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 diagnosis requires a thorough assessment, often including reviews of school records and questionnaires completed by parents and teachers.

Most people with ADHD have symptoms since the age of three, and it's not unusual to be diagnosed with it as an adult. NIMH provides guidelines on how to talk with your doctor about the condition.

Diagnosis

It is crucial to be diagnosed with ADHD at an early age. This will allow you to get control of the symptoms that can cause havoc in your personal and professional life. The first step is to talk to your GP or consult an expert in mental health who has expertise in treating adults with ADHD. If your GP isn't familiar with ADHD, getting diagnosed with adhd as an adult he or she may refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist for an assessment.

A mental health professional would typically employ a six-question ADHD screener to determine if you are suffering from the condition. He or she will then ask you questions about your ADHD-like symptoms and look over your medical and family history to determine if other conditions aren't contributing to them.

Because people with ADHD have a tendency to miss details and get easily distracted, they frequently have difficulty following instructions or listening to lectures or on the job. They are more likely to lose items that are essential for their work or activities, like tools, wallets, and keys. They might also have difficulty staying focused while listening to or reading long speeches. Other symptoms of adult ADHD include fidgeting, talking or texting excessively or squirming in the seat.

It is crucial to rule out other conditions when determining if someone has adult ADHD. This includes anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder. Stress and physical ailments like thyroid issues could be similar to the symptoms of ADHD. In the DSM-5 professionals are now required to assess the severity of a person's symptoms when determining if they are suffering from ADHD. Adult ADHD is classified as mild, moderate or severe.

Many people suffering from ADHD live their entire lives without ever getting a diagnosis because it's not evident during childhood. A diagnosis can change the course of an adult's life, as they can now see why they struggled at school and never reached their full potential at work or at home. They may feel guilty about blaming others or themselves for their troubles and may also be resentful over missed opportunities when they were treated with respect.

Treatment

To receive treatment for ADHD for adults the first step is to talk with an expert in healthcare. This can be done either in person or via video calls. Only psychiatrists, psychologists, and specialist nurses are able to diagnose ADHD in the UK. The doctor will need to know your medical history and your family's mental health issues. This is due to the fact that there are a variety of mental and physical ailments which can trigger symptoms similar to ADHD. These conditions need to be ruled out to determine if you have ADHD.

The expert will also inquire about your work and lifestyle, and how your symptoms influence your life. They will be particularly interested in whether or not you displayed symptoms of ADHD prior to the age of 12 years. They might also interview people who knew you as a child and ask about their experiences.

A thorough medical history will aid the doctor in determining if you need medications or other treatments. Some medical conditions such as sleep apnea, thyroid disorders and lead poisoning can trigger ADHD symptoms. Adults who have a history of depression or anxiety may need more careful evaluation and treatment because these conditions are often associated with ADHD.

If a doctor believes you need medication, they will prescribe the right medication. The kind of medication you need will depend on your symptoms and the way they impact your life. Stimulants are among the most commonly prescribed drugs for ADHD. They aren't for everyone and the first medication you try may not work or cause unwanted negative side effects. Your doctor will be interested in knowing 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 an essential part of treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help you deal with the feelings of disappointment or underachievement that are often associated with untreated ADHD. It can help you learn to manage your anger, and improve your time management and organizing abilities.

If you have an illness of the mind it is essential to locate an expert in healthcare who is trained in that condition. A psychiatrist or neurologist can diagnose and treat ADHD however, you may prefer to consult a specialist therapist or psychologist. These experts are likely to be more familiar with the challenges of treating adults with ADHD and have had experience in helping other patients who are struggling with similar issues. You can contact your local mental health clinic or consult ADDitude's directory of professionals to find a professional who is working with adults suffering from ADHD.

Medication

If you're an adult who has been struggling with ADHD getting a diagnosis is the first step toward managing your symptoms and improving your quality of life. If you've found it difficult to realize your full potential at work, have found it difficult to maintain relationships or struggle to finish tasks at home, a diagnosis of ADHD could be the solution you've been seeking.

ADHD treatment for adults starts with a thorough interview and review of your medical history, which includes the symptoms you've experienced. The psychiatrist or psychologist determines if you meet the criteria 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 suffer from co-occurring disorders, including anxiety and depression. Jaksa says that these disorders can cause or worsen symptoms of ADHD. He also says that constant stress and frustration due to inadequate performance can trigger feelings of self-esteem loss. "Getting an assessment can help these individuals get a better understanding of the reasons behind their struggles. This can help to reduce or eliminate their worries and help them focus on areas where they excel," Jaksa states.

Adults with ADHD are typically treated with a combination of medications in conjunction with behavior therapy. The use of stimulants can help improve concentration, decrease impulsive behavior and help with organization. These medications 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 may suffer from mood swings that may be difficult for them to manage.

Speak to your doctor about whether or not you're a candidate for clinical trials of new medications or treatments. These studies assist researchers in finding more effective ways to prevent, diagnose or treat diseases and conditions.

Counseling

Untreated ADHD can lead to issues in all areas of your life. Your career, relationships and financial health can be negatively affected by procrastination or poor time management, excessive spending and other symptoms. Finding a doctor and seeking treatment is the first step to reducing these negative impacts and regaining control over your life.

Many adults who are diagnosed with ADHD were not diagnosed as children, because their teachers and family were unaware of the condition or they had mild symptoms that weren't recognized. Some adults may have been able manage their symptoms as children, but struggled with them in adulthood due to the increased demands of work and family.

In order to be diagnosed as having ADHD mental health professionals must discover that your symptoms cause significant impairment in at least two areas of your life. Impaired can be losing your job due to a lack in focus and organization skills, or being placed on academic probation at your college due to your inability to do well on tests.

Women are more adept at hiding symptoms than men. This can make it harder for them to receive a diagnosis. If, however, you are struggling with ADHD symptoms that are affecting your life at work and at home speaking up with your doctor can accelerate the process and allow you to take advantage of reasonable accommodations under ADA and other workplace laws.

Your mental health professional regardless of the kind of adhd diagnosis uk you suffer from will be looking to determine whether your symptoms started before the age of 12. They may ask you to talk to people who knew you at this time and may also conduct a series of tests to evaluate your attention and memory levels.

After receiving an diagnosis, your therapist will recommend a combination medication and non-medication therapy to help manage your symptoms. The majority of patients will try a few different treatments before finding the right one. It is recommended to keep track of your progress and consult with your doctor on a regular basis so they can help you adjust your treatment program as needed.