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 thorough assessment is required to make a diagnosis. This includes reviewing school records as well as questionnaires filled out by teachers and caregivers.

Most people with ADHD suffer from symptoms from childhood, and it is not unusual to be diagnosed at an adult age. NIMH offers suggestions on how to speak with your doctor about the condition.

Diagnosis

Getting diagnosed with ADHD as an adult is usually the first step to gain control over the symptoms that can cause havoc on a person's personal and professional lives. The first step is to speak with your GP or find a mental health professional with experience in treating adults suffering from ADHD. If your GP is unfamiliar with ADHD or other disorders, they may refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct an assessment.

Typically an expert in mental health will use a six-question ADHD screener to determine whether you are susceptible to the disorder, says Adler. Then, the doctor will talk to you about your symptoms and review your family history and medical history to make sure that other medical conditions are not causing your symptoms of ADHD.

People suffering from ADHD are prone to being easily distracted and miss crucial details. They may have trouble adhering to instructions in classes or at work. They are often unable to locate important items for tasks or activities like keys, wallets and other tools. They might also have difficulty staying focused during long lectures or reading assignments. Fidgeting, excessive talking or texting, or squirming, are other signs of adult ADHD.

When determining whether someone has adult ADHD, it is important to rule out other conditions that may cause similar symptoms, like depression, anxiety bipolar disorder, anxiety and substance abuse. Stress and physical conditions like thyroid issues can cause ADHD symptoms. In the DSM-5, getting diagnosed with adhd as an adult professionals are now required to consider the severity of a person's symptoms when diagnosing them with ADHD. Adult ADHD is classified as moderate, mild or severe.

Many people with ADHD do not receive a diagnosis in childhood, because it's not evident. A diagnosis can alter the course of a person's life, as they can now see why they struggled at school and didn't reach their maximum potential at work or home. They may feel guilty for blaming their issues on others or themselves and may experience sadness over the missed opportunities that could have been a reality in the event that they had been properly treated.

Treatment

The first step to receive treatment for ADHD as an adult is to consult a healthcare professional to get an assessment. This can be done in person or via video call. Only psychiatrists, psychologists, and specialist nurses are qualified to diagnose ADHD in the UK. The specialist will want to know your medical history and family-related mental health issues. This is due to the fact that there are many mental and physical ailments which can trigger symptoms that are similar to ADHD. These conditions need to be ruled out to make a diagnosis.

The doctor will inquire about your work and lifestyle, as well as how your symptoms impact your daily life. They will be particularly interested in whether or not you had signs of ADHD prior to the age of 12 years. They may also wish to interview people who knew you in your childhood and ask them about their experiences.

A thorough medical history can aid the doctor in determining if you need medication or other treatments. Certain medical conditions, like thyroid disorders, sleep apnea, and lead poisoning, can trigger ADHD symptoms. Adults who have an history of depression or anxiety may need more careful evaluation and treatment because these conditions can be co-existing with ADHD.

If a medical professional believes that you require medication they will prescribe a suitable medication. The type of medicine you need depends on your symptoms and how to get diagnosed with adhd they impact your life. Stimulants, the most common medication prescribed for ADHD are stimulants. However, they are not for everyone, and the first one you try may not be effective or have bothersome adverse side effects. Your healthcare provider will be interested in knowing if you take any other medications, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements, as certain kinds of drugs may interact with ADHD stimulants.

Counseling is also an important part of the treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help you deal better with feelings of frustration, failure and underachievement that are often associated with untreated ADHD. It can teach you how to manage your anger, and improve your time management and organization skills.

If you have mental illness it is crucial to find an expert in healthcare who is trained in that condition. A psychiatrist or neurologist can diagnose and treat ADHD. However, you may prefer to consult a specialist psychotherapist. These professionals will likely be more familiar with adult ADHD and their challenges, as well as having experience working with other clients. You can use search engines like ADDitude or contact your local mental health service to find a specialist who assists adults with ADHD.

Medication

If you are an adult who has had to deal with ADHD and is diagnosed, it's the first step towards addressing your symptoms and improving your life. If you've found it difficult to realize your full potential at work, find it difficult to maintain relationships, or have trouble finishing tasks at home and at work, a diagnosis of ADHD could be the answer you have been looking for.

The first step to treat ADHD in adults is thorough medical history review, which includes your symptoms. The psychiatrist or psychologist determines if you meet 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 with untreated ADHD often suffer from co-occurring disorders, including depression and anxiety. Jaksa says that these conditions can exacerbate or cause symptoms of ADHD. He adds that chronic stress and frustration due to inadequate performance can trigger feelings of low self-esteem. "Getting a diagnosis can help them get a better understanding of the root causes of their difficulties which can help reduce or alleviate some of their anxiety and help them concentrate more effectively on areas in which they excel," Jaksa says.

Adults suffering from ADHD are usually treated with a combination of medications in conjunction with behavior therapy. Stimulants improve concentration, reduce impulse-driven behavior and aid in organizing. In many cases these drugs can improve mood and increase motivation. The negative effects of stimulants are insomnia and difficulties eating or drinking enough. People who take stimulants to treat ADHD can have mood swings that could be difficult to manage.

Speak to your doctor about whether or not you're eligible for clinical trials of new medications or treatments. These studies help researchers find more effective ways to prevent, diagnose or treat diseases and conditions.

Counseling

If you have untreated ADHD, it can cause various problems throughout your life. Your career, relationships and financial health may be negatively affected by procrastination and poor time management, excessive spending and other signs. Finding a doctor and seeking treatment is the first step to reducing these negative impacts and regaining control of your life.

Many adults who are diagnosed with ADHD weren't diagnosed as children, either because their family and teachers were not aware of the disorder, or because they displayed mild symptoms which weren't noticed. Some adults might have been able manage their symptoms in childhood, but struggled with their symptoms in adulthood due to increasing family and work obligations.

To be diagnosed as having ADHD, mental health professionals must determine that your symptoms are causing significant impairment in at least two aspects of your life. Impaired can be losing your job due to a lack in organization and focus or being placed on academic probation at your college because you are unable to do well on tests.

Women are more adept in hiding their symptoms than men. This makes it harder for women to be diagnosed. However, if you are struggling with ADHD symptoms that are affecting your life at work and at home, being forthright about them with your doctor can help accelerate the process and let you get reasonable accommodations under the ADA and Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult other workplace laws.

Your mental health professional regardless of the type of ADHD that you have will be interested in knowing whether your symptoms started before the age of 12. They might ask you to talk to people who were close to you at this 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 medication and non-medical treatments to manage your symptoms. The majority of people will test various treatments before finding the right one. It is recommended to keep a diary of your progress and check in with your doctor on a regular basis so they can help you adjust your treatment program according to your needs.