Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult
Adults who are struggling in their personal or professional lives can benefit from diagnosing ADHD. A diagnosis requires a thorough evaluation, often including reviews of school records and questionnaires filled out by teachers and caregivers.
Most people suffering from ADHD live with symptoms from childhood, and it is not uncommon to be diagnosed with it as an adult. Check out NIMH for suggestions on talking to your health care provider regarding 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 a person's professional and personal lives. First, you should consult your GP or a mental health professional who has experience in treating adults with ADHD. If your GP does not have any experience with ADHD and is unable to help, they can recommend you to psychologist or psychiatrist for an assessment.
Typically the mental health professional will use the six-question ADHD screener to determine if you are susceptible to the condition, says Adler. They will ask you questions about the symptoms of ADHD and examine your medical history and family history to ensure that other conditions aren't causing them.
Because people who suffer from ADHD tend to be unable to pay attention and are easily distracted, they often have trouble following instructions or listening in class or on the job. They frequently lose essential items for tasks or activities such as keys, wallets and tools. They might also have difficulty staying focused during long lectures or reading assignments. Other signs of adult ADHD include fidgeting, talking or texting excessively or squirming in the seat.
It is crucial to rule other conditions out when determining whether someone suffers from adult ADHD. These include anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder. Stress and physical conditions like thyroid problems can also be a source of ADHD symptoms. The DSM-5 now requires professionals to determine the severity of a person's symptoms are before identifying the condition. Mild moderate, severe, and mild are the classifications for adult ADHD.
Many people with ADHD never receive a diagnosis in childhood because it is not obvious. For adults, a diagnosis could be a life-changing event because they can finally understand why they struggled in school and never seemed to attain their full potential at work or at home. They may feel guilty about being blamed for their problems and may also be grieved over missed opportunities when they were treated with respect.
Treatment
The first step to receive treatment for ADHD as an adult is to visit a medical professional to get an assessment. This can be done either in person or by video conference. In the UK, only psychiatrists, psychologists and specialist nurses have the qualifications to diagnose ADHD. The professional will require information about your medical history as well as family mental health issues. This is due to the fact that there are many mental and physical ailments which can trigger symptoms that are similar to ADHD. These conditions need to be ruled out in order to make a diagnosis.
The expert will also inquire about your lifestyle and work and how your issues impact your daily life. adhd diagnosis uk adults will be particularly interested in whether you displayed signs of ADHD before the age of 12. They might also talk to people who were close to you as an infant and ask them about their experiences.
A thorough medical history can aid your doctor in determining whether you require medication or any other treatment. Some medical conditions such as sleep apnea, thyroid disorders, and lead poisoning, can trigger ADHD symptoms. Adults who have a history of anxiety or depression will need to be evaluated and treated with greater care because these conditions frequently coexist.
If a professional believes that you require medication, they will prescribe the right medication. The type of medication you will require will depend on the severity of your symptoms and how they affect your life. Stimulants, which are the most popular medication prescribed for ADHD are stimulants. However, they're not right for everyone and the first one you try might not be effective or have uncomfortable adverse side effects. Your doctor will be interested in knowing if you use any other medication, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements, since certain kinds of medications can interact with ADHD stimulants.
Counseling is also an important element of the treatment process for adults with ADHD. Individual therapy can help you cope with feelings of failure or underachievement that are frequently associated with untreated ADHD. It can teach you how to control your anger, as well as improve your time management and organizing skills.
If you suffer from mental illness, it's important to find an expert in healthcare who is trained in this condition. A psychiatrist or neurologist can diagnose and treat ADHD. However it is recommended to seek out a specialist therapist. These specialists are likely to be more familiar with the challenges of treating adult ADHD and have had experience in helping others who have similar issues. You can check with your local mental health service or ADDitude's directory to find a specialist who can assist adults with ADHD.
Medication
A diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the first step towards managing your symptoms and enhancing your life. If you've struggled to reach your full potential at work, are finding it difficult to maintain relationships or struggle to complete tasks at home A diagnosis of ADHD might be the solution you've been searching for.
ADHD treatment for adults starts with an extensive interview and a review of your medical history, including the symptoms you've experienced. The psychologist or psychiatrist determines whether you meet the requirements 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 who suffer from untreated ADHD are often afflicted with disorders such as anxiety and depression. These conditions can cause or worsen symptoms of ADHD, Jaksa says. Stress and frustration from the lack of performance can cause feelings of low self-esteem, he adds. "Getting an assessment can help these individuals understand the causes of their struggles. This may reduce or eliminate their anxieties and enable them to focus on areas in which they excel," Jaksa states.
Adults suffering from ADHD are typically treated with a combination of medications and behavior therapy. The stimulants help improve concentration, reduce the risk of impulsive behavior, and help with the process of organizing. These medications can boost moods and improve motivation in many cases. People who are taking stimulants must be aware of the potential adverse effects, such as problems with sleeping and eating or drinking enough. People who take stimulants to treat ADHD can suffer from mood swings that may be difficult for them to manage.
Talk to your doctor about whether or not you are an eligible participant in clinical trials of new medicines or treatments. These studies assist researchers in finding better ways to diagnose and treat illnesses, as well as prevent them from occurring.
Counseling
If you have untreated ADHD it could cause a variety of problems throughout your life. Your relationships, career and financial health can be negatively impacted by procrastination, poor time management, impulsive spending and other signs. The first step to reduce the negative effects and getting control back is to obtain an assessment and seek treatment.
Many adults who are diagnosed with ADHD did not receive a diagnosis as children, because their parents and teachers were unaware of the disorder or they experienced mild symptoms that weren't noticed. Some adults may have been able to manage their symptoms as children but struggled with these issues in adulthood due increasing family and work obligations.
In order to be diagnosed as having ADHD, mental health professionals must find that your symptoms are causing significant impairment in at least two areas of your life. Impairment can result in losing your job due to of a lack of focus and organization skills or being put on academic probation in college due to inability to study for tests.
Women are generally better at avoiding their symptoms than men, which may make it more difficult to receive a diagnosis. If you're struggling with ADHD symptoms that affect your life at work and at home, being forthright about them with your doctor can accelerate the process and allow you to get reasonable accommodations under ADA and other workplace laws.
Your mental health professional, regardless of the type of ADHD that you have will want to know if your symptoms began before the age of 12. They may suggest that you speak to people who were close to you at this time, and they might also administer a series tests to test your memory and attention.
When you receive the diagnosis the therapist will suggest a combination of medication and non-medication therapies to treat your symptoms. The majority of people will test a few different treatments before settling on the most effective one. Keep a record of your progress, and make sure to consult your physician regularly to alter your treatment plan as needed.