Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult
Adults who are struggling in their professional or personal lives can benefit from diagnosing ADHD. A thorough assessment is required for determining a diagnosis. adhd uk diagnosis includes analyzing school records and questionnaires that are completed by caregivers and teachers.
Most people suffering from ADHD suffer from symptoms since the age of five, and it's not uncommon to be diagnosed at an adult age. NIMH provides tips on how to talk with your doctor about the condition.
Diagnosis
Being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult is often the first step to gain control over the symptoms that can cause destruction on people's personal and professional lives. First, you should consult your GP or a mental health specialist who has experience treating adults with ADHD. If your doctor does not have any knowledge of ADHD or other disorders, they could recommend you to psychologist or psychiatrist for an assessment.
Typically the mental health professional will employ the six-question ADHD screener to determine whether you might have the disorder, says Adler. They will interview you about your symptoms that are similar to ADHD and examine your medical and family history to confirm that other medical conditions aren't the cause of them.
Because people with ADHD tend to be unable to pay attention and are easily distracted, they frequently have trouble following instructions or listening to lectures or at work. They are more likely to lose items essential to their tasks or activities, like 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.
In determining if someone suffers from adult ADHD, it is important to rule out other conditions that may cause similar symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder and abuse of substances. Stress and other physical ailments like thyroid problems can be similar to the symptoms of ADHD. The DSM-5 is now requiring professionals to determine how severe a person's symptoms are before identifying the disorder. Adult ADHD is classified as mild, moderate or severe.
Many people with ADHD never receive a diagnosis in childhood because it is not evident. For adults, being diagnosed can be a life-changing revelation because they can finally understand the reason why they struggled in school and never seemed to achieve their full potential at work or at home. They might feel guilty about being blamed for their struggles, and they may be grieved over missed opportunities if they were properly treated.
Treatment
To receive treatment for ADHD in adults the first step is to speak with an expert in healthcare. This can be conducted in person or by video calls. Only psychiatrists, psychologists and specialist nurses are qualified to diagnose ADHD in the UK. The doctor will want to know your medical history as well as family-related mental health issues. This is because there are a variety of physical and mental conditions that could cause symptoms similar to ADHD. These conditions need to be eliminated in order to determine if you have ADHD.
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 you had symptoms of ADHD before age 12 years old. They may also speak with people who were close to you as an infant and inquire about their childhood memories.
A detailed medical history can aid your doctor to determine if you need medication or any other treatment. This is because some medical conditions, including thyroid problems, sleep apnea and lead poisoning may cause symptoms of ADHD. Adults who have a history of anxiety or depression need to be assessed and treated with greater care since these conditions can coexist.
If a doctor believes that you need medication, they will prescribe a suitable drug. The kind of medication you will require will depend on the severity of your symptoms and how they interfere with your daily routine. The most commonly used medication prescribed for ADHD are stimulants. They are not suitable for everyone and the first medication you try might not be effective or cause unwanted side consequences. Your healthcare provider may ask if you are taking any other medications. This includes over-the-counter medications or supplements, as well as prescription drugs. Certain kinds of drugs may interfere with ADHD stimulants.
Counseling is a crucial component of the treatment process for adults with ADHD. Individual therapy can help you cope with the feelings of disappointment or underachievement that are frequently associated with untreated ADHD. It can also help you to manage your anger and improve your time management and organization abilities.
If you have a mental illness it is essential to locate an expert in healthcare who is trained in this condition. A psychiatrist or neurologist can diagnose and treat ADHD, but you might prefer to consult psychologists or specialist therapists. These experts 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 contact your local mental health clinic or with ADDitude's directory to find a specialist who can assist adults with ADHD.
Medication
If you are an adult who has been struggling with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and is diagnosed, it's the first step towards addressing your symptoms and improving your life. If you've found it difficult to realize your maximum potential at work, have found it difficult to maintain relationships, or struggle to complete tasks at home, a diagnosis of ADHD could be the solution you've been looking for.
ADHD treatment for adults begins with thorough interviews and a thorough review of your medical history, which includes the symptoms you've experienced. The psychologist or psychiatrist determines if you satisfy 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 who suffer from untreated ADHD frequently have coexisting disorders, like depression and anxiety. These disorders can trigger or worsen symptoms of ADHD, Jaksa says. Stress and frustration from the lack of performance can lead to feelings of low self-esteem, he says. "Getting an evaluation will help them understand the root causes of their issues which can help alleviate or reduce some of their worries and allow them to concentrate more effectively on the areas where they excel," Jaksa says.
Adults suffering from ADHD are usually treated by a combination of medication and behavior therapy. Stimulants increase concentration, decrease impulse-driven behavior and aid in organizing. These medications can improve moods and increase motivation in a variety of cases. People who take stimulants should be aware of the potential adverse effects, such as insomnia and trouble with eating or drinking enough. Certain people who use stimulants to treat ADHD might have mood swings that could be difficult for them to manage.
Talk to your doctor about whether or not you're eligible for clinical trials on new medications or treatments. These studies assist researchers in finding better ways to prevent, diagnose or treat diseases and conditions.
Counseling
If you have untreated ADHD it could cause many issues in all areas of your life. Procrastination and other symptoms can affect your relationships as well as your career and financial health. The first step to reduce the negative effects and regaining control is to get diagnosed and seek treatment.
Many adults who are diagnosed with ADHD didn't receive a diagnosis when they were children because their teachers and family were unaware of the condition or they had minor symptoms that were not noticed. Some adults might be able to manage their symptoms as children, but struggled with these issues in adulthood due the increased demands of work and family.
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. In the event of an impairment, you could lose your job due to a decline in focus and organization skills or being placed on academic probation at college because you're unable to concentrate on your tests.
Women are more adept at avoiding their symptoms than men, which could make it more difficult to receive an accurate diagnosis. However, if you are experiencing ADHD symptoms that affect your work and home life speaking up with your doctor will help speed up the process and allow you to benefit from reasonable accommodations under the ADA and other workplace laws.
Your mental health professional, regardless of the type of ADHD that you have will want to know whether your symptoms started before the age of 12. They might ask you to speak to people who knew you at this period and could conduct a series of tests to assess your memory and attention levels.
If you're given a diagnosis your therapist will recommend a combination of medication and non-medical treatments to treat your symptoms. The majority of patients will try several different treatments before settling on the most effective one. Keep a log of your progress and consult your doctor frequently to modify your treatment plan as necessary.