Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult

For adults who find themselves struggling professionally or personally, diagnosing ADHD is a significant step in gaining control. A diagnosis requires a thorough evaluation which may include a review of school records and questionnaires filled out by caregivers and teachers.

The majority of people with ADHD live with symptoms from childhood, and it is not uncommon to be diagnosed at an adult age. NIMH provides guidelines on how to talk with your doctor about the condition.

Diagnosis

Getting diagnosed with ADHD as an adult is often the first step in gaining control over symptoms that wreak havoc on one's personal and professional lives. First, you should consult your GP or an expert in mental health who is experienced in treating adults suffering from ADHD. If your GP is unfamiliar with ADHD, he or she might refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist for assessment.

Typically the mental health professional will employ the six-question ADHD screener to determine if you might have the condition, says Adler. They will ask you questions about your ADHD-like symptoms and review your medical and family history to ensure that other conditions aren't causing them.

Since people who suffer from ADHD are more likely to overlook details and become easily distracted, they frequently have difficulty following instructions or listening to lectures or at work. They frequently lose essential items required for tasks or activities like keys, wallets and other tools. They may also have difficulty staying focused while listening to or reading long speeches. Other symptoms of adult ADHD include fidgeting, texting or talking excessively or squirming in their seats.

When determining whether someone has adult ADHD, it is important to eliminate other conditions that could cause similar symptoms, including anxiety, depression bipolar disorder, depression and addiction to drugs. Stress and physical issues like thyroid issues can cause ADHD symptoms. In the DSM-5 professionals are now required to consider the severity of an individual's symptoms when diagnosing them as having ADHD. Mild, moderate and severe are the categories used to describe adult ADHD.

Many people suffering from ADHD live their entire lives without ever being diagnosed because it is not apparent during childhood. A diagnosis can alter the course of a person's life because they now understand why they struggled at school and never reached their maximum potential at work or home. They might feel guilty about blameing other people or Getting Diagnosed With ADHD themselves for their problems, and they may be resentful over missed opportunities when they were treated with respect.

Treatment

To receive treatment for ADHD in adults the first step is to speak with an expert in healthcare. This can be conducted in person or by video call. In the UK, only psychiatrists, psychologists and specialist nurses are qualified to diagnose ADHD. The specialist will inquire about your medical history, which includes mental health issues in the family. This is because many physical and emotional issues can cause symptoms that are similar to those associated with ADHD and must be addressed before an assessment can be made.

The professional will also ask about your work and lifestyle, and how your symptoms influence your life. They are particularly interested in whether or not you displayed symptoms of ADHD prior to the age of 12. They might also talk to people who were close to you as an infant and inquire about their childhood memories.

A thorough medical history will aid the doctor in determining if you require medication or other treatments. This is because some medical conditions, including sleep apnea, thyroid issues and lead poisoning, can trigger symptoms of ADHD. Adults who have an underlying history of anxiety or depression might require a more thorough 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 is determined by the severity of your symptoms and how they affect your life. Stimulants, the most common medication prescribed for ADHD are stimulants. They are not for all people and the first treatment you try might not be effective or cause undesirable adverse negative effects. Your healthcare provider may ask if you are 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 important element of the treatment process for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help you cope with feelings of failure frustration, underachievement, and anger that are frequently associated with untreated ADHD. It can teach you how to manage your anger, and improve your time management and organizing abilities.

If you suffer from mental illness it is essential to locate a doctor who is specialized in the field. A psychiatrist or neurologist is able to diagnose and treat ADHD. However it is recommended to seek out a specialist therapist. These specialists are likely to have more experience with adult ADHD and their challenges, as well as having worked with other clients. You can use search engines like ADDitude or contact your local mental health clinic to find a specialist who works with adults who have ADHD.

Medication

A diagnosis of ADHD is the first step in managing your symptoms and enhancing your life. If you are struggling to realize your maximum potential in your work or have trouble maintaining relationships, or are having difficulties completing your tasks at home, an ADHD diagnosis might be the answer you've been looking for.

ADHD treatment for adults begins with a thorough interview and review of your medical history, which includes the symptoms you've experienced. The psychologist or psychiatrist determines if you meet the criteria 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 are often afflicted with disorders such as depression and anxiety. Jaksa says that these disorders can exacerbate or cause symptoms of ADHD. Chronic stress and frustration over poor performance can also lead to feelings of self-doubt, he adds. "Getting a diagnose can help them gain a perspective on the root of their issues. This may reduce or eliminate their anxieties and enable them to concentrate more productively on areas in which they excel," Jaksa states.

Adults suffering from ADHD are typically treated by a combination of medication in conjunction with behavior therapy. Stimulants can improve concentration, decrease impulsive behavior and aid in organizing. These medications can improve moods and boost motivation in a variety of cases. Some of the side effects of stimulants include sleepiness and having trouble eating or drinking enough. People who take stimulants to treat ADHD may suffer from mood swings that may be difficult to manage.

Talk to your health care provider about whether you're an ideal candidate for clinical trials of novel treatments or drugs. These studies assist researchers in finding better methods to detect and treat or prevent diseases.

Counseling

Untreated ADHD can cause problems in all areas of your life. Procrastination and other signs can have a negative impact on your relationships as well as your career and financial health. Getting a diagnosis for adhd in adults and seeking treatment is the first step in reduce the negative impact and regaining control of your life.

Many adults diagnosed with ADHD were not diagnosed as children due to the fact that their families and teachers weren't aware of the disorder, or because they showed mild symptoms that were not noticed. Some might have had the ability to manage their symptoms during childhood, but struggled later in life as their family and work responsibilities increased.

To diagnose ADHD mental health professionals need to find that your symptoms are causing significant impairment in two areas of your daily life. In the event of impairment, it could result in losing your job due to of a lack of focus and organization skills or being put 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 women to be diagnosed. However, if you are suffering from ADHD symptoms that are affecting your home and work life, being forthright about them with your doctor will help speed up the process and allow you to benefit from reasonable accommodations under the ADA and other workplace laws.

Your mental health professional regardless of the kind of ADHD you have, will be looking to determine whether your symptoms started before the age of 12. They might ask you to speak to people who were close to you at this time, and they might also administer a series tests to assess your attention and memory.

After you are given an diagnosis, your therapist will recommend the use of a combination of medication and non-medical treatments to help manage your symptoms. The majority of patients will try a few different treatments before finding the right one. It is suggested that you keep a diary of your progress and consult with your physician regularly so that they can help you adjust your treatment program when needed.