Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult

For adults who find themselves struggling professionally or personally in any way, recognizing ADHD can be a significant step in taking control. A diagnosis requires a thorough evaluation, often including reviews of school records and questionnaires completed by teachers and caregivers.

Most people suffering from ADHD suffer from symptoms from the age of five, and it's not uncommon to be diagnosed with it at an adult age. NIMH offers guidelines on how to talk with your doctor about the condition.

Diagnosis

Getting diagnosed with ADHD as an adult is often the first step towards gaining control over symptoms that wreak havoc on one's personal and professional lives. The first step is to consult your GP or a mental health professional who has experience treating adults suffering from ADHD. If your GP doesn't have any experience in treating ADHD or other disorders, they could recommend you to psychologist or psychiatrist for an assessment.

A mental health professional would typically use a six question ADHD screener to determine if you suffer from the condition. Then, he or she will interview you about your symptoms and look at your family history and medical background to ensure that there are no other conditions not causing the symptoms of ADHD.

Because people with ADHD have a tendency to overlook details and become easily distracted, they frequently have trouble following instructions or listening to lectures or at work. They tend to lose things essential to their tasks or activities, including tools, wallets, keys and wallets. They might also have difficulty staying focused during long speeches or reading assignments. Fidgeting, excessive talking or texting, or squirming, are other signs of adult ADHD.

In determining if someone suffers from adult ADHD, it is important to eliminate other conditions that can cause similar symptoms, like anxiety, depression bipolar disorder, depression and addiction to drugs. Stress and physical conditions such as thyroid issues can be a source of ADHD symptoms. The DSM-5 now requires professionals to assess the severity of the symptoms a person's experiences are before identifying the condition. Adult ADHD is classified as moderate, mild or severe.

Many people with ADHD go their whole lives without ever receiving a diagnosis because it's not evident in childhood. A diagnosis can alter the course of an adult's life, as they can now see why they struggled at school and never reached their full potential at work or at home. They might feel guilty about being blamed for their problems and could be devastated by missed opportunities that could have been if they were treated properly.

Treatment

To get treatment for ADHD for adults the first step is to consult a healthcare professional. This can be done in person or by video conference. Only psychiatrists, psychologists, and specialist nurses are able to diagnose ADHD in the UK. The professional will ask about your medical history, which includes mental health issues within the family. This is because there are a variety of mental and physical ailments which can trigger symptoms that are similar to ADHD. These conditions must be ruled out in order to make a diagnosis.

The professional will ask you about your work and lifestyle and how your symptoms 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 people who knew you in your childhood and ask them about their experiences.

A thorough medical history will aid your doctor to determine if you need medication or another treatment. This is because certain medical conditions, like sleep apnea, thyroid problems and lead poisoning, can trigger symptoms of ADHD. Adults with an underlying history of depression or anxiety might require more careful evaluation and treatment because these conditions often coexist with ADHD.

If a doctor believes that you require medication, they will prescribe a suitable drug. The type of medication you require will depend on the severity of your symptoms and the way they impact your life. The most commonly used medication prescribed for ADHD are stimulants. They are not for everyone and the first medication you try may not work or cause unwanted side negative 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, as certain kinds of drugs may interact with ADHD stimulants.

Counseling is a crucial element of the treatment process for adults with ADHD. Individual therapy can help you deal with feelings of failure frustration, underachievement, and anger that are often associated with untreated ADHD. It can also teach you to manage your anger and improve your organization and time management abilities.

It's important to seek out an expert in healthcare who specializes in mental illnesses. A psychiatrist or neurologist is able to diagnose and treat ADHD, but you might prefer to consult a specialist therapist or psychologist. These professionals are likely to be more familiar with the challenges of treating adult ADHD and have worked with other clients with similar struggles. You can inquire with your local mental health services 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 getting a diagnosis is the first step to managing your symptoms and improving your life. If you are struggling to achieve your full potential at work or have trouble maintaining relationships, or have difficulties completing your tasks at home then an ADHD diagnosis could be just what you need.

ADHD treatment for adults starts with an extensive interview and a review of your medical history, which includes the symptoms you've been experiencing. The psychologist or psychiatrist will determine if the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria for ADHD are applicable 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. Jaksa says that these disorders can exacerbate or cause symptoms of ADHD. A constant stress and anger over poor performance can also lead to feelings of self-doubt, he adds. "Getting a diagnose will help them understand the causes of their struggles. This can help to alleviate or eliminate their anxiety, and allow them to concentrate more productively on areas in which they excel," Jaksa states.

The best treatment for adults suffering from adhd diagnosis adults uk private is typically an amalgamation of therapy and medication. Stimulants increase concentration, decrease the risk of impulsive behavior, and help with organizing. In many instances these drugs can enhance motivation and mood. People who take stimulants should be aware of the potential negative effects, which could include problems with sleeping and drinking or eating enough. Certain people who use stimulants to treat ADHD may have mood swings that could be difficult for them to manage.

Talk to your doctor about whether you would be an ideal candidate for clinical trials of upcoming treatments or drugs. These studies assist researchers in finding better methods to prevent, diagnose or treat illnesses and conditions.

Counseling

If you're suffering from untreated ADHD the disorder can lead to many issues in all areas of your life. Procrastination and other symptoms can have a negative impact on your relationships, career, and financial health. The first step in reducing the negative effects and getting back in control is to get diagnosed and seek treatment.

Many adults diagnosed with ADHD were not diagnosed as children, because their teachers and family were unaware of the disorder or they had mild symptoms that weren't noticed. Some may have had the ability to manage their symptoms as children but struggled later in life when their family and work obligations increased.

To be diagnosed as having ADHD mental health professionals must determine that your symptoms are causing severe impairment in at least two aspects of your life. The impairment could mean losing your job because of a lack of focus and organization skills or being placed on academic probation at college due to the inability to do well on tests.

Women are better at avoiding symptoms than men. This can make it more difficult for women to be diagnosed. If you're suffering from ADHD symptoms that affect your home or work life it is possible to speed up the diagnosis process by being open with your doctor. You may also be able to receive reasonable accommodations under ADA laws as well as other workplace laws.

No matter what kind of ADHD you suffer from the mental health professional will want to verify that your symptoms began prior to the age of 12. They might ask you to speak with people who were close to you at this time, and they may also conduct a series of tests to test your attention and memory.

After receiving an assessment, the doctor will suggest a combination of medication and non-medication treatment to help manage your symptoms. The majority of people will test different methods before they discover the one that works for them. Keep a journal of your progress, and visit your doctor frequently to modify your treatment plan as necessary.