Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult
Adults who are struggling with their personal or professional lives in any way, recognizing ADHD is a significant step in getting control. A thorough examination is necessary for determining a 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. Visit NIMH for tips on talking with your health professional regarding the disorder.
Diagnosis
Getting diagnosed with ADHD as an adult is often the first step to gain control over symptoms that wreak havoc on a person'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 GP is unfamiliar with ADHD, he or she may refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist for assessment.
Typically an expert in mental health will use the six-question ADHD screener to determine whether you may be suffering from the disorder, says Adler. Then, he will interview you about your symptoms and look at your medical history and family history to make sure that there are no other conditions not causing your symptoms of ADHD.
Since people with ADHD have a tendency to overlook details and become easily distracted, they often have trouble following instructions or listening to lectures or at work. They frequently lose essential items required for tasks or activities like keys, wallets and other tools. They might also have difficulty staying focused during long speeches or reading assignments. Other symptoms of adult ADHD include fidgeting, talking or texting excessively or squirming in their seats.
It is essential to rule out other conditions when determining whether someone suffers from adult ADHD. These include depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. Stress and physical conditions like thyroid issues can mimic ADHD symptoms. The DSM-5 now requires professionals to consider the severity of the symptoms a person's experiences are when determining if they have diagnosed the disorder. Mild, moderate and severe are the three categories for adults with ADHD.
Many people suffering from ADHD go their whole lives without ever getting a diagnosis because it is not apparent in the early years. A diagnosis can change the course of a person's life as they understand the reasons why they struggled in school and didn't reach their full potential at work or home. adhd uk diagnosis may feel guilty about blaming others or themselves for their troubles, and they may be devastated by missed opportunities when they were treated with respect.
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 chat. In the UK, only psychiatrists, psychologists, and specialist nurses are qualified to diagnose ADHD. The doctor will inquire about your medical history, which includes mental health issues that are present in the family. This is because many physical and emotional conditions can cause symptoms that are similar to those associated with ADHD, and these must be ruled out before an assessment can be made.
The professional will also ask about your work and lifestyle and how your symptoms affect your life. They will be particularly interested in whether or not you showed signs of ADHD prior to the age of 12 years old. They might also talk to people who were close to you as when you were a child and ask them about their memories.
A detailed medical history can aid your doctor in determining if you need medication or another treatment. Certain medical conditions, such as thyroid disorders, sleep apnea and lead poisoning can trigger ADHD symptoms. Adults with an history of anxiety or depression might require more careful evaluation and treatment because these conditions often coexist with ADHD.
If a doctor believes that you need medication they will prescribe a suitable drug. The kind of medication you require will depend on the severity of your symptoms and how they interfere with your life. The stimulants are the most frequently prescribed medications for ADHD. However, they are not for everyone and the first one you try may not be effective or cause unpleasant adverse effects. Your healthcare provider will be interested in knowing if you take any other medications such as over-the-counter medications and supplements, since certain types of drugs can interact with ADHD stimulants.
Counseling is a crucial aspect of treatment for adults with ADHD. Individual therapy can help you cope with feelings of failure, underachievement and frustration that are often associated with untreated ADHD. It can also help you learn how to manage your anger and improve your organization and time management skills.
It's important to seek out an expert in healthcare who specializes in mental illnesses. A psychiatrist or neurologist can diagnose and treat ADHD, but you might prefer to see an expert psychologist or therapist. These specialists are likely to have more experience with adult ADHD and the challenges they face and also have worked with other clients. You can inquire with your local mental health services or consult ADDitude's directory of professionals to find a specialist who works with adults with ADHD.
Medication
A diagnosis of ADHD is the first step towards managing your symptoms and improving your life. If you've been unable to realize your maximum potential at work, are finding it difficult to maintain relationships or have trouble finishing tasks at home and at work, a diagnosis of ADHD may provide the solution you've been searching for.
ADHD treatment for adults begins with a thorough interview and review of your medical history, including 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 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 with untreated ADHD are frequently co-morbid with other disorders, like anxiety and depression. Jaksa says that these disorders can exacerbate or cause symptoms of ADHD. He says that stress and frustration due to inadequate performance can trigger feelings of low self-esteem. "Getting an assessment can help them get a better understanding of the root of their struggles and may help to reduce or alleviate some of their anxiety and allow them to concentrate more on the areas where they excel," Jaksa says.
The most effective treatment for adults with ADHD is usually a combination of therapy and medication. Stimulants improve concentration, reduce the risk of impulsive behavior, and help with the process of organizing. In many cases these drugs can improve mood and increase motivation. Some of the side effects of stimulants include insomnia and difficulty drinking enough or eating well. Certain people who use stimulants to treat ADHD may have mood swings that could be difficult to manage.
Talk to your health care provider about whether you would be an ideal candidate for clinical trials of upcoming treatments or medications. These studies aid researchers in finding better methods to prevent, diagnose or treat diseases and conditions.
Counseling
If you have untreated ADHD, it can cause many issues throughout your life. Your relationships, career and financial health can be negatively impacted by procrastination, poor time management, excessive spending and other signs. 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 as children or because their families and teachers were unaware of the condition or they had mild symptoms that were not noticed. Some adults might have been able to manage their symptoms in childhood, but were unable to manage them in adulthood due to the increased demands of work and family.
To diagnose ADHD, mental health professionals must find that your symptoms result in significant impairments in two areas of your daily life. In the event of impairment, it could result in 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 study for tests.
Women are more adept at avoiding symptoms than men. This makes it more difficult for women to be diagnosed. If, however, you are suffering from ADHD symptoms that affect your work and home life and family life, speaking openly about them with your doctor will help speed up the process and enable you to take advantage of reasonable accommodations under ADA and other workplace laws.
Your mental health professional regardless of the type of ADHD you suffer from will be looking to determine whether your symptoms started before the age of 12. They may ask you to talk with people who knew you at this time and may also conduct a series of tests to evaluate your attention and memory levels.
After receiving an diagnosis, your doctor will suggest a combination of medication and non-medication therapy to help manage your symptoms. The majority of people will test a few different treatments before finding the right one. It is recommended that you keep a diary of your progress and consult with your doctor regularly so they can help you adjust your treatment plan as needed.