Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult

Adults who are struggling in their professional or personal lives may benefit from a diagnosis of ADHD. A diagnosis is based on a thorough examination, often including reviews of school records and questionnaires completed by parents and teachers.

Most people with ADHD have symptoms from the age of three, and it's not uncommon to be diagnosed with it in adulthood. See NIMH for advice on how to talk to your doctor regarding the disorder.

Diagnosis

It is important to get diagnosed with ADHD at an early age. This will help you gain control over the symptoms that can cause chaos in your professional and personal life. The first step is to consult your GP or a mental health specialist who has experience treating adults suffering from ADHD. If your doctor does not have any experience in treating ADHD and is unable to help, they can refer you to either a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct an assessment.

A mental health professional would typically employ a six-question ADHD screener to determine if you suffer from the condition. Then, he or she will ask you questions about your symptoms and look at your family history and medical background to ensure that there are no other conditions not causing the symptoms of ADHD.

Because people with ADHD are more likely to miss details and get easily distracted, they frequently have difficulty following instructions or listening in class or on the job. They are more likely to lose items necessary for tasks or activities, including keys, wallets and tools. They may also have trouble staying focused when reading or listening to long speeches. Other signs of adult ADHD include fidgeting, texting or talking excessively or squirming in their seats.

It is important to rule out other conditions when determining if someone has adult ADHD. These include anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder. Stress and physical conditions like thyroid problems can also be a source of ADHD symptoms. In the DSM-5 professionals are now required to assess the severity of an individual's symptoms when diagnosing them as having ADHD. Mild moderate, severe and mild are the categories used to describe adult ADHD.

Many people suffering from ADHD go their whole lives without ever being diagnosed because it's not evident in the early years. For adults, a diagnosis could be a life-changing event because they can finally understand why they struggled in school and could not attain their full potential at work or at home. They may feel guilty about being blamed for their problems and may also be resentful over missed opportunities that could have been if they were treated properly.

Treatment

To seek treatment for ADHD in adults, the first step is to speak with a healthcare professional. This can be done in person or via video call. In the UK only psychologists, psychiatrists, and specialist nurses have the qualifications to diagnose ADHD. The specialist will inquire about your medical history, which includes mental health issues within the family. This is because a variety of physical and emotional issues can cause symptoms that are similar to those associated with ADHD and must be ruled out before a diagnosis can be made.

The doctor will also inquire about your work and lifestyle and how your issues impact your daily life. They will be particularly interested in whether you had symptoms of ADHD prior to the age of 12 years old. They may also interview people who were close to you as an infant and ask them about their experiences.

A detailed medical history can aid your doctor to determine whether you require medication or other treatment. This is because certain medical conditions, like sleep apnea, thyroid problems and lead poisoning, can trigger symptoms of ADHD. Adults who have a history of depression or anxiety will need to be assessed and treated more carefully since these conditions can occur in conjunction.

If a professional believes that you need medication, he or she will prescribe the appropriate drug. The kind of medication you will require will depend on the severity of your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. The stimulants are the most frequently prescribed drugs for Getting Diagnosed With ADHD ADHD. They aren't for everyone, and the first drug you try might not be effective or cause undesirable adverse effects. Your healthcare provider might ask if you are taking any other medications. This includes over-the-counter drugs, supplements, and prescription drugs. Certain types of drugs can interfere with ADHD stimulants.

Counseling is an essential part of treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help you to cope better with feelings of anger, failure and underachievement that are often associated with untreated ADHD. It can help you learn to control your anger, as well as improve your time management and organization abilities.

If you have an illness of the mind, it's important to find a doctor who is specialized in that condition. A psychiatrist or neurologist is able to diagnose and treat ADHD, but you might prefer to consult an expert psychologist or therapist. These experts are likely to be more knowledgeable about the challenges of treating adults with ADHD and have had experience in helping other patients who are struggling with similar issues. You can search ADDitude or your local mental health services to find a specialist who assists adults with ADHD.

Medication

If you're an adult who has had to deal with ADHD getting a diagnosis is the first step toward managing your symptoms and improving your quality of life. If you're struggling to realize your full potential at work or have trouble maintaining relationships, or are having trouble completing tasks at home then an ADHD diagnosis might be just what you need.

ADHD treatment for adults begins with an extensive interview and a review of your medical history, which includes the symptoms you've experienced. The psychiatrist or psychologist will then 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 who are not treated for ADHD often have coexisting disorders, such as anxiety and depression. These conditions can cause or worsen symptoms of ADHD, Jaksa says. Chronic stress and frustration over poor performance can also cause feelings of self-doubt, Jaksa says. "Getting an assessment can help these individuals understand the causes of their struggles. This could help alleviate or eliminate their anxiety and help them focus on areas where they excel," Jaksa states.

The most effective treatment for adults suffering from ADHD is typically the combination of behavior therapy and medication. Stimulants increase concentration, decrease the risk of impulsive behavior, and help with organization. These medications can improve moods and boost motivation in many cases. Some of the side effects of stimulants include insomnia and difficulties drinking enough or eating well. Mood swings can also occur in some people who take stimulants to treat ADHD, and these are often difficult to manage.

Consult your physician about whether or not you're eligible for clinical trials on new medications or Getting Diagnosed With ADHD treatments. These studies aid researchers in finding more effective methods to prevent, diagnose, or treat conditions and diseases.

Counseling

Untreated ADHD can lead to issues in all areas of your life. The effects of procrastination, among others, can have a negative impact on your relationships as well as your career and financial health. Finding a diagnosis and seeking treatment is the first step to reducing these negative impacts and regaining control over your life.

Many adults diagnosed with ADHD were not diagnosed as children, either because their family and teachers were unaware of the disorder or because they had mild symptoms that were not noticed. Some might have been able to manage their symptoms as children but struggled in adulthood when their family and work obligations increased.

In order to be diagnosed as having ADHD, mental health professionals must determine that your symptoms are causing significant impairment in at minimum two areas of your life. The effects of ADHD can include losing your job due to a lack in organization and focus, or being placed on academic probation at college because you're unable to concentrate on your tests.

Women are generally better in hiding their symptoms than men, which can make it more difficult for them to get adhd diagnosis a diagnosis. If you're suffering from ADHD symptoms that are affecting your home and work life speaking up with your doctor can help accelerate the process and allow you to benefit from reasonable accommodations under ADA and other workplace laws.

Whatever type of ADHD you suffer from Your mental health professional will want to see that your symptoms started before age 12. They may suggest that you speak with people who were close to you at this time, and they may also conduct a series of tests to test your attention and memory.

After receiving a diagnosis, the doctor will suggest a combination of medication and non-medication treatment to manage your symptoms. Most people will try several different treatments before settling on the most effective one. It is suggested that you keep track of your progress and speak with your physician regularly so that they can assist in adjusting your treatment plan when needed.