Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult
For adults who find themselves struggling professionally or personally and are unable to resolve the issue, identifying ADHD is a significant step towards taking control. A diagnosis requires a thorough evaluation, often including reviews of school records and questionnaires filled out by parents and teachers.
It is not unusual for adults to be diagnosed with ADHD. See NIMH for tips on talking with your health professional regarding the disorder.
Diagnosis
Getting diagnosed with ADHD as an adult is often the first step in gaining control over symptoms that wreak destruction on people's personal and professional lives. First, you must consult your GP or a mental health specialist who is experienced in treating adults with ADHD. If your doctor is not familiar with ADHD and/or ADHD, they might refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist for assessment.
A mental health professional would typically employ a six-question ADHD screener to determine if you have the condition. He or she will then ask you questions about the symptoms of ADHD and review your medical history and family history to ensure that other medical conditions aren't the cause of them.
Because people with ADHD have a tendency to overlook details and become easily distracted, they often struggle with following directions or listening to lectures or at work. They often lose things necessary for tasks or activities, including tools, wallets, and keys. They may also have difficulty staying focused when listening to or reading long speeches. Fidgeting, over-talking or texting or squirming are other signs of adult ADHD.
It is crucial to rule out other medical conditions in determining if a person has adult ADHD. This includes depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. Stress and certain physical conditions like thyroid issues could also mimic the symptoms of ADHD. The DSM-5 now requires professionals to assess the severity of the symptoms a person's experiences are when determining if they have diagnosed him or her with the condition. Mild moderate, severe and mild are the categories used to describe adult ADHD.
Many people who suffer from ADHD do not receive a diagnosis in childhood, because it's not obvious. For adults, a diagnosis can be a life-changing event because they finally understand why they struggled in school and never seemed to attain their full potential at work or at home. They may feel guilty about being blamed for their struggles and could be resentful over missed opportunities that could have been if they were treated properly.
Treatment
The first step in obtaining treatment for ADHD as an adult is to visit a medical professional to get an assessment. This can be done in person or via video call. Only psychiatrists, psychologists, and specialist nurses are able to diagnose ADHD in the UK. The doctor will want to know your medical history and family mental health issues. This is due to the fact that a number of physical and emotional issues can trigger symptoms similar to those that occur in ADHD, and these must be addressed before the diagnosis can be made.
The doctor will 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 symptoms of ADHD prior to the age of 12. They may also wish to interview people who were close to you in childhood and ask them about their experiences.
A detailed medical history can help your doctor decide whether you require medication or any other treatment. This is because some medical conditions, like sleep apnea, thyroid problems and lead poisoning may cause symptoms of ADHD. Adults with an underlying history of anxiety or depression might require a more thorough assessment and treatment, as these conditions are often associated with ADHD.
If a doctor believes you require medication, he or she will prescribe the appropriate drug. The type of medicine you need depends on your symptoms and the way they affect your life. Stimulants, which are the most popular medication prescribed for ADHD are stimulants. They are not suitable for all people and the first treatment you try might not be effective or cause unwanted side negative effects. Your doctor will be interested in knowing if you are taking any other medications such as over-the-counter medications and supplements, as certain types of drugs can interact with ADHD stimulants.
Counseling is also an essential part of the treatment process for adults suffering from ADHD. how to get an adhd diagnosis uk can help you cope with the feelings of disappointment, underachievement and frustration that are often associated with untreated ADHD. It can also teach you how to manage your anger and improve your time management and organization skills.
If you suffer from mental illness, 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 consult a specialist therapist. These experts are likely to be more knowledgeable about the difficulties of treating adults with ADHD and have experience helping other patients who are struggling with similar issues. You can use search engines like ADDitude or your local mental health clinic to find a professional that works with adults who have ADHD.
Medication
If you're an adult who has had to deal with ADHD and is diagnosed, it's the first step towards addressing your symptoms and improving your quality of life. If you've struggled to achieve your maximum potential at work, find it difficult to maintain relationships, or have trouble finishing tasks at home and at work, a diagnosis of ADHD could be the solution you've been looking for.
ADHD treatment for adults starts with an extensive interview and a review of your medical history, which includes the symptoms you've been experiencing. The psychologist or psychiatrist determines if you meet the criteria 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 who suffer from untreated ADHD are often co-morbid with disorders such as depression and anxiety. Jaksa says that these disorders can worsen or cause symptoms of ADHD. He adds that chronic anxiety and frustration resulting from poor performance can lead to feelings of self-esteem loss. "Getting diagnosed can help them get a better understanding of the reasons behind their struggles. This may reduce or eliminate their worries and enable them to concentrate more productively on areas in which they excel," Jaksa states.
Adults with ADHD are usually treated best by a combination of medication along with behavior therapy. The use of stimulants can help improve concentration, decrease impulsive behavior and help with organization. These medications can improve moods and increase motivation in a variety of cases. Side effects of stimulants include insomnia and difficulties drinking enough or eating well. The mood swings can also happen in those who take stimulants for ADHD, and these can be difficult to manage.
Discuss with your health care provider regarding whether you are suitable for clinical trials of upcoming treatments or medications. These studies help researchers discover more effective methods to detect and treat illnesses, as well as prevent them from occurring.
Counseling
Untreated ADHD can cause problems in all aspects of your life. Your relationships, work and financial health can be negatively impacted by procrastination or poor time management, impulsive spending and other signs. The first step in reducing the negative effects and getting control back is to obtain a diagnosis and seek treatment.
Many adults who are diagnosed with ADHD did not receive a diagnosis as children because their teachers and family weren't aware of the disorder or they experienced mild symptoms that weren't recognized. Some might have been able to manage their symptoms during childhood, but struggled as they grew older when their work and family obligations increased.
To be diagnosed with ADHD, mental health professionals must discover that your symptoms cause significant impairment in at least two areas of your life. Impaired can be losing your job due to a deficit in focus and organization skills, or being placed on academic probation at your college because you're unable to concentrate on your tests.
Women are more adept in hiding their symptoms than men, which may make it more difficult to receive a diagnosis. If you're struggling with ADHD symptoms that affect your life at work and at home and family life, speaking openly about them with your doctor can help accelerate the process and enable you to benefit from reasonable accommodations under ADA and other workplace laws.
Whatever type of ADHD you have, your mental health professional will want to see that your symptoms were present prior to the age of 12. They may suggest that you speak with people who were close to you at this time, and they might also conduct a series of tests to test your memory and attention.
After you are given a diagnosis, your therapist will recommend the use of a combination of medication and non-medication treatments to help manage your symptoms. The majority of patients will try several different treatments before they find the best one. It is recommended to keep a diary of your progress and check in with your physician regularly so that they can assist in adjusting your treatment plan according to your needs.