Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult
Adults who have difficulty in their personal or professional 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 completed by teachers and caregivers.
Most people suffering from ADHD live with symptoms since the age of five, and it's not uncommon to be diagnosed with it at an adult age. NIMH has tips on how to talk with your doctor about the disorder.
Diagnosis
It is crucial to be diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood. This will help you gain control over the symptoms that can cause a lot of trouble in your professional and personal life. First, you must consult your GP or a mental health professional who has experience in treating adults with ADHD. If your GP isn't familiar with ADHD and/or ADHD, they might refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist for assessment.
Typically, a mental health professional will employ a six-question ADHD screener to determine whether you might have the condition, says Adler. They will interview you about your symptoms that are similar to ADHD and examine your medical and family history to confirm that other medical conditions aren't the cause of them.
People with ADHD are prone to being easily distracted and forgetting crucial details. They may have trouble following instructions in class or at work. They are more likely to lose items necessary for tasks or activities, including keys, wallets and tools. They may also have trouble staying focused when they are reading long speeches or assignments. Fidgeting, excessive talking or texting or squirming are other symptoms of adult ADHD.
It is essential to rule out other conditions when determining if someone has adult ADHD. These include depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder. Stress and physical ailments like thyroid problems can also cause ADHD symptoms. The DSM-5 now requires professionals to consider the severity of a person's symptoms are when determining if they have diagnosed them with the disorder. Mild moderate, severe and mild are the three categories for adults with ADHD.
Many people who suffer from ADHD are not diagnosed in childhood, because it's not obvious. For adults, a diagnosis could be a life-changing event because they can finally understand the reason why they struggled in school and never seemed to achieve their full potential at work or at home. They may feel guilty for being blamed for their troubles and may also be grieved over missed opportunities when they were treated with respect.
Treatment
The first step in obtaining treatment for ADHD as an adult is to visit the healthcare professional to have an assessment. This can be done in person or through a video call. In the UK only psychiatrists, psychologists 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 due to the fact that a number of emotional and physical conditions can cause symptoms similar to those that occur in ADHD, and these must be ruled out before a diagnosis can be made.
The professional will also ask about your work and lifestyle, and how your symptoms affect your life. They will be particularly interested in whether you displayed symptoms of ADHD prior to the age of 12. They may also interview people who were close to you as a child and ask them about their experiences.
A thorough medical history can help the doctor decide whether you need medication or other treatments. Some medical conditions such as thyroid disorders, sleep apnea, and lead poisoning, can trigger ADHD symptoms. Adults with a history depression or anxiety will need to be evaluated and treated with more care because these conditions frequently occur in conjunction.
If a doctor believes you need medication, he/she will prescribe the appropriate drug. The kind of medication you will require will depend on the severity of your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. Stimulants are among the most commonly prescribed medications for ADHD. They are not for everyone and the first medication you try may not work or cause undesirable side negative effects. Your healthcare provider will want to know if you use any other medication that are not prescription drugs, such as over-the counter ones and supplements, since certain kinds of medications can interact with ADHD stimulants.
Counseling is a crucial component of the treatment process for adults with ADHD. Individual therapy can help you deal with the feelings of failure or underachievement that are often associated with untreated ADHD. It can teach you how to manage your anger, improve your time management and organization abilities.
It is essential 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 might prefer to consult a specialist therapist. These specialists are likely to be more familiar with adults with ADHD and the challenges they face, as well as having experience working with other clients. You can use search engines like ADDitude or visit your local mental health clinic to find a specialist who is working with adults who suffer 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 quality of life. If you are struggling to reach your full potential at work, have difficulty maintaining relationships, or experience difficulties completing your tasks at home, an ADHD diagnosis might be the answer you've been looking for.
ADHD treatment for adults begins with an extensive interview and a review of your medical history, which includes the symptoms you've experienced. The psychiatrist or psychologist determines if you satisfy 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. These conditions 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 diagnosed will help them gain a perspective on the reasons behind their struggles. This may reduce or eliminate their worries and enable them to concentrate more productively on areas in which they excel," Jaksa states.
The most effective treatment for adults with ADHD is usually a combination of medication and behavior therapy. Stimulants improve concentration, reduce impulse-driven behavior and aid in organization. In many instances these drugs can improve mood and increase motivation. Some of the side effects of stimulants include insomnia and difficulties drinking or eating enough. Also, mood swings can occur in those who take stimulants for ADHD, and these can be difficult to manage.
Talk to your doctor about whether you would be an ideal candidate for clinical trials of upcoming treatments or drugs. adhd diagnosis in adult help researchers discover better 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. Your relationships, work and financial health may be negatively impacted by procrastination, poor time management, excessive spending and other symptoms. The first step to reducing the negative effects and regaining control is to get an assessment and seek treatment.
Many adults who are diagnosed with ADHD weren't diagnosed as children or because their families and teachers weren't aware of the condition or they showed mild symptoms that weren't noticed. Some may have managed their symptoms in childhood but struggled as they grew older when their work and family responsibilities increased.
To determine if you have ADHD Mental health professionals need to find that your symptoms are causing significant impairment in two areas of your everyday life. In the event of impairment, it could mean losing your job because of an inability to focus and organization skills or being put on academic probation at college due to the inability to learn for tests.
Women are better in hiding their symptoms than men. This can make it more difficult for them to receive a diagnosis. If you're suffering from ADHD symptoms that affect your life at work or at home it is possible to accelerate the process of diagnosis by being honest with your doctor. You may also be able to receive reasonable accommodations under ADA laws as well as other workplace laws.
Your mental health professional regardless of the type of ADHD you have will want to know if your symptoms began before the age of 12. They may ask you to speak to people who were around you during this time and may also perform a series of tests to assess your attention and memory abilities.
After you are given an diagnosis, your therapist will recommend the use of a combination of medication and non-medication therapies to treat your symptoms. Most people will try several different methods before they discover the one that is most effective for them. Keep a journal of your progress and consult your doctor frequently to modify your treatment plan as necessary.