Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult
Adults who are struggling in their personal or professional lives can benefit from diagnosing ADHD. A thorough assessment is required to determine if you have an accurate diagnosis. This includes reviewing school records and questionnaires completed by teachers and caregivers.
The majority of people with ADHD have symptoms from the age of three, and it's not unusual to be diagnosed as an adult. NIMH has guidelines on how to talk with your doctor about the condition.
Diagnosis
Getting diagnosed with ADHD as an adult is often the first step to gain control over the symptoms that can cause havoc on a person's professional and personal lives. The first step is to talk to your GP or seek out a mental health professional with expertise in treating adults with ADHD. If your GP does not have any experience in treating ADHD or other disorders, they could refer you to either psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct an assessment.
A mental health professional would typically use a six question ADHD screener to determine if you have the condition. Then, he or she will talk to you about your symptoms and review your medical history and family history to confirm that any other conditions are not causing your symptoms of ADHD.
Because people who suffer from ADHD are more likely to be unable to pay attention and are easily distracted, they often have trouble following instructions or listening during class or at work. They are often unable to locate important items needed for their tasks like keys, wallets, and tools. They may also have trouble staying focused while reading or listening to long speeches. Other symptoms of adult ADHD include fidgeting, talking or texting excessively or squirming in the seat.
In determining if someone suffers from adult ADHD, it is important to rule out other conditions that can cause similar symptoms, like anxiety, depression bipolar disorder, anxiety and addiction to drugs. adhd diagnosis uk adults and physical ailments like thyroid issues can cause ADHD symptoms. The DSM-5 now requires professionals to consider the severity of the symptoms a person's experiences are before identifying him or her with the disorder. Mild moderate, severe, and mild are the classifications for adult ADHD.
Many people suffering from ADHD live their entire lives without ever receiving a diagnosis because it's not obvious in the early years. A diagnosis can alter the course of a person's life, as they can now see the reasons why they struggled in school and didn't reach their full potential at work or at home. They might feel guilty about blaming others or themselves for their troubles and could be grieved over missed opportunities that could have been if they were treated properly.
Treatment
To get treatment for ADHD in adults The first step is to speak with a healthcare professional. This can be accomplished in person or via video call. In the UK only psychologists, psychiatrists, and specialist nurses are qualified to diagnose ADHD. The specialist will inquire about your medical history, which includes mental health issues in the family. This is because many physical and emotional conditions can cause symptoms similar to those of ADHD and need to be eliminated before a diagnosis can be made.
The expert will inquire about your work and lifestyle and how your symptoms impact your daily life. They will be particularly interested in whether or not you showed symptoms of ADHD prior to the age of 12. They might also talk to people who were close to you as an infant and inquire about their childhood memories.
A thorough medical history can help the doctor decide whether you require medication or other treatments. Some medical conditions such as sleep apnea, thyroid disorders, and lead poisoning, can trigger ADHD symptoms. Adults with a history depression or anxiety will need to be assessed and treated with greater care, as these conditions often occur in conjunction.
If a medical professional believes that you need medication, they will prescribe a suitable medicine. The type of medication you need depends on your symptoms and the way they impact your life. Stimulants are the most commonly prescribed drugs for ADHD. However, they are not suitable for everyone and the first stimulant you try may not be effective or have uncomfortable adverse side effects. Your healthcare provider might ask if you are taking any other medications. This includes prescription drugs or supplements as well as prescription drugs. Certain kinds of medications may interfere with ADHD stimulants.
Counseling is a crucial part of treatment for adults with ADHD. Individual therapy can help you deal better with feelings of anger, failure and underachievement that are often associated with untreated ADHD. It can help you learn to manage your anger, improve your time management and organization abilities.
It's important to seek out a healthcare professional that specializes in mental disorders. A psychiatrist or neurologist can diagnose and treat ADHD however, you may prefer to consult an expert psychologist or therapist. These professionals are likely to be more knowledgeable about the difficulties of treating adults with ADHD and have worked with other clients with similar struggles. You can check with your local mental health services or ADDitude's directory to find a professional who can assist adults with ADHD.
Medication
If you are an adult who has had to deal with ADHD, getting a diagnosis is the first step towards addressing your symptoms and improving your quality of life. If you're struggling to achieve your full potential in the workplace or have trouble maintaining relationships, or have difficulty completing tasks at home, an ADHD diagnosis could be just what you need.
The first step in treating ADHD in adults is an extensive medical history review, which includes your symptoms. 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), 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 afflicted with disorders like anxiety and depression. Jaksa says that these conditions can cause or worsen symptoms of ADHD. He also says that constant anxiety and frustration resulting from poor performance can lead to feelings of self-esteem loss. "Getting a diagnosis can help them get a better understanding of the root causes of their issues and may help to alleviate or reduce some of their worries and help them focus more productively on the areas where they excel," Jaksa says.
The most effective treatment for adults suffering from ADHD is usually a combination of therapy and medication. Stimulants can boost concentration, decrease impulsive behaviors and help with organization. In many instances, these medications can also enhance motivation and mood. The negative effects of stimulants are insomnia and difficulty eating or drinking enough. Certain people who use stimulants to treat ADHD may suffer from mood swings that may be difficult to manage.
Discuss with your doctor about whether you would be a good candidate for clinical trials of upcoming treatments or drugs. These studies aid researchers in discovering more effective ways to diagnose and treat illnesses, as well as prevent them from occurring.
Counseling
Untreated ADHD can cause issues in all areas of your life. Procrastination and other symptoms can negatively impact your relationships as well as your career and financial health. The first step to reduce the negative effects and regaining 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 were unaware of the condition or they had minor symptoms that were not noticed. Certain adults may have been able manage their symptoms in childhood, but had difficulty with these issues in adulthood due the increased demands of work and family.
To be diagnosed as having ADHD, mental health professionals must determine that your symptoms cause significant impairment in at least two aspects of your life. In the event of impairment, it could result in losing your job because of lack of focus and organization skills or being put on academic probation in college due to inability to do well on tests.
Women are more adept in hiding their symptoms than men, which may make it harder for them to get an accurate diagnosis. If you have ADHD symptoms that impact your work or home life, you can accelerate the process of diagnosing by being honest with your doctor. You might also be able to get reasonable accommodations under ADA laws as well as other workplace laws.
Your mental health professional, regardless of the type of ADHD that you have will be interested in knowing if your symptoms began before the age of 12. They may suggest that you speak to people who were close to you at the time, and they may conduct a series of tests to assess your attention and memory.
When you receive a diagnosis, your therapist will recommend the use of a combination of medication and non-medication therapies to treat your symptoms. A majority of patients will try a variety of different therapies before they can find the one that works for them. Keep a log of your progress, and visit your doctor regularly to adjust your treatment plan as necessary.