Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult
Adults who have difficulty in their personal or professional lives can benefit from diagnosing ADHD. A thorough evaluation is needed to determine if you have the diagnosis. This involves examining the school records and filling out questionnaires completed by teachers and caregivers.
Most people with ADHD live with symptoms from the age of three, and it's not unusual to be diagnosed as an adult. Visit NIMH for advice on how to talk to your health care provider about the condition.
Diagnosis
Being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult is usually the first step in gaining control over the symptoms that cause havoc on one's professional and personal lives. First, you should consult your GP or a mental health specialist who has experience treating adults suffering from ADHD. If your doctor is not familiar with ADHD and/or ADHD, they could refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist for an assessment.
A mental health professional will usually use a six question ADHD screener to determine if you suffer from the condition. Then, he will interview you about your symptoms and review your medical history and family background to ensure that any other conditions are not causing your ADHD-like symptoms.
People with ADHD are prone to being easily distracted and can miss important details. They may have trouble adhering to instructions in classes or at work. They often lose important items needed for their tasks such as wallets, keys and tools. They might also have difficulty staying focused during long speeches or reading assignments. Other signs of adult ADHD include fidgeting, talking or texting frequently or squirming around in the seat.
It is crucial to rule out other medical conditions when determining whether someone suffers from adult ADHD. These include depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder. Stress and physical ailments like thyroid problems can be a source of symptoms similar to ADHD. In the DSM-5, professionals are now required to take into consideration the severity of an individual's symptoms when determining if they are suffering from ADHD. Adult ADHD is classified as moderate, mild or severe.
Many people with ADHD do not receive a diagnosis in childhood because it is not readily apparent. For adults, a diagnosis could be a life-changing experience because they finally understand the reason why they struggled in school and could not reach their potential at work or at home. They may feel guilty for being blamed for their struggles and could be grieved over missed opportunities that could have been if they were treated properly.
Treatment
The first step in getting treatment for ADHD as an adult is to see a healthcare 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 specialist will need to know your medical history and family-related mental health issues. This is because many emotional and physical conditions can cause symptoms similar to those that occur in ADHD, and these must be addressed before the diagnosis is made.
The professional will ask you about your work and lifestyle, as well as how your symptoms impact your life. They will be particularly interested in whether you showed signs of ADHD before age 12 years old. They might also talk to those who were close to you as when you were a child and inquire about their childhood memories.
A thorough medical history will aid the doctor in determining whether you need medication or other treatments. Certain medical conditions, such as sleep apnea, thyroid disorders, and lead poisoning, can cause ADHD symptoms. Adults with a history anxiety or depression need to be assessed and treated with greater care, as these conditions often are in synergy.
If the professional believes you require medication, they will prescribe a suitable medication. The type of medication you need will depend on your symptoms and the way they affect your life. The most commonly used medication prescribed for ADHD, are stimulants. However, they're not suitable for everyone and the first one you try might not be effective or cause unpleasant adverse effects. Your healthcare provider will be interested in knowing if you use any other medication that are not prescription drugs, such as over-the counter ones and supplements, because certain types of drugs can interact with ADHD stimulants.
Counseling is an essential aspect of treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help you cope with the feelings of failure frustration, underachievement, and anger that are frequently associated with untreated ADHD. It can help you learn to control your anger, and improve your time management and organization abilities.
It is essential to find an expert in healthcare who specializes in mental illness. I Am Psychiatry or neurologist can diagnose and treat ADHD. However you might prefer to consult a specialist psychotherapist. These professionals will likely have more experience with adult ADHD and the challenges they face as well as having experience working with other clients. You can contact your local mental health clinic or consult ADDitude's directory of professionals to find a specialist who can assist adults with ADHD.
Medication
If you are an adult who has had to deal with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder getting a diagnosis is the first step toward managing your symptoms and improving your life. If you've been unable to realize your full potential at work, find it difficult to maintain relationships, or have trouble finishing tasks at home and at work, a diagnosis of ADHD could be the answer you have been seeking.
ADHD treatment for adults begins with thorough interviews and a thorough review of your medical history, including the symptoms you've been experiencing. The psychologist or psychiatrist will then determine if 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 worsen or cause symptoms of ADHD. Stress and frustration from the lack of performance can lead to feelings of self-doubt, he says. "Getting an assessment can help these individuals gain a perspective on the causes of their struggles. This can help to reduce or eliminate their worries, and allow them to concentrate more productively on areas in which they excel," Jaksa states.
The best treatment for adults suffering from ADHD is typically a combination of behavior therapy and medication. Stimulants can boost concentration, decrease impulsive behaviors and help with organization. These medications can boost moods and improve motivation in many instances. Some of the side effects of stimulants include insomnia and difficulties eating or drinking enough. Also, mood swings can occur in some people who take stimulants for ADHD and can be difficult to manage.
Speak to your doctor about whether or not you're an eligible participant in clinical trials on new medications or treatments. These studies assist researchers in finding more effective ways to diagnose and treat illnesses, as well as prevent them from occurring.
Counseling
Untreated ADHD can lead to problems in all aspects of your life. Procrastination and other symptoms can affect your relationships as well as your career and financial health. Getting a diagnosis and seeking treatment is the first step to reduce the negative impact and regaining control of your life.
Many adults diagnosed with ADHD were not diagnosed as children, because their parents and teachers were unaware of the condition or they had minor symptoms that were not noticed. Some may have managed their symptoms as children but struggled in adulthood when their work and family responsibilities increased.
To diagnose ADHD, mental health professionals must determine that your symptoms result in significant impairments in two areas of your daily life. The effects of ADHD can include losing your job due to a lack in focus and organization skills, or being placed on academic probation at college because you're unable to do well on tests.
Women are better at hiding symptoms than men. This makes it harder for them to receive a diagnosis. If you suffer from ADHD symptoms that impact your life at work or at home it is possible to accelerate the process of diagnosis by being honest with your doctor. You may also be eligible for reasonable accommodations under ADA laws as well as other workplace laws.
No matter what kind of ADHD you suffer from, your mental health professional will want to verify that your symptoms were present prior to age 12. They may ask you to talk with people who knew you during this time and may also conduct a series of tests to assess your attention and memory levels.
After you are given a diagnosis the therapist will suggest a combination of medication and non-medication therapies to help manage your symptoms. The majority of people will test several different treatments before they find the best one. It is suggested that you keep track of your progress and speak with your doctor on a regular basis so they can help adjust your treatment plan as needed.