Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult
Adults who are struggling in their work or personal life, diagnosing ADHD is a significant step in getting control. A diagnosis requires a thorough assessment, often including reviews of school records and questionnaires filled out by teachers and caregivers.
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
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 professional and personal life. First, you should consult your GP or a mental health professional who has experience treating adults with ADHD. If your doctor does not have any experience in treating ADHD or other disorders, they could recommend you to psychologist or psychiatrist for an assessment.
Typically the mental health professional will use a six-question ADHD screener to determine if you might have the condition, says Adler. Then, the doctor will ask you questions about your symptoms and look at your medical history and family history to make sure that other medical conditions are not causing your symptoms of ADHD.
iampsychiatry.uk with ADHD are prone to being easily distracted and can miss crucial details. They have a difficult time adhering to instructions in classes or at work. They often lose important items required for tasks or activities such as keys, wallets, and tools. They may also have trouble staying focused when they are reading long speeches or assignments. Other signs of adult ADHD include fidgeting, talking or texting excessively or squirming in the seat.
It is crucial to rule out other conditions in determining if a person has adult ADHD. These include depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder. Stress and other 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 diagnosing them as having ADHD. Adult ADHD is classified as mild, moderate or severe.
Many people suffering from ADHD have a lifelong struggle without ever receiving a diagnosis because it's not evident in childhood. A diagnosis can change the course of an adult's life as they understand why they struggled at school and didn't reach their full potential at work or at home. They may feel guilty for blaming their issues on others or themselves and may experience regret over missed opportunities that could have been achieved when they were properly treated.
Treatment
To get treatment for ADHD for adults the first step is to consult a healthcare professional. This can be done in person or via video chat. Only psychiatrists, psychologists, and specialist nurses are qualified to diagnose ADHD in the UK. The doctor will inquire about your medical history, including mental health issues in the family. This is due to the fact that a number of emotional and physical conditions can trigger symptoms that are similar to those associated with ADHD and need to be eliminated before the diagnosis is made.
The professional will ask you about your job and lifestyle and how your symptoms impact your daily life. They are particularly interested in whether or not you had symptoms of ADHD prior to the age of 12 years. They may also want to interview people who were close to you in your childhood and ask them about their experiences.
A thorough medical history can help the doctor decide whether you need medications or other treatments. This is because certain medical conditions, like thyroid problems, sleep apnea and lead poisoning may cause symptoms of ADHD. Adults with a history anxiety or depression require evaluation and treated with more care because these conditions frequently occur in conjunction.
If a medical professional believes you need medication, they will prescribe the right medication. The type of medication you require will depend on the severity of your symptoms and the way they impact your life. Stimulants, the most common medication prescribed for ADHD are stimulants. However, they are not for everyone and the first one you try might not be effective or have bothersome adverse side effects. Your healthcare provider may ask whether you're taking any other medications. This includes prescription drugs or supplements as well as prescription drugs. Certain kinds of drugs can interact with ADHD stimulants.
Counseling is an important component of treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help you cope with the feelings of failure frustration, underachievement, and anger that are often associated with untreated ADHD. It can also teach you how to manage your anger and improve your organization and time management abilities.
It is crucial to find an expert in healthcare who specializes in mental disorders. A psychiatrist or neurologist can diagnose and treat ADHD however, you may prefer to see psychologists or specialist therapists. These experts are likely to be more knowledgeable about the challenges of treating adult ADHD and have had experience in helping other clients with similar struggles. You can contact your local mental health services or with ADDitude's directory to find a professional who works with adults with ADHD.
Medication
A diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the first step to managing your symptoms and improving life. If you've found it difficult to reach your maximum potential at work, have found it difficult to maintain relationships or struggle to complete tasks at home A diagnosis of ADHD may provide the solution you've been looking for.
ADHD treatment for adults begins with a thorough interview and review of your medical history, including the symptoms you've experienced. The psychologist or psychiatrist will then determine if the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria for ADHD apply 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 who suffer from untreated ADHD are often co-morbid with disorders like anxiety and depression. Jaksa states that these disorders can cause or worsen symptoms of ADHD. He adds that chronic stress and frustration due to poor performance can lead to feelings of low self-esteem. "Getting an evaluation can help these individuals get a better understanding of the root of their difficulties which can help alleviate or reduce some of their worries and allow them to focus more productively on the areas where they excel," Jaksa says.
The most effective treatment for adults with ADHD is usually an amalgamation of therapy and medication. Stimulants can improve concentration, decrease impulsive behaviors and aid in achieving organization. In many instances, these medications can also improve mood and increase motivation. Some of the side effects of stimulants include insomnia and difficulties drinking enough or eating well. People who take stimulants to treat ADHD may suffer from mood swings that may be difficult to manage.
Discuss with your health care provider regarding whether you're suitable for clinical trials of upcoming treatments or drugs. These studies aid researchers in finding more effective ways to prevent, diagnose or treat conditions and diseases.
Counseling
Untreated ADHD can lead to problems in all areas of your life. Your career, relationships and financial health could be negatively impacted by procrastination or poor time management, excessive spending and other symptoms. The first step in reducing the negative effects and regaining control is to get an assessment and seek treatment.
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 showed mild symptoms that were not spotted. Others might have managed their symptoms in childhood but struggled later in life as their family and work responsibilities increased.
To diagnose ADHD mental health professionals need to find that your symptoms cause significant impairment in two areas of your everyday life. The impairment could mean losing your job because of a lack of focus and organizational skills or being placed on academic probation in college due to your inability to study for tests.
Women are more adept at avoiding their symptoms than men, which may make it difficult to receive a diagnosis. If you're suffering from ADHD symptoms that impact your home or work life you can speed up the diagnosis process by being honest with your doctor. You might also be eligible for reasonable accommodations under ADA laws as well as other workplace laws.
No matter what type of ADHD you suffer from Your mental health professional will determine if your symptoms were present before age 12. They may ask to speak with people who were close to you at the time, and they may conduct a series of tests to assess your attention and memory.
When you receive an diagnosis your therapist will recommend the use of a combination of medication and non-medication treatments to treat your symptoms. The majority of patients will try several different treatments before they find the best one. It is recommended to keep track of your progress and consult with your physician regularly so that they can help adjust your treatment plan according to your needs.