Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult

Adults who are struggling in their personal or professional lives may benefit from a diagnosis of ADHD. A thorough evaluation is needed for determining an accurate diagnosis. This involves examining school records as well as questionnaires filled out by caregivers and teachers.

Most people with ADHD have symptoms since childhood, and it is not uncommon to be diagnosed in adulthood. NIMH offers tips on how to talk with your doctor about the condition.

Diagnosis

It is crucial to be diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood. This will allow you to gain control over the symptoms that can cause a lot of trouble in your professional and personal life. The first step is to talk with your GP or consult a mental health professional with experience in treating adults suffering from ADHD. If your doctor does not have any experience in treating ADHD, they may recommend you to psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct an assessment.

A mental health professional would typically use 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 examine your family history and medical history to make sure that any other conditions are not causing your ADHD-like symptoms.

Because people who suffer from ADHD tend to be unable to pay attention and are easily distracted, they often have difficulty following instructions or listening in class or at work. They are often unable to locate important items needed for their tasks like keys, wallets, and tools. They may also have trouble staying focused while listening to or reading long speeches. Fidgeting, excessive talking or texting, or squirming, are other symptoms of adult ADHD.

It is crucial to rule other conditions out when determining if someone has adult ADHD. These include depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder. Stress and physical ailments like thyroid problems can also cause ADHD symptoms. The DSM-5 is now requiring professionals to determine the severity of a person's symptoms are when determining if they have diagnosed the condition. Adult ADHD is classified as moderate, mild or severe.

Many people with ADHD have a lifelong struggle without ever getting a diagnosis because it's not evident in childhood. For adults, being diagnosed can be a life-changing experience because they finally understand why they struggled in school and never seemed to reach their potential at work or at home. Some may even feel guilty for blaming their problems on others or themselves, and they can experience grief over lost opportunities that could have been a reality if they had been properly treated.

Treatment

To receive treatment for ADHD in adults the first step is to speak with a healthcare professional. This can be accomplished in person or via video call. Only psychiatrists, psychologists, and specialist nurses are able to diagnose ADHD in the UK. The specialist will require information about your medical history and family-related mental health issues. This is because a variety of physical and emotional issues can trigger symptoms that are similar to those associated with ADHD and need to be addressed before an assessment is made.

The expert will also inquire about your work and lifestyle, and how your symptoms influence your life. They are particularly interested in whether or not you displayed signs of ADHD prior to the age of 12. They may also interview those who were close to you as an infant and ask them about their memories.

A thorough medical history can help the doctor decide whether you need medication or other treatments. Certain medical conditions, like sleep apnea, thyroid disorders, and lead poisoning, can trigger ADHD symptoms. Adults with a history anxiety or depression require evaluation and treated with more care, as these conditions often are in synergy.

If a professional believes that you need medication, they will prescribe the right medication. The kind of medication you will require will depend on the severity of your symptoms and how they interfere with your life. Stimulants are the most commonly prescribed medication for ADHD. They are not suitable for everyone and the first medication you try might not work or cause undesirable negative side consequences. Your doctor will need to know if take any other medications such as over-the-counter medications and supplements, because certain kinds of medications can interact with ADHD stimulants.

Counseling is a crucial component of the treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help you deal with the feelings of failure or underachievement that are often associated with untreated ADHD. It can also help you how to manage your anger as well as improve your organization and time management skills.

If you suffer from a mental illness it is crucial to find a healthcare professional who specializes in the field. A psychiatrist or neurologist is able to diagnose and treat ADHD. However, you may prefer to consult a specialist therapist. These experts are likely to be more knowledgeable about the challenges of treating adult ADHD and have experience helping others who have similar issues. You can use search engines like ADDitude or 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 to managing your symptoms and improving your life. If you've found it difficult to reach your full potential at work, find it difficult to maintain relationships, or have trouble finishing tasks at home and at work, a diagnosis of ADHD might be the answer you have been searching for.

The first step to treat ADHD in adults is a thorough medical history, Getting Diagnosed With ADHD including your symptoms. The psychologist or psychiatrist will then determine if 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 who suffer from untreated ADHD often have coexisting disorders, like depression and anxiety. These disorders can trigger or worsen symptoms of ADHD, Jaksa says. A constant stress and anger over inadequate performance can cause feelings of low self-esteem, he adds. "Getting a diagnose will help them understand the causes of their struggles. This may reduce or eliminate their anxieties, and allow them to focus more effectively on areas where they excel," Jaksa states.

The best treatment for adults with ADHD is typically an amalgamation of behavior therapy and medication. The use of stimulants can help improve concentration, decrease impulsive behaviors and aid in organizing. These drugs can improve moods and boost motivation in many instances. People who take stimulants should be aware of potential adverse effects, such as insomnia and trouble with eating or drinking enough. People who take stimulants to treat ADHD might have mood swings that could be difficult to manage.

Discuss with your health care provider regarding whether you're suitable for clinical trials of novel treatments or medications. These studies aid researchers in discovering more effective ways to diagnose and treat or prevent diseases.

Counseling

Untreated ADHD can cause issues in all areas of your life. Your relationships, work and financial health could be negatively affected by procrastination and poor time management, excessive spending and other symptoms. The first step to reducing the negative effects and regaining control is to get a diagnosis and seek treatment.

Many adults diagnosed with ADHD didn't receive a diagnosis when they were children because their teachers and family were unaware of the disorder or they had minor symptoms that weren't noticed. Some might have managed their symptoms in childhood but struggled as they grew older as their family and work obligations increased.

To be diagnosed as having ADHD mental health professionals must find that your symptoms are causing severe impairment in at least two areas of your life. The impairment could result in losing your job because of a lack of focus and organization skills or being placed on academic probation in college due to the inability to learn for tests.

Women are generally better at hiding their symptoms than men, which can make it difficult for them to get a diagnosis. If, getting diagnosed with adhd however, you are struggling with ADHD symptoms that are affecting your home and work life, being forthright about them with your doctor can accelerate the process and let you get reasonable accommodations under ADA and other workplace laws.

Your mental health professional regardless of the type of ADHD you have will want to know whether your symptoms started before the age of 12. They may ask you to talk with people who were around you during this time and may also conduct a series of tests to assess your attention and memory abilities.

When you receive an diagnosis your therapist will recommend a combination of medications and non-medication therapies to manage your symptoms. A majority of patients will try a variety of different treatments before they find the one that is most effective for them. Keep a journal of your progress and consult your physician regularly to alter your treatment plan as needed.