Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult

Adults who have difficulty in their professional or personal lives may benefit from a diagnosis of ADHD. A diagnosis requires a thorough evaluation that may include reviews of school records and questionnaires completed by caregivers and teachers.

The majority of people with ADHD live with symptoms from childhood, and it is not uncommon to be diagnosed at an adult age. See NIMH for tips on talking with your health professional about the disorder.

Diagnosis

Being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult is usually the first step to gain control over the symptoms that can cause destruction on people's personal and professional lives. The first step is to consult your GP or a mental health specialist who has experience treating adults suffering from ADHD. If your GP isn't familiar with ADHD and/or ADHD, they may refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct an assessment.

Typically an expert in mental health will employ the six-question ADHD screener to determine whether you might have the condition, according to Adler. They will ask you questions about the symptoms of ADHD and examine your medical and family history to confirm that other conditions aren't contributing to them.

Since people with ADHD are more likely to be unable to pay attention and are easily distracted, they frequently have trouble following instructions or listening in class or on the job. They are more likely to lose items necessary for tasks or activities, such as keys, wallets and tools. They might also have difficulty staying focused when listening to long speeches. Other symptoms of adult ADHD include fidgeting, texting or talking excessively or squirming in their seats.

It is essential to rule out other conditions when determining if someone has adult ADHD. These include depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder. Stress and certain physical conditions like thyroid problems can also mimic the symptoms of ADHD. The DSM-5 now requires doctors to determine the severity of a person's symptoms are before identifying the condition. Adult ADHD is classified as mild, moderate or severe.

Many people suffering from ADHD have a lifelong struggle without ever being diagnosed because it's not evident in the early years. For adults, being diagnosed can be a life-changing experience as they realize the reason why they struggled in school and could not reach their potential at work or at home. They might even feel guilty for blaming their problems on others or themselves and can feel sadness over the missed opportunities that could have been a reality if they had been properly treated.

Treatment

The first step in getting treatment for ADHD as an adult is to visit a medical professional to get adhd diagnosis 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 specialist will need to know your medical history as well as your family's mental health issues. This is because many physical and emotional conditions can trigger symptoms similar to those of ADHD and must be addressed before an assessment can be made.

The doctor will inquire about your lifestyle and work, as well as how your symptoms affect your life. They will be particularly interested in whether or not you had symptoms of ADHD prior to the age of 12. They may also interview those who were close to you as a child and ask them about their experiences.

A thorough medical history will aid the doctor in determining if you require medication or other treatments. This is because some medical conditions, such as thyroid problems, sleep apnea and lead poisoning can cause symptoms of ADHD. Adults who have a history of anxiety or depression require evaluation and treated with more care because these conditions frequently are in synergy.

If a doctor believes that you need medication, they will prescribe a suitable medication. The kind of medication you require will depend on the severity of your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. Stimulants, which are the most popular medication prescribed for ADHD, are stimulants. However, they are not for everyone and the first stimulant you try may not be effective or have uncomfortable adverse effects. Your doctor will want to know if you take any other medications, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements, as certain kinds of medications can interact with ADHD stimulants.

Counseling is a crucial component of treatment for adults with ADHD. Individual therapy can help you cope better with feelings of frustration and failure that are frequently associated with untreated ADHD. It can also help you to manage your anger and improve your time management and organization skills.

If you suffer from an illness of the mind, it's important to find a doctor who is specialized in this condition. A psychiatrist or neurologist can diagnose and treat ADHD however, you may prefer to see an expert psychologist or therapist. These experts are likely to be more familiar with the challenges of treating adult ADHD and have experience helping other clients with similar struggles. You can inquire with your local mental health services or with ADDitude's directory to find a specialist who works with adults with ADHD.

Medication

If you are an adult who has had to deal with ADHD getting a diagnosis is the first step toward managing your symptoms and improving your life. If you've struggled to reach your full potential at work, are finding it difficult to maintain relationships, or have trouble finishing tasks at home and at work, a diagnosis of ADHD might be the solution you've been searching for.

ADHD treatment for adults starts with thorough interviews and a thorough review of your medical history, including the symptoms you've experienced. 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 states that these disorders can worsen or cause symptoms of ADHD. He adds that chronic anxiety and frustration resulting from low performance can cause feelings of self-esteem loss. "Getting a diagnose will help them understand the reasons behind their struggles. This may reduce or eliminate their anxieties and enable them to focus more effectively on areas where they excel," Jaksa states.

Adults with ADHD are typically treated by a combination of medication along with behavior therapy. Stimulants increase concentration, Undiagnosed decrease impulsive behavior and aid in organization. These medications can improve moods and increase motivation in a variety of cases. People who are taking stimulants must be aware of possible negative effects, which could include insomnia and difficulty drinking or eating enough. The mood swings can also happen 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 would be suitable for clinical trials of novel treatments or medicines. These studies aid researchers in finding more effective ways to prevent, diagnose, or treat illnesses and conditions.

Counseling

If you have untreated ADHD, it can cause a variety of problems in every area of your life. Your relationships, work and financial health can be negatively affected by procrastination, poor time management, impulsive spending and other signs. Finding a diagnosis and seeking treatment is the first step to reduce the negative impact and regaining control over your life.

Many adults who are diagnosed with ADHD weren't diagnosed as children due to the fact that their families and teachers weren't aware of the disorder, or because they displayed mild symptoms which were not noticed. Some may have been able to manage their symptoms in childhood but struggled later in life when their family and work obligations increased.

To determine ADHD mental health professionals must find that your symptoms cause significant impairment in two areas of your daily life. In the event of impairment, it could result in losing your job because of a lack of concentration and organizational skills, or being placed on academic probation in college due to inability to learn for tests.

Women are more adept at avoiding symptoms than men. This can make it more difficult for women to be diagnosed. If you're suffering from ADHD symptoms that impact your work or home life, you can accelerate the process of diagnosing by being upfront with your doctor. You may also be able to receive reasonable accommodations under ADA laws as well as other workplace laws.

Your mental health professional, regardless of the type of ADHD you have, will want to know the time when your symptoms began. the age of 12. They may request that you speak to people who knew you during this time and may also perform a series of tests to evaluate your memory and attention levels.

After receiving an diagnosis, your specialist will recommend a combination medication and non-medication treatment to manage your symptoms. A majority of patients will try a variety of different methods before they discover the one that works best for them. Keep a log of your progress and consult your physician regularly to alter your treatment plan as necessary.