Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult

Adults who are struggling in their work or personal life and are unable to resolve the issue, identifying ADHD is a significant step in getting control. A thorough examination is necessary for determining a diagnosis. This includes reviewing school records as well as questionnaires completed by caregivers and teachers.

It is not unusual for adults to be diagnosed with ADHD. Visit NIMH for advice on how to talk to your doctor about the condition.

Diagnosis

Getting diagnosed with ADHD as an adult is often the first step in gaining control over the symptoms that can cause destruction on people's personal and professional lives. The first step is to talk with your GP or find a mental health professional who has experience in treating adults suffering from ADHD. If your GP does not have any experience with 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 are suffering from the condition. Then, the doctor will ask you questions about your symptoms, and examine your family history and medical history to make sure that other medical conditions are not causing your symptoms of ADHD.

People suffering from ADHD tend to be easily distracted and miss important details. They may have trouble adhering to instructions in classes or at work. They often lose things necessary for tasks or activities, such as tools, wallets, keys and wallets. They might also have difficulty staying focused when listening to long speeches. Other symptoms of adult ADHD include fidgeting, texting or talking frequently or squirming around in the seat.

In determining if someone suffers from adult ADHD, it is important to rule out other conditions that could cause similar symptoms, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and abuse of substances. Stress and physical ailments like thyroid issues can cause ADHD symptoms. The DSM-5 now requires doctors to assess the severity of the symptoms a person's experiences are when diagnosing the condition. Mild moderate, severe and mild are the categories used to describe adult ADHD.

Many people with ADHD have a lifelong struggle without ever being diagnosed because it is not apparent in the early years. A diagnosis can alter the course of an adult's life as they understand the reasons why they struggled in school and failed to reach their full potential at work or at home. They may feel guilty for blameing other people or themselves for their troubles and may also be grieved over missed opportunities if they were properly treated.

Treatment

To get treatment for ADHD for adults, the first step is to talk with an expert in the field of healthcare. This can be done in person or via video call. Only psychiatrists, psychologists and specialist nurses are qualified to diagnose ADHD in the UK. The doctor will inquire about your medical history, including mental health issues in the family. This is due to the fact that there are many mental and physical conditions that can cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD. These conditions must be ruled out in order to determine if you have ADHD.

The doctor will also inquire about your work and lifestyle and how your issues influence your life. They will be particularly interested in whether you showed symptoms of ADHD before age 12 years old. They might also talk to 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 require medication or other treatments. This is due to the fact that certain medical conditions, such as thyroid problems, sleep apnea and lead poisoning can cause symptoms of ADHD. Adults who have an underlying history of depression or anxiety might require more careful assessment and treatment, as these conditions can be co-existing with ADHD.

If a doctor believes you require medication, they will prescribe the appropriate drug. The type of medication you require is determined by your symptoms and the way they affect your life. Stimulants, the most common medication prescribed for ADHD, are stimulants. However, they're not right for everyone and the first one you try may not be effective or have unpleasant adverse effects. Your doctor may inquire if you are taking any other medication. This includes over-the-counter medications or supplements, as well as prescription drugs. Certain kinds of medications may interfere with ADHD stimulants.

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

It's important to seek out an expert in healthcare who specializes in mental disorders. A psychiatrist or neurologist can diagnose and treat ADHD. However it is recommended to consult a specialist therapist. These professionals are likely to be more familiar with the challenges of treating adults with ADHD and have had experience in helping other clients with similar struggles. You can search ADDitude or contact your local mental health clinic to find a specialist who works with adults who have ADHD.

Medication

If you are an adult who has had to deal with ADHD and is diagnosed, it's the first step toward managing your symptoms and improving your quality of life. If you're struggling to achieve your full potential in the workplace, have difficulty maintaining relationships, or have difficulty completing tasks at home then an ADHD diagnosis may be just what you need.

The first step in treating ADHD in adults is thorough medical history, including your symptoms. The psychiatrist or psychologist determines if you satisfy 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 often suffer from co-occurring disorders, such as anxiety and depression. Jaksa says that these conditions can cause or worsen symptoms of ADHD. Stress and frustration from inadequate performance can cause feelings of low self-esteem he adds. "Getting a diagnose can help them get a better understanding of the causes of their struggles. This could help reduce or eliminate their worries and help them concentrate more productively on areas where they excel," Jaksa states.

The most effective treatment for adults suffering from ADHD is typically the combination of therapy and medication. Stimulants can boost concentration, reduce impulsive behaviors and aid in achieving organization. In many cases, these medications can also enhance motivation and mood. People who are taking stimulants must be aware of the potential adverse effects, such as insomnia and difficulty eating or drinking enough. Mood swings can also occur in some people who take stimulants to treat ADHD and can be difficult to manage.

Discuss with your health care provider regarding whether you are a good candidate for clinical trials of novel treatments or medicines. These studies help researchers discover better ways to diagnose, prevent or treat diseases.

Counseling

Untreated ADHD can lead to issues in all areas of your life. Procrastination and other signs can affect your relationships and career as well as financial health. Finding a diagnosis and seeking treatment is the first step to lessening the negative effects and regaining control over your life.

Many adults who are diagnosed with ADHD weren't diagnosed as children, either because their family and teachers were not aware of the condition or they showed mild symptoms that were not spotted. Others might have been able to manage their symptoms as children but struggled later in life when their work and family responsibilities increased.

To be diagnosed as having ADHD mental health professionals must discover that your symptoms are causing severe impairment in at minimum two areas of your life. The impairment could result in losing your job due to of an inability to focus and organizational skills or being put on academic probation in college due to inability to do well on tests.

Women are more adept at avoiding symptoms than men. This can make it harder for them to receive a diagnosis. If you're suffering from ADHD symptoms that affect your work and Getting Diagnosed With ADHD home life speaking up with your doctor can accelerate the process and let you benefit from reasonable accommodations under the ADA and other workplace laws.

Regardless of the kind of ADHD you suffer from, your mental health professional will want to determine if your symptoms began prior to the age of 12. They might ask you to talk with people who knew you during this time and may also take a number of tests to determine your memory and attention levels.

After receiving an diagnosis, your specialist will recommend a combination medication and non-medication treatment to manage your symptoms. The majority of people will test different therapies before they can find the one that works best for them. It is suggested that you keep track of your progress and check in with your doctor regularly so they can assist in adjusting your treatment plan as needed.