Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult

Adults who are struggling in their personal or professional lives may benefit from a diagnosis of ADHD. A diagnosis requires a thorough assessment which may include a review of school records and questionnaires completed by caregivers and teachers.

It is not uncommon for adults to be diagnosed with ADHD. See NIMH for advice on how to talk with your health professional about the disorder.

Diagnosis

Getting diagnosed with ADHD as an adult is usually the first step to gain control over the symptoms that cause havoc on one's personal and professional lives. The first step is to talk with your GP or seek out a mental health professional who has expertise in treating adults suffering from ADHD. If your GP does not have any experience in treating ADHD or other disorders, they could refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist for an assessment.

Typically, a mental health professional will use a six-question ADHD screener to determine whether you are susceptible to the disorder, says Adler. Then, he or she will talk to you about your symptoms and look at your medical history and family history to confirm that other medical conditions are not causing the symptoms of ADHD.

Since people who suffer from ADHD are more likely to be unable to pay attention and are easily distracted, they frequently have trouble following instructions or listening to lectures or on the job. They often lose important items for tasks or activities such as keys, wallets, and tools. They may also have difficulty staying focused while reading or listening to long speeches. Fidgeting, excessive talk or texting, or squirming, are other symptoms of adult ADHD.

When determining whether someone has adult ADHD it is essential to exclude other conditions that could cause similar symptoms, such as depression, anxiety bipolar disorder, depression and substance abuse. Stress and physical ailments such as thyroid issues can also mimic the symptoms of ADHD. In the DSM-5 professionals are required to take into consideration the severity of an individual's symptoms when diagnosing them as having ADHD. Mild moderate, severe and mild are the categories used to describe adult ADHD.

Many people with ADHD have a lifelong struggle without ever getting a diagnosis because it is not apparent during childhood. For adults, being diagnosed can be a life-changing event as they realize why they struggled in school and never seemed to attain their full potential at work or at home. They may feel guilt-ridden for blaming their troubles on themselves or others and can feel grief over lost opportunities that could have been a reality when they were properly treated.

Treatment

The first step to receive 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 chat. In the UK, only psychiatrists, psychologists and specialist nurses are qualified to diagnose ADHD. 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 physical and emotional conditions can trigger symptoms similar to those that occur in ADHD and need to be addressed before the diagnosis can be made.

The professional will ask you about your work and lifestyle and how your symptoms impact your life. They will be particularly interested in whether or not you showed symptoms of ADHD prior to the age of 12 years old. They might also interview those who knew you in childhood and ask about their experiences.

A thorough medical history can aid your doctor in determining if you need medication or other treatment. Certain medical conditions, such as thyroid disorders, sleep apnea and lead poisoning can trigger ADHD symptoms. Adults with a history depression or anxiety will need to be assessed and treated with more care since these conditions can coexist.

If a doctor believes that you require medication, they will prescribe a suitable drug. The type of medication you need will depend on the severity of your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. Stimulants are among the most commonly prescribed drugs for ADHD. They are not for everyone and the first medication you try may not work or cause undesirable negative side effects. Your healthcare provider will need to know if use any other medication, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements, since certain types of drugs can interact with ADHD stimulants.

Counseling is a crucial component of treatment 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 time management and organization abilities.

If you suffer from an illness of the mind, it's important to find an expert in healthcare who is trained in the field. A psychiatrist or neurologist is able to diagnose and treat ADHD. However, you may prefer to seek out a specialist therapist. They are likely to be more familiar with adult ADHD and the challenges they face, as well as having previous experience working with clients. You can inquire with your local mental health clinic or consult ADDitude's directory of professionals to find a professional who works with adults with ADHD.

Medication

A diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the first step towards managing your symptoms and improving life. If you are struggling to achieve your full potential in the workplace, have difficulty maintaining relationships, or experience difficulties completing your tasks at home, an ADHD diagnosis may be just what you require.

ADHD treatment for adults begins with thorough interviews and a thorough review of your medical history, including the symptoms you've experienced. The psychologist or psychiatrist determines if you satisfy 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 with untreated ADHD are frequently co-morbid with other disorders, such as depression and anxiety. These disorders can trigger or worsen symptoms of ADHD, Jaksa says. He adds that chronic anxiety and frustration resulting from inadequate performance can trigger feelings of low-self-esteem. "Getting an evaluation will help them understand the root of their issues and may help to alleviate or eliminate some of their anxieties and allow them to concentrate more on the areas where they excel," Jaksa says.

The best treatment for adults with ADHD is typically the combination of medication and behavior therapy. Stimulants can boost concentration, decrease impulsive behaviors and aid in achieving organization. These medications can improve moods and increase motivation in many instances. People who take stimulants should be aware of the potential negative effects, which could include problems with sleeping and drinking or eating enough. Mood swings can also occur in people who are taking stimulants to treat ADHD and they are often difficult to manage.

Discuss with your health care provider regarding whether you are suitable for clinical trials of novel treatments or drugs. These studies help researchers find more effective methods to prevent, diagnose, Adhd Adult Diagnosis or treat conditions and diseases.

Counseling

If you have untreated ADHD it could cause various problems in every area of your life. Your career, relationships and financial health can be negatively affected by procrastination and poor time management, impulsive spending and other signs. Finding a doctor and seeking treatment is the first step towards reduce the negative impact and regaining control of your life.

Many adults who are diagnosed with ADHD didn't receive a diagnosis as children because their family and teachers were unaware of the disorder or they experienced mild symptoms that weren't noticed. Others might have been able to manage their symptoms during childhood, but struggled in adulthood as their family and work obligations increased.

In order to be diagnosed as having ADHD, mental health professionals must determine that your symptoms are causing significant impairment in at minimum two areas of your life. Impaired can be losing your job due to a deficit in focus and organization skills or being placed on academic probation at your college because you are unable to do well on tests.

Women are more adept in hiding their symptoms than men, which can make it difficult for them to get a diagnosis. If you have ADHD symptoms that affect your work or home life you can speed up the diagnosis process by being upfront with your doctor. You might also be able to get reasonable accommodations under ADA laws as well as other workplace laws.

Your mental health professional, regardless of the type of ADHD you suffer from, will be looking to determine the time when your symptoms began. the age of 12. They might ask you to speak to people who were close to you at the time, and they may also conduct a series of tests to measure your attention and memory.

If you're given the diagnosis the therapist will suggest the use of a combination of medication and non-medication treatments to manage your symptoms. Most people will try a few different treatments before settling on the most effective one. Keep a log of your progress, and consult your doctor frequently to modify your treatment plan as necessary.