Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult
Adults who have difficulty in their professional or personal lives may benefit from a diagnosis of ADHD. A diagnosis requires a thorough evaluation, often including reviews of school records and questionnaires filled out by parents and teachers.
Most people with ADHD suffer from symptoms since the age of five, and it's not unusual to be diagnosed at an adult age. NIMH provides suggestions on how to speak with your doctor about the disorder.
Diagnosis
Being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult is usually the first step in gaining control over symptoms that wreak destruction on people's personal and professional lives. The first step is to talk to your GP or find a mental health professional with expertise in treating adults with ADHD. If your GP is unfamiliar with ADHD, he or she may refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist for an assessment.
A mental health professional will typically employ a six-question ADHD screener to determine if you suffer from the condition. Then, how to get diagnosed with adhd uk or she will ask you questions about your symptoms, and examine your family history and medical background to ensure that any other conditions are not causing your ADHD-like symptoms.
People with ADHD tend to be easily distracted and miss important details. They have a difficult time following instructions in class or at work. They are often unable to locate important items needed for their tasks such as wallets, keys, and tools. They may also have trouble staying focused during long speeches or reading assignments. Other symptoms of adult ADHD include fidgeting, texting or talking excessively or squirming in their seats.
In determining if someone suffers from adult ADHD it is essential to eliminate other conditions that may cause similar symptoms, such as anxiety, depression bipolar disorder, depression and abuse of substances. Stress and physical conditions like thyroid issues can mimic ADHD symptoms. The DSM-5 now requires doctors to assess the severity of a person's symptoms are when determining if they have diagnosed the condition. Adult ADHD is classified as moderate, mild or severe.
Many people with ADHD have a lifelong struggle without ever receiving a diagnosis because it's not obvious in childhood. A diagnosis can alter the course of a person's life, as they can now see why they struggled at school and failed to reach their maximum potential at work or home. They might feel guilty about blameing other people or themselves for their struggles and could be resentful over missed opportunities if they were properly treated.
Treatment
To get treatment for ADHD for adults the first step is to speak with a healthcare professional. This can be done in person or via video call. In the UK only psychiatrists, psychologists, and specialist nurses are qualified to diagnose ADHD. The specialist will want to know your medical history and your family's mental health issues. This is due to the fact that a number of physical and emotional conditions can trigger symptoms similar to those of ADHD and must be eliminated before a diagnosis can be made.
The expert will inquire about your lifestyle and work as well as how your symptoms impact your daily life. They will be especially interested in if you had symptoms of ADHD prior to the age of 12. They may also want to interview people who were close to you as a child and ask about their memories.
A thorough medical history will aid the doctor in determining whether you need medications or other treatments. Certain medical conditions, like sleep apnea, thyroid disorders and lead poisoning can cause ADHD symptoms. Adults with a history anxiety or depression require evaluation and treated more carefully, as these conditions often are in synergy.
If a medical professional believes you need medication, he or she will prescribe the right medication. The kind of medication you need 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 suitable for everyone and the first stimulant you try may not be effective or cause uncomfortable adverse side effects. Your doctor will be interested in knowing if you use any other medication such as over-the-counter medications and supplements, as certain types of drugs can interact with ADHD stimulants.
Counseling is also an important element of the 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 also teach you to manage your anger and improve your time management and organization abilities.
It is essential to find an expert in healthcare who specializes in mental illnesses. A psychiatrist or neurologist is able to diagnose and treat ADHD. However, you may prefer to consult a specialist therapist. These experts are likely to be more familiar with the challenges of treating adults with ADHD and have experience helping others who have similar issues. You can contact your local mental health services or with ADDitude's directory to find a specialist who can assist adults with ADHD.
Medication
A diagnosis of ADHD is the first step to managing your symptoms and improving life. If you've found it difficult to achieve 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 may provide the solution you've been seeking.
ADHD treatment for adults starts with thorough interviews and a thorough review of your medical history, which includes the symptoms you've been experiencing. The psychiatrist or psychologist 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 co-morbid with disorders like anxiety and depression. Jaksa states that these disorders can worsen or cause symptoms of ADHD. Stress and frustration from poor performance can also lead to feelings of self-doubt, he says. "Getting a diagnose can help these individuals get a better understanding of the reasons behind their struggles. This may reduce or eliminate their worries, and allow them to focus on areas in which they excel," Jaksa states.
The best treatment for adults suffering from ADHD is usually a combination of medication and behavior therapy. The stimulants help improve concentration, reduce impulse-driven behavior and aid in the process of organizing. In many cases these drugs can improve mood and increase motivation. People who are taking stimulants must be aware of potential negative effects, which could include insomnia and difficulty eating or drinking enough. The mood swings can also happen in people who are taking stimulants to treat ADHD, and these are often difficult to manage.
Talk to your doctor about whether you're suitable for clinical trials of novel treatments or drugs. These studies help researchers find better ways to prevent, diagnose, or treat conditions and diseases.
Counseling
Untreated ADHD can lead to problems in all aspects of your life. The effects of procrastination, among others, can have a negative impact on your relationships and career as well as financial health. Finding a diagnosis and seeking treatment is the first step to lessening the negative effects and regaining control over your life.
Many adults who are diagnosed with ADHD were not diagnosed when they were children because their family and teachers were unaware of the disorder or they had mild symptoms that weren't recognized. Certain adults may have been able to manage their symptoms as children, but struggled with their symptoms in adulthood due to the increased demands of work and family.
To determine if you have ADHD Mental health professionals must find that your symptoms cause significant impairment in two areas of your daily life. In the event of impairment, it could mean losing your job because of an inability to focus and organizational skills or being put on academic probation at college due to the inability to learn for tests.
Women are more adept at avoiding symptoms than men. This makes it more difficult for them to receive a diagnosis. If you're suffering from ADHD symptoms that affect your home or work life you can accelerate the process of diagnosis by being honest with your doctor. You might 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 suffer from, will be looking to determine if your symptoms began before the age of 12. They may ask to speak to people who were close to you at this time, and they may also conduct a series of tests to measure your attention and memory.
When you receive an diagnosis the therapist will suggest a combination of medication and non-medical treatments to manage your symptoms. The majority of people will test different methods before they discover the one that is most effective for them. Keep a record of your progress and visit your doctor frequently to modify your treatment plan as needed.
