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 assessment which may include a review of school records and questionnaires completed by caregivers and teachers.

Most people with ADHD live with symptoms from childhood, and it is not uncommon to be diagnosed in adulthood. NIMH offers guidelines on how to talk with your doctor about the disorder.

Diagnosis

Getting diagnosed with ADHD as an adult is usually the first step to gain control over the symptoms that can cause havoc on one's professional and personal lives. The first step is to speak with your GP or find a mental health professional with expertise in treating adults suffering from ADHD. If your GP does not have any experience with ADHD, they may refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct an assessment.

A mental health professional would typically employ a six-question ADHD screener to determine if you suffer from the condition. The doctor will ask you questions about the symptoms of ADHD and look over your medical and family history to ensure that other conditions aren't contributing to them.

Because people who suffer from ADHD tend to miss details and get easily distracted, they frequently have trouble following instructions or listening in class or at work. They often lose things essential to their tasks or activities, such as tools, wallets, keys and wallets. They may also have trouble staying focused during long speeches or reading assignments. Fidgeting, over-talking or texting, or squirming, are other symptoms of adult ADHD.

In determining if someone suffers from adult ADHD it is essential to eliminate other conditions that could cause similar symptoms, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and abuse of substances. Stress and physical conditions like thyroid issues can cause ADHD symptoms. The DSM-5 now requires doctors to determine the severity of the symptoms a person's experiences are when determining if they have diagnosed him or her with the condition. Mild moderate, severe and mild are the categories used to describe adult ADHD.

Many people suffering from undiagnosed adhd live their entire lives without ever getting a diagnosis because it is not apparent in the early years. A diagnosis can alter the course of a person's life because they now understand why they struggled at school and failed to reach their maximum potential at work or home. They may feel guilty for being blamed for their struggles and may also be resentful over missed opportunities when they were treated with respect.

Treatment

The first step in obtaining treatment for ADHD as an adult is to visit a healthcare professional to get an assessment. 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 professional will require information about your medical history as well as family mental health issues. This is because there are many mental and physical ailments that can cause symptoms similar to ADHD. These conditions must be ruled out in order to make a diagnosis.

The doctor will also inquire about your lifestyle and work and how your symptoms influence your life. They are particularly interested in whether or not you had signs of ADHD prior to the age of 12 years old. They may also want to interview those who knew you in your childhood and ask them about their experiences.

A thorough medical history can aid the doctor in determining if you need medication or other treatments. Some medical conditions such as thyroid disorders, sleep apnea and lead poisoning can trigger ADHD symptoms. Adults with a history anxiety or depression need to be assessed and treated more carefully, as these conditions often are in synergy.

If a medical professional believes you require medication, they will prescribe the appropriate drug. The kind of medication you require is determined by your symptoms and how they impact your life. Stimulants, the most common medication prescribed for ADHD, are stimulants. They aren't for all people and the first treatment you try may not work or cause undesirable adverse negative effects. Your doctor will want to know if you are taking any other medications, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements, because certain types of drugs can interact with ADHD stimulants.

Counseling is an important aspect of treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help you deal with feelings of failure, underachievement and frustration that are often associated with untreated ADHD. It can also help you how to get diagnosed with adult add to manage your anger and improve your organization and time management abilities.

It's important to seek out the services of a doctor who is specialized in mental illness. A psychiatrist or neurologist can diagnose and treat ADHD. However, you may prefer to seek out a specialist therapist. These specialists are likely to have more experience with adult ADHD and their struggles and also have worked with other clients. You can inquire with your local mental health service or with ADDitude's directory to find a specialist who works with adults with ADHD.

Medication

If you're an adult who has had to deal with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, getting a diagnosis is the first step to managing your symptoms and improving your quality of life. If you're struggling to realize your full potential in the workplace or in maintaining relationships, or experience trouble completing tasks at home and at work, an ADHD diagnosis might be the answer you've been looking for.

The first step in treating ADHD for adults is an extensive medical history review, including your symptoms. The psychiatrist or psychologist determines if you satisfy 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 are often afflicted with disorders such as depression and anxiety. These disorders can trigger or worsen the symptoms of ADHD, Jaksa says. A constant stress and anger over inadequate performance can cause feelings of low self-esteem he says. "Getting an evaluation can help these individuals get a better understanding of the root of their issues which can help reduce or eliminate some of their anxieties and help them concentrate more effectively on areas in which they excel," Jaksa says.

Adults suffering from ADHD are typically treated with a combination of medications in conjunction with behavior therapy. Stimulants increase concentration, decrease impulsive behavior and aid in the process of organizing. These drugs can improve moods and boost motivation in a variety of cases. Side effects of stimulants include insomnia and difficulty drinking enough or eating well. Also, mood swings can occur in those who take stimulants to treat ADHD, and these are often difficult to manage.

Discuss with your health care provider regarding whether you are suitable for clinical trials of new treatments or medicines. These studies aid researchers in discovering more effective ways to diagnose, prevent or treat diseases.

Counseling

If you're suffering from untreated ADHD, it can cause many issues throughout your life. Your relationships, career and financial health could be negatively impacted by procrastination or poor time management, impulsive spending, and other signs. Finding 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 were not diagnosed as children because their teachers and family were unaware of the disorder or they had minor symptoms that weren't noticed. Some may have managed their symptoms during childhood, but struggled as they grew older when their work and family obligations increased.

To determine if you have ADHD mental health professionals must determine that your symptoms are causing significant impairment in two areas of your daily life. Impairment can mean losing your job because of a lack of focus and organization skills or being placed on academic probation in college due to inability to do well on tests.

Women are more adept at hiding their symptoms than men, which may make it difficult for them to get an accurate diagnosis. If, however, you are struggling with adhd how to get diagnosed symptoms that are affecting your life at work and at home speaking up with your doctor will help speed up the process and enable you to get reasonable accommodations under the ADA and other workplace laws.

Your mental health professional regardless of the kind of ADHD you suffer from will be looking to determine if your symptoms began before the age of 12. They might ask you to talk to people who knew you during this time period. They may also take a number of tests to determine your attention and memory levels.

After receiving a diagnosis, the specialist will recommend a combination medication and non-medication treatment to manage your symptoms. The majority of people will test different therapies before they can find the one that is most effective for them. It is recommended to keep a journal of your progress and consult with your doctor regularly so they can help adjust your treatment program when needed.