Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult

For adults who find themselves struggling in their work or personal life in any way, recognizing ADHD is a significant step towards taking control. A diagnosis requires a thorough evaluation that may include reviews of school records and questionnaires filled out by caregivers and teachers.

It is not uncommon for adults to be diagnosed with ADHD. See NIMH for tips on talking to your doctor about the condition.

Diagnosis

Being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult is usually the first step towards gaining control over the symptoms that can cause havoc on one's personal and professional lives. First, you must consult your GP or a mental health specialist who is experienced in treating adults suffering from ADHD. If your doctor is not familiar with ADHD, he or she might refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct an assessment.

A mental health professional will usually employ a six-question ADHD screener to determine if you are suffering from the condition. He or she will then interview you about your symptoms that are similar to ADHD and look over your medical and family history to ensure that other conditions aren't causing them.

Because people with ADHD have a tendency to miss details and get easily distracted, they often have trouble following instructions or listening to lectures or on the job. They often lose important items needed for their tasks like keys, wallets and other tools. They might also have difficulty staying focused when they are reading long speeches or assignments. Other symptoms of adult ADHD include fidgeting, talking or texting excessively or squirming in the seat.

It is essential to rule out other medical conditions when determining whether someone suffers from adult ADHD. These include depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. Stress and physical issues like thyroid issues can be a source of ADHD symptoms. In the DSM-5 professionals are required to assess the severity of an individual's symptoms when diagnosing them as having ADHD. Adult ADHD is classified as mild, moderate or severe.

Many people with ADHD are not diagnosed in their childhood because it's not readily apparent. For adults, being diagnosed can be a life-changing revelation as they realize the reason why they struggled in school and never seemed to attain their full potential at work or at home. Some may even feel guilt-ridden for blaming their troubles on themselves or others and may experience grief over lost opportunities that could have been a reality when they were properly treated.

Treatment

The first step in getting treatment for ADHD as an adult is to see a healthcare professional to have 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 professional will need to know your medical history as well as family-related mental health issues. This is due to the fact that a number of physical and emotional conditions can trigger symptoms that are similar to those associated with ADHD and must be eliminated before a diagnosis can be made.

The professional will also ask about your work and lifestyle, and how your symptoms affect your life. They will be particularly interested in whether you showed symptoms of ADHD before the age of 12 years old. They might also interview those who knew you in childhood and ask about their experiences.

A thorough medical history will aid your doctor in determining if you need medication or Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult other treatment. This is because some medical conditions, including sleep apnea, thyroid issues and lead poisoning, can trigger symptoms of ADHD. Adults with a history depression or anxiety will need to be assessed and treated with more care, as these conditions often are in synergy.

If a medical professional believes you need medication, he or she will prescribe the appropriate drug. The type of medicine you need will depend on your symptoms and how they impact your life. The most commonly used medication prescribed for ADHD, are stimulants. However, they are not right for everyone, and the first one you try may not be effective or trigger unpleasant side effects. Your healthcare provider will need to know if are taking any other medications, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements, since certain kinds of drugs may interact with ADHD stimulants.

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

It's important to seek out an expert in healthcare who specializes in mental illness. 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 adults with ADHD and their struggles as well as having worked with other clients. You can use search engines like ADDitude or contact your local mental health service to find a professional that is working with adults who suffer from ADHD.

Medication

If you're an adult who has been struggling with ADHD getting a diagnosis is the first step to managing your symptoms and improving your life. If you are struggling to reach your full potential at work, have difficulty maintaining relationships, or experience difficulty completing tasks at home and at work, an ADHD diagnosis could be the answer you've been looking for.

ADHD treatment for adults begins with thorough interviews and a thorough review of your medical history, which includes 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 private diagnosis, 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 suffer from untreated ADHD are frequently co-morbid with other disorders, like anxiety and depression. Jaksa states that these disorders can exacerbate or cause symptoms of ADHD. He adds that chronic stress and frustration due to inadequate performance can trigger feelings of self-esteem loss. "Getting an assessment will help them get a better understanding of the root of their issues. This can help to reduce or eliminate their anxieties and help them concentrate more productively on areas where they excel," Jaksa states.

The best treatment for adults with ADHD is typically an amalgamation of therapy and medication. The stimulants help improve concentration, Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult reduce the risk of impulsive behavior, and help with the process of organizing. In many instances, these medications can also boost motivation and improve mood. Some of the side effects of stimulants include insomnia and difficulties eating or drinking enough. The mood swings can also happen in people who are taking stimulants for ADHD and can be difficult to manage.

Discuss with your doctor about whether you are an ideal candidate for clinical trials of novel treatments or medications. These studies aid researchers in finding more effective methods to prevent, diagnose or treat illnesses and conditions.

Counseling

Untreated ADHD can lead to issues in all areas of your life. Procrastination and other symptoms can have a negative impact on your relationships, career, and financial health. The first step to reduce the negative effects and regaining control is to get diagnosed and seek treatment.

Many adults diagnosed with ADHD were not diagnosed as children, either because their family and teachers weren't aware of the disorder, or because they had mild symptoms that weren't noticed. Some adults may have been able manage their symptoms as children but had difficulty with them in adulthood due to increasing family and work obligations.

To diagnose ADHD, mental health professionals must find that your symptoms cause significant impairment in two areas of your daily life. The impairment could result in losing your job due to of lack of concentration and organizational skills, or being put on academic probation in college due to the inability to do well on tests.

Women are generally better at hiding their symptoms than men, which could make it difficult for them to get a diagnosis. If you have ADHD symptoms that affect your life at work or at home you can accelerate the process of diagnosis by being honest with your doctor. You might also be able to get reasonable accommodations under ADA laws as well as other workplace laws.

Your mental health professional regardless of the type of ADHD you suffer from, will be interested in knowing whether your symptoms started before the age of 12. They might ask you to talk with people who knew you at this time and may also perform a series of tests to assess your memory and attention levels.

After receiving an assessment, the doctor will suggest a combination of medication and non-medication treatment to help manage your symptoms. The majority of people will test various treatments before settling on the most effective 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 adjust your treatment plan according to your needs.