Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult
Adults who are struggling in their personal or professional lives may benefit from a diagnosis of ADHD. A diagnosis requires a thorough evaluation that may include reviews of school records and questionnaires completed by caregivers and teachers.
Most people suffering from ADHD have symptoms from the age of five, and it's not unusual to be diagnosed with it as an adult. NIMH offers tips on how to talk with your doctor about the condition.
Diagnosis
It is crucial to be diagnosed with ADHD as you reach adulthood. This will help you get control of the symptoms that can cause a lot of trouble in your professional and personal life. First, you should consult your GP or a mental health specialist who has experience treating adults with ADHD. If your GP is unfamiliar with ADHD, he or she may refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct an assessment.
A mental health professional will usually use a six question ADHD screener to determine if you suffer from the condition. Then, he will interview you about your symptoms and look at your family history and medical history to confirm that any other conditions are not causing your ADHD-like symptoms.
People with ADHD are prone to being easily distracted and miss crucial details. https://www.iampsychiatry.com/private-adhd-assessment may have trouble following directions in class or at work. They are more likely to lose items essential to their tasks or activities, like tools, wallets, keys and wallets. They may also have trouble staying focused while listening to long speeches. Other symptoms of adult ADHD include fidgeting, texting or talking frequently or squirming around in the seat.
When determining whether a person has adult ADHD it is essential to rule out other conditions that could cause similar symptoms, like depression, anxiety bipolar disorder, anxiety and abuse of substances. Stress and other physical ailments like thyroid issues could also mimic the symptoms of ADHD. The DSM-5 is now requiring professionals to assess how severe a person's symptoms are when diagnosing him or her with the disorder. Adult ADHD is classified as mild, moderate or severe.
Many people who suffer from ADHD do not receive a diagnosis in childhood, because it's not evident. For adults, a diagnosis could be a life-changing experience because they finally understand the reasons why they struggled at school and never seemed to attain their full potential at work or at home. Some may even feel guilty for blaming their problems on themselves or others, and they can experience regret over missed opportunities that could have been achieved if they had been properly treated.
Treatment
The first step in getting treatment for ADHD as an adult is to visit a healthcare professional to get an assessment. This can be accomplished in person or via video call. Only psychiatrists, psychologists and specialist nurses are qualified to diagnose ADHD in the UK. The doctor will require information about your medical history as well as family-related mental health issues. This is due to the fact that a number of physical and emotional issues can trigger symptoms similar to those that occur in ADHD and need to be ruled out before the diagnosis is made.
The doctor will inquire about your work and lifestyle and how your symptoms impact your daily life. They are particularly interested in whether or not you had signs of ADHD prior to the age of 12. They may also wish to interview those who knew you as a child and ask about their memories.
A detailed medical history can aid your doctor in determining if you need medication or other treatment. Certain medical conditions, such as sleep apnea, thyroid disorders and lead poisoning can cause ADHD symptoms. Adults who have an history of anxiety or depression may need more careful assessment and treatment, as these conditions can be co-existing with ADHD.
If a doctor believes you need medication, he or she will prescribe the right medication. The type of medication you require is determined by your symptoms and how they affect your life. The most commonly used medication prescribed for ADHD, are stimulants. However, they're not for everyone and the first one you try might not be effective or cause uncomfortable adverse effects. Your doctor may inquire if you are taking any other medication. This includes over-the-counter medications or supplements, as well as prescription drugs. Certain kinds of drugs can interfere with ADHD stimulants.
Counseling is also an essential component of the treatment process for adults with ADHD. Individual therapy can help you to cope better with feelings of anger, failure and underachievement that are often associated with untreated ADHD. It can help you learn to manage your anger, as well as improve your time management and organization skills.
If you have a mental illness, it's important to find a doctor who is specialized in this condition. A psychiatrist or neurologist can diagnose and treat ADHD, but you might prefer to see an expert psychologist or therapist. These specialists are likely to be more knowledgeable about the difficulties of treating adults with ADHD and have had experience in helping other clients with similar struggles. You can check with your local mental health clinic or ADDitude's directory to find a professional who is working with adults suffering from ADHD.
Medication
If you're an adult who has struggled with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and is diagnosed, it's the first step toward managing your symptoms and improving your life. If you're struggling to realize your full potential in the workplace or in maintaining relationships, or have trouble completing tasks at home and at work, an ADHD diagnosis might be just what you require.
ADHD treatment for adults begins with an extensive interview and a review of your medical history, which includes the symptoms you've been experiencing. 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 are frequently co-morbid with other disorders, such as depression and anxiety. Jaksa says that these conditions can worsen or cause symptoms of ADHD. Chronic stress and frustration over the lack of performance can cause feelings of self-doubt, Jaksa says. "Getting a diagnosis can help these individuals get a better understanding of the root causes of their issues which can help alleviate or reduce some of their worries and help them concentrate more effectively on the areas where they excel," Jaksa says.
Adults suffering from ADHD are usually treated best with a combination of medications and behavior therapy. Stimulants improve concentration, reduce impulsive behavior and aid in organization. In many cases they can enhance motivation and mood. People who take stimulants should be aware of potential side effects, which include insomnia and difficulty drinking or eating enough. Also, mood swings can occur in those who take stimulants to treat ADHD and can be difficult to manage.
Talk to your doctor about whether or not you're a candidate for clinical trials of new medications or treatments. These studies aid researchers in finding more effective ways to prevent, diagnose or treat diseases and conditions.
Counseling
Untreated ADHD can lead to issues in all areas of your life. Procrastination and other signs can negatively impact your relationships and career as well as financial health. Getting a diagnosis and seeking treatment is the first step towards reducing these negative impacts and regaining control over your life.
Many adults who are diagnosed with ADHD were not diagnosed when they were children because their teachers and family weren't aware of the disorder or they had minor symptoms that weren't recognized. Some might have had the ability to manage their symptoms as children but struggled later in life when their work and family obligations increased.
In order to be diagnosed as having ADHD mental health professionals must determine that your symptoms are causing severe impairment in at least two areas of your life. The effects of ADHD can include losing your job due to a lack in focus and organization skills, or being placed on academic probation at college due to your inability to do well on tests.
Women are better in hiding their symptoms than men. This makes it harder for women to be diagnosed. If you have ADHD symptoms that affect your work or home life, you can accelerate the process of diagnosis by being upfront with your doctor. You may also be able to get reasonable accommodations under ADA laws as well as other workplace laws.
Your mental health professional regardless of the kind of ADHD you suffer from, will be interested in knowing whether your symptoms started before the age of 12. They may request that you talk with people who knew you at this time and may also perform a series of tests to determine your attention and memory abilities.
After receiving a diagnosis, the doctor will suggest a combination of medication and non-medication treatment to manage your symptoms. The majority of patients will try a few different treatments before they find the best one. Keep a record of your progress and make sure to consult your doctor frequently to modify your treatment plan as necessary.