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Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult

Adults who are struggling professionally or personally and are unable to resolve the issue, identifying ADHD can be a significant step towards gaining control. A diagnosis requires a thorough assessment that may include reviews of school records and questionnaires completed by teachers and caregivers.

It is not unusual for adults to be diagnosed with ADHD. NIMH offers suggestions on how to speak with your doctor about the disorder.

Diagnosis

Being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult is usually the first step in gaining control over the symptoms that can cause destruction on people's personal and professional lives. The first step is to talk with your GP or seek out an expert in mental health who has experience in treating adults suffering from ADHD. If your GP doesn't have any knowledge of ADHD, they may refer you to psychologist or psychiatrist for an assessment.

Typically the mental health professional will use the six-question ADHD screener to determine whether you are susceptible to the condition, according to Adler. Then, he will ask you questions about your symptoms and review your medical history and family history to confirm that there are no other conditions not causing your symptoms of ADHD.

Since people who suffer from ADHD tend to miss details and get easily distracted, they often have difficulty following instructions or listening in class or at work. They frequently lose essential items required for tasks or activities such as wallets, keys and other tools. They may also have difficulty staying focused when listening to long speeches. Fidgeting, excessive talking or texting or squirming are other signs of adult ADHD.

It is crucial to rule other conditions out when determining if someone has adult ADHD. These include depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder. Stress and physical ailments like thyroid issues can cause ADHD symptoms. The DSM-5 now requires doctors to consider how severe a person's symptoms are before identifying him or her with the disorder. Adult ADHD is classified as moderate, mild or severe.

Many people suffering from ADHD go their whole lives without ever receiving a diagnosis because it's not obvious in the early years. A diagnosis can change the course of an adult's life as they understand why they struggled at school and never reached their full potential at work or at home. They might even feel guilty for blaming their problems on themselves or others and can feel regret over missed opportunities that could have been achieved if they had been properly treated.

Treatment

The first step in getting treatment for ADHD as an adult is to consult a medical professional to get an assessment. This can be done in person or via video chat. Only psychiatrists, psychologists, and specialist nurses are able to diagnose ADHD in the UK. The doctor will inquire about your medical history, including mental health issues that are present in the family. This is because many emotional and physical conditions can cause symptoms that are similar to those associated with ADHD, and these must be eliminated before an assessment can be made.

The expert will inquire about your job and lifestyle and how your symptoms affect your life. They will be particularly interested in whether or not you had symptoms of ADHD prior to the age of 12 years. They may also wish to interview people who knew you in your childhood and ask them about their experiences.

A thorough medical history can aid your doctor to determine if you need medication or another treatment. This is because some medical conditions, such as thyroid problems, sleep apnea and lead poisoning, can trigger symptoms of ADHD. Adults who have a history of depression or anxiety will need to be evaluated and treated with more care, as these conditions often occur in conjunction.

If a doctor believes that you need medication they will prescribe a suitable medication. The type of medication you will require will depend on the severity of your symptoms and how they affect your life. The most commonly used medication prescribed for ADHD are stimulants. However, they are not for everyone, and the first one you try may not be effective or cause bothersome adverse side effects. Your doctor may inquire 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 an essential aspect of treatment for adults with ADHD. Individual therapy can help you cope better with feelings of anger, disappointment and inadequacy that are often associated untreated ADHD. It can teach you how to manage your anger, and improve your time management and organizational skills.

It is essential to find a healthcare professional that specializes in mental illnesses. A psychiatrist or neurologist is able to diagnose and treat ADHD, but you might prefer to see an expert psychologist or therapist. These professionals are likely to be more familiar with the challenges of treating adult ADHD and have worked with other patients who are struggling with similar issues. You can contact your local mental health services or with ADDitude's directory to find a professional who works with adults with ADHD.

Medication

A diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the first step to managing your symptoms and improving your life. If you're struggling to realize your full potential at work or in maintaining relationships, or have trouble completing tasks at home, an ADHD diagnosis might be just what you require.

The first step in treating ADHD in adults is thorough medical history review, which includes your symptoms. The psychiatrist or psychologist will then determine if the 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 with untreated ADHD are often afflicted with disorders such as anxiety and depression. Jaksa says that these conditions can worsen or cause symptoms of ADHD. Chronic stress and frustration over the lack of performance can result in feelings of self-doubt, he says. "Getting an evaluation can help them understand the root causes of their struggles which can help alleviate or eliminate some of their anxieties and allow them to concentrate more effectively on the areas where they excel," Jaksa says.

The best treatment for adults with ADHD is usually a combination of behavior therapy and medication. Stimulants increase concentration, decrease the risk of impulsive behavior, and help with organization. In many cases they can improve mood and increase motivation. The negative effects of stimulants are insomnia and difficulties eating or drinking enough. Some people who take stimulants to treat ADHD can experience mood swings that can be difficult to manage.

Discuss with your health care provider about whether you are a good candidate for clinical trials of upcoming treatments or medicines. These studies help researchers find more effective ways to prevent, diagnose, or treat conditions and diseases.

Counseling

Untreated ADHD can cause problems in all aspects of your life. The effects of procrastination, among others, can negatively impact your relationships and career as well as financial health. The first step to reduce the negative effects and getting control back is to obtain an assessment and seek treatment.

Many adults who are diagnosed with ADHD were not diagnosed as children, because their teachers and family weren't aware of the disorder or they had minor symptoms that weren't noticed. Some adults might be able to manage their symptoms as children, but were unable to manage them in adulthood due to increased work and family obligations.

To be diagnosed with ADHD, mental health professionals must discover that your symptoms are causing significant impairment in at least two aspects of your life. In the event of impairment, it could mean losing your job because of a lack of concentration and organizational skills, or being placed on academic probation in college due to the inability to learn for tests.

Women tend to be better in hiding their symptoms than men, which may make it more difficult to receive an accurate diagnosis. However, if you are experiencing ADHD symptoms that affect your life at work and at home, being forthright about them with your doctor will help accelerate the process and let you take advantage of reasonable accommodations under ADA and other workplace laws.

Your mental health professional, regardless of the type of ADHD you have will be interested in knowing if your symptoms began before the age of 12. They may ask you to talk to people who were around you during this time and may also perform a series of tests to assess your attention and memory levels.

When you receive an diagnosis your therapist will recommend the use of a combination of medication and non-medication therapies to manage your symptoms. The majority of patients will try several different treatments before settling on the most effective one. It is suggested that you keep a journal of your progress and check in with your physician regularly so that they can help adjust your treatment program as needed.