Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult
Adults who are struggling in their personal or professional lives can benefit from diagnosing ADHD. A thorough examination is necessary for determining a diagnosis. This includes reviewing school records and questionnaires that are completed by caregivers and teachers.
It is not unusual for adults to be diagnosed with ADHD. NIMH offers tips on how to talk with your doctor about the condition.
Diagnosis
It is essential to be diagnosed with ADHD at an early age. This will allow you to get control of the symptoms that can cause havoc in your personal and professional life. The first step is to consult your GP or a mental health professional who has experience in treating adults suffering from ADHD. If your GP doesn't have any knowledge of ADHD and is unable to help, they can refer you to psychologist or psychiatrist for an assessment.
A mental health professional will typically employ a six-question ADHD screener to determine if you are suffering from the condition. Then, he or she will talk to you about your symptoms and look at your medical history and family history to make sure that any other conditions are not causing your ADHD-like symptoms.
People with ADHD are prone to being easily distracted and can miss crucial details. They may have trouble following instructions in class or at work. They often lose things essential to their tasks or activities, such as keys, wallets and tools. They might also have difficulty staying focused when listening to or reading long speeches. Fidgeting, excessive talking or texting, or squirming, are other signs of adult ADHD.
It is essential to rule out other medical conditions when determining whether someone suffers from adult ADHD. This includes depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder. Stress and physical conditions like thyroid issues can be a source of ADHD symptoms. In the DSM-5 professionals are required to take into consideration the severity of a person's symptoms when diagnosing them as having ADHD. Adult ADHD is classified as mild, moderate or severe.
Many people who suffer from ADHD do not receive a diagnosis in childhood because it is not readily apparent. A diagnosis can change the course of a person's life, as they can now see why they struggled at school and never reached their full potential at work or at home. Some may even feel guilty for blaming their problems on themselves or others and may experience sadness over the missed opportunities that could have been achieved if they had been properly treated.
Treatment
To seek treatment for ADHD in adults the first step is to speak with an expert in healthcare. 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 specialist will inquire about your medical history, which includes mental health issues in the family. This is because many emotional and physical conditions can trigger symptoms similar to those of ADHD and must be eliminated before an assessment can be made.
The professional will ask you about your job and lifestyle, as well as how your symptoms impact your daily life. They are particularly interested in whether or not you showed signs of ADHD prior to the age of 12 years. They might also talk to people who were close to you as a child and inquire about their childhood memories.
A detailed medical history can aid your doctor to determine whether you require medication or another treatment. This is because certain medical conditions, including thyroid problems, sleep apnea and lead poisoning, can trigger symptoms of ADHD. Adults who have a history of depression or anxiety will need to be evaluated and treated with more care since these conditions can coexist.
If a doctor believes you require medication, they will prescribe the right medication. The kind of medication you need will depend on your symptoms and how they affect your life. Stimulants, the most common medication prescribed for ADHD are stimulants. They aren't for all people and the first treatment you try might not be effective or cause undesirable adverse consequences. Your doctor will be interested in knowing if you are taking any other medications, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements, as certain kinds of medications can interact with ADHD stimulants.
Counseling is an essential 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 teach you how to manage your anger, improve your time management and organization skills.
It's important to seek out a healthcare professional that specializes in mental illness. A psychiatrist or neurologist can diagnose and treat ADHD. However, you may prefer to consult a specialist therapist. These specialists are likely to be more familiar with adults with ADHD and their challenges as well as having worked with other clients. You can search ADDitude or visit your local mental health service to find a professional who assists adults with ADHD.
Medication
If you are an adult who has been struggling with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder getting a diagnosis is the first step toward managing your symptoms and improving your quality of life. If you are struggling to realize your full potential at work or have trouble maintaining relationships, or are having difficulty completing tasks at home and at work, an ADHD diagnosis could be the answer you've been looking for.
ADHD treatment for adults starts with an extensive interview and a review of your medical history, including the symptoms you've experienced. The psychologist or psychiatrist 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 who suffer from untreated ADHD are often co-morbid with disorders like anxiety and depression. adhd diagnosis uk adults can cause or worsen symptoms of ADHD, Jaksa says. He also says that constant anxiety and frustration resulting from low performance can cause feelings of low-self-esteem. "Getting an evaluation can help them get a better understanding of the root 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.
Adults with ADHD are usually treated best with a combination of medications in conjunction with behavior therapy. Stimulants increase concentration, decrease impulsive behavior and aid in the process of organizing. These drugs can improve moods and boost motivation in many instances. Some of the side effects of stimulants include insomnia and difficulty drinking or eating enough. People who take stimulants to treat ADHD may experience mood swings that can be difficult to manage.
Speak to your doctor about whether or not you are eligible for clinical trials of new medications or treatments. These studies help researchers discover better methods to detect and treat or prevent diseases.
Counseling
Untreated ADHD can cause problems in all areas of your life. Procrastination and other symptoms can negatively impact your relationships, career, and financial health. The first step to reduce the negative effects and getting back in control is to get a diagnosis and seek treatment.
Many adults diagnosed with ADHD weren't diagnosed as children or because their families and teachers were unaware of the condition or they displayed mild symptoms which were not noticed. Some might have been able to manage their symptoms in childhood but struggled as they grew older as their family and work responsibilities increased.
To diagnose ADHD Mental health professionals need to find that your symptoms are causing significant impairment in two areas of your everyday life. The impairment could mean losing your job because of an inability to focus and organizational skills or being placed on academic probation at college due to inability to learn for tests.
Women are better at avoiding symptoms than men. This makes it harder for them to receive a diagnosis. If, however, you are struggling with ADHD symptoms that are affecting your life at work and at home speaking up with your doctor can help accelerate the process and let you benefit from reasonable accommodations under ADA and other workplace laws.
Regardless of the type of ADHD you suffer from the mental health professional will determine if your symptoms started prior to the age of 12. They may suggest that you speak with people who were close to you at the time, and they might also conduct a series of tests to assess your memory and attention.
After receiving a diagnosis, the therapist will recommend a combination medication and non-medication treatment to help manage your symptoms. The majority of people will test various treatments before they find the best one. It is recommended that you keep a journal of your progress and speak with your physician regularly so that they can help you adjust your treatment plan according to your needs.