Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult
Adults who are struggling in their professional or personal lives may benefit from a diagnosis of ADHD. A thorough examination is necessary to determine if you have the diagnosis. This includes analyzing the school records and filling out questionnaires that are completed by teachers and caregivers.
The majority of people with ADHD suffer from symptoms since the age of five, and it's not uncommon to be diagnosed with it as an adult. NIMH provides suggestions on how to speak with your doctor about the condition.
Diagnosis
Being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult is usually the first step to gain control over the symptoms that cause destruction on people's personal and professional lives. nhs adhd diagnosis is to consult your GP or an expert in mental health who is experienced in treating adults suffering from ADHD. If your doctor is not familiar with ADHD, he or she may refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist for an assessment.
Typically, a mental health professional will employ a six-question ADHD screener to determine whether you may be suffering from the condition, says Adler. Then, he will ask you questions about your symptoms and look at your family history and medical history to confirm that any other conditions are not causing your ADHD-like symptoms.
Since people with ADHD tend to overlook details and become easily distracted, they frequently have trouble following instructions or listening to lectures or on the job. They frequently lose essential items required for tasks or activities such as keys, wallets, and tools. They may also have trouble staying focused when they are reading long speeches or assignments. Fidgeting, over-talking or texting or squirming are other signs of adult ADHD.
It is important to rule out other medical conditions in determining if a person has adult ADHD. These include depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. Stress and other physical ailments like thyroid problems can be similar to the symptoms of ADHD. In the DSM-5, professionals are now required to consider the severity of a person's symptoms when determining if they are suffering from ADHD. Mild moderate, severe and mild are the categories used to describe adult ADHD.
Many people with ADHD live their entire lives without ever being diagnosed because it's not evident during childhood. A diagnosis can change the course of a person's life as they understand why they struggled at school and failed to reach their full potential at work or at home. Some may even feel guilty for blaming their issues on others or themselves and may experience grief over lost opportunities that could have been achieved when they were properly treated.
Treatment
To receive treatment for ADHD in adults The first step is to talk with an expert in the field of healthcare. This can be done in person or via video calls. Only psychiatrists, psychologists, and specialist nurses are able to diagnose ADHD in the UK. The doctor will inquire about your medical history, which includes mental health issues within the family. This is because there are many physical and mental conditions which can trigger symptoms that are similar to ADHD. These conditions need to be ruled out to determine if you have ADHD.
The professional will also ask about your lifestyle and work and how your symptoms impact your daily life. They will be especially interested in if you displayed symptoms of ADHD prior to the age of 12 years old. They may also want to interview people who were close to you in your childhood and ask about their experiences.
A thorough medical history will help the doctor decide whether you require medication or other treatments. 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 need to be assessed and treated with greater care because these conditions frequently coexist.
If a professional believes that you need medication, he or she will prescribe the right medication. The type of medication you need will depend on the severity of your symptoms and how they impact your life. Stimulants, the most common medication prescribed for ADHD, are stimulants. They are not for all people and the first treatment you try might not work or cause unwanted side effects. Your doctor may inquire whether you're taking any other medication. This includes over-the-counter medications, supplements, and prescription drugs. Certain types of drugs can interfere with ADHD stimulants.
Counseling is also an essential part of the treatment process for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help you deal with feelings of failure frustration, underachievement, and anger that are often associated with untreated ADHD. It can teach you how to manage your anger, and improve your time management and organizational skills.
If you have an illness of the mind it is crucial to find a healthcare professional who specializes in the field. A psychiatrist or neurologist is able to diagnose and treat ADHD. However, you may prefer to consult a specialist psychotherapist. These specialists are likely to be more familiar with the challenges of treating adult ADHD and have had experience in helping others who have similar issues. You can check with your local mental health clinic or ADDitude's directory to find a professional who works with adults with ADHD.
Medication
If you're an adult who has had to deal with ADHD, getting a diagnosis is the first step towards addressing your symptoms and improving your quality of life. If you're struggling to reach your full potential at work or in maintaining relationships, or are having trouble completing tasks at home and at work, an ADHD diagnosis might be the answer you've been looking for.
ADHD treatment for adults starts with a thorough interview and review of your medical history, which includes the symptoms you've been experiencing. 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) which is 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 are often co-morbid with disorders like anxiety and depression. These disorders can cause or worsen the symptoms of ADHD, Jaksa says. A constant stress and anger over poor performance can also cause feelings of low self-esteem Jaksa says. "Getting an assessment will help them get a better understanding of the root of their issues and may help to reduce or reduce some of their worries and help them concentrate more effectively on areas in which they excel," Jaksa says.
Adults with ADHD are usually treated by a combination of medication in conjunction with behavior therapy. Stimulants can boost concentration, reduce impulsive behaviors and aid in achieving organization. These medications can improve moods and boost motivation in a variety of cases. Some of the side effects of stimulants include insomnia and difficulties drinking or eating enough. Certain people who use stimulants to treat ADHD can experience mood swings that can be difficult for them to manage.
Speak to your doctor about whether or not you are eligible for clinical trials of new medications or treatments. These studies help researchers find more effective methods to prevent, diagnose or treat diseases and conditions.
Counseling
Untreated ADHD can lead to problems in all aspects of your life. Procrastination and other symptoms can affect your relationships and career as well as financial health. The first step to reducing the negative effects and getting back in control is to get 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 disorder or because they had mild symptoms that were not spotted. Some adults might have been able manage their symptoms in childhood, but had difficulty with these issues in adulthood due increased work and family obligations.
To diagnose ADHD Mental health professionals must determine that your symptoms cause significant impairment in two areas of your daily life. The impairment could mean losing your job because of lack of focus and organization skills or being put on academic probation at college due to the inability to study for tests.
Women are more adept at hiding symptoms than men. This can make it more difficult for them to receive a diagnosis. If, however, you are struggling with ADHD symptoms that affect your work and home life speaking up with your doctor will help speed up the process and allow you to get reasonable accommodations under the ADA and other workplace laws.
Regardless of the kind of ADHD you suffer from the mental health professional will determine if your symptoms were present prior to age 12. They may request that you talk to people who knew you at this time and may also perform a series of tests to assess your attention and memory abilities.
If you're given the diagnosis, your therapist will recommend a combination of medication and non-medication treatments to help manage your symptoms. Most people will try several different treatments before they find the best one. It is recommended that you keep a diary of your progress and consult with your doctor on a regular basis so they can help adjust your treatment program as needed.