Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult

Adults who are struggling in their personal or professional lives can benefit from diagnosing ADHD. A thorough evaluation is needed to determine if you have the diagnosis. This includes reviewing school records and questionnaires filled out by caregivers and teachers.

Most people with ADHD suffer from symptoms since the age of three, and it's not unusual to be diagnosed with it at an adult age. NIMH provides suggestions on how to speak 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 havoc on a person's personal and professional lives. The first step is to talk to your GP or consult a mental health professional with experience 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 an assessment.

A mental health professional will usually use a six question ADHD screener to determine if you have the condition. They will ask you questions about the symptoms of ADHD and review your medical and family history to ensure that other medical conditions aren't the cause of them.

Because people with ADHD are more likely to miss details and get easily distracted, they frequently have difficulty following instructions or listening to lectures or at work. They are often unable to locate important items needed for their tasks such as keys, wallets, and tools. They might also have difficulty staying focused while reading or getting diagnosed with adhd as an adult listening to long speeches. Other signs of adult ADHD include fidgeting, talking or texting excessively or squirming in the seat.

In determining if someone suffers from adult ADHD, it is important to eliminate other conditions that can cause similar symptoms, like depression, anxiety bipolar disorder, anxiety and addiction to drugs. Stress and physical issues like thyroid problems can also be a source of ADHD symptoms. In the DSM-5 professionals are required to consider the severity of a person's symptoms when diagnosing them as having ADHD. Mild moderate, severe and mild are the three categories for adults with ADHD.

Many people suffering from ADHD go their whole lives without ever receiving a diagnosis because it's not evident in childhood. A diagnosis can change the course of an adult's life because they now understand why they struggled at school and never reached their full potential at work or at home. They may feel guilty for being blamed for their problems and may also be resentful 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 visit the healthcare professional to have an assessment. This can be conducted in person or by video call. In the UK, only psychiatrists, psychologists and specialist nurses have the qualifications to diagnose ADHD. The doctor will inquire about your medical history, which includes mental health issues within the family. This is because many emotional and physical conditions can cause symptoms similar to those that occur in ADHD, and these must be ruled out before the diagnosis can be made.

The professional will also ask about your work and lifestyle, and how to get diagnosed with adhd uk your symptoms affect your life. They will be particularly interested in whether or not you had symptoms of ADHD prior to the age of 12. They may also want to interview people who were close to you in your childhood and ask about their experiences.

A thorough medical history can help the doctor decide whether you require medication or other treatments. Certain medical conditions, such as sleep apnea, thyroid disorders and lead poisoning can trigger ADHD symptoms. Adults with a history of anxiety or depression may need more careful evaluation and treatment because these conditions are often associated with ADHD.

If a medical professional believes that you need medication, they will prescribe a suitable medication. The kind of medication you will require will depend on the severity of your symptoms and the way they impact your daily routine. The stimulants are the most frequently prescribed drugs for ADHD. They are not for everyone and the first medication you try may not work or cause unwanted adverse consequences. Your healthcare provider will want to know if you are taking any other medications that are not prescription drugs, such as over-the counter ones and supplements, because certain kinds of medications can interact with ADHD stimulants.

Counseling is a crucial aspect of treatment for adults with ADHD. Individual therapy can help you deal better with feelings of frustration, failure and underachievement that are often associated with untreated adhd diagnosis adults. It can help you learn to control your anger, improve your time management and organizational abilities.

If you suffer from mental illness, it's important to find an expert in healthcare who is trained in that condition. A psychiatrist or neurologist is able to diagnose and treat ADHD however, you may prefer to consult an expert psychologist or therapist. These professionals will likely be more familiar with adult ADHD and the challenges they face, as well as having previous experience working with clients. You can use search engines like ADDitude or your local mental health clinic to find a professional who assists adults with ADHD.

Medication

If you are an adult who has struggled with ADHD getting a diagnosis is the first step to managing your symptoms and improving your quality of life. If you are struggling to reach your maximum potential in your work or have trouble maintaining relationships, or have difficulties completing your tasks at home, an ADHD diagnosis could be just what you require.

The first step to treat ADHD for adults is thorough medical history review, including your symptoms. 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 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 with untreated ADHD are often afflicted with disorders such as anxiety and depression. Jaksa says that these disorders can exacerbate or cause symptoms of ADHD. He adds that chronic anxiety and frustration resulting from poor performance can lead to feelings of self-esteem loss. "Getting a diagnosis will help them understand the root of their issues 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 best treatment for adults with ADHD is usually an amalgamation of behavior therapy and medication. The use of stimulants can help improve concentration, decrease impulsive behaviors and aid in organizing. In many cases these drugs can boost motivation and improve mood. 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 experience mood swings that can be difficult for them to manage.

Speak to your doctor about whether or not you're eligible for clinical trials on new medications or treatments. These studies assist researchers in finding more effective methods to detect, prevent or treat diseases.

Counseling

Untreated ADHD can lead to problems in all aspects of your life. Your career, relationships and financial health could be negatively affected by procrastination and poor time management, impulsive spending, and other symptoms. The first step to reduce the negative effects and getting back in control is to get a diagnosis and seek treatment.

Many adults who are diagnosed with ADHD did not receive a diagnosis when they were children because their family and teachers weren't aware of the disorder or they experienced mild symptoms that were not noticed. Certain adults may have been able manage their symptoms as children, but were unable to manage their symptoms in adulthood due to increased work and family obligations.

To determine ADHD, mental health professionals need to find that your symptoms cause significant impairment in two areas of your everyday life. Impaired can be losing your job due to a lack in focus and organization skills, or being placed on academic probation in college due to your inability to concentrate on your tests.

Women are generally better at hiding their symptoms than men, which could make it harder for them to get a diagnosis. However, if you are struggling with ADHD symptoms that affect your home and work life speaking up with your doctor can help accelerate the process and enable you to benefit from reasonable accommodations under the ADA and other workplace laws.

No matter what type of ADHD you suffer from the mental health professional will verify that your symptoms started before age 12. They may suggest that you speak with people who were close to you at this time, and may conduct a series of tests to measure your memory and attention.

After receiving an diagnosis, your doctor will suggest a combination of medication and non-medication therapy to help manage your symptoms. The majority of patients will try several different treatments before finding the right one. It is suggested that you keep track of your progress and speak with your doctor regularly so they can help adjust your treatment plan as needed.