Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult

Adults who have difficulty in their personal or professional lives can benefit from diagnosing ADHD. A thorough examination is necessary to determine if you have the diagnosis. This involves examining the school records and filling out questionnaires completed by caregivers and teachers.

The majority of people with ADHD suffer from symptoms since the age of three, and it's not uncommon to be diagnosed with it in adulthood. NIMH has tips on how to talk with your doctor about the condition.

Diagnosis

Getting diagnosed with ADHD as an adult is usually the first step in gaining control over symptoms that wreak havoc on a person's personal and professional lives. First, you must consult your GP or a mental health professional who has experience treating adults with ADHD. If your doctor does not have any knowledge of ADHD or other disorders, they could refer you to psychologist or psychiatrist for an assessment.

Typically an expert in mental health will use an eight-question ADHD screener to determine whether you might have the condition, says Adler. The doctor will interview you about your symptoms that are similar to ADHD and review your medical history and family history to determine if other medical conditions aren't the cause of them.

Since people who suffer from ADHD have a tendency to miss details and get easily distracted, they often struggle with following directions or listening to lectures or at work. They often lose things necessary for tasks or activities, including keys, wallets and tools. They might also have difficulty staying focused when listening to or reading long speeches. Other signs of adult ADHD include fidgeting, talking or texting frequently or squirming around in their seats.

In determining if someone suffers from adult ADHD, it is important to rule out other conditions that may cause similar symptoms, like depression, anxiety bipolar disorder, anxiety and substance abuse. Stress and certain physical conditions like thyroid issues could be similar to the symptoms of ADHD. In the DSM-5 professionals are now required to consider the severity of an individual's symptoms when diagnosing them with ADHD. Adult ADHD is classified as moderate, mild or severe.

Many people with ADHD never receive a diagnosis in childhood because it is not readily apparent. For adults, being diagnosed can be a life-changing experience because they can finally understand why they struggled in school and failed to reach their potential at work or at home. They might even feel guilty for blaming their issues on themselves or others and can feel sadness over the missed opportunities that could have been had when they were properly treated.

Treatment

The first step in obtaining treatment for ADHD as an adult is to visit the healthcare professional to have an assessment. This can be done in person or via video calls. Only psychiatrists, psychologists and specialist nurses are qualified to diagnose ADHD in the UK. The specialist will want to know your medical history and family-related mental health issues. This is because there are a variety of mental and physical ailments which can trigger symptoms that are similar to ADHD. These conditions need to be ruled out in order to determine if you have ADHD.

The professional will also ask about your work and lifestyle and how your symptoms impact your daily life. They are particularly interested in whether or not you showed symptoms of ADHD prior to the age of 12 years. They might also interview those who knew you in childhood and ask them about their experiences.

A detailed medical history can aid your doctor in determining if you need medication or other treatment. This is because some medical conditions, Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult such as thyroid problems, sleep apnea and lead poisoning, can trigger symptoms of ADHD. Adults who have a history of anxiety or depression need to be evaluated and treated with more care since these conditions can coexist.

If a medical professional believes that you require medication, they will prescribe a suitable medication. The type of medicine you require is determined by your symptoms and how they impact your life. Stimulants are among the most commonly prescribed medication for ADHD. However, they're not suitable for everyone and the first one you try might not be effective or have bothersome adverse effects. Your healthcare provider will want to know if you are taking any other medications, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements, as certain kinds of drugs may interact with ADHD stimulants.

Counseling is also an important component of the treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help you deal with feelings of failure, getting diagnosed with adhd as an adult underachievement and frustration that are often associated with untreated ADHD. It can also teach you to manage your anger and improve your time management and organization skills.

It is crucial to find a healthcare professional that specializes in mental illness. A psychiatrist or neurologist can diagnose and treat ADHD. However you might prefer to consult a specialist psychotherapist. These professionals will likely be more familiar with adult ADHD and their challenges and also have worked with other clients. You can inquire with your local mental health service or ADDitude's directory to find a specialist who can assist adults with ADHD.

Medication

A diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the first step to managing your symptoms and improving your life. If you're struggling to achieve your full potential in the workplace or in maintaining relationships, or experience difficulty completing tasks at home then an ADHD diagnosis could be just what you require.

The first step in treating ADHD in adults is thorough medical history, including your symptoms. The psychiatrist or psychologist determines if you meet the requirements for ADHD in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5), 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 who are not treated for ADHD often have coexisting disorders, like anxiety and depression. Jaksa says that these disorders can exacerbate or cause symptoms of ADHD. He says that stress and anger due to low performance can cause feelings of low self-esteem. "Getting an evaluation can help them get a better understanding of the root causes of their issues which can help alleviate or eliminate some of their anxieties and allow them to concentrate more effectively on the areas where they excel," Jaksa says.

Adults suffering from ADHD are typically treated with a combination of medications in conjunction with behavior therapy. Stimulants can boost concentration, reduce impulsive behaviors and help with organization. These drugs can boost moods and improve motivation in many cases. Some of the side effects of stimulants include insomnia and difficulties drinking or eating enough. Mood swings can also occur in some people who take stimulants to treat ADHD, and these can be difficult to manage.

Discuss with your health care provider about whether you are an ideal candidate for clinical trials of new treatments or drugs. These studies help researchers discover better methods to detect and treat illnesses, as well as prevent them from occurring.

Counseling

Untreated ADHD can cause problems in all aspects of your life. Your career, relationships and financial health could be negatively impacted by procrastination or poor time management, impulsive spending, and other signs. Getting a diagnosis and seeking treatment is the first step to lessening the negative effects and regaining control of your life.

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

To diagnose ADHD Mental health professionals need to find that your symptoms result in significant impairments in two areas of your daily life. The effects of ADHD can include losing your job due to a deficit in focus and organization skills, or being placed on academic probation at your college because you are unable to study for tests.

Women are more adept at avoiding their symptoms than men, which could make it harder for them to get an accurate diagnosis. If, however, you are suffering from ADHD symptoms that affect your life at work and at home, being forthright about them with your doctor can accelerate the process and allow you to get reasonable accommodations under the ADA and other workplace laws.

Regardless of the kind of ADHD you suffer from, your mental health professional will verify that your symptoms were present prior to the age of 12. They might ask you to speak with people who were close to you at the time, and they may also conduct a series of tests to assess your attention and memory.

If you're given the diagnosis your therapist will recommend a combination of medications and non-medication treatments to manage your symptoms. A majority of patients will try a variety of different therapies before they can find the one that is most effective for them. Keep a record of your progress and visit your physician regularly to alter your treatment plan as necessary.