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 thorough assessment is required to determine if you have the diagnosis. This includes reviewing school records as well as questionnaires filled out by caregivers and teachers.
It is not uncommon for adults to be diagnosed with ADHD. NIMH has tips on how to talk with your doctor about the disorder.
Diagnosis
Being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult is usually the first step towards gaining control over symptoms that wreak havoc on one's personal and professional lives. The first step is to talk to your GP or consult 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 psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct an assessment.
A mental health professional will typically use a six question ADHD screener to determine if you have the condition. He or she will then interview you about your ADHD-like symptoms and look over your medical history and family history to ensure that other medical conditions aren't the cause of them.
Since people with ADHD have a tendency to overlook details and become easily distracted, they often have trouble following instructions or listening during class or on the job. They tend to lose things essential to their tasks or activities, including 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 important to rule out other medical conditions when determining if someone has adult ADHD. These include depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder. Stress and certain physical conditions like thyroid issues could be similar to the symptoms of ADHD. In the DSM-5 professionals are now required to take into consideration the severity of an individual's symptoms when diagnosing them as having ADHD. Mild, moderate and severe are the three categories for adults with ADHD.
Many people suffering from ADHD have a lifelong struggle without ever receiving a diagnosis because it's not obvious during childhood. A diagnosis can change the course of an adult's life because they now understand the reasons why they struggled in school and failed to reach their maximum potential at work or home. They may feel guilty for blaming their issues on themselves or others and may experience regret over missed opportunities that could have been had in the event that they had been properly treated.
Treatment
To seek treatment for ADHD for adults The first step is to consult a healthcare professional. This can be done in person or via video calls. In the UK only psychiatrists, psychologists, and specialist nurses are qualified to diagnose ADHD. The specialist will inquire about your medical history, including mental health issues in the family. This is because a variety of physical and emotional conditions can cause symptoms similar to those that occur in ADHD and must be ruled out before the diagnosis can be made.
The doctor will also inquire about your lifestyle and work and how your symptoms impact your daily life. They will be especially interested in if you showed symptoms of ADHD before age 12. They might also talk to those who were close to you as when you were a child and ask them about their memories.
A thorough medical history will aid the doctor in determining if you require medications or other treatments. This is due to the fact that certain medical conditions, like thyroid problems, sleep apnea and lead poisoning can cause symptoms of ADHD. iampsychiatry with a history anxiety or depression will need to be evaluated and treated more carefully because these conditions frequently coexist.
If the professional believes you need medication they will prescribe a suitable medication. The kind of medication you require will depend on the severity of your symptoms and how they interfere with your daily life. Stimulants are among the most commonly prescribed medications for ADHD. They are not for everyone, and the first drug you try may not work or cause undesirable negative side effects. Your doctor may inquire if you are taking any other medications. This includes over-the-counter medications or supplements as well as prescription drugs. Certain kinds of drugs may interfere with ADHD stimulants.
Counseling is an essential component of treatment for adults with ADHD. Individual therapy can help you cope better with feelings of anger, failure and underachievement that are often associated with 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 essential to locate a doctor who is specialized in that condition. A psychiatrist or neurologist is able to diagnose and treat ADHD. However you might prefer to consult a specialist psychotherapist. They are likely to have more experience with adult ADHD and the challenges they face and also have worked with other clients. You can use search engines like ADDitude or contact your local mental health clinic to find a professional that works with adults who have ADHD.
Medication
If you are an adult who has struggled with ADHD getting a diagnosis is the first step towards addressing your symptoms and improving your quality of life. If you've been unable to realize your maximum potential at work, find it difficult to maintain relationships or struggle to finish tasks at home, a diagnosis of ADHD could be the solution you've been looking for.
ADHD treatment for adults starts with an extensive interview and a review of your medical history, which includes the symptoms you've experienced. The psychologist or psychiatrist determines if you meet the requirements 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, like anxiety and depression. 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 self-esteem loss. "Getting an assessment can help them understand the root of their difficulties which can help reduce or alleviate some of their anxiety and help them focus more productively on the areas where they excel," Jaksa says.
The most effective treatment for adults with ADHD is typically an amalgamation of behavior therapy and medication. Stimulants can boost concentration, decrease impulsive behaviors and help with organization. These drugs can boost moods and improve motivation in a variety of cases. Side effects of stimulants include insomnia and difficulty drinking or eating enough. Mood swings can also occur in people who are taking stimulants to treat ADHD and are often difficult to manage.
Consult your physician about whether or not you're an eligible participant in clinical trials on new medications or treatments. These studies assist researchers in finding better ways to prevent, diagnose, or treat diseases and conditions.
Counseling
Untreated ADHD can lead to issues in all areas of your life. Your relationships, career and financial health can be negatively affected by procrastination and poor time management, impulsive spending and other symptoms. Getting a diagnosis and seeking treatment is the first step in reducing these negative impacts and regaining control of your life.
Many adults diagnosed with ADHD did not receive a diagnosis as children because their parents and teachers weren't aware of the disorder or they had mild symptoms that were not noticed. Some may have been able to manage their symptoms during childhood, but struggled in adulthood when their family and work responsibilities increased.
To be diagnosed with ADHD, mental health professionals must find that your symptoms are causing significant impairment in at least two areas of your life. In the event of impairment, it could result in losing your job due to of lack of concentration and organizational skills, or being placed on academic probation in college due to the inability to learn for tests.
Women are better at avoiding symptoms than men. This makes it more difficult for women to be diagnosed. If you're suffering from ADHD symptoms that impact your home or work life it is possible to accelerate the process of diagnosis by being open with your doctor. You might also be able to receive reasonable accommodations under ADA laws and other workplace laws.
Whatever kind of ADHD you suffer from the mental health professional will want to determine if your symptoms began before age 12. They may ask to speak with people who were close to you at the time, and may also conduct a series of tests to assess your attention and memory.
After receiving an assessment, the therapist will recommend a combination medication and non-medication treatment to manage your symptoms. A majority of patients will try a variety of different treatments before they find the one that works best for them. Keep a log of your progress and visit your doctor regularly to adjust your treatment plan if needed.