Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult

For adults who find themselves struggling with their personal or professional lives and are unable to resolve the issue, identifying ADHD can be a significant step in getting control. A diagnosis requires a thorough evaluation that may include reviews of school records and questionnaires filled out by parents and teachers.

It is not uncommon for adults to be diagnosed with ADHD. Check out NIMH for tips on talking to your health care provider about the condition.

Diagnosis

Getting diagnosed with ADHD as an adult is often the first step in gaining control over the symptoms that cause havoc on a person’s professional and personal lives. The first step is to talk to your GP or find an expert in mental health who has expertise in treating adults with ADHD. If your doctor does not have any experience in treating ADHD and is unable to help, they can refer you to either psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct an assessment.

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

Since people who suffer from ADHD tend to miss details and get easily distracted, they often struggle with following directions or listening in class or at work. They often lose important items required for tasks or activities such as keys, wallets and other tools. They may also have trouble staying focused during long lectures or reading assignments. Other symptoms of adult ADHD include fidgeting, texting or talking frequently or squirming around in the seat.

It is crucial to rule other conditions out when determining whether someone suffers from adult ADHD. These include depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder. Stress and certain physical conditions such as thyroid issues can also mimic the symptoms of ADHD. The DSM-5 is now requiring professionals to determine how severe a person’s symptoms are when diagnosing the condition. adult adhd diagnosis uk is classified as mild, moderate or severe.

Many people who suffer from ADHD do not receive a diagnosis in their childhood because it’s not readily apparent. A diagnosis can alter the course of a person’s life as they understand why they struggled at school and failed to reach their full potential at work or home. They might feel guilty about blameing other people or themselves for their problems and may also be devastated by missed opportunities when they were treated with respect.

Treatment

To seek treatment for ADHD for adults, the first step is to consult a healthcare professional. 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 doctor will inquire about your medical history, including mental health issues within the family. This is because there are many physical and mental conditions that can cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD. These conditions must be ruled out in order to make a diagnosis.

The expert will also inquire about your lifestyle and work, and how your symptoms impact your daily life. They will be particularly interested in whether or not you showed signs of ADHD prior to the age of 12. They might also talk to those who were close to you as a child and ask them about their memories.

A thorough medical history can aid the doctor in determining if you need medication or other treatments. Certain medical conditions, like sleep apnea, thyroid disorders and lead poisoning can trigger ADHD symptoms. Adults with a history depression or anxiety will require evaluation and treated with more care because these conditions frequently coexist.

If a doctor believes you need medication, he or she will prescribe the right medication. The type of medication you need depends on the severity of your symptoms and how they affect your life. Stimulants, the most common medication prescribed for ADHD, are stimulants. However, they’re not right for everyone and the first one you try might not be effective or trigger uncomfortable side effects. Your healthcare provider will be interested in knowing if you take any other medications, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements, because certain types of drugs can interact with ADHD stimulants.

Counseling is also an important part of the treatment process for adults suffering from ADHD. Individual therapy can help you deal better with feelings of frustration, failure and underachievement that are frequently associated with untreated ADHD. It can also help you how to manage your anger and improve your time management and organization skills.

If you have an illness of the mind, it’s important to find an expert in healthcare who is trained in this condition. A psychiatrist or neurologist is able to diagnose and treat ADHD however, you may 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 experience helping other clients with similar struggles. You can check with your local mental health services or consult ADDitude’s directory of professionals to find a professional who works with adults with ADHD.

Medication

A diagnosis of ADHD is the first step to managing your symptoms and enhancing your life. If you’re struggling to realize your maximum potential in your work or have trouble maintaining relationships, or have trouble completing tasks at home then an ADHD diagnosis may be the answer you’ve been looking for.

The first step in treating ADHD in adults is a thorough medical history, including your symptoms. 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 with untreated ADHD are often co-morbid with disorders like anxiety and depression. These disorders can trigger or worsen symptoms of ADHD, Jaksa says. A constant stress and anger over the lack of performance can result in feelings of low self-esteem, he says. “Getting an assessment can help them get a better understanding of the root causes of their difficulties which can help reduce or reduce some of their worries and allow them to focus more productively on areas in which they excel,” Jaksa says.

Adults suffering from ADHD are usually treated by a combination of medication in conjunction with behavior therapy. The stimulants help improve concentration, reduce impulse-driven behavior and aid in organizing. These drugs can boost moods and improve motivation in many instances. The negative effects of stimulants are sleepiness and having trouble drinking or eating enough. Certain people who use stimulants to treat ADHD might experience mood swings that can be difficult for them to manage.

Talk to your doctor about whether you would be a good candidate for clinical trials of new treatments or medications. These studies aid researchers in finding more effective methods to prevent, diagnose or treat illnesses and conditions.

Counseling

If you are suffering from untreated ADHD the disorder can lead to many issues in every area of your life. Your relationships, work and financial health may be negatively impacted by procrastination or poor time management, excessive spending and other symptoms. The first step to reducing the negative effects and getting back in control is to get an assessment and seek treatment.

Many adults diagnosed with ADHD didn’t receive a diagnosis as children, because their teachers and family weren’t aware of the disorder or they experienced mild symptoms that were not noticed. Some adults may have been able manage their symptoms as children but were unable to manage their symptoms in adulthood due to the increased demands of work and family.

To determine if you have ADHD Mental health professionals must find that your symptoms cause significant impairment in two areas of your everyday life. In the event of impairment, it could result in losing your job because of lack of concentration and organizational skills, or being put on academic probation in college due to the inability to learn for tests.

Women are better in hiding their symptoms than men. This can make it harder for them to receive a diagnosis. If you suffer from ADHD symptoms that affect your work or home life, you can accelerate the process of diagnosing by being open with your doctor. You may also be eligible for reasonable accommodations under ADA laws and other workplace laws.

No matter what type of ADHD you have the mental health professional will want to see that your symptoms began prior to age 12. They may ask to speak with people who were close to you at the time, and may conduct a series of tests to measure your attention and memory.

After receiving a diagnosis, the therapist will recommend a combination medication and non-medication treatment to manage your symptoms. The majority of people will test a few different treatments before they find the best one. It is recommended to keep a journal of your progress and speak with your physician regularly so that they can assist in adjusting your treatment plan when needed.