Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult
Adults who are struggling in their work or personal life and are unable to resolve the issue, identifying ADHD could be a crucial step towards taking control. A thorough examination is necessary to make the diagnosis. This involves examining school records as well as questionnaires that are completed by caregivers and teachers.
It is not uncommon for adults to be diagnosed with ADHD. See NIMH for tips on talking to your health care provider about the disorder.
Diagnosis
Being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult is usually the first step to gain control over symptoms that wreak havoc on one's professional and personal lives. The first step is to consult your GP or a mental health professional who has experience treating adults suffering from ADHD. If your GP isn't familiar with ADHD and/or ADHD, they might refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist for assessment.
Typically an expert in mental health will employ a six-question ADHD screener to determine if you might have the disorder, says Adler. They will ask you questions about your symptoms that are similar to ADHD and look over your medical history and family history to determine if other medical conditions aren't the cause of them.
People suffering from ADHD are prone to being easily distracted and forgetting crucial details. They have a difficult time following directions in class or at work. They are more likely to lose items essential to their tasks or activities, including tools, wallets, and keys. They might also have difficulty staying focused when listening to long speeches. Fidgeting, excessive talking or texting or squirming are other symptoms of adult ADHD.
When determining whether a person has adult ADHD, it is important to eliminate other conditions that may cause similar symptoms, like anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder and substance abuse. Stress and physical conditions like thyroid issues can mimic ADHD symptoms. The DSM-5 is now requiring professionals to determine how severe a person's symptoms are when diagnosing them with the condition. Adult ADHD is classified as moderate, mild or severe.
Many people suffering from ADHD do not receive a diagnosis in childhood, because it's not evident. For adults, being diagnosed can be a life-changing experience because they can finally understand the reasons why they struggled at school and never seemed to attain their full potential at work or at home. They may feel guilt-ridden for blaming their troubles on themselves or others and may experience regret over missed opportunities that could have been a reality when they were properly treated.
Treatment
The first step in getting treatment for ADHD as an adult is to visit a medical professional for an assessment. This can be done in person or through a video chat. Only psychiatrists, psychologists, and specialist nurses are qualified to diagnose ADHD in the UK. The specialist will want to know your medical history and family-related mental health issues. This is because there are a variety of mental and physical ailments that could cause symptoms similar to ADHD. These conditions must be ruled out to determine if you have ADHD.
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 had signs of ADHD prior to the age of 12 years old. They might also interview people who were close to you as a child and ask about their experiences.
A thorough medical history will aid the doctor in determining if you need medication or other treatments. Some medical conditions such as sleep apnea, thyroid disorders and lead poisoning can cause ADHD symptoms. Adults who have a history of anxiety or depression will need to be evaluated and treated with more care because these conditions frequently occur in conjunction.
If how to get adult adhd diagnosis believes that you need medication, he or she will prescribe the right medication. The kind of medication you need depends on your symptoms and how they impact your life. Stimulants are the most commonly prescribed medication for ADHD. They aren't for all people and the first treatment you try might not work or cause unwanted adverse effects. Your doctor will want to know if you use any other medication such as over-the-counter medications and supplements, as certain kinds of medications can interact with ADHD stimulants.
Counseling is also an important part of the treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help you deal with the feelings of failure, underachievement and frustration that are frequently associated with untreated ADHD. It can also help you 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 is able to diagnose and treat ADHD. However, you may prefer to consult a specialist therapist. They are likely to be more familiar with adults with ADHD and their struggles and also have worked with other clients. You can search ADDitude or your local mental health services to find a specialist who assists adults with ADHD.
Medication
If you are an adult who has had to deal with ADHD and is diagnosed, it's the first step towards addressing your symptoms and improving your life. If you've been unable to realize your full potential at work, find it difficult to maintain relationships, or struggle to complete tasks at home and at work, a diagnosis of ADHD might be the answer you have been seeking.
ADHD treatment for adults starts with an extensive interview and a review of your medical history, including the symptoms you've experienced. The psychiatrist or psychologist determines if 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 who are not treated for ADHD frequently have coexisting disorders, such as anxiety and depression. Jaksa says that these conditions can exacerbate or cause symptoms of ADHD. Stress and frustration from inadequate performance can cause feelings of low self-esteem he says. "Getting a diagnose can help these individuals gain a perspective on the root of their issues. This could help reduce or eliminate their worries and enable them to focus more effectively on areas where they excel," Jaksa states.
The best treatment for adults suffering from ADHD is usually the combination of behavior therapy and medication. Stimulants improve concentration, reduce impulse-driven behavior and aid in organizing. In many cases these drugs can enhance motivation and mood. The negative effects of stimulants are insomnia and difficulty drinking or eating enough. People who take stimulants to treat ADHD can experience mood swings that can be difficult for them to manage.
Talk to your health care provider regarding whether you're suitable for clinical trials of novel treatments or drugs. These studies assist researchers in finding better ways to prevent, diagnose, or treat diseases and conditions.
Counseling
If you are suffering from untreated ADHD the disorder can lead to many issues in every area of your life. Your relationships, work and financial health may be negatively affected by procrastination, poor time management, excessive spending and other symptoms. Finding a doctor and seeking treatment is the first step to lessening the negative effects and regaining control of your life.
Many adults who are diagnosed with ADHD were not diagnosed as children, either because their family and teachers were not aware of the disorder, or because they showed mild symptoms that were not spotted. Some adults may have been able manage their symptoms in childhood, but were unable to manage these issues in adulthood due the increased demands of work and family.
To be diagnosed as having ADHD mental health professionals must find that your symptoms cause significant impairment in at least two aspects 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 concentrate on your tests.
Women are more adept at hiding their symptoms than men, which could make it harder for them to get an accurate diagnosis. If you have ADHD symptoms that affect your life at work or at home it is possible to accelerate the process of diagnosis by being honest with your doctor. You might also be able to receive reasonable accommodations under ADA laws and other workplace laws.
Your mental health professional regardless of the kind of ADHD you suffer from will be looking to determine the time when your symptoms began. the age of 12. They might ask you to talk to people who were close to you at this time, and they may also administer a series tests to measure your memory and attention.
After receiving an diagnosis, your therapist will recommend a combination medication and non-medication therapy to help manage your symptoms. Most people will try several different therapies before they can find the one that works best for them. Keep a journal of your progress, and consult your physician regularly to alter your treatment plan as necessary.