Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult
Adults who are struggling in their work or personal life in any way, recognizing ADHD can be a significant step towards taking control. A thorough evaluation is needed for determining a diagnosis. This includes reviewing school records and questionnaires filled out by caregivers and teachers.
It is not unusual for adults to be diagnosed with ADHD. Check out NIMH for tips on talking with your health professional about the condition.
Diagnosis
Being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult is usually the first step towards gaining control over symptoms that wreak destruction on people's professional and personal lives. First, you must consult your GP or a mental health specialist who is experienced in treating adults with ADHD. If your GP does not have any experience in treating ADHD, they may refer you to psychologist or psychiatrist for an assessment.
Typically, a mental health professional will employ a six-question ADHD screener to determine whether you are susceptible to the condition, according to Adler. Then, he will interview you about your symptoms, and examine your family history and medical history to make sure that other medical conditions are not causing the symptoms of ADHD.
People with ADHD are prone to being easily distracted and forgetting crucial details. They often have difficulty adhering to instructions in classes or at work. They often lose important items required for tasks or activities such as wallets, keys, and tools. They may also have trouble staying focused when listening to long speeches. Fidgeting, over-talking or texting or squirming are other signs of adult ADHD.
When determining whether someone has adult ADHD It is crucial to rule out other conditions that could cause similar symptoms, like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and addiction to drugs. Stress and certain physical conditions such as thyroid issues can also mimic the symptoms of ADHD. The DSM-5 now requires professionals to determine the severity of a person's symptoms are when diagnosing the disorder. Mild moderate, severe, and mild are the categories used to describe adult ADHD.
Many people with ADHD have a lifelong struggle without ever receiving a diagnosis because it's not evident in the early years. A diagnosis can change the course of a person's life as they understand the reasons why they struggled in school and never reached their full potential at work or at home. diagnosed with adhd might feel guilty about being blamed for their problems, and they may be grieved over missed opportunities if they were properly treated.
Treatment
The first step in getting 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. In the UK, only psychologists, psychiatrists, and specialist nurses have the qualifications to diagnose ADHD. The doctor will inquire about your medical history, including mental health issues within the family. This is because many physical and emotional issues can trigger symptoms similar to those of ADHD and must be eliminated before an assessment can be made.
The professional will also ask about your lifestyle and work and how your symptoms influence your life. They will be particularly interested in whether you showed signs of ADHD prior to the age of 12 years old. They might also interview people who were close to you in your childhood and ask them about their experiences.
A thorough medical history will aid your doctor to determine whether you require medication or any other treatment. Some medical conditions such as thyroid disorders, sleep apnea and lead poisoning can cause ADHD symptoms. Adults who have a history of depression or anxiety will need to be evaluated and treated with greater care since these conditions can occur in conjunction.
If a medical professional believes you require medication, he or she will prescribe the appropriate drug. The type of medication you will require will depend on the severity of your symptoms and how they affect your life. Stimulants are the most commonly prescribed drugs for ADHD. They aren't for all people and the first treatment you try may not work or cause undesirable adverse effects. Your healthcare provider will want to know if you use any other medication such as over-the-counter medications 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 deal with feelings of failure or underachievement that are often associated with untreated ADHD. It can also teach you to manage your anger and improve your organization and time management skills.
It is essential to find a healthcare professional that specializes in mental illness. A psychiatrist or neurologist can diagnose and treat ADHD. However it is recommended to consult a specialist therapist. These specialists are likely to be more familiar with adults with ADHD and the challenges they face, as well as having worked with other clients. You can inquire with your local mental health clinic or with ADDitude's directory to find a specialist who is working with adults suffering from ADHD.
Medication
If you're an adult who has struggled with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, getting a diagnosis is the first step towards addressing your symptoms and improving your life. If you're struggling to reach your full potential in the workplace, have difficulty maintaining relationships, or experience difficulty completing tasks at home, an ADHD diagnosis may be just what you require.
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 whether you meet 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 who suffer from untreated ADHD are frequently co-morbid with other disorders, such as anxiety and depression. Jaksa says that these conditions can worsen or cause symptoms of ADHD. He says that anxiety and frustration resulting from poor performance can lead to feelings of low self-esteem. "Getting an assessment will help them get a better understanding of the causes of their struggles. This could help alleviate or eliminate their anxiety and enable them to focus on areas where they excel," Jaksa states.
Adults with ADHD are usually treated by a combination of medication and behavior therapy. Stimulants can boost concentration, decrease impulsive behavior and aid in achieving organization. In many instances these drugs can enhance motivation and mood. Side effects of stimulants include sleepiness and having trouble drinking or eating enough. Certain people who use stimulants to treat ADHD may experience mood swings that can be difficult for them to manage.
Discuss with your doctor about whether you would be suitable for clinical trials of upcoming treatments or medicines. These studies assist researchers in finding better methods to detect and treat or prevent diseases.
Counseling
Untreated ADHD can lead to problems in all aspects of your life. Your relationships, career and financial health may be negatively impacted by procrastination, poor time management, excessive spending and other signs. Finding a diagnosis and seeking treatment is the first step towards 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 were unaware of the disorder or because they displayed mild symptoms which were not spotted. Certain adults may be able to manage their symptoms in childhood, but struggled with their symptoms in adulthood due to the increased demands of work and family.
To diagnose ADHD, mental health professionals need to find that your symptoms cause significant impairment in two areas of your daily life. Impairment can result in losing your job due to of lack of focus and organizational skills or being put on academic probation in college due to inability to do well on tests.
Women are generally better at avoiding their symptoms than men, which could make it harder to receive an accurate diagnosis. If you're suffering from ADHD symptoms that affect your home or work life, you can speed up the diagnosis process by being honest with your doctor. You may also be able to get reasonable accommodations under ADA laws and 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 ask to talk to people who were close to you at the time, and they may also administer a series tests to test your memory and attention.
When you receive an diagnosis, your therapist will recommend a combination of medication and non-medication therapies to help manage your symptoms. The majority of patients will try various treatments before finding the right one. Keep a log of your progress and visit your doctor frequently to modify your treatment plan as necessary.