Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult
Adults who are struggling with their personal or professional lives in any way, recognizing ADHD could be a crucial step in getting control. A diagnosis requires a thorough evaluation, often including reviews of school records and questionnaires filled out by caregivers and teachers.
It is not uncommon for adults to be diagnosed with ADHD. NIMH has suggestions on how to speak with your doctor about the condition.
Diagnosis
It is crucial to be diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood. This will help you gain control over the symptoms that can cause a lot of trouble in your personal and professional life. The first step is to speak with your GP or seek out a mental health professional with expertise 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 a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct an assessment.
Typically the mental health professional will use a six-question ADHD screener to determine whether you may be suffering from the disorder, says Adler. Then, he or she will talk to you about your symptoms, and examine your family history and medical background to ensure that other medical conditions are not causing your symptoms of ADHD.
Because people who suffer from ADHD are more likely to be unable to pay attention and are easily distracted, they frequently have difficulty following instructions or listening to lectures or on the job. They are more likely to lose items essential to their tasks or activities, such as tools, wallets, and keys. They might also have difficulty staying focused while reading or listening to long speeches. Fidgeting, excessive talk or texting, or squirming, are other symptoms of adult ADHD.
When determining whether someone has adult ADHD It is crucial to rule out other conditions that could cause similar symptoms, like depression, anxiety bipolar disorder, depression and addiction to drugs. Stress and physical conditions such as thyroid issues can cause ADHD symptoms. In the DSM-5 professionals are required to take into consideration the severity of a person's symptoms when diagnosing them as having ADHD. Mild, moderate and severe are the categories used to describe adult ADHD.
Many people with ADHD never 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 failed to achieve their full potential at work or at home. They might feel guilty about being blamed for their problems, and they may be grieved over missed opportunities when they were treated with respect.
Treatment
To get treatment for ADHD in adults The first step is to speak with a healthcare professional. This can be done in person or via video calls. Only psychiatrists, psychologists and specialist nurses are qualified to diagnose ADHD in the UK. The specialist will inquire about your medical history, which includes mental health issues within the family. This is because many physical and emotional conditions can cause symptoms similar to those that occur in ADHD, and these must be eliminated before an assessment can be made.
The doctor will inquire about your lifestyle and work, as well as how your symptoms impact your life. They will be especially interested in if you showed symptoms of ADHD before the age of 12 years old. They may also interview people who were close to you as an infant and ask them about their memories.
A thorough medical history will aid your doctor to determine if you need medication or any other treatment. This is because some medical conditions, including sleep apnea, thyroid issues and lead poisoning may cause symptoms of ADHD. Adults who have a history of depression or anxiety will need to be evaluated and treated with greater care since these conditions can are in synergy.
If a medical professional believes that you need medication they will prescribe a suitable medication. The type of medication you need will depend on the severity of your symptoms and how they affect your life. Stimulants are the most commonly prescribed medication for ADHD. They are not for everyone and the first medication you try might not be effective or cause undesirable side effects. Your healthcare provider will be interested in knowing if you use any other medication such as over-the-counter medications and supplements, as certain types of drugs can interact with ADHD stimulants.
Counseling is also an important element of the treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help you cope with the feelings of failure or underachievement that are frequently associated with untreated ADHD. It can also teach you to manage your anger and improve your organization and time management abilities.
If you have mental illness it is essential to locate an expert in healthcare who is trained in the field. A psychiatrist or neurologist is able to diagnose and treat ADHD. However you might prefer to consult a specialist psychotherapist. These experts are likely to be more knowledgeable about the challenges of treating adults with ADHD and have had experience in helping other clients with similar struggles. You can inquire with your local mental health service or ADDitude's directory to find a specialist who works with adults with ADHD.
Medication
A diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the first step in managing your symptoms and improving life. If you're struggling to achieve your full potential at work or in maintaining relationships, or are having trouble completing tasks at home and at work, an ADHD diagnosis may be just what you need.
ADHD treatment for adults begins with a thorough interview and review of your medical history, which includes the symptoms you've experienced. The psychiatrist or psychologist determines if you satisfy the criteria 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 often have coexisting disorders, like depression and anxiety. Jaksa says that these disorders can worsen or cause symptoms of ADHD. He also says that constant stress and anger due to low performance can cause feelings of low-self-esteem. "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 help them concentrate more productively on areas where they excel," Jaksa states.
Adults with ADHD are typically treated by a combination of medication along with behavior therapy. The use of stimulants can help improve concentration, decrease impulsive behaviors and help with organization. In many cases these drugs can boost motivation and improve mood. People who are taking stimulants must be aware of the potential negative effects, which could include problems with sleeping and drinking or eating enough. adhd uk diagnosis can also occur in those who take stimulants for ADHD and they can be difficult to manage.
Talk to your doctor about whether or not you are an eligible participant in clinical trials on new medications or treatments. These studies aid researchers in finding more effective ways to prevent, diagnose, or treat diseases and conditions.
Counseling
If you are suffering from untreated ADHD it could cause many issues in all areas of your life. The effects of procrastination, among others, can have a negative impact on your relationships and career as well as financial health. Getting a diagnosis and seeking treatment is the first step towards reducing these negative impacts and regaining control over your life.
Many adults who are diagnosed with ADHD didn't receive a diagnosis as children because their family and teachers weren't aware of the disorder or they experienced mild symptoms that were not noticed. Some might have been able to manage their symptoms as children but struggled later in life when their family and work responsibilities increased.
In order to be diagnosed with ADHD mental health professionals must discover that your symptoms cause significant impairment in at minimum two areas of your life. In the event of impairment, it could result in losing your job because of lack of focus and organization skills or being placed on academic probation in college due to your inability to learn for tests.
Women are more adept in hiding their symptoms than men, which can make it harder to receive an accurate diagnosis. If you have ADHD symptoms that impact your life at work or at home, you can accelerate the process of diagnosis by being honest with your doctor. You may also be able to get reasonable accommodations under ADA laws as well as other workplace laws.
Whatever type of ADHD you suffer from the mental health professional will want to verify that your symptoms started prior to age 12. They may ask to talk to people who were close to you at this time, and they might conduct a series of tests to test your memory and attention.
If you're given the diagnosis the therapist will suggest a combination of medications and non-medical treatments to manage your symptoms. The majority of people will test various treatments before settling on the most effective one. Keep a log of your progress, and make sure to consult your physician regularly to alter your treatment plan as needed.