Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult
Adults who are struggling in their personal or professional lives can benefit from diagnosing ADHD. A diagnosis requires a thorough evaluation, often including reviews of school records and questionnaires filled out by caregivers and teachers.
Most people suffering from ADHD live with symptoms from the age of three, and it's not uncommon to be diagnosed with it as an adult. NIMH has suggestions on how to speak with your doctor about the condition.
Diagnosis
It is essential to be diagnosed with ADHD at an early age. This will allow you to manage the symptoms that can cause a lot of trouble in your personal and professional life. First, you should consult your GP or an expert in mental health who is experienced in treating adults suffering from ADHD. If your GP is unfamiliar with ADHD or other disorders, they might refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct an assessment.
A mental health professional would 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 your symptoms that are similar to ADHD and examine your medical history and family history to determine if other medical conditions aren't the cause of them.
Since people who suffer from ADHD tend to overlook details and become easily distracted, they often have trouble following instructions or listening in class or on the job. They are more likely to lose items necessary for tasks or activities, such as keys, wallets and tools. They may also have trouble staying focused when reading or listening to long speeches. Other symptoms of adult ADHD include fidgeting, texting or talking frequently or squirming around in the seat.
It is essential to rule out other conditions when determining whether someone suffers from adult ADHD. These include anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder. Stress and physical ailments like thyroid problems can also mimic ADHD symptoms. In the DSM-5 professionals are required to assess the severity of a person's symptoms when determining if they are suffering from ADHD. how to get an adhd diagnosis uk is classified as moderate, mild or severe.
Many people with ADHD do not receive a diagnosis in childhood, because it's not readily apparent. A diagnosis can change the course of a person's life, as they can now see why they struggled at school and never reached their maximum potential at work or home. They might even feel guilty for blaming their issues on themselves or others, and they can experience regret over missed opportunities that could have been had if they had been properly treated.
Treatment
The first step to receive treatment for ADHD as an adult is to consult a medical professional to have an assessment. This can be done in person or by video call. In the UK, only psychologists, psychiatrists, and specialist nurses are qualified to diagnose ADHD. The doctor will inquire about your medical history, including mental health issues that are present in the family. This is because many physical and emotional conditions can trigger symptoms similar to those that occur in ADHD, and these must be ruled out before an assessment 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 symptoms of ADHD before the age of 12 years old. They might also interview people who were close to you as a child and ask them about their experiences.
A thorough medical history will aid the doctor in determining if you require medication or other treatments. Certain medical conditions, like sleep apnea, thyroid disorders, and lead poisoning, can trigger ADHD symptoms. Adults who have a history of anxiety or depression will need to be assessed and treated with more care since these conditions can coexist.
If the professional believes you require medication, they will prescribe a suitable drug. The type of medication you need will depend on your symptoms and how they impact your life. The stimulants are the most frequently prescribed drugs for ADHD. They are not for everyone, and the first drug you try might not be effective or cause unwanted side effects. Your doctor may inquire whether you're taking any other medication. This includes over-the-counter drugs or supplements as well as prescription drugs. Certain types of drugs can interact with ADHD stimulants.
Counseling is an essential component of 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 teach you how to manage your anger, improve your time management and organizational skills.
It is essential to find the services of a doctor who is specialized in mental illnesses. A psychiatrist or neurologist can diagnose and treat ADHD. However you might prefer to consult a specialist therapist. These specialists are likely to be more knowledgeable about the challenges of treating adults with ADHD and have had experience in helping other patients who are struggling with similar issues. You can contact your local mental health clinic or with ADDitude's directory to find a professional who is working with adults suffering from ADHD.
Medication
If you are an adult who has struggled with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder getting a diagnosis is the first step towards addressing your symptoms and improving your life. If you've been unable to reach your full potential at work, have found it difficult to maintain relationships or struggle to finish tasks at home and at work, a diagnosis of ADHD could be the solution you've been searching for.
ADHD treatment for adults starts with thorough interviews and a thorough review of your medical history, which includes the symptoms you've experienced. The psychologist or psychiatrist will then determine if 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 are not treated for ADHD often suffer from co-occurring disorders, including anxiety and depression. Jaksa states that these disorders can cause or worsen symptoms of ADHD. He adds that chronic stress and anger due to low performance can cause feelings of low-self-esteem. "Getting an evaluation will help them get a better understanding of the root causes of their difficulties, which may reduce or alleviate some of their anxiety and allow them to concentrate more on areas in which they excel," Jaksa says.
Adults with ADHD are usually treated with a combination of medications and behavior therapy. Stimulants can boost concentration, reduce impulsive behaviors and help with organization. These medications can improve moods and boost motivation in many cases. Side effects of stimulants include sleepiness and having trouble drinking or eating enough. Certain people who use stimulants to treat ADHD can suffer from mood swings that may be difficult to manage.
Discuss with your health care provider about whether you're an ideal candidate for clinical trials of novel treatments or medications. These studies assist researchers in finding better methods to detect and treat or prevent diseases.
Counseling
If you are suffering from untreated ADHD it could cause various problems throughout your life. Your relationships, work and financial health may be negatively impacted by procrastination and poor time management, excessive spending and other symptoms. The first step in reducing the negative effects and getting control back is to obtain a diagnosis and seek treatment.
Many adults who are diagnosed with ADHD were not diagnosed when they were children because their teachers and family were unaware of the disorder or they had mild symptoms that were not noticed. Certain adults may have been able to manage their symptoms as children but struggled with these issues in adulthood due the increased demands of work and family.
To be diagnosed as having ADHD mental health professionals must determine that your symptoms are causing severe impairment in at minimum two areas of your life. The effects of ADHD can include losing your job due to a deficit in focus and organization skills, or being placed on academic probation at your college due to your inability to do well on tests.
Women are better in hiding their symptoms than men. This can make it harder for them to receive a diagnosis. If, however, you are struggling with ADHD symptoms that affect your work and home life, being forthright about them with your doctor will help speed up the process and let you benefit from reasonable accommodations under ADA and other workplace laws.
Your mental health professional, regardless of the type of ADHD you suffer from will be interested in knowing if your symptoms began before the age of 12. They may suggest that you speak with people who were close to you at this time, and they may conduct a series of tests to assess 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 therapies before they can find the one that works for them. It is recommended to keep track of your progress and consult with your doctor on a regular basis so they can help adjust your treatment plan as needed.