diagnosis of ADHD might be the solution you've been seeking.
The first step in treating ADHD for adults is an extensive medical history, including your symptoms. The psychologist or psychiatrist determines whether you meet 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 are often co-morbid with disorders like anxiety and depression. These conditions can cause or worsen the symptoms of ADHD, Jaksa says. Stress and frustration from poor performance can also result in feelings of low self-esteem, he adds. "Getting diagnosed will help them get a better understanding of the causes of their struggles. This may reduce or eliminate their worries and enable them to concentrate more productively on areas in which they excel," Jaksa states.
Adults with ADHD are typically treated by a combination of medication in conjunction with behavior therapy. Stimulants can boost concentration, decrease impulsive behaviors and help with organization. These drugs can improve moods and increase motivation in many cases. People who are taking stimulants must be aware of possible negative effects, which could include insomnia and trouble with eating or drinking enough. Some people who take stimulants to treat ADHD can have mood swings that could be difficult to manage.
Discuss with your health care provider about whether you're a good candidate for clinical trials of novel treatments or medications. These studies assist researchers in finding better methods to detect and treat or prevent diseases.
Counseling
If you have untreated ADHD, it can cause a variety of problems in all areas of your life. Your relationships, work and financial health may be negatively impacted by procrastination, poor time management, impulsive spending and other symptoms. Getting a diagnosis and seeking treatment is the first step in reducing these negative impacts and regaining control over your life.
Many adults diagnosed with ADHD were not diagnosed as children because their parents and teachers weren't aware of the disorder or they had minor symptoms that weren't recognized. Others might have managed their symptoms as children but struggled as they grew older when their work and family responsibilities increased.
In order to be diagnosed with ADHD mental health professionals must find that your symptoms are causing severe impairment in at least two areas of your life. In the event of an impairment, you could lose your job due to a decline in focus and organization skills or being placed on academic probation in college because you're unable to concentrate on your tests.
Women are more adept at avoiding symptoms than men. This can make it more difficult for women to be diagnosed. However, if you are struggling with ADHD symptoms that are affecting your home and work life speaking up with your doctor will help accelerate the process and allow you to benefit from reasonable accommodations under ADA and other workplace laws.
Your mental health professional regardless of the kind of ADHD you suffer from will want to know the time when your symptoms began. the age of 12. undiagnosed adult adhd may ask to speak to people who were close to you at this time, and may also conduct a series of tests to measure your memory and attention.
After receiving an assessment, the doctor will suggest a combination of medication and non-medication treatment to help manage your symptoms. Most people will try several different methods before they discover the one that works for them. Keep a log of your progress, and consult your physician regularly to alter your treatment plan if needed.