10 How To Get Diagnosed With ADHD Meetups You Should Attend
Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult
Adults who are struggling in their personal or professional lives can benefit from diagnosing ADHD. A thorough evaluation is needed to make the diagnosis. This includes analyzing the school records and filling out questionnaires completed by caregivers and teachers.
It is not unusual for adults to be diagnosed with ADHD. NIMH has tips on how to talk with your doctor about the disorder.
Diagnosis
It is important to get diagnosed with ADHD at an early age. This will help you get control of the symptoms that can cause chaos in your professional and personal life. The first step is to talk with your GP or seek out a mental health professional with expertise in treating adults with ADHD. If your doctor is not familiar with ADHD, he or she could refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist for assessment.
A mental health professional will usually use a six question ADHD screener to determine if you are suffering from the condition. Then, he or she will talk to you about your symptoms and look at your family history and medical history to confirm that other medical conditions are not causing the symptoms of ADHD.
Because people who suffer from ADHD tend to miss details and get easily distracted, they often have difficulty following instructions or listening to lectures or on the job. They often lose important items needed for their tasks such as wallets, keys, and tools. They may also have trouble staying focused during long lectures or reading assignments. Fidgeting, excessive talking or texting or squirming are other symptoms of adult diagnosis of adhd ADHD.
It is essential to rule other conditions out when determining if someone has adult ADHD. These include depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. Stress and physical conditions like thyroid issues can mimic ADHD symptoms. The DSM-5 is now requiring professionals to assess the severity of the symptoms a person's experiences are when determining if they have diagnosed the condition. Adult ADHD is classified as moderate, mild or severe.
Many people suffering from ADHD live their entire lives without ever receiving a diagnosis because it's not evident in the early years. For adults, a diagnosis can be a life-changing event as they realize the reasons why they struggled at school and failed to achieve their full potential at work or at home. They may feel guilty about blaming others or themselves for their struggles, and they may be devastated by missed opportunities if they were properly treated.
Treatment
To receive treatment for ADHD for adults the first step is to speak with an expert in the field of healthcare. This can be accomplished in person or via video call. Only psychiatrists, psychologists, and specialist nurses are qualified to diagnose ADHD in the UK. The specialist will want to know your medical history as well as family mental health issues. This is because a variety of physical and emotional conditions can trigger symptoms similar to those of ADHD, and these must be eliminated before a diagnosis can be made.
The doctor will inquire about your work and lifestyle as well as how your symptoms impact your life. They are particularly interested in whether or not you showed signs of ADHD prior to the age of 12. They may also want to interview those who knew you in childhood and ask about their memories.
A thorough medical history will aid your doctor to determine if you need medication or other treatment. Some medical conditions such as thyroid disorders, sleep apnea and lead poisoning can cause ADHD symptoms. Adults who have a history of depression or [empty] anxiety might require a more thorough assessment and treatment, as these conditions can be co-existing with ADHD.
If a medical professional believes you require medication, they will prescribe the right medication. The type of medication you will require will depend on the severity of your symptoms and how they interfere with your daily routine. Stimulants, which are the most popular medication prescribed for ADHD, are stimulants. They are not suitable for everyone, and the first drug you try might not work or cause undesirable adverse consequences. Your healthcare provider will want to know if you use any other medication that are not prescription drugs, such as over-the counter ones and supplements, because certain kinds of medications can interact with ADHD stimulants.
Counseling is also an important part of the treatment process for adults with ADHD. Individual therapy can help you deal better with feelings of anger, failure and underachievement that are frequently associated with untreated ADHD. It can also help you learn 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 that condition. A psychiatrist or neurologist is able to diagnose and treat ADHD, but you might prefer to see psychologists or specialist therapists. These specialists are likely to be more familiar with adult ADHD and their challenges, as well as having previous experience working with clients. You can check with your local mental health services or with ADDitude's directory to find a specialist who can assist adults with ADHD.
Medication
If you are an adult who has had to deal with ADHD, getting a diagnosis is the first step towards addressing your symptoms and improving your life. If you've struggled to reach your maximum potential at work, find it difficult to maintain relationships or have trouble finishing tasks at home, a diagnosis of ADHD may provide the answer you have been looking for.
The first step in treating ADHD in adults is a thorough medical history review, which includes your symptoms. The psychologist or [empty] psychiatrist determines if you meet the criteria 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 afflicted with disorders like anxiety and depression. These disorders can trigger or worsen the symptoms of ADHD, Jaksa says. Chronic stress and frustration over the lack of performance can lead to feelings of low self-esteem, he adds. "Getting a diagnose can help them get a better understanding of the root of their issues. This could help reduce or eliminate their worries, and allow them to concentrate more productively on areas where they excel," Jaksa states.
The best treatment for adults suffering from ADHD is typically an amalgamation of therapy and medication. Stimulants improve concentration, reduce the risk of impulsive behavior, and help with the process of organizing. These drugs can boost moods and improve motivation in many instances. Some of the side effects of stimulants include insomnia and difficulties eating or drinking enough. Also, mood swings can occur in people who are taking stimulants for ADHD and can be difficult to manage.
Talk to your doctor about whether or not you're a candidate for clinical trials on new medications or treatments. These studies help researchers discover more effective ways to diagnose, prevent or treat diseases.
Counseling
Untreated ADHD can cause problems in all areas of your life. The effects of procrastination, among others, can have a negative impact on your relationships and career as well as financial health. The first step to reduce the negative effects and getting back in control is to get an assessment and seek treatment.
Many adults who are diagnosed with ADHD weren't diagnosed as children, either because their family and teachers weren't aware of the disorder or because they showed mild symptoms that were not spotted. Others might have managed their symptoms during childhood, but struggled as they grew older when their family and work obligations increased.
To determine if you have ADHD, mental health professionals need to find that your symptoms result in significant impairments in two areas of your everyday life. Impaired can be losing your job due to a decline in focus and organization skills or being placed on academic probation at college because you are unable to concentrate on your tests.
Women are more adept at hiding their symptoms than men, which could make it harder for them to get an accurate diagnosis. If you suffer from ADHD symptoms that affect your life at work or at home it is possible to accelerate the process of diagnosing by being open with your doctor. You may also be able to receive reasonable accommodations under ADA laws and other workplace laws.
Your mental health professional regardless of the kind of ADHD you have will be looking to determine whether your symptoms started before the age of 12. They may suggest that you talk to people who were close to you at this time, and they may also administer a series tests to assess your memory and attention.
When you receive a diagnosis the therapist will suggest a combination of medications and non-medication therapies to manage your symptoms. Most people will try several different treatments before they find the one that is most effective for them. Keep a journal of your progress and consult your doctor regularly to adjust your treatment plan as needed.
