Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult
For adults who find themselves struggling in their work or personal life and are unable to resolve the issue, identifying ADHD is a significant step towards getting control. A thorough assessment is required to determine if you have the diagnosis. This includes analyzing school records and questionnaires filled out by caregivers and teachers.
It is not uncommon for adults to be diagnosed with ADHD. NIMH provides tips on how to talk with your doctor about the condition.
Diagnosis
It is essential to be diagnosed with ADHD as you reach adulthood. This will help you manage the symptoms that can cause havoc in your personal and professional life. First, you must consult your GP or a mental health professional who has experience in treating adults with ADHD. If your GP does not have any experience in treating ADHD or other disorders, they could 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. They will ask you questions about your ADHD-like symptoms and examine your medical history and family history to determine if other conditions aren't contributing to them.
People with ADHD tend to be easily distracted and miss important details. They often have difficulty following instructions in class or at work. They tend to lose things essential to their tasks or activities, like keys, wallets and tools. They may also have difficulty staying focused while reading or listening to long speeches. Fidgeting, over-talking or texting or squirming are other signs of adult ADHD.
It is important to rule other conditions out when determining if someone has adult ADHD. This includes depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder. Stress and physical ailments like thyroid issues can cause ADHD symptoms. The DSM-5 now requires doctors to determine the severity of a person's symptoms are when diagnosing the disorder. Mild, moderate and severe are the three categories for adults with ADHD.
Many people with ADHD have a lifelong struggle without ever being diagnosed because it's not obvious during childhood. For adults, a diagnosis could be a life-changing experience because they finally understand why they struggled in school and failed to attain their full potential at work or at home. They may feel guilty for being blamed for their problems and could be devastated by missed opportunities that could have been if they were treated properly.
Treatment
To get treatment for ADHD for adults The first step is to talk with an expert in the field of healthcare. This can be done in person or via video calls. In the UK only psychiatrists, psychologists and specialist nurses have the qualifications to diagnose ADHD. The professional will require information about your medical history as well as your family's mental health issues. This is due to the fact that there are a variety of mental and physical ailments that can cause symptoms similar to ADHD. These conditions need to be ruled out to determine if you have ADHD.
The professional will ask you about your work 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 might also interview people who knew you in your childhood and ask them about their experiences.
A thorough medical history can help your doctor decide if you need medication or another treatment. This is because certain medical conditions, such as thyroid problems, sleep apnea and lead poisoning may cause symptoms of ADHD. Adults with an underlying history of depression or anxiety might require a more thorough evaluation and treatment, because these conditions can be co-existing with ADHD.
If the professional believes you require medication they will prescribe a suitable medication. The type of medication you require is determined by your symptoms and the way they impact your life. Stimulants are the most commonly prescribed medication for ADHD. However, they're not suitable for everyone and the first stimulant you try might not be effective or have uncomfortable side effects. Your doctor may inquire whether you are taking other medication. This includes over-the-counter drugs, supplements, and prescription drugs. diagnosing adhd uk of drugs may interfere with ADHD stimulants.
Counseling is an important part of treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help you to cope better with feelings of anger and failure that are frequently associated with untreated ADHD. It can teach you how to control your anger, improve your time management and organizational abilities.
If you have mental illness it is crucial to find a doctor who is specialized in this condition. A psychiatrist or neurologist can diagnose and treat ADHD however, you may prefer to see an expert psychologist or therapist. These professionals are likely to be more familiar with the difficulties of treating adults with ADHD and have had experience in helping others who have similar issues. You can search ADDitude or contact your local mental health services to find a professional that assists adults with ADHD.
Medication
A diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the first step towards managing your symptoms and enhancing your life. If you've found it difficult to realize your maximum potential at work, find it difficult to maintain relationships, or have trouble finishing tasks at home, a diagnosis of ADHD might be the solution you've been searching for.
The first step to treat ADHD in adults is thorough medical history, including your symptoms. The psychologist or psychiatrist determines if you meet the criteria 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 who suffer from untreated ADHD are frequently co-morbid with other disorders, such as depression and anxiety. Jaksa says that these disorders can cause or worsen symptoms of ADHD. He also says that constant stress and frustration due to low performance can cause feelings of self-esteem loss. "Getting diagnosed can help them gain a perspective on the causes of their struggles. This may alleviate or eliminate their anxiety and help them concentrate more productively on areas where they excel," Jaksa states.
Adults with ADHD are typically treated with a combination of medications in conjunction with behavior therapy. Stimulants can improve concentration, decrease impulsive behavior and help with organization. These drugs can improve moods and boost motivation in many instances. Some of the side effects of stimulants include insomnia and difficulty eating or drinking enough. Certain people who use stimulants to treat ADHD can experience mood swings that can be difficult to manage.
Talk to your health care provider regarding whether you're suitable for clinical trials of new treatments or medications. These studies assist researchers in finding better ways to prevent, diagnose, or treat diseases and conditions.
Counseling
Untreated ADHD can lead to problems in all areas of your life. Procrastination and other signs can negatively impact your relationships, career, and financial health. 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 were not diagnosed as children or because their families and teachers were not aware of the disorder or because they displayed mild symptoms which were not noticed. Some might have had the ability to manage their symptoms during childhood, but struggled as they grew older when their family and work responsibilities increased.
To determine if you have ADHD mental health professionals must determine that your symptoms cause significant impairment in two areas of your daily life. The effects of ADHD can include losing your job due to a decline in organization and focus or being placed on academic probation in college because you are unable to do well on tests.
Women are better at hiding symptoms than men. This makes it harder for women to be diagnosed. If you're suffering from ADHD symptoms that affect your life at work or at home it is possible to speed up the diagnosis process by being open 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 type of ADHD you have, will be looking to determine if your symptoms began before the age of 12. They may request that you talk with people who knew you during this time and may also take a number of tests to assess your attention and memory abilities.
After receiving a diagnosis, the therapist will recommend a combination medication and non-medication therapy to help manage your symptoms. The majority of people will test different treatments before they find the one that works best for them. It is recommended that you keep track of your progress and speak with your doctor on a regular basis so they can assist in adjusting your treatment plan according to your needs.