Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult

Adults who are struggling professionally or personally, diagnosing ADHD can be a significant step in taking control. A thorough assessment is required for determining the diagnosis. This involves examining school records and questionnaires completed by caregivers and teachers.

It is not uncommon 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 towards gaining control over symptoms that wreak havoc on one's personal and professional lives. The first step is to speak with your GP or consult an expert in mental health who has expertise in treating adults with ADHD. If your doctor does not have any experience in treating ADHD, they may refer you to psychologist or psychiatrist for an assessment.

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

People suffering from ADHD are prone to being easily distracted and miss crucial details. They often have difficulty following directions in class or at work. They are more likely to lose items essential to their tasks or activities, including keys, wallets and tools. They may also have trouble staying focused while reading or listening to long speeches. Fidgeting, over-talking or texting, or squirming, are other symptoms of adult ADHD.

It is crucial to rule out other conditions when determining whether someone suffers from adult ADHD. These include depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. Stress and physical issues like thyroid problems can also cause ADHD symptoms. In the DSM-5, professionals are now required to consider the severity of an individual's symptoms when diagnosing them with ADHD. Adult ADHD is classified as moderate, mild or severe.

Many people with ADHD are not diagnosed in their childhood because it's not evident. For adults, being diagnosed can be a life-changing experience because they finally understand the reason why they struggled in school and failed to achieve their full potential at work or at home. They might feel guilty about being blamed for their troubles, and they may be devastated by missed opportunities if they were properly treated.

Treatment

To get treatment for Getting Diagnosed With ADHD ADHD for adults, the first step is to speak with an expert in the field of healthcare. This can be conducted in person or by video call. Only psychiatrists, psychologists, and specialist nurses are able 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 many physical and emotional conditions can cause symptoms that are similar to those associated with ADHD, and these must be addressed before the diagnosis can be made.

The professional will also ask about your lifestyle and work and how your issues influence your life. They will be especially interested in if you showed signs of ADHD before the age of 12. They might also talk to 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 medications or other treatments. Some medical conditions such as sleep apnea, thyroid disorders, and lead poisoning, can cause ADHD symptoms. Adults with an underlying history of depression or anxiety may need more careful evaluation and treatment because these conditions are often associated with ADHD.

If a medical professional believes you need medication, he/she will prescribe the appropriate medication. The type of medication you require will depend on the severity of your symptoms and how they affect your life. The most commonly used medication prescribed for ADHD, are stimulants. They are not suitable for everyone, and the first drug you try might not be effective or cause undesirable negative side effects. Your doctor will need to know if take any other medications such as over-the-counter medications and supplements, as certain kinds of drugs may interact with ADHD stimulants.

Counseling is also an essential element of the treatment process for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help you deal with the feelings of disappointment frustration, underachievement, and anger that are frequently associated with untreated ADHD. It can also help you learn how to manage your anger and improve your time management and organization skills.

If you suffer from a mental illness it is crucial to find a healthcare professional who specializes in this condition. A psychiatrist or neurologist is able to diagnose and treat ADHD, but you might prefer to see psychologists or specialist therapists. These specialists are likely to have more experience with adult ADHD and the challenges they face, as well as having previous experience working with clients. You can check with your local mental health clinic or consult ADDitude's directory of professionals to find a specialist who is working with adults suffering from ADHD.

Medication

If you're an adult who has had to deal with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, getting a diagnosis is the first step to managing your symptoms and improving your life. If you've found it difficult to realize your maximum potential at work, have found it difficult to maintain relationships, or struggle to finish tasks at home and at work, a diagnosis of ADHD may provide the answer you have been searching for.

The first step to treat ADHD in adults is an extensive medical history review, including your symptoms. The psychiatrist or psychologist determines if you meet the requirements for getting diagnosed With adhd 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 are often afflicted with disorders like anxiety and depression. These conditions can cause or worsen the symptoms of ADHD, Jaksa says. He adds that chronic stress and frustration due to low performance can cause feelings of low self-esteem. "Getting a diagnose can help these individuals get a better understanding of the causes of their struggles. This can help to alleviate or eliminate their anxiety and help them focus more effectively on areas where they excel," Jaksa states.

Adults with ADHD are typically treated by a combination of medication along with behavior therapy. Stimulants can boost concentration, decrease impulsive behaviors and aid in achieving organization. These medications can boost moods and improve motivation in many cases. Side effects of stimulants include sleepiness and having trouble drinking enough or eating well. People who take stimulants to treat ADHD can experience mood swings that can be difficult for them to manage.

Talk to your doctor about whether or not you are an eligible participant in clinical trials of new medicines or treatments. These studies assist researchers in finding more effective methods to prevent, diagnose, or treat illnesses and conditions.

Counseling

If you're suffering from untreated ADHD the disorder can lead to various problems in every area of your life. Procrastination and other symptoms can affect your relationships as well as your career and financial health. The first step in reducing the negative effects and getting control back is to obtain an assessment and seek treatment.

Many adults diagnosed with ADHD didn't receive a diagnosis when they were children because their family and teachers weren't aware of the disorder or they had mild symptoms that weren't noticed. Some adults might have been able manage their symptoms as children but were unable to manage these issues in adulthood due increasing family and work obligations.

To be diagnosed as having ADHD, mental health professionals must find that your symptoms are causing severe impairment in at minimum two areas of your life. The impairment could result in losing your job due to of an inability to concentration and organizational skills, or being placed on academic probation in college due to the inability to do well on tests.

Women are more adept at avoiding symptoms than men. This makes it more difficult for them to receive a diagnosis. If, however, you are suffering from ADHD symptoms that are affecting your home and work life speaking up with your doctor will help speed up the process and let you take advantage of reasonable accommodations under ADA and other workplace laws.

Regardless of the type of ADHD you suffer from the mental health professional will verify that your symptoms were present prior to the age of 12. They may suggest that you speak with people who were close to you at the time, and they may also conduct a series of tests to measure your memory and attention.

When you receive the diagnosis your therapist will recommend the use of a combination of medication and non-medication treatments to treat your symptoms. The majority of patients will try several different treatments before settling on the most effective one. Keep a log of your progress and make sure to consult your doctor regularly to adjust your treatment plan as needed.