Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult
Adults who have difficulty in their personal or professional lives may benefit from a diagnosis of ADHD. A diagnosis requires a thorough assessment that may include reviews of school records and questionnaires filled out by caregivers and teachers.
Most people suffering from ADHD live with symptoms from childhood, and it is not unusual to be diagnosed with it in adulthood. Visit NIMH for advice on how to talk to your health care provider about the condition.
Diagnosis
Getting diagnosed with ADHD as an adult is often the first step in gaining control over the symptoms that cause havoc on a person's professional and personal lives. 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 knowledge of ADHD or other disorders, they could recommend you to psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct an assessment.
Typically an expert in mental health will use an eight-question ADHD screener to determine whether you are susceptible to the condition, according to Adler. Then, he or she will ask you questions about your symptoms and review your medical history and family background to ensure that any other conditions are not causing your ADHD-like symptoms.
People suffering from ADHD are prone to being easily distracted and can miss crucial details. They often have difficulty following instructions in class or at work. They often lose things essential to their tasks or activities, such as keys, wallets and tools. They may also have trouble staying focused when they are reading long speeches or assignments. Fidgeting, excessive talk or texting, or squirming, are other symptoms of adult ADHD.
It is essential to rule out other medical conditions in determining if a person has adult ADHD. This includes anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder. Stress and physical ailments like thyroid issues can cause ADHD symptoms. In the DSM-5 professionals are now required to consider the severity of a person's symptoms when diagnosing them with ADHD. Adult ADHD is classified as moderate, mild or severe.
Many people suffering from ADHD go their whole lives without ever receiving a diagnosis because it's not obvious during childhood. For adults, a diagnosis can be a life-changing experience as they realize why they struggled in school and failed to achieve their full potential at work or at home. Some may even feel guilty for blaming their issues on others or themselves and may experience 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 see a healthcare professional to get an assessment. This can be done in person or via video call. Only psychiatrists, psychologists and specialist nurses are able to diagnose ADHD in the UK. The doctor will require information about your medical history as well as your family's mental health issues. This is because a variety of emotional and physical conditions can cause symptoms that are similar to those associated with ADHD and need to be eliminated before a diagnosis can be made.
The expert will also inquire about your lifestyle and work and how your symptoms influence your life. They will be particularly interested in whether or not you displayed signs of ADHD prior to the age of 12 years old. They might also talk to those who were close to you as an infant and inquire about their childhood memories.
A thorough medical history can aid the doctor in determining if you require medications or other treatments. Certain medical conditions, such as sleep apnea, thyroid disorders and lead poisoning can cause ADHD symptoms. Adults with a history of anxiety or depression may need more careful evaluation and treatment, because these conditions can be co-existing with ADHD.
If a medical professional believes that you require medication, they will prescribe a suitable drug. The type of medication you need depends on the severity of your symptoms and how they impact your life. The most commonly used medication prescribed for ADHD, are stimulants. They are not suitable for everyone and the first medication you try might not be effective or cause undesirable side consequences. Your healthcare provider will need to know if are taking any other medications such as over-the-counter medications and supplements, since certain kinds of medications can interact with ADHD stimulants.
Counseling is an important component of treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help you deal with the feelings of disappointment frustration, underachievement, and anger that are frequently associated with untreated ADHD. It can also help you learn how to manage your anger and improve your time management and organization abilities.
If you have an illness of the mind, it's important to find a doctor who is specialized in this condition. A psychiatrist or neurologist is able to diagnose and treat ADHD, but you might prefer to consult an expert psychologist or therapist. These specialists are likely to be more familiar with adult ADHD and their challenges and also have experience working with other clients. You can use search engines like ADDitude or visit your local mental health services to find a professional that assists adults with ADHD.
Medication
A diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the first step towards managing your symptoms and enhancing your life. If you've found it difficult to realize your full potential at work, are finding it difficult to maintain relationships, or have trouble finishing tasks at home, a diagnosis of ADHD might be the answer you have been seeking.
The first step to treat ADHD in adults is thorough medical history, including your symptoms. The psychologist or psychiatrist will determine if the 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 with untreated ADHD are often afflicted with disorders such as depression and anxiety. These disorders can cause or worsen the symptoms of ADHD, Jaksa says. Stress and frustration from poor performance can also cause feelings of low self-esteem Jaksa says. "Getting a diagnosis can help these individuals get a better understanding of the root of their issues, which may alleviate or alleviate some of their anxiety and allow them to concentrate more effectively on areas in which they excel," Jaksa says.
The most effective treatment for adults suffering from ADHD is typically the combination of medication and behavior therapy. Stimulants can boost concentration, reduce impulsive behaviors and help with organization. In many instances these drugs can boost motivation and improve mood. Side effects of stimulants include insomnia and difficulty drinking enough or eating well. Mood swings can also occur in those who take stimulants to treat ADHD and can be difficult to manage.
Talk to adult adhd diagnosis uk whether you are a good candidate for clinical trials of new treatments or medicines. These studies aid researchers in finding better methods to prevent, diagnose, or treat illnesses and conditions.
Counseling
Untreated ADHD can lead to issues in all areas of your life. Your relationships, work and financial health could be negatively affected by procrastination or poor time management, impulsive spending and other symptoms. The first step to reduce the negative effects and regaining control is to get an assessment and seek treatment.
Many adults who are diagnosed with ADHD were not diagnosed as children or because their families and teachers weren't aware of the condition or they showed mild symptoms that were not spotted. Certain adults may have been able manage their symptoms in childhood, but had difficulty with them in adulthood due to increased work and family obligations.
To determine ADHD mental health professionals need to find that your symptoms result in significant impairments in two areas of your everyday life. Impairment can result in losing your job due to of an inability to focus and organizational skills or being placed on academic probation at college due to the inability to study for tests.
Women are better at avoiding symptoms than men. This makes it more difficult for them to receive a diagnosis. If you're suffering from ADHD symptoms that are affecting your work and home life speaking up with your doctor can help speed up the process and enable you to benefit from reasonable accommodations under ADA and other workplace laws.
Your mental health professional regardless of the kind of ADHD you have will be interested in knowing whether your symptoms started before the age of 12. They might ask you to talk to people who knew you at this time period. They may also perform a series of tests to evaluate your attention and memory levels.
After you are given a diagnosis the therapist will suggest a combination of medications and non-medical treatments to help manage your symptoms. The majority of people will test different treatments before they find the one that is most effective for them. Keep a record of your progress, and make sure to consult your doctor regularly to adjust your treatment plan as needed.