Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult
For adults who are struggling with their personal or professional lives in any way, recognizing ADHD can be a significant step towards taking control. A diagnosis requires a thorough evaluation which may include a review of school records and questionnaires filled out by teachers and caregivers.
Most people suffering from ADHD suffer from symptoms since the age of five, and it's not uncommon to be diagnosed at an adult age. NIMH provides guidelines on how to talk with your doctor about the condition.
Diagnosis
It is essential to be diagnosed with ADHD at an early age. This will help you manage the symptoms that can cause chaos in your professional and personal life. The first step is to talk with your GP or consult an expert in mental health who has expertise in treating adults suffering from ADHD. If your GP doesn't have any knowledge of ADHD or other disorders, they could refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct an assessment.
A mental health professional will usually use a six question ADHD screener to determine if you suffer from the condition. He or she will then interview you about your ADHD-like symptoms and review your medical history and family history to ensure that other conditions aren't causing them.
Since people who suffer from ADHD have a tendency to overlook details and become easily distracted, they often struggle with following directions or listening to lectures or at work. They frequently lose essential items required for tasks or activities such as wallets, keys and tools. They might also have difficulty staying focused while listening to or reading long speeches. Fidgeting, over-talking or texting or squirming are other symptoms of adult ADHD.
When determining whether someone has adult ADHD, it is important to eliminate other conditions that can cause similar symptoms, like anxiety, depression bipolar disorder, anxiety and abuse of substances. Stress and physical ailments such as thyroid issues can be similar to the symptoms of ADHD. The DSM-5 now requires doctors to determine how severe a person's symptoms are before identifying them with the condition. Adult ADHD is classified as moderate, mild or severe.
Many people suffering from ADHD are not diagnosed in childhood because it is not obvious. A diagnosis can change the course of a person's life as they understand the reasons why they struggled in school and failed to reach their maximum potential at work or home. They might even feel guilty for blaming their problems on themselves or others and may experience regret over missed opportunities that could have been had if they had been properly treated.
Treatment
The first step in getting treatment for ADHD as an adult is to consult the healthcare professional to get an assessment. This can be done in person or by video call. In the UK only psychiatrists, psychologists, and specialist nurses are qualified to diagnose ADHD. The doctor will inquire about your medical history, which includes mental health issues within the family. This is because a variety of emotional and physical conditions can trigger symptoms similar to those that occur in ADHD, and these must be ruled out before an assessment can be made.
The professional will also ask about your lifestyle and work and how your issues impact your daily life. They will be particularly interested in whether you displayed symptoms of ADHD before the age of 12 years old. They may also wish to interview those who knew you in your childhood and ask about their experiences.
A thorough medical history will aid the doctor in determining whether you need medication or other treatments. Certain medical conditions, like thyroid disorders, sleep apnea and lead poisoning can cause ADHD symptoms. Adults with a history of anxiety or depression might require more careful evaluation and treatment, because these conditions can be co-existing with ADHD.
If a doctor believes you require medication, he/she will prescribe the appropriate drug. The type of medication you need will depend on the severity of your symptoms and how they interfere with your daily life. Stimulants are the most commonly prescribed medications for ADHD. They are not suitable for everyone, and the first drug you try might not work or cause unwanted adverse effects. Your healthcare provider will need to know if take any other medications that are not prescription drugs, such as over-the counter ones and supplements, since certain kinds of medications can interact with ADHD stimulants.
Counseling is also an important part of the treatment process for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help you deal with the feelings of failure, underachievement and frustration that are often associated with untreated ADHD. It can teach you how to control your anger, improve your time management and organizational skills.
how to get an adhd diagnosis uk is essential to find the services of a doctor who is specialized in mental illness. A psychiatrist or neurologist is able to diagnose and treat ADHD. However, you may prefer to consult a specialist psychotherapist. These professionals are likely to be more familiar with the difficulties of treating adults with ADHD and have had experience in helping other clients with similar struggles. You can contact your local mental health service or consult ADDitude's directory of professionals to find a professional who can assist adults with ADHD.
Medication
A diagnosis of ADHD is the first step towards managing your symptoms and enhancing your life. If you've been unable to realize your full potential at work, find it difficult to maintain relationships or struggle to finish tasks at home A diagnosis of ADHD might be the solution you've been searching for.
The first step to treat ADHD in adults is an extensive medical history, including your symptoms. 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 with untreated ADHD often have coexisting disorders, such as depression and anxiety. Jaksa states that these disorders can cause or worsen symptoms of ADHD. He also says that constant stress and frustration due to inadequate performance can trigger feelings of low self-esteem. "Getting diagnosed can help these individuals gain a perspective on the reasons behind their struggles. This may reduce or eliminate their anxieties and help them concentrate more productively on areas where they excel," Jaksa states.
The best treatment for adults suffering from ADHD is usually an amalgamation of therapy and medication. The stimulants help improve concentration, reduce impulsive behavior and aid in the process of organizing. In many cases, these medications can also improve mood and increase motivation. People who take stimulants should be aware of the potential negative effects, which could include insomnia and difficulty eating or drinking enough. People who take stimulants to treat ADHD can experience mood swings that can be difficult for them to manage.
Discuss with your health care provider regarding whether you are an ideal candidate for clinical trials of upcoming 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 lead to problems in all aspects of your life. The effects of procrastination, among others, can have a negative impact on your relationships and career as well as financial health. Finding a diagnosis and seeking treatment is the first step towards reducing these negative impacts and regaining control over your life.
Many adults diagnosed with ADHD were not diagnosed as children or because their families and teachers were unaware of the condition or they displayed mild symptoms which weren't noticed. Others might have had the ability to manage their symptoms during childhood, but struggled as they grew older as their family and work obligations increased.
To determine ADHD mental health professionals need to find that your symptoms cause significant impairment in two areas of your daily life. The impairment could result in losing your job due to of an inability to concentration and organizational skills, or being placed on academic probation in college due to inability to learn for tests.
Women are better in hiding their symptoms than men. This can make it harder for women to be diagnosed. If you have ADHD symptoms that affect your life at work or at home, you can speed up the diagnosis process by being open with your doctor. You might also be able to receive reasonable accommodations under ADA laws and other workplace laws.
Whatever type of ADHD you suffer from, your mental health professional will determine if your symptoms were present prior to age 12. They might ask you to talk to people who knew you during this period and could perform a series of tests to determine your memory and attention levels.
After you are given a diagnosis the therapist will suggest a combination of medications and non-medication therapies to treat your symptoms. Most people will try several different methods before they discover the one that works best for them. Keep a journal of your progress and consult your doctor frequently to modify your treatment plan as necessary.