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 thorough examination is necessary to determine if you have an accurate diagnosis. This involves examining school records as well as questionnaires that are completed by caregivers and teachers.
The majority of people with ADHD live with symptoms from the age of three, and it's not uncommon to be diagnosed at an adult age. See NIMH for suggestions on talking to your doctor about the disorder.
Diagnosis
Getting diagnosed with ADHD as an adult is often the first step to gain control over symptoms that wreak destruction on people's personal and professional lives. The first step is to consult your GP or a mental health professional who has experience treating adults with ADHD. If your doctor is not familiar with ADHD and/or ADHD, they may refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist for assessment.
A mental health professional would typically employ a six-question ADHD screener to determine if you suffer from the condition. Then, he will ask you questions about your symptoms and review your family history and medical history to make sure that any other conditions are not causing the symptoms of ADHD.
Since people with ADHD have a tendency to be unable to pay attention and are easily distracted, they often struggle with following directions or listening to lectures or on the job. They tend to lose things necessary for tasks or activities, including keys, wallets and tools. They may also have trouble staying focused during long lectures or reading assignments. Other symptoms of adult ADHD include fidgeting, talking or texting frequently or squirming around in their seats.
When determining whether a person has adult ADHD it is essential to eliminate other conditions that can cause similar symptoms, like anxiety, depression bipolar disorder, anxiety and addiction to drugs. Stress and physical conditions like thyroid problems can also 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 mild, moderate or severe.
Many people with ADHD never receive a diagnosis in childhood because it is not obvious. A diagnosis can change the course of an adult's life as they understand the reasons why they struggled in school and didn't reach their full potential at work or at home. They might even feel guilty for blaming their issues on others or themselves and can feel sadness over the missed opportunities that could have been had in the event that they had been properly treated.
Treatment
To seek treatment for ADHD for adults, the first step is to consult an expert in the field of healthcare. This can be accomplished in person or via video calls. In the UK, only psychologists, psychiatrists, and specialist nurses have the qualifications to diagnose ADHD. The specialist will inquire about your medical history, which includes mental health issues that are present in the family. This is because many emotional and physical conditions can cause symptoms similar to those of ADHD and must be ruled out before the diagnosis can be made.
The doctor will also inquire about your work and lifestyle and how your issues influence your life. They will be particularly interested in whether or not you displayed symptoms of ADHD prior to the age of 12 years old. They may also interview people who were close to you as a child and inquire about their childhood memories.
A thorough medical history will aid your doctor in determining if you need medication or another treatment. Some medical conditions such as thyroid disorders, sleep apnea and lead poisoning can trigger ADHD symptoms. Adults who have a history of anxiety or depression will require evaluation and treated with greater care because these conditions frequently are in synergy.
If a doctor believes you need medication, he or she will prescribe the right medication. The type of medication you require will depend on the severity of your symptoms and the way they impact your life. Stimulants, the most common medication prescribed for ADHD, are stimulants. They are not suitable for all people and the first treatment you try may not work or cause undesirable adverse consequences. Your healthcare provider might ask whether you're taking any other medication. This includes prescription drugs, supplements, and prescription drugs. Certain kinds of drugs may interfere with ADHD stimulants.
Counseling is a crucial part of the treatment process for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help you cope with the feelings of disappointment or underachievement that are often associated with untreated ADHD. It can also help you learn how to manage your anger as well as improve your time management and organization abilities.
It's important to seek out an expert in healthcare who specializes in mental illness. A psychiatrist or neurologist is able to diagnose and treat ADHD however, you may prefer to consult an expert psychologist or therapist. These specialists are likely to be more knowledgeable about the challenges of treating adult ADHD and have had experience in helping other clients with similar struggles. You can contact your local mental health services or ADDitude's directory to find a professional who is working with adults suffering from ADHD.
Medication
A diagnosis of ADHD is the first step to managing your symptoms and improving your life. If you are struggling to realize your full potential in the workplace, have difficulty maintaining relationships, or are having difficulties completing your tasks at home, an ADHD diagnosis might be just what you need.
The first step to treat ADHD in adults is 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 with untreated ADHD frequently have coexisting disorders, including depression and anxiety. These disorders can cause or worsen symptoms of ADHD, Jaksa says. He adds that chronic stress and anger due to poor performance can lead to feelings of low-self-esteem. "Getting a diagnosis can help them get a better understanding of the root causes of their struggles which can help reduce or eliminate some of their anxieties and allow them to concentrate more on the areas where they excel," Jaksa says.
The best treatment for adults with ADHD is usually the combination of therapy and medication. Stimulants can boost concentration, decrease impulsive behavior and aid in organizing. These drugs can boost moods and improve motivation in many cases. People who take stimulants should be aware of potential adverse effects, such as problems with sleeping and drinking or eating enough. The mood swings can also happen in people who are taking stimulants to treat ADHD and can be difficult to manage.
Speak to your doctor about whether or not you are an eligible participant in clinical trials of new medications or treatments. These studies aid researchers in discovering more effective ways to diagnose and treat or prevent diseases.
Counseling
Untreated ADHD can cause problems in all aspects of your life. Your relationships, career and financial health could be negatively affected by procrastination and poor time management, impulsive spending, and other signs. Getting a diagnosis and seeking treatment is the first step towards reduce the negative impact and regaining control of your life.
Many adults diagnosed with ADHD didn't receive a diagnosis as children, because their parents and teachers weren't aware of the disorder or they had mild symptoms that weren't noticed. adhd diagnosis uk adults may have been able manage their symptoms in childhood, but were unable to manage their symptoms in adulthood due to the increased demands of work and family.
To diagnose ADHD, mental health professionals need to find that your symptoms result in significant impairments in two areas of your everyday life. In the event of an impairment, you could lose your job due to a lack in organization and focus, or being placed on academic probation at college because you're unable to study for tests.
Women are more adept at avoiding their symptoms than men, which can make it harder to receive a diagnosis. However, if you are suffering from ADHD symptoms that affect your life at work and at home and family life, speaking openly about them with your doctor can speed up the process and enable you to take advantage of reasonable accommodations under the ADA and other workplace laws.
Your mental health professional, regardless of the type of ADHD that you have, will want to know whether your symptoms started before the age of 12. They may request that you talk to people who knew you during this period and could conduct a series of tests to assess your attention and memory levels.
If you're given the diagnosis your therapist will recommend a combination of medications and non-medication treatments to treat your symptoms. Most people will try several different therapies before they can find the one that works for them. It is recommended that you keep a journal of your progress and speak with your doctor on a regular basis so they can help you adjust your treatment plan as needed.