Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult

Adults who are struggling in their personal or professional lives may benefit from a diagnosis of ADHD. A diagnosis is based on a thorough examination that may include reviews of school records and questionnaires completed by parents and teachers.

The majority of people with ADHD suffer from symptoms since childhood, and it is not unusual to be diagnosed in adulthood. NIMH offers tips on how to talk with your doctor about the disorder.

Diagnosis

It is crucial to be diagnosed with ADHD as you reach adulthood. This will help you gain control over the symptoms that can cause chaos in your personal and professional life. 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 or other disorders, they may refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist for assessment.

Typically the mental health professional will use an eight-question ADHD screener to determine if you may be suffering from the disorder, says Adler. Then, the doctor will talk to you about your symptoms and look at your medical history and family history to confirm that there are no other conditions not causing the symptoms of ADHD.

People suffering from ADHD are prone to being easily distracted and forgetting crucial details. They often have difficulty following instructions in class or at work. They often lose things essential to their tasks or activities, including tools, wallets, keys and wallets. They might also have difficulty staying focused when listening to long speeches. Fidgeting, over-talking or texting, or squirming, are other signs of adult ADHD.

When determining whether someone has adult ADHD It is crucial to rule out other conditions that may cause similar symptoms, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and abuse of substances. 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 diagnosing them with ADHD. Mild, moderate and severe are the classifications for adult ADHD.

Many people with ADHD live their entire lives without ever receiving a diagnosis because it is not apparent during childhood. For adults, a diagnosis can be a life-changing revelation because they finally understand the reason why they struggled in school and could not achieve their full potential at work or at home. They may feel guilty for blameing other people or themselves for their troubles and may also be grieved over missed opportunities if they were properly treated.

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 in person or via video calls. In the UK only psychiatrists, psychologists, and specialist nurses are qualified to diagnose ADHD. The professional will require information about your medical history and family-related mental health issues. This is because there are a variety of physical and mental conditions that could cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD. These conditions must be ruled out to determine if you have ADHD.

The expert will inquire about your work and lifestyle and how your symptoms affect your life. They will be particularly interested in whether or not you displayed signs of ADHD prior to the age of 12 years. They might also talk to people who were close to you as a child and inquire about their childhood memories.

A detailed medical history can aid your doctor to determine whether you require medication or another treatment. Some medical conditions such as thyroid disorders, sleep apnea, and lead poisoning, can trigger ADHD symptoms. Adults with an underlying history of depression or anxiety might require a more thorough evaluation and treatment because these conditions are often associated with ADHD.

If a doctor believes that you need medication they will prescribe a suitable drug. The kind of medication you need will depend on the severity of your symptoms and the way they impact your daily life. Stimulants are among the most commonly prescribed medications for ADHD. However, they are not suitable for everyone and the first stimulant you try might not be effective or cause bothersome adverse effects. Your healthcare provider may ask whether you are taking other medication. This includes prescription drugs, supplements, and prescription drugs. Certain kinds of drugs may interfere with ADHD stimulants.

Counseling is a crucial part of treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help you deal with the feelings of disappointment frustration, underachievement, and anger that are often associated with untreated ADHD. It can teach you how to control your anger, improve your time management and organization skills.

It is essential to find an expert in healthcare who specializes in mental illnesses. A psychiatrist or neurologist is able to diagnose and treat ADHD however, you may prefer to see psychologists or specialist therapists. These experts are likely to be more familiar with the challenges of treating adult ADHD and have worked with other clients with similar struggles. You can check with your local mental health service or ADDitude's directory to find a specialist who works with adults with ADHD.

Medication

If you are an adult who has been struggling with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, getting a diagnosis is the first step towards addressing your symptoms and improving your life. If you are struggling to reach your full potential in the workplace or in maintaining relationships, or have difficulties completing your tasks at home, an ADHD diagnosis may be the answer you've been looking for.

ADHD treatment for adults begins with a thorough interview and review of your medical history, including the symptoms you've been experiencing. The psychologist or psychiatrist determines if you satisfy the requirements 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 are frequently co-morbid with other disorders, like anxiety and depression. These conditions can cause or worsen the symptoms of ADHD, Jaksa says. He says that stress and frustration due to low performance can cause feelings of low-self-esteem. "Getting a diagnosis can help them get a better understanding of the root of their issues which can help reduce or alleviate some of their anxiety and allow them to focus more productively on areas in which they excel," Jaksa says.

Adults suffering from ADHD are typically treated with a combination of medications and behavior therapy. The use of stimulants can help improve concentration, reduce impulsive behaviors and aid in achieving organization. In many instances these drugs can improve mood and increase motivation. People who take stimulants should be aware of the potential adverse effects, such as problems with sleeping and eating or drinking enough. People who take stimulants to treat ADHD may have mood swings that could be difficult to manage.

Discuss with your health care provider regarding whether you are an ideal candidate for clinical trials of novel treatments or drugs. These studies assist researchers in finding better methods to prevent, diagnose or treat conditions and diseases.

Counseling

If you are suffering from untreated ADHD it could cause a variety of problems in every area of your life. Your relationships, work and financial health can be negatively affected by procrastination, poor time management, impulsive spending, and other signs. The first step to reducing the negative effects and getting control back is to obtain a diagnosis and seek treatment.

Many adults who are diagnosed with ADHD did not receive a diagnosis as children, because their family and teachers were unaware of the condition or they had minor symptoms that were not noticed. Others might have managed their symptoms during childhood, but struggled as they grew older when their work and family obligations increased.

To determine if you have ADHD, mental health professionals must find that your symptoms are causing significant impairment in two areas of your daily life. Impairment can result in losing your job due to of an inability to focus and organization skills or being placed on academic probation at college due to your inability to study for tests.

Women tend to be better in hiding their symptoms than men, which could make it harder for them to get an accurate diagnosis. If you have ADHD symptoms that affect your work or home life, you can accelerate the process of diagnosing by being upfront with your doctor. You may also be able to receive reasonable accommodations under ADA laws as well as other workplace laws.

Your mental health professional regardless of the kind of ADHD you have will be looking to determine the time when your symptoms began. the age of 12. They may request that you speak to people who knew you at this period and could perform a series of tests to evaluate your memory and attention levels.

When you receive a diagnosis the therapist will suggest the use of a combination of medication and non-medication therapies to help manage your symptoms. The majority of patients will try several different treatments before finding the right one. Keep a record of your progress and visit your doctor frequently to modify your treatment plan as necessary.