Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult
Adults who have difficulty in their personal or professional lives can benefit from diagnosing ADHD. A diagnosis is based on a thorough examination which may include a review of school records and questionnaires filled out by caregivers and teachers.
Most people with ADHD live with symptoms since the age of three, and it's not unusual to be diagnosed with it in adulthood. See NIMH for suggestions on talking to your health care provider regarding the disorder.
Diagnosis
Getting diagnosed with ADHD as an adult is usually the first step towards gaining control over the symptoms that can cause destruction on people's personal and professional lives. The first step is to talk to your GP or consult an expert in mental health who has experience in treating adults suffering from ADHD. If your GP is unfamiliar with ADHD, he or she could refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist for an assessment.
Typically, a mental health professional will employ an eight-question ADHD screener to determine if you are susceptible to the disorder, says Adler. He or she will then ask you questions about your ADHD-like symptoms and review your medical history and family history to determine if other conditions aren't causing them.
People with ADHD tend to be easily distracted and miss crucial details. They often have difficulty following instructions in class or at work. They frequently lose essential items required for tasks or activities such as keys, wallets and tools. They might also have difficulty staying focused during long speeches or reading assignments. Other symptoms of adult ADHD include fidgeting, talking or texting excessively or squirming in the seat.
When determining whether a person has adult ADHD, it is important to rule out other conditions that could cause similar symptoms, like anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder and addiction to drugs. Stress and physical conditions such as thyroid issues can mimic ADHD symptoms. In the DSM-5 professionals are now required to take into consideration the severity of a person's symptoms when determining if they are suffering from ADHD. Adult ADHD is classified as moderate, mild or severe.
Many people suffering from ADHD live their entire lives without ever receiving a diagnosis because it is not apparent in the early years. A diagnosis can alter the course of an adult's life as they understand why they struggled at school and never reached their maximum potential at work or home. They might feel guilty about blaming others or themselves for their struggles and could be devastated by missed opportunities that could have been if they were treated properly.
Treatment
To get treatment for ADHD in adults, the first step is to consult an expert in healthcare. This can be done in person or via video conference. In the UK only psychiatrists, psychologists, and specialist nurses are qualified to diagnose ADHD. get an adhd diagnosis will ask about your medical history, which includes mental health issues in the family. This is due to the fact that a number of emotional and physical conditions can trigger symptoms similar to those of ADHD, and these must be eliminated before a diagnosis is made.
The professional will also ask about your lifestyle and work, and how your symptoms influence your life. They will be particularly interested in whether or not you had symptoms of ADHD prior to the age of 12 years old. 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 in determining whether you require medication or any other treatment. Certain medical conditions, like sleep apnea, thyroid disorders, and lead poisoning, can cause ADHD symptoms. Adults with an underlying history of depression or anxiety may need more careful assessment and treatment, as these conditions are often associated with ADHD.
If a doctor believes you need medication, he/she will prescribe the right medication. The kind of medication you need will depend on your symptoms and how they impact your life. Stimulants, which are the most popular medication prescribed for ADHD, are stimulants. They are not suitable for everyone, and the first drug you try might not be effective or cause undesirable negative side consequences. Your healthcare provider will need to know if take any other medications, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements, because certain types of drugs can interact with ADHD stimulants.
Counseling is also an essential element of the treatment process for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help you cope better with feelings of frustration, failure and underachievement that are frequently associated with untreated ADHD. It can teach you how to control your anger, as well as improve your time management and organizational skills.
If you have an illness of the mind it is essential to locate a healthcare professional who specializes in the field. A psychiatrist or neurologist can diagnose and treat ADHD. However you might prefer to consult a specialist therapist. These professionals will likely be more familiar with adults with ADHD and their struggles as well as having experience working with other clients. You can check with your local mental health clinic or consult ADDitude's directory of professionals to find a specialist who is working with adults suffering from ADHD.
Medication
If you're an adult who has struggled with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and is diagnosed, it's the first step to managing your symptoms and improving your life. If you've found it difficult to realize your full 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 answer you have been looking for.
The first step to treat ADHD for adults is thorough medical history, including your symptoms. The psychiatrist or psychologist will then determine if 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 are often afflicted with disorders such as anxiety and depression. These conditions can cause or worsen the symptoms of ADHD, Jaksa says. Stress and frustration from the lack of performance can cause feelings of self-doubt, he adds. "Getting an evaluation can help these individuals gain perspective on the root of their struggles which can help alleviate or eliminate some of their anxieties and allow them to concentrate more effectively on areas in which they excel," Jaksa says.
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 behavior and aid in achieving organization. In many instances they can enhance motivation and mood. Some of the side effects of stimulants include sleepiness and having trouble drinking or eating enough. People who take stimulants to treat ADHD can suffer from mood swings that may be difficult to manage.
Discuss with your health care provider about whether you would be a good candidate for clinical trials of upcoming treatments or medications. These studies help researchers discover better ways to diagnose, prevent or treat diseases.
Counseling
Untreated ADHD can lead to problems in all aspects of your life. Your relationships, career and financial health can be negatively affected by procrastination or poor time management, excessive spending and other signs. The first step in reducing the negative effects and regaining control is to get an assessment and seek treatment.
Many adults who are diagnosed with ADHD were not diagnosed when they were children because their teachers and family weren't aware of the disorder or they had minor symptoms that weren't noticed. Certain adults may have been able to manage their symptoms as children but were unable to manage them in adulthood due to the increased demands of work and family.
In order to be diagnosed as having ADHD mental health professionals must find that your symptoms are causing severe impairment in at least two areas of your life. The impairment could mean losing your job because of lack of concentration and organizational skills, or being put on academic probation in college due to the inability to do well on tests.
Women are better in hiding their symptoms than men. This makes it more difficult for women to be diagnosed. However, if you are experiencing ADHD symptoms that are affecting your life at work and at home speaking up with your doctor can help accelerate the process and let you get reasonable accommodations under ADA and other workplace laws.
No matter what kind of ADHD you suffer from Your mental health professional will determine if your symptoms began prior to the age of 12. They might ask you to talk to people who knew you at this period and could perform a series of tests to assess your attention and memory levels.
After you are given the diagnosis your therapist will recommend the use of a combination of medication and non-medication therapies to manage your symptoms. The majority of people will test different treatments before they find the one that works for them. It is recommended to keep a journal of your progress and speak with your physician regularly so that they can help adjust your treatment program when needed.