Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult
Adults who have difficulty in their professional or personal lives can benefit from diagnosing ADHD. A thorough evaluation is needed to determine if you have the diagnosis. This includes reviewing school records as well as questionnaires that are completed by teachers and caregivers.
It is not uncommon for adults to be diagnosed with ADHD. See NIMH for advice on how to talk to your doctor about the disorder.
Diagnosis
Being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult is often the first step to gain control over the symptoms that can cause havoc on one's professional and personal lives. First, you should consult your GP or a mental health specialist who is experienced in treating adults suffering from ADHD. If your doctor does not have any experience with ADHD or other disorders, they could refer you to either psychologist or psychiatrist for an assessment.
A mental health professional will typically employ a six-question ADHD screener to determine if you suffer from the condition. He or she will then ask you questions about your symptoms that are similar to ADHD and examine your medical and family history to confirm that other conditions aren't contributing to them.
Because people with ADHD tend to miss details and get easily distracted, they often struggle with following directions or listening to lectures or at work. They are often unable to locate important items required for tasks or activities such as wallets, keys and other tools. They might also have difficulty staying focused while reading or listening to long speeches. Other signs of adult ADHD include fidgeting, texting or talking too much or squirming in their seats.
It is important 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 such as thyroid issues can be a source of ADHD symptoms. In the DSM-5 professionals are now required to take into consideration 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 with ADHD live their entire lives without ever getting a diagnosis because it's not obvious during childhood. A diagnosis can alter 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. They might feel guilty about being blamed for their struggles, and they may be grieved over missed opportunities if they were properly treated.
Treatment
To seek treatment for ADHD for adults the first step is to talk with an expert in healthcare. how to get adhd diagnosed uk 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 family-related mental health issues. This is because many physical and emotional conditions can cause symptoms similar to those that occur in ADHD and must be ruled out before a diagnosis is made.
The doctor will also inquire about your lifestyle and work and how your symptoms influence your life. They will be particularly interested in whether you showed signs of ADHD before age 12 years old. They might also talk to 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 whether you require medications or other treatments. Certain medical conditions, such as thyroid disorders, sleep apnea, and lead poisoning, can cause ADHD symptoms. Adults who have a history of anxiety or depression will need to be evaluated and treated with more care, as these conditions often occur in conjunction.
If a doctor believes that you require medication they will prescribe a suitable drug. The kind of medication you need will depend on the severity of your symptoms and how they affect your life. Stimulants are the most commonly prescribed medications for ADHD. However, they're not right for everyone and the first one you try might not be effective or trigger unpleasant adverse side effects. Your healthcare provider might ask if you are taking any other medications. This includes prescription drugs or supplements as well as prescription drugs. Certain kinds of medications may interfere with ADHD stimulants.
Counseling is a crucial component of the treatment process for adults with ADHD. Individual therapy can help you cope better with feelings of frustration, failure and underachievement that are often associated untreated ADHD. It can also help you learn to manage your anger and improve your organization and time management skills.
If you suffer from a mental illness it is crucial to find a doctor who is specialized in this condition. A psychiatrist or neurologist is able to diagnose and treat ADHD. However you might prefer to consult a specialist therapist. These professionals will likely be more familiar with adult ADHD and their challenges as well as having worked with other clients. You can use search engines like ADDitude or visit your local mental health service to find a professional who is working with adults who suffer from ADHD.
Medication
A diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the first step in managing your symptoms and improving your life. If you've been unable to reach your maximum potential at work, are finding it difficult to maintain relationships or struggle to complete tasks at home and at work, a diagnosis of ADHD might be the answer you have been looking 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 whether 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 suffer from untreated ADHD are often afflicted with disorders such as anxiety and depression. Jaksa says that these disorders can exacerbate or cause symptoms of ADHD. Chronic stress and frustration over inadequate performance can cause feelings of low self-esteem, he says. "Getting an assessment can help them gain a perspective on the causes of their struggles. This could help reduce or eliminate their anxieties and help them focus on areas in which they excel," Jaksa states.
Adults suffering from ADHD are usually treated by a combination of medication along with behavior therapy. Stimulants improve concentration, reduce the risk of impulsive behavior, and help with the process of organizing. In many instances, these medications can also boost motivation and improve mood. People who take stimulants should be aware of the potential negative effects, which could include problems with sleeping and eating or drinking enough. Certain people who use stimulants to treat ADHD may have mood swings that could be difficult to manage.
Talk to your doctor about whether or not you are an eligible participant in clinical trials on new medications or treatments. These studies assist researchers in finding more effective ways to diagnose, prevent or treat diseases.
Counseling
Untreated ADHD can cause issues in all areas of your life. Procrastination and other symptoms can negatively impact your relationships and career as well as financial health. The first step in reducing the negative effects and getting back in control is to get diagnosed and seek treatment.
Many adults who are diagnosed with ADHD were not diagnosed when they were children because their teachers and family weren't aware of the disorder or they experienced mild symptoms that weren't noticed. Others might have had the ability to manage their symptoms during childhood, but struggled later in life as their family and work obligations increased.
To diagnose ADHD mental health professionals must find that your symptoms result in significant impairments in two areas of your daily life. Impaired can be losing your job due to a decline in organization and focus, or being placed on academic probation at college because you're unable to concentrate on your tests.
Women are more adept at hiding their symptoms than men, which could make it more difficult to receive a diagnosis. If you're experiencing ADHD symptoms that are affecting your work and home life speaking up with your doctor will help speed up the process and enable you to get reasonable accommodations under ADA and other workplace laws.
No matter what type of ADHD you suffer from the mental health professional will determine if your symptoms were present prior to age 12. They may ask you to talk with people who were around you during this time period. They may also conduct a series of tests to evaluate your memory and attention levels.
When you receive a diagnosis your therapist will recommend the use of a combination of medication and non-medication therapies to treat your symptoms. The majority of people will test various treatments before they find the best one. It is recommended that you keep track of your progress and consult with your doctor regularly so they can help adjust your treatment program when needed.