Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult

For adults who are struggling with their personal or professional lives and are unable to resolve the issue, identifying ADHD is a significant step in gaining control. A thorough examination is necessary to determine if you have the diagnosis. This includes analyzing school records as well as questionnaires completed by teachers and caregivers.

It is not unusual for adults to be diagnosed with ADHD. NIMH offers suggestions on how to speak with your doctor about the disorder.

Diagnosis

Getting diagnosed with ADHD as an adult is usually the first step towards gaining control over symptoms that wreak havoc on a person's professional and personal lives. First, you should consult your GP or a mental health specialist who is experienced in treating adults with ADHD. If your GP is unfamiliar with ADHD and/or ADHD, they may refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist for Getting Diagnosed With ADHD assessment.

Typically the mental health professional will employ a six-question ADHD screener to determine whether you might have the disorder, says Adler. They will interview you about your ADHD-like symptoms and review your medical history and family history to confirm that other medical conditions aren't the cause of them.

People suffering from ADHD are prone to being easily distracted and can miss important details. They have a difficult time following instructions in class or at work. They are more likely to lose items essential to their tasks or activities, including tools, wallets, and keys. They may also have trouble staying focused when they are reading long speeches or assignments. Fidgeting, excessive talk or texting or squirming are other symptoms of adult ADHD.

It is important to rule out other medical conditions in determining if a person has adult ADHD. These include depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder. Stress and physical ailments like thyroid problems can also mimic ADHD symptoms. In the DSM-5 professionals are now required to take into consideration the severity of a person's symptoms when diagnosing them as having ADHD. Adult ADHD is classified as mild, moderate or severe.

Many people with ADHD live their entire lives without ever being diagnosed because it is not apparent in the early years. For adults, being diagnosed can be a life-changing event because they can finally understand the reason why they struggled in school and failed to reach their potential at work or at home. They may feel guilty for blameing other people or themselves for their struggles and may also be resentful over missed opportunities if they were properly treated.

Treatment

The first step in obtaining treatment for ADHD as an adult is to see the healthcare professional to get an assessment. This can be done in person or via video calls. In the UK, only psychiatrists, psychologists, and specialist nurses have the qualifications to diagnose ADHD. The doctor will inquire about your medical history, including mental health issues in the family. This is because many physical and emotional conditions can trigger symptoms similar to those of ADHD and must be ruled out before the diagnosis is made.

The doctor will inquire about your work and lifestyle as well as how your symptoms affect your life. They are particularly interested in whether or not you showed signs of ADHD prior to the age of 12 years old. They may also speak with people who were close to you as when you were a child and ask them about their memories.

A thorough medical history can aid the doctor in determining if you need medications or other treatments. Certain medical conditions, such as thyroid disorders, sleep apnea and lead poisoning can cause ADHD symptoms. Adults who have a history of anxiety or depression will need to be evaluated and treated with more care because these conditions frequently occur in conjunction.

If a medical professional believes you require medication, he/she will prescribe the right medication. The type of medication you need depends on your symptoms and the way they impact your life. Stimulants are among the most commonly prescribed drugs for ADHD. They are not suitable for everyone and the first medication you try might not work or cause undesirable side consequences. Your doctor may inquire whether you are taking other medications. This includes over-the-counter drugs or supplements, as well as prescription drugs. Certain kinds of drugs can interfere with ADHD stimulants.

Counseling is also an essential component of the treatment for adults suffering from 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, as well as improve your time management and organizing abilities.

If you have a mental illness, it's important to find a doctor who is specialized in that condition. A psychiatrist or neurologist is able to diagnose and treat ADHD. However you might prefer to consult a specialist therapist. These specialists are likely to be more familiar with adult ADHD and their struggles and also have worked with other clients. You can search ADDitude or contact your local mental health services to find a specialist who assists adults with ADHD.

Medication

If you are an adult who has had to deal with ADHD, getting a diagnosis is the first step towards addressing your symptoms and improving your life. If you've struggled to realize your maximum potential at work, find it difficult to maintain relationships or struggle to complete tasks at home and at work, a diagnosis of ADHD may provide the solution you've been looking for.

ADHD treatment for adults begins with a thorough interview and review of your medical history, including the symptoms you've experienced. 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 are applicable 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 are frequently co-morbid with other disorders, such as depression and anxiety. Jaksa states that these disorders can worsen or cause symptoms of ADHD. He also says that constant stress and frustration due to low performance can cause feelings of low-self-esteem. "Getting diagnosed can help them get a better understanding of the root of their issues. This can help to reduce or eliminate their anxieties, and allow them to focus more effectively on areas in which they excel," Jaksa states.

Adults with ADHD are usually treated with a combination of medications and behavior therapy. The use of stimulants can help improve concentration, decrease impulsive behaviors and aid in achieving organization. In many cases, these medications can also improve mood and increase motivation. The negative effects of stimulants are sleepiness and having trouble eating or drinking enough. The mood swings can also happen in those who take stimulants to treat ADHD and are often difficult to manage.

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

Counseling

Untreated ADHD can cause problems in all areas of your life. Procrastination and other signs can negatively impact your relationships, career, and financial health. The first step to reducing the negative effects and regaining control is to get an assessment and seek treatment.

Many adults diagnosed with ADHD were not diagnosed as children or because their families and teachers were not aware of the condition or they displayed mild symptoms which were not noticed. Some may have had the ability to manage their symptoms in childhood but struggled in adulthood as their family and work obligations increased.

To be diagnosed as having ADHD, mental health professionals must discover that your symptoms are causing severe impairment in at least two aspects of your life. Impairment can result in losing your job because of an inability to focus and organizational skills or being put on academic probation at college due to the inability to do well on tests.

Women are better in hiding their symptoms than men. This makes it harder for women to be diagnosed. If you're suffering from ADHD symptoms that affect your work or home life you can speed up the diagnosis process by being upfront with your doctor. You may also be able to get reasonable accommodations under ADA laws and other workplace laws.

Whatever kind of ADHD you suffer from the mental health professional will want to verify that your symptoms began prior to the age of 12. They may ask to talk to people who were close to you at the time, and they might also administer a series tests to test your memory and attention.

When you receive an diagnosis the therapist will suggest the use of a combination of medication and non-medication treatments to help manage your symptoms. The majority of patients will try several different treatments before they find the best one. Keep a log of your progress, and consult your doctor frequently to modify your treatment plan if needed.