Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult

Adults who have difficulty in their personal or professional lives can benefit from diagnosing ADHD. A diagnosis requires a thorough assessment, often including reviews of school records and questionnaires completed by teachers and caregivers.

It is not uncommon for adults to be diagnosed with ADHD. NIMH provides suggestions on how to speak with your doctor about the condition.

Diagnosis

Getting diagnosed with ADHD as an adult is usually the first step in gaining control over the symptoms that cause destruction on people's personal and professional lives. The first step is to talk with your GP or seek out a mental health professional who has experience in treating adults suffering from ADHD. If your doctor does not have any knowledge of ADHD or other disorders, they could recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct an assessment.

A mental health professional will typically employ a six-question ADHD screener to determine if you are suffering from the condition. He or she will then ask you questions about your ADHD-like symptoms and examine your medical history and family history to confirm that other conditions aren't causing them.

Since people who suffer from ADHD have a tendency to miss details and get easily distracted, they often have difficulty following instructions or listening in class or at work. They often lose important items for tasks or activities such as keys, wallets and other tools. They may also have trouble 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 out other conditions when determining if someone has adult ADHD. This includes depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. Stress and physical issues such as thyroid issues can cause adhd diagnosed in adulthood symptoms. In the DSM-5 professionals are now required to assess the severity of a person's symptoms when determining if they are suffering from ADHD. Mild moderate, severe and mild are the three categories for adults with ADHD.

Many people suffering from ADHD go their whole lives without ever receiving a diagnosis because it's not evident in the early years. A diagnosis can change the course of a person's life, as they can now see the reasons why they struggled in school and failed to reach their maximum potential at work or home. They might feel guilty about being blamed for their troubles, and they may be grieved over missed opportunities that could have been if they were treated properly.

Treatment

To get treatment for ADHD for adults, the first step is to talk with an expert in healthcare. This can be accomplished in person or via video calls. In the UK only psychologists, psychiatrists, and specialist nurses are qualified to diagnose ADHD. The professional will require information about your medical history as well as your family's mental health issues. This is because there are a variety of mental and physical ailments t and organizing abilities.

It is crucial to find 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 consult an expert psychologist or therapist. These specialists are likely to be more familiar with adults with ADHD and the challenges they face and also have worked with other clients. You can inquire with your local mental health clinic or consult ADDitude's directory of professionals to find a specialist who can assist adults with ADHD.

Medication

A diagnosis adhd adults of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the first step in managing your symptoms and enhancing your life. If you are struggling to achieve your full potential in the workplace or in maintaining relationships, or have difficulties completing your tasks at home, an ADHD diagnosis may 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 experienced. 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), 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, such as anxiety and depression. Jaksa states that these disorders can cause or worsen symptoms of ADHD. He adds that chronic stress and anger due to inadequate performance can trigger feelings of low self-esteem. "Getting diagnosed can help them get a better understanding of the root of their issues. This can help to reduce or eliminate their anxieties, and allow them to focus on areas where they excel," Jaksa states.

Adults with ADHD are usually treated with a combination of medications and behavior therapy. Stimulants increase concentration, decrease the risk of impulsive behavior, and help with organizing. In many instances these drugs can improve mood and increase motivation. The negative effects of stimulants are insomnia and difficulty drinking enough or eating well. Mood swings can also occur in some people who take stimulants to treat ADHD, and these can be difficult to manage.

Speak to your doctor about whether or not you are eligible for clinical trials of new medicines or treatments. These studies aid researchers in discovering better methods to detect and treat illnesses, as well as prevent them from occurring.

Counseling

Untreated adhd diagnosis in the workplace can lead to issues in all areas of your life. Your career, relationships and financial health can be negatively affected by procrastination and poor time management, impulsive spending, and other symptoms. Getting a diagnosis and seeking treatment is the first step towards reducing these negative impacts and regaining control over your life.

Many adults who are diagnosed with ADHD weren't diagnosed as children due to the fact that their families and teachers were not aware of the disorder, or because they displayed mild symptoms which were not spotted. Others might have been able to manage their symptoms during childhood, but struggled as they grew older as their family and work responsibilities increased.

To determine if you have ADHD mental health professionals need to find that your symptoms are causing significant impairment in two areas of your everyday life. Impairment can result in losing your job because of lack of focus and organization skills or being placed on academic probation at college due to inability to learn for tests.

Women are more adept at avoiding symptoms than men. This makes it harder for them to receive a diagnosis. However, if you are suffering from ADHD symptoms that are affecting your home and work life speaking up with your doctor can accelerate the process and allow you to take advantage of reasonable accommodations under ADA and other workplace laws.

No matter what type of ADHD you suffer from, your mental health professional will determine if your symptoms began before age 12. They may ask you to talk with people who were around you during this time period. They may also conduct a series of tests to determine your attention and memory abilities.

When you receive the diagnosis your therapist will recommend a combination of medications and non-medication treatments to help manage your symptoms. The majority of people will test various treatments before settling on the most effective one. Keep a log of your progress and consult your doctor regularly to adjust your treatment plan if needed.