Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult
Adults who are struggling in their work or personal life, diagnosing ADHD can be a significant step in gaining control. checklist requires a thorough evaluation that may include reviews of school records and questionnaires completed by teachers and caregivers.
It is not uncommon for adults to be diagnosed with ADHD. Check out NIMH for suggestions on talking with your health professional about the disorder.
Diagnosis
It is essential to be diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood. This will help you gain control over the symptoms that can cause havoc in your professional and personal life. First, you must consult your GP or an expert in mental health who has experience in treating adults suffering from ADHD. If your GP doesn't have any knowledge of ADHD, they may recommend you to psychologist or psychiatrist for an assessment.
A mental health professional would typically use a six question ADHD screener to determine if you have the condition. He or she will then ask you questions about your ADHD-like symptoms and examine your medical and family history to confirm that other conditions aren't causing them.
Because people with ADHD have a tendency to be unable to pay attention and are easily distracted, they often have trouble following instructions or listening during class or on the job. They often lose important items for tasks or activities such as wallets, keys and other tools. They may also have trouble staying focused during long lectures or reading assignments. Other signs of adult ADHD include fidgeting, talking or texting frequently or squirming around in their seats.
It is crucial to rule out other medical conditions in determining if a person has adult ADHD. This includes depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder. Stress and physical issues like thyroid problems can also be a source of ADHD symptoms. In the DSM-5 professionals are required to consider the severity of a person's symptoms when diagnosing them with ADHD. Mild, moderate and severe are the classifications for adult ADHD.
Many people suffering from ADHD live their entire lives without ever getting a diagnosis because it's not evident in the early years. For adults, a diagnosis could be a life-changing event because they finally understand the reasons why they struggled at school and never seemed to reach their potential at work or at home. They might feel guilty about blameing other people or themselves for their struggles, and they may be grieved over missed opportunities that could have been if they were treated properly.
Treatment
The first step in obtaining treatment for ADHD as an adult is to see the healthcare professional to have an assessment. This can be done in person or via video calls. Only psychiatrists, psychologists, and specialist nurses are qualified to diagnose ADHD in the UK. The professional will ask about your medical history, which includes mental health issues that are present in the family. This is because there are many physical and mental conditions that could cause symptoms similar to ADHD. These conditions must be ruled out in order to determine if you have ADHD.
The professional will ask you about your job and lifestyle, as well as how your symptoms affect your daily life. They will be particularly interested in whether you had signs of ADHD before the age of 12. They may also speak with people who were close to you as an infant and ask them about their memories.
A thorough medical history can aid the doctor in determining whether you need medication or other treatments. Certain medical conditions, like thyroid disorders, sleep apnea, and lead poisoning, can cause ADHD symptoms. Adults who have a history of depression or anxiety will need to be assessed and treated with more care, as these conditions often coexist.
If the professional believes you need medication, they will prescribe a suitable drug. The type of medication you need will depend on the severity of your symptoms and how they interfere with your life. The stimulants are the most frequently prescribed medication for ADHD. They are not for everyone, and the first drug you try might not work or cause unwanted adverse consequences. Your healthcare provider may ask whether you're taking any other medication. This includes over-the-counter drugs or supplements, as well as prescription drugs. Certain kinds of drugs can interact with ADHD stimulants.
Counseling is also an essential part of the treatment process for adults suffering from 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 time management and organization skills.
If you have a mental illness it is crucial to find an expert in healthcare who is trained in this condition. A psychiatrist or neurologist can diagnose and treat ADHD, but you might prefer to see psychologists or specialist therapists. These professionals will likely be more familiar with adults with ADHD and their challenges as well as having previous experience working with clients. You can search ADDitude or your local mental health services to find a specialist who is working with adults who suffer from ADHD.
Medication
A diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the first step to managing your symptoms and improving your life. If you're struggling to realize your full potential at work, have difficulty maintaining relationships, or are having trouble completing tasks at home then an ADHD diagnosis might be just what you need.
ADHD treatment for adults begins with a thorough interview and review of your medical history, including the symptoms you've experienced. The psychologist or psychiatrist will then determine if the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria for ADHD apply 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 frequently have coexisting disorders, including anxiety and depression. These disorders can trigger or worsen symptoms of ADHD, Jaksa says. Chronic stress and frustration over the lack of performance can cause feelings of low self-esteem, he says. "Getting an evaluation can help these individuals understand the root causes of their difficulties, which may reduce or reduce some of their worries and help them focus more productively on areas in which they excel," Jaksa says.
The best treatment for adults suffering from ADHD is usually the combination of medication and behavior therapy. Stimulants improve concentration, reduce impulsive behavior and aid in the process of organizing. These medications can boost moods and improve motivation in many instances. Some of the side effects of stimulants include insomnia and difficulties eating or drinking enough. Also, mood swings can occur in people who are taking stimulants to treat ADHD and they can be difficult to manage.
Discuss with your doctor about whether you're a good candidate for clinical trials of new treatments or medications. These studies help researchers find better methods to prevent, diagnose, or treat diseases and conditions.
Counseling
Untreated ADHD can cause problems in all aspects of your life. Your relationships, career and financial health can be negatively affected by procrastination, poor time management, impulsive spending and other signs. The first step to reduce the negative effects and getting back in control is to get diagnosed and seek treatment.
Many adults who are diagnosed with ADHD weren't diagnosed as children or because their families and teachers weren't aware of the condition or they had mild symptoms that were not spotted. Certain adults may have been able to manage their symptoms as children but struggled with their symptoms in adulthood due to increased work and family obligations.
To be diagnosed as having ADHD, mental health professionals must find that your symptoms are causing severe impairment in at minimum two areas of your life. The effects of ADHD can include losing your job due to a deficit in focus and organization skills, or being placed on academic probation in college due to your inability to study for tests.
Women tend to be better at hiding their symptoms than men, which may make it difficult for them to get a diagnosis. If, however, you are experiencing ADHD symptoms that affect your home and work life, being forthright about them with your doctor can speed up the process and allow you to take advantage of reasonable accommodations under the ADA and other workplace laws.
No matter what type of ADHD you have, your mental health professional will determine if your symptoms were present prior to age 12. They may request that you talk with people who knew you at this time period. They may also perform a series of tests to evaluate your attention and memory abilities.
When you receive the diagnosis your therapist will recommend a combination of medication and non-medication treatments to manage your symptoms. The majority of people will test different treatments before they find the one that works for them. It is recommended that you keep a journal of your progress and speak with your doctor on a regular basis so they can help adjust your treatment plan when needed.