Carmella Garland

Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult

Adults who have difficulty in their personal or professional lives can benefit from diagnosing ADHD. A thorough assessment is required to make an accurate diagnosis. This includes reviewing school records as well as questionnaires that are completed by caregivers and teachers.

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

Diagnosis

Getting diagnosed with ADHD as an adult is usually the first step in gaining control over the symptoms that cause havoc on one's personal and professional lives. First, you should consult your GP or a mental health professional who is experienced in treating adults with ADHD. If your doctor is not familiar with ADHD, he or she may refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist for an assessment.

Typically an expert in mental health will use an eight-question ADHD screener to determine if you are susceptible to the condition, says Adler. He or she will then interview you about your ADHD-like symptoms and examine your medical history and family history to ensure that other medical conditions aren't the cause of them.

People with ADHD are prone to being easily distracted and forgetting crucial details. They often have difficulty adhering to instructions in classes or at work. They tend to lose things necessary for tasks or activities, like tools, wallets, and keys. They may also have difficulty staying focused while listening to or reading long speeches. Fidgeting, over-talking or texting or squirming are other signs of adult ADHD.

It is essential to rule other conditions out when determining if someone has adult ADHD. These include depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. Stress and physical conditions such as thyroid issues can cause ADHD symptoms. In the DSM-5 professionals are required to consider the severity of a person's symptoms when diagnosing them as having ADHD. Adult ADHD is classified as moderate, mild or severe.

Many people who suffer from adhd diagnosis as an adult do not receive a diagnosis in childhood, because it's not readily apparent. For adults, a diagnosis could be a life-changing event as they realize the reasons why they struggled at school and could not achieve their full potential at work or at home. They may feel guilty for blaming their problems on themselves or others, and they can experience regret over missed opportunities that could have been a reality if they had been properly treated.

Treatment

The first step in obtaining treatment for ADHD as an adult is to consult a medical professional to get an assessment. This can Gp Diagnose adhd be done in person or through a video calls. Only psychiatrists, psychologists and specialist nurses are qualified to diagnose ADHD in the UK. The doctor will require information about your medical history and family-related mental health issues. This is because a variety of emotional and physical conditions can cause symptoms that are similar to those associated with ADHD and must be eliminated before a diagnosis can be made.

The expert will also inquire about your work and lifestyle and how your symptoms impact your daily life. They will be particularly interested in whether or not you had signs of ADHD prior to the age of 12 years. They may also interview those who were close to you as when you were a child and ask them about their memories.

A thorough medical history can help the doctor decide whether you need medications or other treatments. Certain medical conditions, such as thyroid disorders, sleep apnea and lead poisoning can cause ADHD symptoms. Adults who have a history of anxiety or depression need to be assessed and treated with greater care, as these conditions often coexist.

If a professional believes that you require medication, he or she will prescribe the right medication. The type of medication you will require will depend on the severity of your symptoms and how to get a diagnosis for adhd they interfere with your daily life. Stimulants are the most commonly prescribed medication for ADHD. However, they are not suitable for everyone and the first stimulant you try might not be effective or have uncomfortable adverse effects. Your healthcare provider will need to know if take any other medications, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements, as certain kinds of medications can interact with ADHD stimulants.

Counseling is also an essential component of the treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help you deal better with feelings of anger, failure and underachievement that are frequently associated with untreated ADHD. It can also help you learn how to get diagnosed with adhd in adulthood to manage your anger as well as improve your time management and organization abilities.

If you suffer from a mental illness it is crucial to find a healthcare professional who specializes in that condition. A psychiatrist or neurologist can diagnose and treat ADHD. However you might prefer to consult a specialist psychotherapist. These specialists are likely to be more familiar with adults with ADHD and their challenges, as well as having previous experience working with clients. You can contact your local mental health clinic or consult ADDitude's directory of professionals to find a professional who diagnosed adhd can assist adults with ADHD.

Medication

If you're an adult who has struggled with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder getting a diagnosis is the first step to managing your symptoms and improving your life. If you've been unable to achieve your maximum potential at work, have found it difficult to maintain relationships or struggle to finish tasks at home and at work, a diagnosis of ADHD may provide the solution you've been seeking.

ADHD treatment for adults begins with an extensive interview and a review of your medical history, including the symptoms you've experienced. The psychiatrist or psychologist determines if you meet 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 who suffer from untreated ADHD are often co-morbid with disorders such as anxiety and depression. These disorders can trigger or worsen the symptoms of ADHD, Jaksa says. Chronic stress and frustration over poor performance can also lead to feelings of self-doubt, Jaksa says. "Getting a diagnose can help these individuals get a better understanding of the causes of their struggles. This can help to reduce or eliminate their anxieties, and allow them to focus on areas where they excel," Jaksa states.

Adults with ADHD are usually treated with a combination of medications in conjunction with behavior therapy. Stimulants improve concentration, reduce impulse-driven behavior and aid in organization. These drugs can improve moods and increase motivation in many instances. People who are taking stimulants must be aware of potential side effects, which include problems with sleeping and eating or drinking enough. The mood swings can also happen in some people who take stimulants for ADHD and can be difficult to manage.

Talk to your health care provider regarding whether you would be an ideal candidate for clinical trials of novel treatments or medications. These studies help researchers discover better methods to detect and treat or prevent diseases.

Counseling

Untreated ADHD can cause problems in all aspects of your life. Procrastination and other symptoms can have a negative impact on your relationships as well as your career and financial health. The first step to reduce the negative effects and getting control back is to obtain diagnosed and seek treatment.

Many adults who are diagnosed with ADHD were not diagnosed as children or because their families and teachers weren't aware of the condition or they displayed mild symptoms which were not noticed. Others might have been able to manage their symptoms during childhood, but struggled as they grew older when their work and family obligations increased.

To be diagnosed with ADHD, mental health professionals must discover that your symptoms are causing significant impairment in at least two areas of your life. Impairment can result in losing your job because of a lack of focus and organization skills or being put on academic probation in college due to your inability to do well on tests.

Women are more adept in hiding their symptoms than men, which could make it harder for them to get an accurate diagnosis. If you suffer from 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 eligible for reasonable accommodations under ADA laws and other workplace laws.

Whatever type of ADHD you have the mental health professional will determine if your symptoms began prior to the age of 12. They might ask you to speak to people who were close to you at this time, and they may also administer a series tests to assess your attention and memory.

After receiving a diagnosis, the therapist will recommend a combination medication and non-medication therapy to help manage your symptoms. The majority of people will test several different treatments before they find the best one. Keep a log of your progress and consult your doctor regularly to adjust your treatment plan as necessary.