Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult

For adults who are struggling professionally or personally and are unable to resolve the issue, identifying ADHD could be a crucial step towards taking control. A diagnosis is based on a thorough examination that may include reviews of school records and questionnaires filled out by parents and teachers.

It is not unusual for adults to be diagnosed with ADHD. See NIMH for tips on talking to your doctor regarding the disorder.

Diagnosis

Getting diagnosed with ADHD as an adult is often the first step to gain control over the symptoms that cause havoc on one's professional and personal lives. First, you should consult your GP or a mental health specialist who has experience in treating adults suffering from ADHD. If your doctor is not familiar with ADHD or other disorders, they could refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist for an assessment.

Typically an expert in mental health will use an eight-question ADHD screener to determine whether you may be suffering from the disorder, says Adler. Then, he will ask you questions about your symptoms and review your family history and medical history to make sure that there are no other conditions not causing the symptoms of ADHD.

People suffering from ADHD tend to be easily distracted and miss crucial details. They often have difficulty following instructions in class or at work. They frequently lose essential items required for tasks or activities like keys, wallets, and tools. They may also have trouble staying focused while listening to long speeches. Fidgeting, over-talking or texting or squirming are other signs of adult ADHD.

In determining if someone suffers from adult ADHD, it is important to eliminate other conditions that may cause similar symptoms, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and abuse of substances. Stress and physical conditions like thyroid problems can also 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 with ADHD. Adult ADHD is classified as moderate, mild or severe.

Many people suffering from ADHD have a lifelong struggle without ever being diagnosed because it is not apparent in childhood. A diagnosis can change the course of an adult's life because they now understand why they struggled at school and failed to reach their full potential at work or at home. They might feel guilty about blaming others or themselves for their troubles and may also be grieved over missed opportunities when they were treated with respect.

Treatment

To get treatment for ADHD in adults, the first step is to speak with a healthcare professional. This can be done in person or via video calls. Only psychiatrists, psychologists and specialist nurses are able to diagnose ADHD in the UK. The professional will require information about your medical history and your family's mental health issues. This is due to the fact that there are a variety of physical and mental conditions that can cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD. These conditions need to be eliminated in order to make a diagnosis.

The doctor will inquire about your job and lifestyle as well as how your symptoms affect your life. They will be particularly interested in whether or not you displayed symptoms of ADHD prior to the age of 12 years. They might also talk to people who were close to you as when you were a child and ask them about their memories.

A thorough medical history will aid your doctor to determine whether you require medication or any other treatment. Some medical conditions such as thyroid disorders, sleep apnea, and lead poisoning, can cause ADHD symptoms. Adults who have an history of depression or anxiety might require a more thorough evaluation and treatment because these conditions are often associated with ADHD.

If a doctor believes you need medication, he or she will prescribe the appropriate drug. The kind of medication you need depends on your symptoms and the way they impact your life. Stimulants are the most commonly prescribed drugs for ADHD. They are not for everyone, and the first drug you try might not be effective or cause undesirable side consequences. Your healthcare provider may ask whether you are taking other medications. This includes over-the-counter drugs or supplements as well as prescription drugs. Certain kinds of medications can interfere with ADHD stimulants.

Counseling is an important part of treatment for adults with ADHD. Individual therapy can help you cope with the feelings of failure frustration, underachievement, and anger that are frequently associated with untreated ADHD. It can also help you learn how to manage your anger as well as improve your organization and time management skills.

It's important to seek out the services of a doctor who is specialized in mental disorders. A psychiatrist or neurologist can diagnose and treat ADHD. However you might prefer to seek out a specialist therapist. These specialists are likely to be more familiar with adult ADHD and their struggles and also have experience working with other clients. You can contact your local mental health clinic or consult ADDitude's directory of professionals to find a specialist who can assist adults with ADHD.

Medication

If you are an adult who has struggled with ADHD, getting a diagnosis is the first step to managing your symptoms and improving your quality of life. If you've found it difficult to realize your full potential at work, find it difficult to maintain relationships, or struggle to complete tasks at home A diagnosis of ADHD might be the answer you have been seeking.

The first step to treat ADHD in adults is an extensive medical history, including your symptoms. The psychologist or psychiatrist determines if you satisfy 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 with untreated ADHD often have coexisting disorders, like anxiety and depression. Jaksa says that these conditions can exacerbate or cause symptoms of ADHD. He says that stress and anger due to low performance can cause feelings of low self-esteem. "Getting a diagnose will help them get a better understanding of the root of their issues. This could help alleviate or eliminate their anxiety and help them focus on areas where they excel," Jaksa states.

The most effective treatment for adults suffering from ADHD is usually an amalgamation of medication and behavior therapy. The stimulants help improve concentration, reduce impulse-driven behavior and aid in organization. These medications can boost moods and improve motivation in many cases. People who are taking stimulants must be aware of potential adverse effects, such as problems with sleeping and eating or drinking enough. Also, mood swings can occur in some people who take stimulants for ADHD and they can be difficult to manage.

Talk to your doctor about whether or not you are a candidate for clinical trials on new medications or treatments. These studies assist researchers in finding more effective ways to diagnose and treat or prevent diseases.

Counseling

Untreated ADHD can cause problems in all areas of your life. The effects of procrastination, among others, can have a negative impact on your relationships as well as your career and financial health. Finding a doctor and seeking treatment is the first step in lessening the negative effects and regaining control over your life.

Many adults who are diagnosed with ADHD did not receive a diagnosis when they were children because their parents and teachers were unaware of the disorder or they experienced mild symptoms that weren't noticed. Some adults might be able to manage their symptoms as children but struggled with their symptoms in adulthood due to increasing family and work obligations.

To diagnose ADHD Mental health professionals must determine that your symptoms are causing significant impairment in two areas of your everyday life. In the event of an impairment, you could lose your job due to a deficit in focus and organization skills, or being placed on academic probation at college because you are unable to study for tests.

Women tend to be better at avoiding their symptoms than men, which could make it more difficult to receive an accurate diagnosis. However, if you are suffering from ADHD symptoms that are affecting your work and home life and family life, speaking openly about them with your doctor can help accelerate the process and let you take advantage of reasonable accommodations under ADA and other workplace laws.

No matter what type of ADHD you suffer from the mental health professional will want to see that your symptoms began prior to the age of 12. They might ask you to speak to people who were close to you at the time, and they may also conduct a series of tests to assess your attention and memory.

After receiving an assessment, the doctor will suggest a combination of medication and non-medication treatment to help manage your symptoms. Most people will try various treatments before finding the right one. It is recommended that you keep a diary of your progress and speak with your physician regularly so that they can help adjust your treatment program when needed.