Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult

For adults who find themselves struggling in their work or personal life, diagnosing ADHD is a significant step towards gaining control. A diagnosis requires a thorough evaluation, often including reviews of school records and questionnaires filled out by teachers and caregivers.

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

Diagnosis

Being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult is usually the first step in gaining control over the symptoms that can cause destruction on people's professional and personal lives. First, you should consult your GP or an expert in mental health who has experience in treating adults with ADHD. If your GP isn't familiar with ADHD or other disorders, they might refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist for an assessment.

Typically, a mental health professional will use the six-question ADHD screener to determine if you may be suffering from the condition, says Adler. The doctor will interview you about your symptoms that are similar to ADHD and look over your medical and family history to ensure that other medical conditions aren't the cause of them.

Since people with ADHD have a tendency to overlook details and become easily distracted, they frequently have difficulty following instructions or listening in class or Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult on the job. They are more likely to lose items necessary for tasks or activities, such as keys, wallets and tools. They may also have difficulty staying focused while reading or listening to long speeches. Fidgeting, excessive talk or texting, or squirming, are other symptoms of adult ADHD.

When determining whether a person has adult ADHD it is essential to exclude other conditions that may cause similar symptoms, like depression, anxiety bipolar disorder, depression and substance abuse. Stress and physical ailments like thyroid problems can also mimic ADHD symptoms. In the DSM-5 professionals are required to consider the severity of a person's symptoms when diagnosing them with ADHD. Mild moderate, severe, and mild are the three categories for adults with ADHD.

Many people suffering from ADHD go their whole lives without ever being diagnosed because it's not obvious in the early years. For adults, being diagnosed can be a life-changing event as they realize the reason why they struggled in school and never seemed to attain their full potential at work or at home. Some may even feel guilt-ridden for blaming their troubles on others or themselves and can feel sadness over the missed opportunities that could have been had if they had been properly treated.

Treatment

To get treatment for ADHD in adults, the first step is to talk with an expert in the field of healthcare. This can be accomplished in person or by video call. Only psychiatrists, psychologists and specialist nurses are qualified to diagnose ADHD in the UK. The doctor will need to know your medical history as well as your family's mental health issues. This is because a variety of physical and emotional conditions can cause symptoms similar to those that occur in ADHD and need to be eliminated before the diagnosis can be made.

The professional will also ask about your work and lifestyle and how your symptoms impact your daily life. They will be particularly interested in whether or not you showed symptoms of ADHD before age 12 years old. They may also interview those who were close to you as when you were a child and ask them about their experiences.

A thorough medical history can aid the doctor in determining if you need medication or other treatments. This is because some medical conditions, such as sleep apnea, thyroid problems and lead poisoning may cause symptoms of ADHD. Adults with a history anxiety or depression will need to be evaluated and treated with greater care since these conditions can occur in conjunction.

If a medical professional believes that you require medication, they will prescribe a suitable medication. The type of medication you need will depend on the severity of your symptoms and how they affect your daily routine. The most commonly used medication prescribed for ADHD are stimulants. They are not suitable for everyone and the first medication you try might not work or Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult cause unwanted negative side effects. Your healthcare provider might ask whether you're taking any other medication. This includes prescription drugs, supplements, and prescription drugs. Certain kinds of drugs can interfere with ADHD stimulants.

Counseling is also an essential element of the treatment process for adults with ADHD. Individual therapy can help you deal with the feelings of failure, underachievement and frustration that are often associated with untreated ADHD. It can teach you how to control your anger, improve your time management and organization abilities.

It is essential to find a healthcare professional that specializes in mental illnesses. A psychiatrist or neurologist is able to diagnose and treat ADHD however, you may prefer to consult psychologists or specialist therapists. These professionals will likely be more familiar with adults with ADHD and the challenges they face, as well as having worked with other clients. You can inquire with your local mental health service or ADDitude's directory to find a professional who can assist adults with ADHD.

Medication

If you are an adult who has had to deal with ADHD and is diagnosed, it's the first step to managing your symptoms and improving your life. If you're struggling to achieve your maximum potential in your work or in maintaining relationships, or are having trouble completing tasks at home then an ADHD diagnosis could be just what you require.

The first step to treat ADHD in adults is thorough medical history review, which includes your symptoms. The psychologist or psychiatrist 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 with untreated adhd private diagnosis near me often suffer from co-occurring disorders, including depression and anxiety. These conditions can cause or worsen symptoms of ADHD, Jaksa says. Chronic stress and frustration over inadequate performance can lead to feelings of low self-esteem, he says. "Getting a diagnose will help them get a better understanding of the causes of their struggles. This can help to reduce or eliminate their worries, and allow them to focus on areas where they excel," Jaksa states.

Adults suffering from ADHD are usually treated by a combination of medication in conjunction with behavior therapy. The stimulants help improve concentration, reduce impulse-driven behavior and aid in organization. In many instances, these medications can also boost motivation and improve mood. Side effects of stimulants include sleepiness and having trouble drinking enough or eating well. People who take stimulants to treat ADHD may suffer from mood swings that may be difficult for them to manage.

Talk to your health care provider about whether you are an ideal candidate for clinical trials of new treatments or medicines. These studies help researchers find more effective ways to prevent, diagnose, or treat illnesses and conditions.

Counseling

If you are suffering from untreated ADHD it could cause 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 signs. Getting a diagnosis and seeking treatment is the first step towards reducing these negative impacts and regaining control of your life.

Many adults diagnosed with ADHD did not receive a diagnosis as children, because their parents and teachers were unaware of the condition or they had mild symptoms that weren't noticed. Certain adults may be able to manage their symptoms as children, but struggled with their symptoms in adulthood due to increased work and family obligations.

To determine ADHD, mental health professionals must find that your symptoms cause significant impairment in two areas of your daily life. In the event of an impairment, you could lose your job due to a deficit in organization and focus or being placed on academic probation in college due to your inability to concentrate on your tests.

Women are better at hiding symptoms than men. This can make it more difficult for women to be diagnosed. If you're struggling with ADHD symptoms that affect your life at work and at home speaking up with your doctor will help speed up the process and let you benefit from reasonable accommodations under the ADA and other workplace laws.

Your mental health professional regardless of the kind of ADHD that you have, will be interested in knowing if your symptoms began before the age of 12. They might ask you to speak with people who were close to you at the time, and they may also conduct a series of tests to assess your attention and memory.

If you're given the diagnosis the therapist will suggest a combination of medications and non-medical treatments to help manage your symptoms. Most people will try a few different treatments before settling on the most effective one. Keep a log of your progress and make sure to consult your physician regularly to alter your treatment plan as needed.