Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult
For adults who are struggling in their work or personal life in any way, recognizing ADHD could be a crucial step towards getting control. A diagnosis requires a thorough evaluation that may include reviews of school records and questionnaires filled out by parents and teachers.
The majority of people with ADHD suffer from symptoms from the age of three, and it's not unusual to be diagnosed in adulthood. Check out NIMH for tips on talking to your doctor about the disorder.
Diagnosis
Being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult is usually the first step towards gaining control over the symptoms that cause havoc on a person's professional and personal lives. The first step is to consult your GP or a mental health professional who has experience treating adults with ADHD. If your doctor is not familiar with ADHD and/or ADHD, they may refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist for 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 the symptoms of ADHD and review your medical history and family history to ensure that other medical conditions aren't the cause of them.
Since people with ADHD have a tendency to be unable to pay attention and are easily distracted, they often have difficulty following instructions or listening in class or on the job. They are more likely to lose items that are essential for their work or activities, such as keys, wallets and tools. They may also have trouble staying focused during long lectures or reading assignments. Other signs of adult ADHD include fidgeting, texting or talking excessively or squirming in their seats.
When determining whether a person has adult ADHD, it is important to exclude other conditions that can cause similar symptoms, including depression, anxiety bipolar disorder, anxiety and abuse of substances. Stress and other physical ailments such as thyroid issues can be a source of symptoms similar to ADHD. In the DSM-5 professionals are now required to take into consideration the severity of a person's symptoms when diagnosing them with ADHD. Mild moderate, severe and mild are the categories used to describe adult ADHD.
Many people with ADHD go their whole lives without ever receiving a diagnosis because it's not obvious in childhood. A diagnosis can change the course of an adult's life, as they can now see why they struggled at school and didn't reach their full potential at work or home. They may feel guilty for being blamed for their problems, and they may be devastated by missed opportunities that could have been if they were treated properly.
Treatment
The first step to receive treatment for ADHD as an adult is to consult a medical professional to get an assessment. This can be done in person or by video calls. In the UK, only psychiatrists, psychologists and specialist nurses are qualified to diagnose ADHD. The doctor will inquire about your medical history, including mental health issues that are present in the family. This is because there are many physical and mental conditions which can trigger symptoms similar to ADHD. These conditions must be ruled out in order to make a diagnosis.
The professional will also ask about your lifestyle and work and how your symptoms affect your life. They are particularly interested in whether or not you had symptoms of ADHD prior to the age of 12 years old. They may also want to interview those who knew you as a child and ask about their experiences.
A thorough medical history will aid the doctor in determining if you need medication or other treatments. Certain medical conditions, such as thyroid disorders, sleep apnea, and lead poisoning, can trigger ADHD symptoms. Adults who have a history of anxiety or depression will require evaluation and treated with more care since these conditions can coexist.
If a medical professional believes you need medication, they will prescribe the appropriate medication. The kind of medication you need will depend on your symptoms and how they impact your life. The most commonly used medication prescribed for ADHD are stimulants. They are not for everyone and the first medication you try might not be effective or cause undesirable negative side negative effects. Your healthcare provider might ask whether you are taking other medications. This includes over-the-counter medications or supplements as well as prescription drugs. Certain kinds of drugs can interact with ADHD stimulants.
Counseling is a crucial component of the treatment process for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help you deal with feelings of failure or underachievement that are often associated with untreated ADHD. It can teach you how to manage your anger, as well as improve your time management and organizational abilities.
It is essential to find an expert in healthcare who specializes in mental illness. A psychiatrist or neurologist can diagnose and treat ADHD. However you might prefer to consult a specialist therapist. These professionals will likely be more familiar with adult ADHD and their challenges and also have previous experience working with clients. You can inquire with your local mental health service or consult ADDitude's directory of professionals to find a professional who can assist adults with ADHD.
Medication
A diagnosis of ADHD is the first step to managing your symptoms and improving life. If you are struggling to reach your full potential at work or in maintaining relationships, or are having trouble completing tasks at home, an ADHD diagnosis might be the answer you've been looking for.
The first step to treat ADHD for adults is a thorough medical history review, including your symptoms. The psychiatrist or psychologist will 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 who are not treated for ADHD often suffer from co-occurring disorders, like anxiety and depression. Jaksa states that these disorders can cause or worsen symptoms of ADHD. A constant stress and anger over poor performance can also lead to feelings of low self-esteem, Jaksa says. "Getting a diagnosis will help them understand the root of their issues, which may alleviate or reduce some of their worries and help them focus more productively on areas in which they excel," Jaksa says.
Adults suffering from ADHD are typically treated with a combination of medications and behavior therapy. The stimulants help improve concentration, reduce impulsive behavior and aid in organizing. These medications can boost moods and improve motivation in many cases. Some of the side effects of stimulants include insomnia and difficulty drinking or eating enough. Certain people who use stimulants to treat ADHD may suffer from mood swings that may be difficult for them to manage.
Talk to your health care provider regarding whether you would be an ideal candidate for clinical trials of upcoming treatments or medicines. These studies assist researchers in finding better methods to detect and treat or prevent diseases.
Counseling
If you're suffering from untreated ADHD it could cause various problems throughout your life. Your relationships, work and financial health can be negatively impacted by procrastination, poor time management, impulsive spending and other symptoms. The first step to reducing 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 due to the fact that their families and teachers weren't aware of the condition or they displayed mild symptoms which were not noticed. Some adults may have been able manage their symptoms as children but struggled with these issues in adulthood due the increased demands of work and family.
In order to be diagnosed as having ADHD mental health professionals must determine that your symptoms cause significant impairment in at least two areas of your life. Impaired can be losing adhd adult diagnosis uk to a decline in focus and organization skills or being placed on academic probation at college because you are unable to do well on tests.
Women are generally better at avoiding their symptoms than men, which could make it harder for them to get an accurate diagnosis. If you suffer from ADHD symptoms that impact your work or home life, you can accelerate the process of diagnosing by being open with your doctor. You may also be able to get reasonable accommodations under ADA laws as well as other workplace laws.
No matter what kind of ADHD you have the mental health professional will want to verify that your symptoms were present prior to age 12. They might ask you to talk with people who knew you during this period and could take a number of tests to evaluate your attention and memory levels.
After receiving an assessment, the doctor will suggest a combination of medication and non-medication treatment to manage your symptoms. The majority of people will test several different treatments before they find the best one. It is recommended that you keep a diary of your progress and consult with your doctor regularly so they can help you adjust your treatment plan as needed.