Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult

For adults who are struggling in their work or personal life, diagnosing ADHD can be a significant step in taking control. A diagnosis requires a thorough evaluation which may include a review of school records and questionnaires filled out by teachers and caregivers.

The majority of people with ADHD suffer from symptoms from the age of five, and it's not unusual to be diagnosed with it in adulthood. NIMH provides tips on how to talk with your doctor about the disorder.

Diagnosis

It is important to get diagnosed with ADHD at an early age. This will help you gain control over the symptoms that can cause havoc in your professional and personal life. The first step is to consult your GP or a mental health specialist who has experience treating adults suffering from ADHD. If your doctor does not have any experience in treating ADHD, they may refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct an assessment.

A mental health professional will typically employ a six-question ADHD screener to determine if you are suffering from the condition. He or she will then ask you questions about the symptoms of ADHD and review your medical history and family history to determine if other conditions aren't causing them.

Since people who suffer from ADHD are more likely to miss details and get easily distracted, they frequently have difficulty following instructions or listening in class or at work. They often lose things that are essential for their work or activities, like tools, wallets, keys and wallets. They might also have difficulty staying focused while listening to or reading long speeches. Fidgeting, excessive talking or texting, or squirming, are other symptoms of adult ADHD.

It is crucial to rule out other medical conditions when determining if someone has adult ADHD. This includes anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder. Stress and physical ailments such as thyroid issues can be a source of ADHD symptoms. The DSM-5 now requires professionals to consider the severity of the symptoms a person's experiences are when diagnosing them with the disorder. Mild moderate, severe, and mild are the classifications for adult ADHD.

Many people suffering from ADHD have a lifelong struggle without ever receiving a diagnosis because it's not obvious during childhood. For adults, a diagnosis can be a life-changing revelation because they can finally understand why they struggled in school and failed to attain their full potential at work or at home. They might feel guilty about blaming others or themselves for their troubles and could be devastated by missed opportunities when they were treated with respect.

Treatment

The first step in obtaining treatment for ADHD as an adult is to visit a medical professional to get an assessment. This can be done in person or via video calls. In the UK only psychologists, psychiatrists, and specialist nurses have the qualifications to diagnose ADHD. The professional will need to know your medical history as well as family mental health issues. This is due to the fact that a number of physical and emotional issues can cause symptoms similar to those of ADHD, and these must be eliminated before a diagnosis can be made.

The expert will also inquire about your lifestyle and work, and how your symptoms influence your life. They will be especially interested in if you showed signs of ADHD before the age of 12. They might also interview people who knew you in your childhood and ask about their memories.

A detailed 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 sleep apnea, thyroid issues and lead poisoning, can trigger symptoms of ADHD. Adults with a history of anxiety or depression might require a more thorough assessment and treatment, as these conditions can be co-existing with ADHD.

If a medical professional believes that you require medication they will prescribe a suitable drug. The type of medication you need will depend on the severity of your symptoms and the way they impact your daily life. Stimulants are the most commonly prescribed drugs for ADHD. They aren't for everyone, and the first drug you try might not work or cause undesirable side negative effects. Your healthcare provider may ask if you are taking any other medications. This includes over-the-counter drugs or supplements as well as prescription drugs. Certain kinds of drugs may interfere with ADHD stimulants.

Counseling is a crucial component of the treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help you to cope better with feelings of frustration, disappointment and inadequacy that are often associated with untreated ADHD. It can teach you how to manage your anger, as well as improve your time management and organization skills.

It is essential to find a healthcare professional that specializes in mental illnesses. A psychiatrist or neurologist can diagnose and treat ADHD, but you might prefer to consult a specialist therapist or psychologist. These specialists are likely to be more familiar 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 your local mental health service to find a professional that is working with adults who suffer from ADHD.

Medication

If you're an adult who has been struggling with ADHD, getting a diagnosis is the first step toward managing your symptoms and improving your life. If you're struggling to realize your full potential in the workplace or have trouble maintaining relationships, or are having trouble completing tasks at home then an ADHD diagnosis might be just what you require.

The first step to treat ADHD for adults is a thorough medical history, 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 with untreated ADHD are often co-morbid with disorders like anxiety and depression. These disorders can trigger or worsen symptoms of ADHD, Jaksa says. He adds that chronic stress and anger due to low performance can cause feelings of low self-esteem. "getting diagnosed with adhd an assessment can help these individuals gain a perspective on the reasons behind their struggles. This could help alleviate or eliminate their anxiety and help them focus on areas in which they excel," Jaksa states.

Adults with ADHD are usually treated best with a combination of medications in conjunction with behavior therapy. The use of stimulants can help improve concentration, decrease impulsive behaviors and aid in achieving organization. These drugs can improve moods and boost motivation in a variety of cases. People who take stimulants should be aware of the potential side effects, which include insomnia and Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult difficulty drinking or eating enough. Certain people who use stimulants to treat ADHD may suffer from mood swings that may be difficult to manage.

Discuss with your health care provider regarding whether you would be suitable for clinical trials of new treatments or drugs. These studies aid researchers in discovering more effective ways to diagnose and treat illnesses, as well as prevent them from occurring.

Counseling

Untreated ADHD can cause issues in all areas of your life. Procrastination and other symptoms can negatively impact your relationships and career as well as financial health. The first step to reduce the negative effects and regaining control is to get a diagnosis and seek treatment.

Many adults diagnosed with ADHD were not diagnosed as children, either because their family and teachers were unaware of the disorder, or because they displayed mild symptoms which were not noticed. Some may have managed their symptoms as children but struggled as they grew older when their work and family obligations increased.

In order to be diagnosed as having ADHD, mental health professionals must determine that your symptoms are causing significant impairment in at least two areas of your life. Impaired can be losing your job due to a deficit in organization and focus, or being placed on academic probation in college due to your inability to study for tests.

Women are better at hiding symptoms than men. This makes it more difficult for women to be diagnosed. If you're struggling with ADHD symptoms that affect your life at work and at home speaking up with your doctor can speed up the process and enable you to get reasonable accommodations under ADA and other workplace laws.

Regardless of the type of ADHD you suffer from, your mental health professional will want to verify that your symptoms began prior to age 12. They may ask to speak to people who were close to you at the time, and they may also conduct a series of tests to test your attention and memory.

If you're given a diagnosis the therapist will suggest the use of a combination of medication and non-medication therapies to treat your symptoms. Most people will try a few different treatments before they find the best one. Keep a record of your progress, and make sure to consult your doctor frequently to modify your treatment plan if needed.