Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult
For adults who are struggling with their personal or professional lives in any way, recognizing ADHD can be a significant step towards taking control. A diagnosis requires a thorough assessment, often including reviews of school records and questionnaires completed by caregivers and teachers.
It is not unusual for adults to be diagnosed with ADHD. NIMH has guidelines on how to talk with your doctor about the condition.
Diagnosis
Being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult is often the first step towards gaining control over the symptoms that can cause destruction on people's professional and personal lives. The first step is to talk with your GP or find a mental health professional with experience in treating adults suffering from ADHD. If your GP does not have any experience in treating ADHD and is unable to help, they can refer you to either psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct an assessment.
Typically the mental health professional will use an eight-question ADHD screener to determine if you might have the condition, says Adler. Then, he or she will ask you questions about your symptoms and look at your family history and medical history to confirm that any other conditions are not causing your ADHD-like symptoms.
Because people with ADHD have a tendency to overlook details and become easily distracted, they frequently have trouble following instructions or listening during class or on the job. They are more likely to lose items essential to their tasks or activities, like tools, wallets, and keys. They might also have difficulty staying focused while listening to or reading long speeches. Other signs of adult ADHD include fidgeting, texting or talking too much or squirming in their seats.
It is important to rule other conditions out in determining if a person has adult ADHD. This includes depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. Stress and physical ailments like thyroid issues could be a source of symptoms similar to ADHD. The DSM-5 now requires professionals to determine the severity of the symptoms a person's experiences are when diagnosing him or her with the condition. Adult ADHD is classified as mild, moderate or severe.
Many people with ADHD are not diagnosed in childhood, because it's not obvious. A diagnosis can alter the course of a person's life because they now understand why they struggled at school and never reached their full potential at work or at home. They might even feel guilty for blaming their problems on others or themselves, and they can experience regret over missed opportunities that could have been a reality if they had been properly treated.
Treatment
To receive treatment for ADHD for adults The first step is to speak with a healthcare professional. This can be done in person or via 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 as well as family mental health issues. This is because many physical and emotional issues can cause symptoms similar to those that occur in ADHD and need to be eliminated before a diagnosis can be made.
The expert will also inquire about your work and lifestyle and how your issues impact your daily life. They will be particularly interested in whether or not you had symptoms of ADHD prior to the age of 12. They may also speak with 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 because some medical conditions, including sleep apnea, thyroid problems and lead poisoning, can trigger symptoms of ADHD. Adults who have a history of anxiety or depression need to be assessed and treated with greater care because these conditions frequently coexist.
If a medical professional believes you need medication, they will prescribe the appropriate drug. The type of medication you require will depend on the severity of your symptoms and the way they impact your daily routine. Stimulants are the most commonly prescribed drugs for ADHD. They aren't for everyone and the first medication you try may not work or cause unwanted side negative effects. Your doctor will need to know if take any other medications, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements, because certain types of drugs can interact with ADHD stimulants.
Counseling is a crucial component of the treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help you deal with the feelings of failure, underachievement and frustration that are often associated with untreated ADHD. It can also teach you to manage your anger and improve your organization and time management skills.
If you have mental illness it is essential to locate a healthcare professional who specializes in that condition. A psychiatrist or neurologist is able to diagnose and treat ADHD, but you might prefer to see an expert psychologist or therapist. These professionals are likely to be more familiar with the challenges of treating adults with ADHD and have had experience in helping others who have similar issues. You can search ADDitude or your local mental health clinic to find a specialist who works with adults who have ADHD.
Medication
If you are an adult who has struggled with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, getting a diagnosis is the first step towards addressing your symptoms and improving your life. If you've struggled to reach your maximum 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 solution you've been looking for.
The first step in treating ADHD in adults is thorough medical history review, which includes your symptoms. The psychologist or psychiatrist determines if you satisfy the criteria 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 with untreated ADHD often have coexisting disorders, including anxiety and depression. Jaksa says that these disorders can exacerbate or cause symptoms of ADHD. He adds that chronic stress and frustration due to poor performance can lead to feelings of self-esteem loss. "Getting an assessment can help these individuals understand the root causes of their struggles, which may alleviate or eliminate some of their anxieties and help them concentrate more effectively on areas in which they excel," Jaksa says.
Adults suffering from ADHD are usually treated with a combination of medications and behavior therapy. The stimulants help improve concentration, reduce impulse-driven behavior and aid in organizing. These medications can improve moods and boost motivation in many instances. Side effects of stimulants include insomnia and difficulties drinking or eating enough. Also, mood swings can occur in people who are taking stimulants for ADHD, and these can be difficult to manage.
Talk to your doctor about whether you would be suitable for clinical trials of upcoming treatments or drugs. These studies help researchers discover more effective ways to diagnose and treat or prevent diseases.
Counseling
Untreated ADHD can lead to problems in all aspects of your life. Procrastination and other signs can negatively impact your relationships as well as your career and financial health. The first step in reducing the negative effects and getting back in control is to get diagnosed and seek treatment.
Many adults who are diagnosed with ADHD were not diagnosed as children, either because their family and teachers were unaware of the disorder or because they had mild symptoms that weren't noticed. how to get an adult adhd diagnosis might have managed their symptoms in childhood but struggled later in life as their family and work responsibilities increased.
To determine if you have ADHD mental health professionals must determine that your symptoms cause significant impairment in two areas of your daily life. Impairment can mean losing your job because of lack of focus and organizational skills or being placed on academic probation at college due to the inability to study for tests.
Women are better at hiding symptoms than men. This makes it more difficult for women to be diagnosed. If, however, you are struggling with ADHD symptoms that are affecting your home and work life and family life, speaking openly about them with your doctor can help accelerate the process and enable you to take advantage of reasonable accommodations under the ADA and other workplace laws.
No matter what type of ADHD you have, your mental health professional will want to verify that your symptoms started before age 12. They might ask you to speak to people who knew you during this time period. They may also conduct a series of tests to determine your attention and memory levels.
When you receive an diagnosis the therapist will suggest a combination of medication and non-medical treatments to treat your symptoms. The majority of people will test various treatments before finding the right one. Keep a journal of your progress and visit your doctor frequently to modify your treatment plan as needed.