Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult
For adults who are struggling in their work or personal life, diagnosing ADHD is a significant step towards getting control. A diagnosis requires a thorough assessment, often including reviews of school records and questionnaires filled out 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 disorder.
Diagnosis
Getting diagnosed with ADHD as an adult is usually the first step in gaining control over the symptoms that cause havoc on one's personal and professional 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 isn't familiar with ADHD and/or ADHD, they could refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct an assessment.
A mental health professional will usually employ a six-question ADHD screener to determine if you have the condition. The doctor will ask you questions about the symptoms of ADHD and look over your medical history and family history to confirm that other medical conditions aren't the cause of them.
Because people with ADHD tend to be unable to pay attention and are easily distracted, they often have difficulty following instructions or listening in class or at work. They often lose things necessary for tasks or activities, such as keys, wallets and tools. They may also have trouble staying focused during long speeches or reading assignments. Fidgeting, excessive talk or texting, or squirming, are other signs of adult ADHD.
It is important to rule out other medical conditions when determining whether someone suffers from adult ADHD. These include depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. Stress and certain physical conditions such as thyroid issues can be a source of symptoms similar to ADHD. In the DSM-5 professionals are now required to assess the severity of a person's symptoms when determining if they are suffering from ADHD. Mild, moderate and severe are the three categories for adults with ADHD.
Many people who suffer from ADHD do not receive a diagnosis in their childhood because it's not obvious. For adults, being diagnosed can be a life-changing experience because they finally understand the reason why they struggled in school and could not attain their full potential at work or at home. They might even feel guilt-ridden for blaming their troubles on others or themselves, and they can experience sadness over the missed opportunities that could have been a reality in the event that they had been properly treated.
Treatment
To get treatment for ADHD for adults, the first step is to speak with an expert in healthcare. This can be done in person or through a video chat. In the UK only psychologists, psychiatrists, and specialist nurses are qualified to diagnose ADHD. The professional will require information about your medical history as well as family-related mental health issues. This is because many emotional and physical conditions can cause symptoms that are similar to those associated with ADHD, and these must be eliminated before the diagnosis can be made.
The doctor will also inquire about your work and lifestyle, and how your symptoms affect your life. They will be especially interested in if you showed signs of ADHD before the age of 12 years old. They may also want to interview people who knew you in childhood and ask about their experiences.
A thorough medical history will help the doctor decide whether you require medication or other treatments. This is because certain medical conditions, including sleep apnea, thyroid issues and lead poisoning may cause symptoms of ADHD. Adults who have a history of anxiety or depression will require evaluation and treated with more care since these conditions can occur in conjunction.
If a medical professional believes that you need medication they will prescribe a suitable medication. The type of medication you need depends on the severity of your symptoms and how they impact your life. Stimulants, which are the most popular medication prescribed for ADHD, are stimulants. They are not for everyone and the first medication you try might not be effective or cause undesirable negative side consequences. Your doctor will be interested in knowing if you take any other medications that are not prescription drugs, such as over-the counter ones and supplements, since certain types of drugs can interact with ADHD stimulants.
Counseling is also an essential part of the treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help you cope with feelings of failure, underachievement and frustration that are frequently associated with untreated ADHD. It can help you learn to manage your anger, improve your time management and organizing skills.
If you have a mental illness, it's important to find an expert in healthcare who is trained in that condition. A psychiatrist or neurologist can diagnose and treat ADHD however, you may prefer to consult a specialist therapist or psychologist. They are likely to be more familiar with adults with ADHD and the challenges they face, as well as having previous experience working with clients. You can check with your local mental health service or ADDitude's directory to find a professional who is working with adults suffering from ADHD.
Medication
If you're an adult who has had to deal with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and is diagnosed, it's the first step to managing your symptoms and improving your life. If you've struggled to achieve your maximum potential at work, have found 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 searching for.
The first step in treating ADHD for adults is a thorough medical history review, including your symptoms. The psychiatrist or psychologist determines if you meet the requirements 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 are not treated for ADHD frequently have coexisting disorders, such as depression and anxiety. how to get an adhd diagnosis uk says that these conditions can cause or worsen symptoms of ADHD. Chronic stress and frustration over poor performance can also lead to feelings of low self-esteem, he says. "Getting an assessment will help them get a better understanding of the reasons behind their struggles. This could help 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 with ADHD is typically an amalgamation of medication and behavior therapy. Stimulants increase concentration, decrease the risk of impulsive behavior, and help with organizing. These drugs can improve moods and boost motivation in many cases. adult adhd diagnosis uk of stimulants are sleepiness and having trouble drinking enough or eating well. The mood swings can also happen in those who take stimulants for ADHD and can be difficult to manage.
Discuss with your doctor about whether you're an ideal candidate for clinical trials of upcoming treatments or drugs. These studies help researchers find more effective ways to prevent, diagnose, or treat illnesses and conditions.
Counseling
Untreated ADHD can lead to problems in all aspects of your life. The effects of procrastination, among others, can negatively impact your relationships, career, and financial health. The first step in reducing the negative effects and getting control back is to obtain diagnosed and seek treatment.
Many adults who are diagnosed with ADHD were not diagnosed as children because their parents and teachers were unaware of the disorder or they had minor symptoms that were not noticed. Others might have had the ability to manage their symptoms in childhood but struggled in adulthood as their family and work obligations increased.
In order to be diagnosed as having ADHD, mental health professionals must discover that your symptoms are causing significant impairment in at minimum two areas of your life. The effects of ADHD can include losing your job due to a deficit in organization and focus or being placed on academic probation at college due to your inability to study for tests.
Women tend to be better at hiding their symptoms than men, which could make it more difficult to receive an accurate diagnosis. If, however, you are suffering from ADHD symptoms that are affecting your work and home life speaking up with your doctor can help speed up the process and allow you to take advantage of reasonable accommodations under ADA and other workplace laws.
Whatever kind of ADHD you have Your mental health professional will verify that your symptoms were present prior to the age of 12. They might ask you to talk to people who were around you during this time and may also conduct a series of tests to determine your attention and memory abilities.
When you receive the diagnosis your therapist will recommend a combination of medications and non-medication therapies to manage your symptoms. The majority of people will test various treatments before settling on the most effective one. Keep a journal of your progress and consult your doctor frequently to modify your treatment plan as necessary.