Nine Things That Your Parent Taught You About How To Get Diagnosed With ADHD
Getting Diagnosed With ADHD As an Adult
Adults who are struggling with their personal or professional lives, diagnosing ADHD is a significant step towards taking control. A diagnosis requires a thorough assessment that may include reviews of school records and questionnaires filled out by teachers and caregivers.
It is not uncommon for adults to be diagnosed with ADHD. See NIMH for suggestions on talking to your doctor about the condition.
Diagnosis
It is crucial to be diagnosed with ADHD as you reach adulthood. This will help you get control of the symptoms that can cause a lot of trouble in your professional and personal life. The first step is to talk with your GP or consult an expert in mental health who has expertise in treating adults with ADHD. If your GP does not have any knowledge of ADHD and is unable to help, they can refer you to either psychologist or psychiatrist for an assessment.
A mental health professional will typically use 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 review your medical history and family history to confirm that other medical conditions aren't the cause of 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 to lectures or at work. They frequently lose essential items needed for their tasks such as keys, wallets and tools. They might also have difficulty staying focused while listening to or reading long speeches. Other symptoms of adult ADHD include fidgeting, texting or talking too much or squirming in their seats.
When determining whether a person has adult ADHD, it is important to exclude other conditions that could cause similar symptoms, such as anxiety, depression bipolar disorder, depression and abuse of substances. Stress and physical ailments like thyroid problems can also be a source of ADHD symptoms. In the DSM-5 professionals are required to consider the severity of an individual's symptoms when diagnosing them with ADHD. Adult ADHD is classified as moderate, mild or severe.
Many people with ADHD go their whole lives without ever getting a diagnosis because it's not evident during childhood. A diagnosis can change the course of an adult's life as they understand the reasons why they struggled in school and didn't reach their full potential at work or home. They might feel guilty about being blamed for their struggles and could be devastated by missed opportunities if they were properly treated.
Treatment
The first step in getting treatment for ADHD as an adult is to see the healthcare professional to get an assessment. This can be done in person or via video call. Only psychiatrists, psychologists and specialist nurses are qualified to diagnose ADHD in the UK. The professional will require information about your medical history and your family's mental health issues. This is because a variety of physical and emotional conditions can cause symptoms similar to those of ADHD and need to be eliminated before an assessment is made.
The doctor will also inquire about your work and lifestyle, and how to get Diagnosed with adhd your symptoms affect your life. They are particularly interested in whether or not you displayed symptoms of ADHD prior to the age of 12 years. They might also interview people who knew you as a child and how to get Diagnosed with adhd ask about their memories.
A thorough medical history will help the doctor decide whether you require medications or other treatments. Some medical conditions such as sleep apnea, thyroid disorders, and lead poisoning, can trigger ADHD symptoms. Adults with an underlying history of depression or anxiety might require a more thorough evaluation and treatment because these conditions can be co-existing with ADHD.
If a doctor believes that you require medication, they will prescribe a suitable medication. The type of medication you need will depend on the severity of your symptoms and how they interfere with your daily routine. Stimulants are the most commonly prescribed medications for ADHD. However, they're not for everyone, and the first one you try may not be effective or have unpleasant side effects. Your healthcare provider may ask whether you're taking any other medications. This includes over-the-counter medications or supplements as well as prescription drugs. Certain kinds of drugs can interfere with ADHD stimulants.
Counseling is also an essential part of the treatment process for adults with ADHD. Individual therapy can help you deal with the feelings of failure or underachievement that are often associated with untreated ADHD. It can also help you how to manage your anger and improve your organization and time management abilities.
If you have mental illness, it's important to find a healthcare professional who specializes in that condition. A psychiatrist or neurologist can diagnose and treat ADHD. However it is recommended to consult a specialist psychotherapist. These professionals are likely to be more knowledgeable about the difficulties of treating adults with ADHD and have had experience in helping other clients with similar struggles. You can contact your local mental health clinic or ADDitude's directory to find a specialist who is working with adults suffering from ADHD.
Medication
A diagnosis of ADHD is the first step in managing your symptoms and enhancing your life. If you've been unable 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 solution you've been searching for.
The first step in treating ADHD for adults is an extensive medical history review, which includes your symptoms. The psychologist or psychiatrist will determine if the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria for ADHD apply to you. 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 like anxiety and depression. Jaksa says that these conditions can worsen or cause symptoms of ADHD. Stress and frustration from the lack of performance can cause feelings of low self-esteem Jaksa says. "Getting an assessment can help these individuals understand the root of their issues. This may alleviate or eliminate their anxiety and enable them to concentrate more productively on areas in which they excel," Jaksa states.
Adults with ADHD are typically treated with a combination of medications in conjunction with behavior therapy. Stimulants can boost concentration, decrease impulsive behavior and aid in achieving organization. In many instances, these medications can also boost motivation and improve mood. Side effects of stimulants include insomnia and difficulties drinking or eating enough. Certain people who use stimulants to treat ADHD may experience mood swings that can be difficult to manage.
Talk to your health care provider about whether you would be a good candidate for clinical trials of novel treatments or medications. These studies help researchers discover more effective ways to diagnose and treat illnesses, as well as prevent them from occurring.
Counseling
If you are suffering from untreated ADHD, it can cause various problems throughout your life. Your relationships, career and financial health may be negatively affected by procrastination, poor time management, impulsive spending, and other signs. The first step in reducing the negative effects and getting back in control is to get diagnosed and seek treatment.
Many adults diagnosed with ADHD didn't receive a diagnosis when they were children because their parents and teachers weren't aware of the disorder or they experienced mild symptoms that weren't noticed. Some adults might be able to manage their symptoms as children but had difficulty with their symptoms in adulthood due to the increased demands of work and family.
To diagnose ADHD Mental health professionals need to find that your symptoms are causing significant impairment in two areas of your daily life. In the event of impairment, it could result in losing your job due to of lack of focus and organization skills or being placed on academic probation in college due to your inability to study for tests.
Women are better at hiding symptoms than men. This makes it harder for women to be diagnosed. If you suffer from ADHD symptoms that affect your home or work life it is possible to accelerate the process of diagnosis by being honest with your doctor. You might also be able to get reasonable accommodations under ADA laws and other workplace laws.
Regardless of the kind of ADHD you suffer from, your mental health professional will determine if your symptoms began prior to age 12. They may suggest that you speak with people who were close to you at this time, and they may conduct a series of tests to measure your attention and memory.
After you are given the diagnosis, your therapist will recommend the use of a combination of medication and non-medical treatments to treat your symptoms. The majority of people will test a few different treatments before settling on the most effective one. Keep a record of your progress and visit your doctor frequently to modify your treatment plan if needed.
