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

Most people with ADHD suffer from symptoms since the age of three, and it’s not unusual to be diagnosed with it at an adult age. 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 towards gaining control over the symptoms that can cause havoc on one’s professional and personal lives. The first step is to talk to your GP or find a mental health professional who has expertise in 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 for an assessment.

Typically, a mental health professional will use the six-question ADHD screener to determine if you may be suffering from the disorder, says Adler. Then, he will talk to you about your symptoms and review your medical history and family history to confirm that there are no other conditions not causing your ADHD-like symptoms.

People with ADHD are prone to being easily distracted and can miss crucial details. They often have difficulty following directions in class or at work. They often lose important items required for tasks or activities like keys, wallets, and tools. They may also have trouble staying focused during long speeches or reading assignments. Other signs of adult ADHD include fidgeting, texting or talking frequently or squirming around in the seat.

It is essential to rule out other medical conditions in determining if a person has adult adhd diagnosis ADHD. This includes depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. Stress and certain physical conditions like thyroid issues could be a source of symptoms similar to ADHD. The DSM-5 is now requiring professionals to determine the severity of a person’s symptoms are when determining if they have diagnosed the disorder. Adult ADHD is classified as moderate, mild or severe.

Many people with ADHD live their entire lives without ever receiving a diagnosis because it’s not evident in childhood. A diagnosis can alter the course of a person’s life as they understand the reasons why they struggled in school and didn’t reach their full potential at work or at home. They may feel guilty about blaming others or themselves for their struggles and could be grieved over missed opportunities if they were properly treated.

Treatment

To seek treatment for ADHD in adults The first step is to consult an expert in healthcare. This can be done either in person or by 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 and family-related mental health issues. This is due to the fact that a number of emotional and physical conditions can cause symptoms similar to those that occur in ADHD, and these must be eliminated before an assessment can be made.

The expert will also inquire about your lifestyle and work and how your symptoms influence your life. They will be especially interested in if you showed symptoms of ADHD before age 12. They may also wish to interview those who knew you in your childhood and ask about their experiences.

A detailed medical history can aid your doctor to determine whether you require medication or any other treatment. This is because certain medical conditions, including sleep apnea, thyroid issues and lead poisoning may cause symptoms of ADHD. Adults who have an underlying history of anxiety or depression may need more careful evaluation and treatment because these conditions can be co-existing with ADHD.

If a medical professional believes you need medication, they will prescribe the appropriate medication. The kind of medication you need will depend on your symptoms and the way they impact your life. The stimulants are the most frequently prescribed medication for ADHD. They aren’t for all people and the first treatment you try might not be effective or cause undesirable adverse consequences. Your healthcare provider might ask if you are taking any other medications. This includes over-the-counter drugs or supplements as well as prescription drugs. Certain kinds of drugs can interact with ADHD stimulants.

Counseling is an essential aspect of treatment for adults with ADHD. Individual therapy can help you cope with the feelings of failure or underachievement that are frequently associated with untreated ADHD. It can also teach you how to manage your anger and improve your time management and organization abilities.

If you suffer from a mental illness it is crucial to find a healthcare professional who specializes in the field. A psychiatrist or neurologist can diagnose and treat ADHD, but you might prefer to see psychologists or specialist therapists. These specialists are likely to have more experience with adult ADHD and the challenges they face and also have experience working with other clients. You can use search engines like ADDitude or contact your local mental health services to find a professional that works with adults who have ADHD.

Medication

If you’re an adult who has been struggling with ADHD getting a diagnosis for adhd in adults is the first step toward managing your symptoms and improving your quality of life. If you’re struggling to achieve your full potential in the workplace, have difficulty maintaining relationships, or experience difficulty completing tasks at home, an ADHD diagnosis could be just what you require.

ADHD treatment for adults starts with a thorough interview and review of your medical history, including the symptoms you’ve experienced. The psychologist or psychiatrist 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 often co-morbid with disorders such as anxiety and depression. Jaksa says that these disorders can cause or worsen symptoms of ADHD. He says that anxiety and frustration resulting from inadequate performance can trigger feelings of low-self-esteem. “Getting an assessment can help them gain perspective on the root of their struggles, which may reduce or eliminate some of their anxieties and help them concentrate more effectively on areas in which they excel,” Jaksa says.

Adults with ADHD are typically treated by a combination of medication and behavior therapy. The stimulants help improve concentration, reduce impulse-driven behavior and aid in organizing. In many instances they can improve mood and increase motivation. People who are taking stimulants must be aware of possible adverse effects, such as insomnia and difficulty eating or drinking enough. Also, mood swings can occur in those who take stimulants to treat ADHD, and these can be difficult to manage.

Discuss with your health care provider about whether you’re suitable for clinical trials of novel treatments or medicines. These studies help researchers find better ways to prevent, diagnose, or treat conditions and diseases.

Counseling

If you’re suffering from untreated ADHD it could cause many issues in every area of your life. Your relationships, work and financial health can be negatively impacted by procrastination and poor time management, impulsive spending and other symptoms. Getting a diagnosis and seeking treatment is the first step in reduce the negative impact and regaining control over your life.

Many adults who are diagnosed with ADHD were not diagnosed as children or because their families and teachers weren’t aware of the disorder, or because they showed mild symptoms that were not noticed. Certain adults may be able to manage their symptoms in childhood, but were unable to manage their symptoms in adulthood due to increased work and family obligations.

To determine if you have ADHD, mental health professionals must determine that your symptoms result in significant impairments in two areas of your daily life. Impaired can be losing your job due to a decline in focus and organization skills, or being placed on academic probation in college due to your inability to study for tests.

Women are generally better at avoiding their symptoms than men, which may make it difficult to receive an accurate diagnosis. If, however, you are experiencing ADHD symptoms that are affecting your work and home life speaking up with your doctor will help speed up the process and enable you to get reasonable accommodations under ADA and other workplace laws.

Your mental health professional regardless of the type 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 were close to you at this time, getting diagnosed with adhd as an adult and may also administer a series tests to measure your memory and attention.

After receiving a diagnosis, the therapist will recommend a combination medication and non-medication therapy to help manage your symptoms. The majority of patients will try various treatments before they find the best one. Keep a log of your progress, and visit your doctor frequently to modify your treatment plan if needed.