Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult
For adults who are struggling in their work or personal life, diagnosing ADHD could be a crucial step in taking control. A diagnosis requires a thorough evaluation which may include a review of school records and questionnaires completed by caregivers and teachers.
Most people suffering from ADHD suffer from symptoms from the age of five, and it's not uncommon to be diagnosed as an adult. NIMH offers tips on how to talk with your doctor about the condition.
Diagnosis
Being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult is usually the first step in gaining control over symptoms that wreak havoc on a person's personal and professional lives. First, you must consult your GP or a mental health specialist who has experience treating adults suffering from ADHD. If your doctor does not have any experience with ADHD or other disorders, they could refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist for an assessment.
Typically an expert in mental health will use the six-question ADHD screener to determine whether you are susceptible to the condition, according to Adler. The doctor will interview you about the symptoms of ADHD and look over your medical and family history to determine if other conditions aren't contributing to them.
People with ADHD are prone to being easily distracted and forgetting important details. They have a difficult time following instructions in class or at work. They tend to lose things essential to their tasks or activities, such as keys, wallets and tools. how to get an adult adhd diagnosis might also have difficulty staying focused while listening to or reading long speeches. Other signs of adult ADHD include fidgeting, talking or texting excessively or squirming in the seat.
When determining whether a person has adult ADHD it is essential to rule out other conditions that can cause similar symptoms, like depression, anxiety bipolar disorder, depression and substance abuse. Stress and certain physical conditions such as thyroid issues can also mimic the symptoms of ADHD. The DSM-5 is now requiring professionals to assess how severe a person's symptoms are when determining if they have diagnosed the condition. Adult ADHD is classified as mild, moderate or severe.
Many people with ADHD live their entire lives without ever being diagnosed because it's not obvious during childhood. A diagnosis can change the course of a person's life as they understand why they struggled at school and failed to reach their full potential at work or at home. They might feel guilty about blameing other people or themselves for their problems and could be resentful over missed opportunities when they were treated with respect.
Treatment
The first step to receive treatment for ADHD as an adult is to consult a medical professional to get an assessment. This can be done either in person or by video call. Only psychiatrists, psychologists and specialist nurses are able to diagnose ADHD in the UK. The doctor will inquire about your medical history, which includes mental health issues that are present in the family. This is due to the fact that a number of physical and emotional issues can cause symptoms similar to those of ADHD and need to be addressed before the diagnosis can be made.
The expert will also inquire about your work and lifestyle, and how your symptoms impact your daily life. They are particularly interested in whether or not you showed symptoms of ADHD prior to the age of 12 years. They might also interview those who knew you in childhood and ask them about their experiences.
A thorough medical history can aid the doctor in determining if you require medication or other treatments. This is due to the fact that certain medical conditions, including sleep apnea, thyroid problems and lead poisoning, can trigger symptoms of ADHD. Adults who have a history of anxiety or depression need to be evaluated and treated with more care because these conditions frequently coexist.
If a medical professional believes that you need medication, they will prescribe a suitable drug. The type of medication you will require will depend on the severity of your symptoms and how they interfere with your daily routine. Stimulants are the most commonly prescribed medication for ADHD. However, they're not right for everyone and the first one you try may not be effective or cause bothersome side effects. Your healthcare provider might ask whether you're taking any other medication. This includes prescription drugs, supplements, and prescription drugs. Certain kinds of drugs may interfere with ADHD stimulants.
Counseling is also an important element of the treatment process for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help you cope with the feelings of disappointment, underachievement and frustration that are often associated with untreated ADHD. It can help you learn to manage your anger, improve your time management and organizational skills.
It is crucial to find an expert in healthcare who specializes in mental disorders. A psychiatrist or neurologist is able to diagnose and treat ADHD. However you might prefer to seek out a specialist therapist. These professionals are likely to be more knowledgeable about the difficulties of treating adults with ADHD and have experience helping others who have similar issues. You can use search engines like ADDitude or your local mental health clinic to find a professional that is working with adults who suffer from ADHD.
Medication
A diagnosis of ADHD is the first step towards 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 could be the answer you've been looking for.
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 criteria 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 frequently have coexisting disorders, like depression and anxiety. These conditions can cause or worsen the symptoms of ADHD, Jaksa says. Stress and frustration from the lack of performance can cause feelings of self-doubt, Jaksa says. "Getting diagnosed can help them gain a perspective on the reasons behind their struggles. This can help to reduce or eliminate their anxieties and enable them to concentrate more productively on areas where they excel," Jaksa states.
The most effective treatment for adults suffering from ADHD is usually the combination of therapy and medication. Stimulants can boost concentration, decrease impulsive behavior and aid in achieving organization. In many cases, these medications can also improve mood and increase motivation. People who take stimulants should be aware of possible adverse effects, such as insomnia and difficulty eating or drinking enough. Certain people who use stimulants to treat ADHD may have mood swings that could be difficult to manage.
Talk to your doctor about whether you're suitable for clinical trials of novel treatments or medicines. These studies assist researchers in finding more effective ways to prevent, diagnose or treat conditions and diseases.
Counseling
If you are suffering from untreated ADHD, it can cause many issues throughout your life. Your relationships, career and financial health may be negatively impacted by procrastination or poor time management, impulsive spending, and other symptoms. The first step to reducing the negative effects and getting back in control is to get a diagnosis and seek treatment.
Many adults who are diagnosed with ADHD didn't receive a diagnosis as children, because their teachers and family weren't aware of the disorder or they had mild symptoms that were not noticed. Some adults might have been able to manage their symptoms in childhood, but had difficulty with these issues in adulthood due increased work and family obligations.
To diagnose ADHD, mental health professionals need to find that your symptoms cause significant impairment in two areas of your everyday life. In the event of an impairment, you could lose your job due to a decline in organization and focus, or being placed on academic probation at college because you are unable to do well on tests.
Women are more adept at hiding symptoms than men. This can make it more difficult for them to receive a diagnosis. If, however, you are suffering from ADHD symptoms that are affecting your life at work and at home and family life, speaking openly about them with your doctor can speed up the process and enable you to get reasonable accommodations under the ADA and other workplace laws.
Your mental health professional, regardless of the type of ADHD you suffer from, will be interested in knowing whether your symptoms started before the age of 12. They may ask you to talk to people who knew you during this period and could perform a series of tests to determine your attention and memory levels.
If you're given a diagnosis the therapist will suggest the use of a combination of medication and non-medication therapies to manage your symptoms. The majority of people will test different therapies before they can find the one that works best for them. It is recommended that you keep a journal of your progress and speak with your doctor regularly so they can assist in adjusting your treatment plan according to your needs.