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 requires a thorough evaluation, often including reviews of school records and questionnaires filled out by teachers and caregivers.

It is not uncommon for adults to be diagnosed with ADHD. NIMH offers guidelines on how to get diagnosed with adhd to talk with your doctor about the disorder.

Diagnosis

Being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult is often the first step to gain 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 seek out an expert in mental health who has expertise in treating adults with ADHD. If your GP is unfamiliar with ADHD, he or she might refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct an assessment.

A mental health professional will typically employ a six-question ADHD screener to determine if you suffer from the condition. The doctor will interview you about your symptoms that are similar to ADHD and examine your medical history and family history to ensure that other medical conditions aren't the cause of them.

People suffering from ADHD are prone to being easily distracted and can miss important details. They often have difficulty following directions in class or at work. They frequently lose essential items required for tasks or activities such as wallets, keys and other tools. They may also have trouble staying focused when listening to or reading long speeches. Fidgeting, excessive talking or texting or squirming are other symptoms of adult ADHD.

When determining whether a person has adult ADHD It is crucial to rule out other conditions that may cause similar symptoms, such as depression, anxiety bipolar disorder, anxiety and abuse of substances. Stress and physical issues such as thyroid issues can be a source of ADHD symptoms. In the DSM-5, professionals are now required to assess the severity of an individual's symptoms when diagnosing them as having ADHD. Adult ADHD is classified as mild, moderate or severe.

Many people who suffer from ADHD are not diagnosed in childhood because it is not readily apparent. For adults, a diagnosis can be a life-changing event because they can finally understand the reasons why they struggled at school and could not attain their full potential at work or at home. They may feel guilty for blaming others or themselves for their struggles and could be devastated by missed opportunities if they were properly treated.

Treatment

To receive treatment for ADHD for adults, the first step is to speak with an expert in healthcare. This can be done either in person or by video calls. In the UK only psychologists, psychiatrists, and specialist nurses are qualified to diagnose ADHD. The professional will ask about your medical history, which includes mental health issues that are present in the family. This is because there are many physical and mental conditions which can trigger symptoms that are similar to ADHD. These conditions need to be eliminated in order to establish a diagnosis.

The doctor will also inquire about your work and lifestyle and how your issues impact your daily life. They will be particularly interested in whether you showed signs of ADHD before the age of 12 years old. They may also want to interview people who were close to you as a child and ask about their memories.

A thorough medical history can help your doctor decide if you need medication or other treatment. This is due to the fact that certain medical conditions, like thyroid problems, sleep apnea and lead poisoning, can trigger symptoms of ADHD. Adults who have a history of depression or anxiety might require more careful evaluation and treatment because these conditions are often associated with ADHD.

If the professional believes you need medication they will prescribe a suitable medicine. The type of medicine you need will depend on the severity of your symptoms and how they impact your life. Stimulants, the most common medication prescribed for ADHD, are stimulants. They are not suitable for everyone and the first medication you try may not work or cause unwanted negative side consequences. Your healthcare provider may ask whether you are taking other medications. This includes prescription drugs, supplements, and prescription drugs. Certain kinds of medications may interfere with ADHD stimulants.

Counseling is also an essential part of the treatment process for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help you cope with the feelings of failure, underachievement and frustration that are frequently associated with untreated ADHD. It can help you learn to control your anger, as well as improve your time management and organization skills.

It is essential to find a healthcare professional that specializes in mental illness. A psychiatrist or neurologist can diagnose and treat ADHD however, you may prefer to consult psychologists or specialist therapists. These professionals will likely have more experience with adult ADHD and the challenges they face, as well as having experience working with other clients. You can use search engines like ADDitude or contact your local mental health clinic to find a professional who is working with adults who suffer from ADHD.

Medication

A diagnosis of ADHD is the first step to managing your symptoms and improving your life. If you've struggled to reach your maximum potential at work, have found it difficult to maintain relationships, or have trouble finishing tasks at home, a diagnosis of ADHD may provide the answer you have been looking for.

ADHD treatment for adults starts with an extensive interview and a review of your medical history, which includes the symptoms you've experienced. The psychologist or psychiatrist will determine if the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria for ADHD apply 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 who suffer from untreated ADHD often suffer from co-occurring disorders, such as anxiety and depression. These disorders can cause or Diagnosis worsen the symptoms of ADHD, Jaksa says. Chronic stress and frustration over poor performance can also lead to feelings of low self-esteem he says. "Getting a diagnosis can help them gain perspective on the root causes of their difficulties, which may alleviate or reduce some of their worries and help them concentrate more effectively on the areas where they excel," Jaksa says.

Adults suffering from ADHD are usually treated best by a combination of medication and behavior therapy. Stimulants can improve concentration, decrease impulsive behaviors and help with organization. These medications can boost moods and improve motivation in a variety of cases. The negative effects of stimulants are insomnia and difficulties eating or drinking enough. Also, mood swings can occur in people who are taking stimulants for ADHD, and these are often difficult to manage.

Consult your physician about whether or not you're eligible for clinical trials of new medications or treatments. These studies help researchers discover more effective ways to diagnose, prevent or treat diseases.

Counseling

If you're suffering from untreated ADHD, it can cause many issues in all areas of your life. Your relationships, work and financial health could be negatively affected by procrastination, poor time management, impulsive spending, diagnosis and other symptoms. Getting a diagnosis and seeking treatment is the first step towards lessening the negative effects and regaining control over your life.

Many adults who are diagnosed with ADHD were not diagnosed as children, either because their family and teachers were not aware of the condition or they showed mild symptoms that weren't noticed. Some adults might have been able to manage their symptoms in childhood, but struggled with these issues in adulthood due increasing family and work obligations.

To determine ADHD Mental health professionals must find that your symptoms are causing significant impairment in two areas of your everyday life. In the event of impairment, it could 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 do well on tests.

Women are generally better at hiding their symptoms than men, which may make it difficult for them to get a diagnosis. If you have ADHD symptoms that affect your work or home life it is possible to speed up the diagnosis process by being open with your doctor. You may also be able to receive reasonable accommodations under ADA laws and other workplace laws.

Your mental health professional, regardless of the type of ADHD you have, will want to know if your symptoms began before the age of 12. They may suggest that you talk to people who were close to you at the time, and may also conduct a series of tests to measure your memory and attention.

When you receive a diagnosis, your therapist will recommend the use of a combination of medication and non-medication therapies to treat your symptoms. The majority of patients will try various treatments before settling on the most effective one. It is recommended that you keep a diary of your progress and consult with your doctor regularly so they can assist in adjusting your treatment plan when needed.