Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult
Adults who have difficulty in their professional or personal lives may benefit from a diagnosis of ADHD. A diagnosis is based on a thorough examination which may include a review of school records and questionnaires filled out by caregivers and teachers.
It is not uncommon for adults to be diagnosed with ADHD. See NIMH for tips on talking with your health professional about the disorder.
Diagnosis
It is important to get diagnosed with ADHD at an early age. This will allow you to manage the symptoms that can cause chaos in your professional and personal life. The first step is to consult your GP or a mental health professional who has experience treating adults suffering from ADHD. If your GP doesn't have any experience in treating ADHD or other disorders, they could 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 have the condition. He or she will then ask you questions about your ADHD-like symptoms and review your medical and family history to determine if other conditions aren't causing them.
Since people who suffer from ADHD have a tendency to overlook details and become easily distracted, they often have difficulty following instructions or listening during class or at work. They often lose things necessary for tasks or activities, like tools, wallets, and keys. They may also have trouble staying focused while listening to long speeches. Other symptoms of adult ADHD include fidgeting, texting or talking too much or squirming in their seats.
It is crucial to rule out other conditions when determining whether someone suffers from adult ADHD. These include anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder. Stress and physical ailments like thyroid issues can cause ADHD symptoms. In the DSM-5 professionals are required to assess the severity of an individual's symptoms when determining if they are suffering from ADHD. Adult ADHD is classified as mild, moderate or severe.
Many people with ADHD live their entire lives without ever getting a diagnosis because it is not apparent in the early years. For adults, being diagnosed can be a life-changing experience because they finally understand why they struggled in school and failed to achieve their full potential at work or at home. Some may even feel guilty for blaming their issues on themselves or others and can feel regret over missed opportunities that could have been achieved when they were properly treated.
Treatment
The first step in obtaining treatment for ADHD as an adult is to visit a medical professional to get an assessment. This can be done in person or via video call. In the UK, only psychiatrists, psychologists and specialist nurses are qualified to diagnose ADHD. The specialist will want to know your medical history as well as family-related mental health issues. This is because many physical and emotional conditions can trigger symptoms that are similar to those associated with ADHD, and these must be ruled out before the diagnosis can be made.
The professional will also ask about your lifestyle and work and how your issues influence your life. They are particularly interested in whether or not you showed symptoms of ADHD prior to the age of 12 years. They may also wish to interview people who were close to you in childhood and ask about their memories.
A thorough medical history can aid the doctor in determining whether you require medication or other treatments. Certain medical conditions, such as thyroid disorders, sleep apnea and lead poisoning can cause ADHD symptoms. Adults who have an history of anxiety or depression might require a more thorough evaluation and treatment because these conditions are often associated with ADHD.
If a doctor believes that you require medication, they will prescribe a suitable medication. The type of medicine you need will depend on the severity of your symptoms and how they impact your life. Stimulants, which are the most popular medication prescribed for ADHD are stimulants. They are not suitable for all people and the first treatment you try may not work or cause unwanted side negative effects. Your healthcare provider might ask whether you are taking other medication. This includes over-the-counter medications, supplements, and prescription drugs. Certain kinds of medications can interfere with ADHD stimulants.
Counseling is an essential component of treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help you cope with the feelings of failure frustration, underachievement, and anger that are frequently associated with untreated ADHD. how to get an adult adhd diagnosis can teach you how to manage your anger, and improve your time management and organizing abilities.
It is crucial to find the services of a doctor who is specialized in mental disorders. A psychiatrist or neurologist is able to diagnose and treat ADHD. However, you may prefer to consult a specialist therapist. These professionals will likely be more familiar with adults with ADHD and their challenges, as well as having experience working with other clients. You can check with your local mental health service or ADDitude's directory to find a specialist who works with adults with ADHD.
Medication
A diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the first step to managing your symptoms and improving your life. If you've been unable to reach your full potential at work, are finding it difficult to maintain relationships, or struggle to finish tasks at home and at work, a diagnosis of ADHD might be the answer you have been searching for.
ADHD treatment for adults starts with thorough interviews and a thorough review of your medical history, including the symptoms you've been experiencing. The psychiatrist or psychologist determines whether you meet the requirements 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 who suffer from untreated ADHD often suffer from co-occurring disorders, such as anxiety and depression. These conditions can cause or worsen symptoms of ADHD, Jaksa says. He says that anxiety and frustration resulting from inadequate performance can trigger feelings of low-self-esteem. "Getting an assessment will help them gain perspective on the root causes of their struggles, which may alleviate or eliminate some of their anxieties and help them focus more productively on areas in which they excel," Jaksa says.
Adults suffering from ADHD are usually treated best with a combination of medications along with behavior therapy. Stimulants can improve concentration, reduce impulsive behaviors and help with organization. In many cases these drugs can improve mood and increase motivation. People who take stimulants should be aware of the potential negative effects, which could include insomnia and difficulty eating or drinking enough. People who take stimulants to treat ADHD might experience mood swings that can be difficult for them to manage.
Talk to your doctor about whether or not you're eligible for clinical trials on new medications or treatments. These studies help researchers discover better ways to diagnose and treat illnesses, as well as prevent them from occurring.
Counseling
If you have untreated ADHD the disorder can lead to many issues throughout your life. Your relationships, work and financial health may be negatively impacted by procrastination or poor time management, excessive spending and other symptoms. Finding a doctor and seeking treatment is the first step towards reduce the negative impact and regaining control of your life.
Many adults who are diagnosed with ADHD didn't receive a diagnosis when they were children because their teachers and family were unaware of the condition or they had mild symptoms that weren't noticed. Some adults might be able to manage their symptoms in childhood, but were unable to manage their symptoms in adulthood due to increasing family and work obligations.
In order to be diagnosed with ADHD mental health professionals must determine that your symptoms cause significant impairment in at least two areas of your life. Impairment can mean losing your job because of a lack of focus and organizational skills or being placed on academic probation at college due to your inability to do well on tests.
Women tend to be better at hiding their symptoms than men, which can make it difficult to receive a diagnosis. If you suffer from ADHD symptoms that affect your life at work or at home it is possible to speed up the diagnosis process by being upfront with your doctor. You might also be able to receive reasonable accommodations under ADA laws and other workplace laws.
Whatever type of ADHD you have, your mental health professional will want to determine if your symptoms were present prior to the age of 12. They might ask you to talk with people who knew you during this time and may also take a number of tests to assess your attention and memory abilities.
When you receive an diagnosis your therapist will recommend a combination of medication and non-medication treatments to manage your symptoms. The majority of people will test different methods before they discover the one that is most effective for them. Keep a journal of your progress and visit your doctor frequently to modify your treatment plan as needed.