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 diagnosis requires a thorough evaluation that may include reviews of school records and questionnaires filled out by parents and teachers.
It is not unusual for adults to be diagnosed with ADHD. NIMH provides tips on how to talk with your doctor about the condition.
Diagnosis
It is essential to be diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood. This will allow you to get control of the symptoms that can cause a lot of trouble in your professional and personal life. First, you must consult your GP or a mental health specialist who has experience treating adults suffering from ADHD. If your GP doesn't have any experience in treating ADHD and is unable to help, they can recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct an assessment.
A mental health professional will usually use a six question ADHD screener to determine if you have the condition. He or she will then interview you about your symptoms that are similar to ADHD and look over your medical history and family history to ensure that other conditions aren't causing them.
People with ADHD tend to be easily distracted and miss crucial details. They have a difficult time following directions in class or at work. They are more likely to lose items necessary for tasks or activities, including tools, wallets, and keys. They might also have difficulty staying focused when they are reading long speeches or assignments. Other symptoms of adult ADHD include fidgeting, talking or texting too much or squirming in their seats.
It is crucial to rule out other conditions when determining whether someone suffers from adult ADHD. These include depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder. Stress and certain physical conditions like thyroid problems can also mimic 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 classifications for adult ADHD.
Many people with ADHD have a lifelong struggle without ever getting a diagnosis because it is not apparent in childhood. A diagnosis can change the course of an adult's life because they now understand the reasons why they struggled in school and didn't reach their full potential at work or home. They might feel guilty about blameing other people or themselves for their problems, and they may be grieved over missed opportunities when they were treated with respect.
Treatment
To get 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 through a video calls. Only psychiatrists, psychologists and specialist nurses are able to diagnose ADHD in the UK. The specialist will require information about your medical history and family mental health issues. This is because there are a variety of mental and physical conditions that could cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD. These conditions need to be eliminated in order to establish a diagnosis.
The doctor will also inquire about your lifestyle and work and how your issues influence your life. They will be particularly interested in whether or not you had symptoms of ADHD prior to the age of 12. They might also talk to those who were close to you as an infant and inquire about their childhood memories.
adhd diagnosis uk adults detailed medical history can help your doctor decide whether you require medication or another treatment. This is due to the fact that certain medical conditions, like sleep apnea, thyroid problems and lead poisoning can cause symptoms of ADHD. Adults with an history of depression or anxiety might require more careful evaluation and treatment because these conditions can be co-existing with ADHD.
If a medical professional believes that you need medication, they will prescribe a suitable medication. The kind of medication you need depends on your symptoms and the way they affect your life. Stimulants are among the most commonly prescribed medications for ADHD. However, they are not right for everyone and the first one you try may not be effective or cause uncomfortable side effects. Your healthcare provider might ask whether you are taking other medications. This includes over-the-counter drugs, supplements, and prescription drugs. Certain kinds of drugs can interact with ADHD stimulants.
Counseling is a crucial component of treatment for adults with ADHD. Individual therapy can help you to cope better with feelings of anger and failure that are often associated with untreated ADHD. It can also help you to manage your anger and improve your organization and time management skills.
It's important to seek out the services of a doctor who is specialized in mental illnesses. A psychiatrist or neurologist can diagnose and treat ADHD, but you might prefer to see psychologists or specialist therapists. They are likely to have more experience with adult ADHD and their challenges and also have previous experience working with clients. You can use search engines like ADDitude or visit your local mental health clinic to find a professional who is working with adults who suffer from ADHD.
Medication
A diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the first step in managing your symptoms and improving your life. If you've been unable to realize your full potential at work, find it difficult to maintain relationships, or have trouble finishing tasks at home and at work, a diagnosis of ADHD might be the solution you've been searching for.
The first step to treat ADHD for adults is thorough medical history, including your symptoms. The psychologist or psychiatrist determines if you satisfy the criteria 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 who suffer from untreated ADHD are frequently co-morbid with other disorders, like anxiety and depression. These conditions can cause or worsen symptoms of ADHD, Jaksa says. A constant stress and anger over the lack of performance can lead to feelings of self-doubt, he says. "Getting a diagnosis can help them understand the root of their struggles and may help to reduce or alleviate some of their anxiety and allow them to concentrate more on the areas where they excel," Jaksa says.
The most effective treatment for adults with ADHD is usually an amalgamation of behavior therapy and medication. Stimulants can boost concentration, decrease impulsive behavior and aid in organizing. These drugs can boost moods and improve motivation in many instances. People who take stimulants should be aware of potential adverse effects, such as problems with sleeping and drinking or eating enough. People who take stimulants to treat ADHD may suffer from mood swings that may be difficult for them to manage.
Consult your physician about whether or not you are eligible for clinical trials of new medications or treatments. These studies assist researchers in finding more effective ways to prevent, diagnose or treat conditions and diseases.
Counseling
If you have untreated ADHD, it can cause many issues throughout your life. Your career, relationships and financial health could be negatively affected by procrastination and poor time management, excessive spending and other symptoms. The first step to reduce the negative effects and regaining control is to get diagnosed and seek treatment.
Many adults diagnosed with ADHD weren't diagnosed as children or because their families and teachers were not aware of the disorder, or because they displayed mild symptoms which were not spotted. Some may have managed their symptoms as children but struggled in adulthood when their work and family obligations increased.
To diagnose ADHD, mental health professionals need to find that your symptoms are causing significant impairment in two areas of your everyday life. Impaired can be losing your job due to a deficit in focus and organization skills, or being placed on academic probation in college because you're unable to do well on tests.
Women are better at avoiding symptoms than men. This makes it harder for women to be diagnosed. If, however, you are struggling with ADHD symptoms that are affecting your work and home life, being forthright about them with your doctor can speed up the process and enable you to benefit from reasonable accommodations under the ADA and other workplace laws.
Your mental health professional regardless of the kind of ADHD you have, will want to know if your symptoms began before the age of 12. They may request that you talk to people who were around you during this time and may also conduct a series of tests to assess your attention and memory levels.
After you are given the diagnosis, your therapist will recommend a combination of medication and non-medication therapies to treat your symptoms. The majority of people will test several different treatments before settling on the most effective one. It is recommended to keep track of your progress and check in with your doctor on a regular basis so they can assist in adjusting your treatment plan when needed.