Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult
Adults who are struggling in their personal or professional lives can benefit from diagnosing ADHD. A thorough assessment is required to make an accurate diagnosis. This includes analyzing the school records and filling out questionnaires that are completed by caregivers and teachers.
Most people suffering from ADHD have symptoms from the age of five, and it's not unusual to be diagnosed in adulthood. NIMH offers suggestions on how to speak with your doctor about the disorder.
Diagnosis
Getting diagnosed with ADHD as an adult is usually the first step towards gaining control over the symptoms that cause havoc on one's personal and professional lives. The first step is to talk to your GP or find a mental health professional who has expertise in treating adults with ADHD. If your GP isn't familiar with ADHD or other disorders, they may refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct an assessment.
A mental health professional will typically employ a six-question ADHD screener to determine if you have the condition. The doctor will interview you about your symptoms that are similar to ADHD and look over your medical history and family history to ensure that other conditions aren't contributing to them.
People suffering from ADHD are prone to being easily distracted and forgetting important details. They often have difficulty 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 might also have difficulty staying focused when they are reading long speeches or assignments. Fidgeting, over-talking or texting, or squirming, are other symptoms of adult ADHD.
It is crucial to rule out other conditions when determining whether someone suffers from adult ADHD. This includes depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. Stress and physical conditions like thyroid issues can be a source of ADHD symptoms. In the DSM-5, professionals are now required to take into consideration the severity of a person's symptoms when diagnosing them with ADHD. Mild moderate, severe and mild 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 in childhood. 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 maximum potential at work or home. Some may even feel guilty for blaming their problems on themselves or others and can feel regret over missed opportunities that could have been had in the event that they had been properly treated.
Treatment
To get treatment for ADHD for adults, the first step is to consult an expert in healthcare. This can be accomplished in person or via video call. In the UK, only psychologists, psychiatrists, and specialist nurses have the qualifications to diagnose ADHD. The specialist will inquire about your medical history, which includes mental health issues in the family. This is because a variety of physical and emotional issues can cause symptoms that are similar to those associated with ADHD and must be ruled out before an assessment is made.
The doctor will inquire about your lifestyle and work as well as how your symptoms affect your life. They are particularly interested in whether or not you displayed symptoms of ADHD prior to the age of 12 years old. adhd diagnosis uk adults may also want to interview those who knew you in childhood and ask about their memories.
A thorough medical history can aid the doctor in determining if you require medication or other treatments. This is because certain medical conditions, such as sleep apnea, thyroid issues and lead poisoning, can trigger symptoms of ADHD. Adults who have an history of depression or anxiety may need more careful assessment and treatment, as these conditions can be co-existing with ADHD.
If the professional believes you need medication they will prescribe a suitable medication. The kind of medication you need will depend on the severity of your symptoms and how they affect your life. Stimulants, the most common medication prescribed for ADHD are stimulants. They are not for everyone and the first medication you try may not work or cause undesirable negative side consequences. Your healthcare provider may ask whether you are taking other medications. This includes over-the-counter medications, supplements, and prescription drugs. Certain kinds of medications can interact with ADHD stimulants.
Counseling is an important part of treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help you to cope better with feelings of frustration and failure that are frequently associated with untreated ADHD. It can help you learn to control your anger, as well as improve your time management and organizing abilities.
If you have mental illness, it's important to find a healthcare professional who specializes in the field. 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 adults with ADHD and have experience helping others who have similar issues. You can search ADDitude or your local mental health service to find a specialist who is working with adults who suffer from ADHD.
Medication
A diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the first step to managing your symptoms and improving your life. If you've struggled 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 could be the solution you've been looking for.
ADHD treatment for adults begins with a thorough interview and review of your medical history, which includes 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 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 who suffer from untreated ADHD often have coexisting disorders, such as depression and anxiety. Jaksa says that these disorders can cause or worsen symptoms of ADHD. A constant stress and anger over poor performance can also result in feelings of low self-esteem he says. "Getting a diagnose will help them understand the causes of their struggles. This could help reduce or eliminate their worries and enable them to concentrate more productively on areas where they excel," Jaksa states.
Adults with ADHD are usually treated best by a combination of medication and behavior therapy. Stimulants improve concentration, reduce impulsive behavior and aid in the process of organizing. These medications can improve moods and increase motivation in many cases. Side effects of stimulants include sleepiness and having trouble drinking or eating enough. Some people who take stimulants to treat ADHD can have mood swings that could be difficult to manage.
Talk to your doctor about whether you are an ideal candidate for clinical trials of novel treatments or medicines. These studies aid researchers in discovering more effective methods to detect and treat or prevent diseases.
Counseling
If you are suffering from untreated ADHD the disorder can lead to many issues throughout your life. The effects of procrastination, among others, can affect your relationships and career as well as financial health. Finding a doctor and seeking treatment is the first step to lessening the negative effects and regaining control of your life.
Many adults who are diagnosed with ADHD were not diagnosed as children, because their teachers and family weren't aware of the disorder or they had minor symptoms that weren't noticed. Some adults might have been able to manage their symptoms as children, but were unable to manage them in adulthood due to the increased demands of work and family.
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 lack in organization and focus or being placed on academic probation at your college because you're unable to do well on tests.
Women are more adept at hiding symptoms than men. This makes it harder for women to be diagnosed. If you're suffering from ADHD symptoms that impact your life at work or at home, you can accelerate the process of diagnosing by being honest with your doctor. You may also be able to get reasonable accommodations under ADA laws and other workplace laws.
Your mental health professional regardless of the kind of ADHD you suffer from, will be interested in knowing if your symptoms began before the age of 12. They might ask you to speak to people who were around you during this time and may also take a number of tests to determine your attention and memory levels.
After receiving an assessment, the doctor will suggest a combination of medication and non-medication therapy to help manage your symptoms. The majority of people will test several different treatments before settling on the most effective one. It is recommended that you keep track of your progress and speak with your doctor on a regular basis so they can help adjust your treatment plan according to your needs.